Yet in the Dark Streets Shining: A Palestinian Story of Hope and Resilience in Bethlehem

Book Synopsis: Yet In the Dark Streets Shining details the little-known story of Palestinian Christians through the heartbreaking but inspiring account of a boy who grew up to be a spiritual and community leader in Bethlehem. Bishara Awad was just a child when his father was killed by a sniper during the Israeli-Arab war of 1948. After the family fled their Jerusalem home, Bishara and his siblings grew up as refugees. His spiritual journey brought him through poverty and danger, while witnessing loss and death. Under the shadows of persecution and war, he learned how to live his Christian faith in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ. When Bishara learned how to forgive, he became a firebrand of faith and hope. Rising to the many challenges, he launched Bethlehem Bible College, the first Bible college in the West Bank. Through the dashed hopes of one war after another, as well as opposition on all sides, Bishara's story conveys how he and other Palestinian Christians continue to live their faith and envision a better future, while wrestling with these questions:
Is peace possible in Palestine and Israel?
How do theologians in other parts of the world affect the lives of Arab Christians in the Holy Land?
How is the gospel of Jesus Christ making a difference in the land of Christ?
How does one stand for justice, while also preaching forgiveness?

Endorsements:
Sometimes, the best way to learn the story of a people or an era of history is to learn the story of one person or family from that people and time. This book thrusts you into the dramatic, dangerous and deeply meaningful action of a storyline that reads like a biographical thriller. Through the real-life personal story of Bishara Awad and his family, you will gain insight into the Middle East, its history, and its people, and I think you will also gain insight into current realities that affect you right now, wherever you live. – Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt
When myopic self-centered eschatological and political doctrines blind us to human compassion and love, both must be unmasked and challenged. Please, leave the lofty heights of ideology and presumption and listen to the authentic story of real human beings caught in the crossfire of both. – Paul Young, author of The Shack
This is a story that is as riveting as it is historically important. It is likewise an opportunity to trace the history of the Palestinian church through the experience of one man. This is a book you will not want to put down and that you'll find yourself recommending to your friends because it is a story about faith and hope when life has closed every door. – Dr. Gary M. Burge, author of Whose Land, Whose Promise?
We know history is written by the victors and the tragic stories of the victims are often lost. In this gripping narrative, Bishara and Mercy preserve an untold story and give us an opportunity to be eyewitnesses of the still-unfolding tragedy of native Palestinians. You'll never look at Middle East peace in the same way again. – Steve Slocum, author of Why Do They Hate Us
Evangelical Christians around the world (and especially in America) need to hear this story. – Brian Zahnd, author of Sinner in the Hands of a Loving God. In a Middle East that is incessantly torn by violence and strife, Bishara shows us that a life immersed in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus is able to overcome hatred and fear. – Dr. Paul Wright, author of Atlas of Bible Lands
If you want a glimpse of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, I implore you to borrow Bishara's Christlike eyes. This story offers empathy to the groans of Palestinians, then advocates for compassion, justice and peacebuilding. – Brad Jersak, author of A More Christlike God
One cannot read this book without being deeply moved. – Lisa Loden, co-author of Through My Enemy's Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine