Patrice Egging: Music and Ministry

Here follows an email from a facebook friend, from Bethlehem. They are struggling to maintain their life and source of livelihood. They are surrounded by a wall…but reaching out to the world. They don’t want a “handout” …they just want to make a living and raise their family.

I’m Arlette Anastas from Bethlehem ,We are Palestinian Christians. My husband and I have five children and few resources. We are struggling to survive in Bethlehem . We want to stay here and not give in to the pressure that the Israeli occupation directly or indirectly puts on us to emigrate

My family used to have thriving businesses at the shops on the ground floor of our house. My husband had an auto repair shop. People, including Jews, came from Jerusalem to get their cars repaired. Then in 2004 the Wall went up around three sides of our house. People no longer came to see us, and all of our businesses died. So did our income.

We decided last year to make garments in the style of our homeland for infant baptism. We sell the garments online. We have converted my husband’s auto repair garage into a boutique. We would like to have people visit our shop where we sell the baptism garments and other things like Palestinian shawls and capes. The Wall is right in front of the entry to our house. Pilgrims and tourists can see the Wall graffiti and get an idea of what it is like to live by it. There are tour groups that visit the Wall today. The people are curious, but they are not necessarily interested in Christian garments.

Our baptism garments come in six different sizes—newborn to 24 months. They feature an embroidery design inspired by the mosaic floor of the Church of the Nativity. The tunic is the kind of garment that Jesus wore. We think that our garments from the place where Jesus was born would be special to Christians all over the world.

Please visit our website and, when possible, also visit us in person.

Website: http://www.baptismgarment.com/ See “about” for pictures and our story.

Doublesided trifold brochure for 8.5 x 11 inch paper: http://www.baptismgarment.com/pr/lettertrifoldbrochure.pdf Please print our brochure and distribute it at your conferences, baptism classes, and social justice meetings.

Map indicating our house: http://www.baptismgarment.com/mapprintpage.pdf Please give our map to your tour leaders and pilgrims

We do not have funds for advertising. We cannot pay to have announcements in church bulletins. We rely on the Holy Spirit and you to spread our news. We are counting on our Christian brethren to remember us just as we pray for them.

I need your prayers and concrete support in promoting the concept of a baptism garment in the timeless style of the holy land please tell your friends , relatives ,associates in religious education, priests….basically everyone you know.

what i need from you is to help me to bring groups to my shop ,i am selling olive wood and hand made embroideries and the baptism garments .

love

Arlette Anastas

Please go to their web site to see more pictures, and to order!     Thanks