Johnny and Marlene Shahwan have been in Beit Jala with their family since 1992. They work for the German Missionary Community based in Sinsheim by Heidelberg. Johnny spent four years studying at German Bibleschools in Friedrichshafen and Wiedenest. Marlene is a trained dentist assistant and studied art on the side. Recently she has become a published writer as well. Johnny and Marlene Shahwan are the founders and leaders of the Beit Al Liqa'. They have four children: Melissa, Melody, Nadim and Shady.
   
 
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Kareem Shahwan (Johnny's brother) is married and the father of three children. He has been working as a grounds-keeper, gardener and driver in the Beit Al Liqa' since 2001. „In 1997 I became a believer through the ministry of the Beit Al Liqa'. Since I started work here I have loved to be with the children. I pray for them every day and bless them in Jesus name as I pick them up from their houses and drive them home. We also sing songs together in the bus. It is so beautiful to see even the smallest join in, even if it just with one word „Hallelujah“. Because I myself have children I know how important it is that we teach the small ones to love Jesus. I am convinced that the seeds we sow into these children will one day yield a rich harvest. “
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Branka Andoni is married and has three children. She has been leading the work in the day-care center since 1998. Branka loves her „kids“ but also teaches them to respect limits, to consider each other and learn routines. „It is my relationship with Jesus that gives me the strength and joy to do this important job and work with these little ones“, Branka reports and adds, and “I want each of these children to experience God's love.“
 
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Rania Awad is married and has three children. She works at the day-care center at the Beit Al Liqa' and loves children. Rania enjoys telling the children stories from the Bible. She reports "We are like one big family at Beit Al Liqa'"
   
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Jimmy Bannoura is single. She has been a part of our team since 2003. Jimmmy is one of our three kindergarten teachers. She loves children and is so blessed that they love her too! „Every child is special in God's eyes and I feel the same way. I never expected that these children would mean so much to me, but after spending so much time with them every day I almost feel like their mother.”
     
                           
   
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Narjes Abu Muhor is married and has four children. She is responsible to the cleanliness in the Beit Al Liqa' and also cooks meals for the volunteers twice a week. Narjes loves to stop by the kindergarten and the day-care center to cuddle the kids. She says: „The Beit Al Liqa' reminds me of Jesus Love. It is a ministry that puts Christ in the center of everything.”
      
                             
     
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Ronza Saba is single and a theology student at the Bethelehm Bible Colllege. She has completed a course in gastronomic and is in charge of the Beit Al Liqa' cafeteria. Ronza enjoys her work and reports: „It is fun to be a part of this ministry. There is always something happening and it is great that so many children hear about Jesus.”
       
   
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Andres Zorob is 25 years old and comes from Beit Jala. He studied theology for four years in Bethlehem and in England .
He has been at the center since August 2005 and the main focus of his work here is teenagers and youth. But his ministry does not only consist of taking care of the weekly teens' club. Andres reports: "The young people come in almost every day. They feel understood and taken seriously with their thoughts and needs. They talk about their dreams and fears and would simply like to enjoy their youth preferably far away from all the political problems and difficulties. At Beit Al Liqa' young people experience a bit of freedom, they have fun and discover their gifts. By playing games and sports, their excessive energy is led in the right channels. Many have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour during the past couple of months and are now discovering that Jesus would like to give them a life to the full. I am so happy to be able to accompany young people on their way towards adulthood. For our society they are the hope for tomorrow!"

   
       
 
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Maikel Hani is 32 years old, married and has three children. He was born in Beit Jala where he also grew up. After finishing High School with his A Levels (High School Diploma) and working in a variety of different areas he opened his own groceries store. During the second Intifada (uprising) he was forced out of business by the political circumstances and the quick decrease of the economy. This was the turning point in Maikel's life. Maikel got to know Jesus touched by Jesus words: “ What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). He sold his company and made Jesus the determining factor in his life.
Maikel works at Beit Al Liqa' since May 2006. His work consists of various jobs: he is in charge of the cafeteria, of purchasing goods and helps in the accounting department. He is glad to do something for the Lord together with other Christians. He enjoys reaching out to the people in his home town through new ideas and to tell them about Jesus.

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  coming soon...  
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