The initial half of the program, in Norway, focused on the “first encounter,” where many concepts were new to the participants and relationships were just beginning to blossom. After months of time to reflect on the subjects that were discussed in part one and to better know one another, the second half of the program sought to bring the group into deeper issues, mainly the topic of identity. Though identity is a part of each one of our lives, we sometimes place the aspects of our identity which may be different than that of the “other” in the background when we are seeking to reconcile. We may feel that it is best to focus on what we have in common in order to create a conversation with the fewest barriers. This caution has its advantages, and by bonding with each other through our similar beliefs, spiritual identity, and interests and struggles of everyday life, we create a relationship that provides the foundation needed for exploration into the beliefs and identities which make us different.  For our BridgeBuilders, that foundation was established and became solid ground upon which the participants could securely enter into deeper issues. This security came and continues to come from the simple fact no matter what frustrating, painful or confusing feelings arise while sharing perspectives on the controversial issues of identity and belief, these people love each other. It may be easy to walk away from a stranger whose view is different than yours, but it is not so easy to walk away from a friend.

Ronit Kory, Young Adult’s Coordinator Musalaha

The program is divided into to three: Studytrip for the Norwegians, Desert Encounter for everybody in Jordan and a evaluation day/day off  for the vikings in the end.

The studytrip will introduce the participants from the north more thorughly and directly to the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict with teaching on: Both sides perspective of the conflict, christian palestinians, messianic jews as well as field trips to a palestinian refugee camp and Yad Vashem. The participants living in the area will join the Norwegians in some parts of the program, f.x for the passover meal on Erev Pesach. As the participants are visiting the land of the Bible, what is more correct than having some excellent guiding in Jerusalem, Betlehem and Galilee. To read the beatitudes at the Mount of Beatitudes is of course compulsory: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9)

After four days, all together will take a buss to the marvellous desert of Wadi Rum, Jordan. There will be thorough teaching on issues like Our stories and God’s story, Identity in Christ, Comfort and Discomfort zones, Inner & outer change and Changing our societies. The participants will continue with listening to eachother and sharing as they discuss the different topics.  Fun activities is also on the program: jeep trip, camel tour and mountain hike. Did I forget to mention: No showers, no toilets and no wifi? Well it’s time for fellowship with the Lord Jesus and eachother. They are a part of a long tradition in meeting the Creator in the desert.

Finally the Norwegians will celebrate Easter day in the city of the resurrected One: Jesus, the Messiah. And have some time off.

Please pray for protection for participants and leaders and for God’s kingdom to come and his will to happen in everyone of the BridgeBuilders 12/13 program.

BridgeBuilders 12 // Program

Friday August 3

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast

10:00 – 10:30 Arrival of Norwegian Participants

10:30 – 13:30 Intro activities

13:30 – 14:30 Lunch

14:30 – 17:30 Intro activities

17:30 – 19:30 Free time

19:30 – 20:30 Dinner

Saturday August 4

“Understanding & Establishing an Environment of Peace”

10:00 – 11:00 Breakfast

11:00 – 12:00 Departure to Foreneset Campsite

12:00 – 13:00 Arrival and setting up camp

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 17:30 Ice breaking and team building

17:30 – 19:00 Free time

19:00 – 20:00 Dinner

20:00 – 21:00 Teaching

21:30 – 00:00 Bonfire

Sunday August 5

“Building team spirit; Communication and Listening”

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:00 – 11:00 Bible lesson

11:00 – 12:00 Group conversations

12:00 – 12:30 Activity

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:30 Free time

14:30 – 17:30 Team building activities

17:30 – 19:00 Free time

19:00 – 20:00 Dinner

20:00 – 21:00 Teaching

21:30 – 00:00 Bonfire

Monday August 6

“Overcoming fear”

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:00 – 11:00 Departure to Preikestolen

11:00 – 13:00 Hike up

13:00 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:00 Teaching

14:30 – 17:30 Hike back down

17:30 – 19:00 Free time

19:00 – 20:00 Dinner

20:00 – 20:30 Bible lesson

21:30 – 00:00 Evening gathering

Tuesday August 7

“Forgiveness”

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:00 – 11:00 Bible lesson

11:00 – 12:00 Group conversations

12:00 – 12:30 Free time

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:30 Outdoor activities

15:30 – 18:00 Free time/dinner prep. (Palestinians)

18:00 – 19:30 Palestinian dinner

19:30 – 20:30 Teaching

20:30 – 21:30 Free time/Palestinian cultural evening prep.

