Showing the Love of Christ to the Poor and Needy: Meet Mona Nour.

My name is Mona Nour, a Social Worker at the Shepherd Society in Bethlehem Bible College since 2002. I have a bachelor’s degree in Social Services from Bethlehem University, and I’m also an MA in Christian Ministry and Leadership graduate from Bethlehem Bible College. I got to know the College through Pastor Nihad Salman, the Shepherd Society Director at that time.

Going back in time, I can say that Bethlehem Bible College has had a significant role in my spiritual life. Through it, I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I was not a believer – I had my issues, and I was so stubborn! I rejected anyone who tried to speak with me about Jesus because I had a bad personal experience with one believer a long time ago that made me refuse faith. At that time, my husband was a believer. He used to speak with me a lot about Jesus, but I refused to listen. He prayed for me all the time without me knowing until I accepted Jesus Christ in my life two months after I started working at the College.

Before and during the second Intifada, the Shepherd Society focused more on helping people with electricity and water bills, school bags, stationery, and fees. After the second Intifada, the country’s political and economic situation worsened, so we focused more on food and medical help because there was such a big need for those.

My job today focuses on meeting people and finding out their primary needs. We try to help as many people as we can. Sometimes we connect them with other charity organizations in the Bethlehem area. If the person is having surgery, we try to help them with the fees and connect them with hospitals. Some people call only to talk; they want someone to listen to them, and I do just that.

There is nothing that teaches you more than working with people in need. I have learned to appreciate what I have and never take anything, however small it is, for granted. I know that nothing lasts, not money nor position.

Corona Effect

The Coronavirus pandemic affected the area of Bethlehem a lot! People who used to be in a good financial situation lost their jobs and now need help with basic life supplies.

Bethlehem area depends mostly on tourism. Since the pandemic, hotels and souvenir shops have closed, and all the other small businesses that supply for the hotels lost their income. So the work of the Shepherd Society has increased.

Sharing Love

Part of the Bethlehem Bible College mission is to model Christ in society, and what better way to model Christ than to help the poor and needy? Jesus said: “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me.” That’s the main verse that motivates us into helping people and showing them the love of Christ.

I want to thank everyone who is helping us financially or by praying for us. Without you, we would have never been able to help all the people and families in Bethlehem. Keep praying and supporting us to help more people in need, especially in the area of medical expenses and food.