Is God Really on the Side of the Oppressed?

Come and See, Go and Tell Reflection #3

By, Jeff Shankle

I've been to jail before.  I've been as a kid and as an adult.  Have you?

The Palestinian man we met today has been to jail 7 times just during his teenage years.

What kind of effect does that have on a young person you think?  What sorts of expectations do we have for adults who are in and out of jail?  Let's not forgot that, in his case, jail is operated by a group of people who conquered his land, live behind a wall from his community, and generally have a reputation for unjust abuses of power.

We travelled down the steep, cramped, worn out, curvy road to meet him in the neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem, Palestine.  Coming towards our bus were cars, trucks, other buses, and motorcycles.  To our right was a new wall installed for Israeli settlers.  To our left were small shops and eateries.  On both sides were surveillance cameras installed by the Israeli police.

The person to the left has their back turned while holding a key.  It is said that Palestinians keep their keys from before the occupation hoping to someday return and open the doors to their old homes.  Their backs are turned as a reminder that that time has yet to come.

Today Qutayba is the director of the Al-Bustan Association Silwan.  When we arrived (in frantic need of a restroom break after the ride down the hill) there were children preparing to take a Judo class.  Outside there were children on swings.  There were children picking flowers… so they could furtively put them in the hair of an older boy who was talking to an older girl.  (Perhaps they were siblings?)  The Association building is a cramped, industrious, multi-use facility similar to what you'd find at a Boys & Girls Club in the states.

Qutayba walked us through his neighborhood of narrow alleyways.  There are 65,000 people living in the area which is just less than 2 square miles much of which is a steep ravine.  It's a tight fit for everything!

Stopping at his home he explained his current situation.  He's part of a 21 person family.  Together they inhabit 3 homes in Silwan.  Two of those homes are facing demolition.  One of them is facing eviction.  Currently there are 3 court cases in 3 different courts with 3 different lawyers.  He confessed, “Imagine how much a Palestinian family like mine pays not just in money but in mental energy.”

As we continued down the alley we paused at another home.  Well, actually it used to be someone's home.  It was bulldozed in February of this year.

In his work, Qutayba's organization provides a spiritual and practical sanctuary in a neighborhood darkened by injustice in ways one can hardly imagine.   They provide assistance to adults and children.  The children get a safe space to play sports, learn new skills like scouting or martial arts, gain access to therapy, fellowship, and more.  Everything they do for the children is to teach them resilience while providing them love.  God knows they need both!

Practically everyone in our delegation left the center wondering how someone who has suffered so much could be so full of joy.  Qutayba has lived a life entirely under the oppressive force of occupation and apartheid.  Yet even the beautifully thick black beard of his can't hide his radiant smile.  His joy is infectious.  He’s animated when he explains what their mission is, “We have to spread the culture of love during war.  We have to spread the culture of life during killing.  We are going to help.”  His words are inspiring even to the children behind us who pause to listen to him deliver that punch line.

There's no doubt in my mind that his life of suffering has purpose.  There's no doubt in any of our minds that his life and work are somehow lifting up an entire cramped, brutalized community.

I've worked in ministry for over 25 years now.  Every single time someone finds out I've been to jail they’re shocked.

Qutayba has been to prison much more than I have.  He's been to jail for the right reasons far more than I have too.

What happens when a kid grows up subjected to this level of injustice?  Please.  Let's remember that it's not every time, but sometimes that child grows up to be a man.  That man's name is Qutayba and his light shines in ways that are both convicting and uplifting.

And if that doesn't prove to you that Our God is on the side of the oppressed… well then… I'm not quite sure what else will.

Jeff Shankle

Jeff Shankle is currently the longest tenured youth worker in Marin County (north San Francisco), CA serving at Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Over the past 25 years he has served in a variety of positions as an associate pastor and then a senior pastor before returning to his original call of youth ministry.  He has had the privilege of preaching, leading relief efforts, and community organizing in 30 states and 7 countries.  His ecumenical efforts are substantial having partnered with congregations in every major world religion, major Christian denomination, many para-church organizations and other charities. 

An avid runner, reader, news junkie, and ultimate frisbee player you'll find also Jeff spending time with his wife Jenn (a gerontologist) and twin 9 year old boys, Theo and Sol.