21:30 – 00:00 Palestinian cultural evening

Wednesday August 8

“A call to reconcile”

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:00 – 11:30 Bible lesson/Theatre

11:30 – 12:30 Free time

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:30 Activities

15:30 – 18:00 Free time/dinner prep. (Israelis)

18:00 – 19:30 Israeli dinner

19:30 – 20:30 Bible lesson/Theatre

20:30 – 21:30 Free time/Israeli cultural evening prep.

21:30 – 00:00 Israeli cultural evening

Thursday August 9

“One body”

On duty: George

10:30 – 10:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:30 – 12:00 Free time/cultural afternoon prep. (Norwegians)

12:00 – 13:00 Worship service

13:00 – 14:00 Quite time

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch

15:00 – 17:00 Activities and Norwegian entertainment

17:00 – 18:00 Free time/Dinner prep. (Norwegians)

18:00 – 19:30 Norwegian dinner

19:30 – 20:30 Free time

20:30 – 00:00 Worship and sharing

Friday August 10

“The road ahead”

09:00 – 09:30 Breakfast and devotion

10:00 – 11:00 Gathering

11:00 – 12:00 Evaluation

12:00 – 13:00 Free time and packing

15:00 Departure to Sandnes

17:00 Meeting with host families

Read Norwegian Press release

You can also meet the participants in different churches in the Sandnes/Stavanger area Sunday August 12.

More details in Norwegian in this article

Except for one Israeli, BridgeBuilders are now completed with motivated participants from The Palestinian Authority, Israel and Norway. Flight tickets are being booked and the last preparations need to be done in a couple of weeks.

Please keep all the participants and leaders in your prayers as we know the evil one does not like brothers and sisters coming together in Christ.

Do you want to contribute?
We still need a lot of help both practically and financially.

Do you want to meet the BridgeBuilders?
There will be an open seminar at Fredheim Arena in Sandnes Saturday August 11. at 2 PM.
Sign up @ Facebook

You can also meet the participants in different churches in the Sandnes/Stavanger area Sunday August 12. More info will come soon!

Søknadsfristen for BridgeBuilders 12/13 forlenges til 1. mai.

Vi ønsker et bredest mulig grunnlag av søkere for å kunne velge ut en deltakergruppe som er hensiktsmessig for prosjektet. Vi oppmoder særlig gutter til å søke!

SØK HER

Til alle som har søkt, ta kontakt med Håvard Maurstad dersom dere måtte ha et tvingende behov for å avklare deres deltakelse før fristen er løpt ut.

BB

Read more about BiG’s World Wide Walk in Norwegian

BridgeBuilders gives you a unique opportunity to meet young believers from other backgrounds in order to learn about the importance of understanding and reconciliation, the unity in Messiah, and our calling to be peacemakers.

If you are a mature believer between the ages of 20-25 and can commit to participate in both parts of the program we encourage you to sign up!

Follow this link to find out more

Place: Everest, Beit Jala

Friday, June 24^th

10:30 – Arrival and check in at Everest

11:00 – Devotion, get to know each other; catch up on what happened since we met, pictures/video from BB

13:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Salim Munayer – Biblical Justice

16:30 – Break

17:00 – Team building activities /get to know each other / have fun

19:00 – Dinner

20:00 – Worship, testimonies and hang out

Saturday, June 25^th

08:00 – Breakfast

09:00 – Devotion, worship and prayer

09:30 – Labib Madanat – God in my enemy

11:00 – Break

11:30 – Theatre of the Oppressed

13:00 – Lunch

14:00 – Ilya Lizorkin – Unity in Christ

16:00 – Break

16:30 – Group conversation – the way forward, process

17:30 – Dinner

18:30 – We leave the Everest