(MSN photo)
Israel (MNN) ― Indecision and conflict continued in the Gaza Strip today as the Fatah congress extended their conference for another day.
The conference, which was originally to last for three days, was scheduled to end Thursday. However, struggle for control between the younger and older members and around 400 delegates who have been prevented from traveling to the Gaza Strip, have caused turmoil in the conference and forced it to be prolonged.
In addition to these power struggles, Hamas, Fatah's rival faction, controls the Gaza Strip and has refused to let the delegates leave until Fatah releases some 900 Hamas prisoners being held in the West Bank.
Tom Doyle with E3 Partners is currently in the area on a short-term mission trip. His team plans to visit Jerusalem, the Hypha area, Tel Aviv, Bethlehem and the West Bank.
"Obviously, what's happening in the Gaza strip with Hamas is deplorable with the conditions there for the people, and so nobody's quite sure. We've talked to people in the West Bank, people in Gaza, and they really don't know what the future holds," Doyle said.
In several of the areas they have visited, such as Hypha, Jews and Arabs live together peacefully. Doyle said while Palestinians are often associated with terrorists, many just want peace.
"The majority of the Palestinians that we know would love for there to be a peace. They really don't want to fight Israel, don't want any of that nonsense that has been going on for decades," said Doyle.
E3 Partners sees this as an open door to share with the Jews and Arabs in the region the inner peace Jesus gives through a relationship with him.
Doyle also said, "We hear all about maybe a 'two states' solution--Israel and Palestine. We try to stay out of the politics if we can and just say, ‘How about a one heart solution, where Jews and Arabs come together under the name of Jesus Christ?'"
With growing disillusion among Palestinians with their government, many are responding to this message. On his trip, Doyle said, his team has already seen several people pray to receive Christ. One of the best kept secrets of the area is how much the Palestinian church is growing.
"It's not huge numbers, but there's significant growth going on," Doyle said, speaking of the Palestinian church.
Doyle said both the Jews and Arabs in the area have been resilient to the trials they have faced, and neither is going anywhere.
Ultimately, "We know that Jesus is what's going to bring the peace to this area," he said.
Please pray for the hearts and minds of the people Doyle and his team minister to in the region. Pray for the favor of God to show in their actions and words, and for the people to long for the peace Jesus offers.
To learn more about the ministry of E3 Partners and how to become involved with their short-term teams or other ministries, visit their Web site.
