Peacebuilding and Dialogue International Study Camp

One of the organizations that I work with (The Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue (FDCD) is currently hosting its annual summer camp.  This is the 8th year that FDCD has brought together young people, ages 20-30 from the Middle East and Europe, men and women, Muslims and Christians...to live together and learn about peacebuilding and dialogue processes.  I am both a helper and a participant in the camp with 34 others from around the world.  We are staying in a retreat center in the mountains called "Dhour Chour" for the 10-day camp.  This year we have participants from 12 different countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Norway, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Madagascar, Sudan, Iraq, Egypt and me...from the United States.  From this information alone, you can already be sure that this diversity sets the stage for a very interesting and unique experience.  The camp has only just begun.  Tomorrow (Sunday) morning, we will all (Muslims and Christians and atheists) go to a protestant church service in the closest village.  I am sure I will have some interesting stories to share in the next week.  Personally, I am especially interested in using this time and experience to reflect and learn more deeply about how the Bible commands to behave in relation to people of different faiths and how I should speak and be a witness of Christ in such a situation.  Living in the Middle East, it is very important for Christians to think about this question and read the Bible and pray about how to live out their faith boldly in a region that is heavily dominated by Islam.