Students Distribute 2,000 Bag Lunches to Workers at Checkpoint 300 in Bethlehem

Checkpoint 300 in Bethlehem, just a few minutes drive from the Bible College, is one of the busiest checkpoints in the separation Wall, and certainly one of the most difficult for the 3,000 workers who must pass through each morning to get to work in Jerusalem. Every day, the workers begin lining up at around 2 am and wait to be searched and questioned before they can pass through to a waiting taxi. It can take about 4 ½ to 5 hours to get through this line.

Thursday, May 1, was Labor Day here in Bethlehem and the students wanted to honor and encourage those workers in a special way. On Wednesday afternoon, a few students and one of our resident volunteers picked up the supplies for the project. After classes the students formed an assembly line and began preparing 2,000 bag lunches to be handed out the next morning.

Inside, each bag contained a small wedge of cheese, a cucumber, a pita and a juice box. On the outside of each bag, a label was attached that said, “Bethlehem Bible College wishes you a happy Labor Day.”

About 13 people worked for nearly 4 hours packing those bags. At one point, I thought someone must have “multiplied the loaves and fishes” and there would be no end to the bags of pita and cheese that had to be prepared. But everyone worked cheerfully until the job was done! By 8:30 pm the last of them were packed into boxes and we all enjoyed shawarma sandwiches and a few hours of sleep before we would meet bright and early the next morning to hand them out.

We met around 3:45 am to load the van and head to the checkpoint. I imagine it was quite an interesting site to see a dozen people handing out these bags of food to everyone who would take it. Sometimes a man would not take a bag from me – an American who did not speak his language – but he would take it from one of the students who assured him it was free, and who wished him a “happy labor day.” Some were curious as to why we would hand them the food without expecting them to pay, and others smiled and said  “shukran” (thank you) as they hurried up the ramp to take their place in line.

I was so proud of the students who worked hard preparing the bags the day before, and of those who handed each bag and greeted the workers personally the following morning. They seemed to enjoy the experience, and I was privileged to work beside them representing Bethlehem Bible College. I understand that going through the checkpoint is a very difficult experience that each person must daily endure. As I packed the bags the night before, I silently prayed for each man who would receive the small gift of encouragement and for his family. I believe that if you give a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus, it is as if you have given it to Christ himself. May the lives of the workers and their families be blessed, and know of God’s love and care for each of them.