About Me

HELLOOOOO!

*insert princess wave here*

My name is Meredith, and I'm a 23 year old kinda-sorta-recent graduate of Messiah College. I'm just your typical goofy, semi-educated, incredibly ignorant, middle class American kid living in Palestine. I'm spending a year abroad before I return home to continue my education in Public Policy... or maybe I'll do Palestinian advocacy work... or maybe I'll move back overseas and live another adventure. I have a few decisions to make.

I am able to be in Palestine thanks to Mennonite Central Committee's SALT Program, which each year sends 60 Americans and Canadians to work in around 40 different countries! While most people are in Africa, South America, or Asia, I am here in the Middle East along with two other wonderful SALTers.

2011-2012 SALTers

I'm working for The Shepherd Society, which is the humanitarian branch of Bethlehem Bible College. We serve over 4,000 families in many different ways, including food coupons; medical, utility, and school tuition aid; and family sponsorships. The work of the Shepherd Society is so incredibly transformative, and I am honored to be able to work alongside Palestinians who are passionate about helping their neighbors. If you're interested in more specifics, you can check out the Shepherd Society Website.

While the West Bank doesn't usually scream "best place for a single young woman to be living," I've found it to be an incredibly wonderful place filled with kind, welcoming people. Between the Biblical history, current oppression and occupation, and extreme need of the Palestinians, I find that I'm learning more about humility, peaceful resistance, and life than I ever thought possible.

My neighborhood in Beit Jala

This journey is not easy. There are days when I am so brokenhearted by the injustice here that I feel like it's going to consume me. Sometimes the fear, the oppression, the pain is palpable - you can taste it in the air. Other days, I am overwhelmed by the strength and hope of these people; the way in which they have jobs, raise children, and reflect the love of Christ in the midst of this devastating apartheid system inspires and encourages me. So far, living in Palestine has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I would not trade a single moment of this experience for anything in the world.


For more details on why I'm in Palestine, check out the "Why Palestine" tab.
For more details on how to get in touch with me, check out the "Contact Me" tab.