Yes, he remembers the war that claimed his father’s life. And he remembers how it feels to be filled with hate.
But because of Jesus, Bishara has left the memory of his hatred in the past.
One of the rich benefits of my friendship with Brother Andrew are the people he has introduced me to—people like Bishara Awad. I met Bishara on my first trip to Israel in 2001, and I was immediately struck by his kind face and warm smile that invited trust. He gave me key insight into a part of Christ’s Body that many Christians in the West have not heard much about.
Read more of Al Janssen’s blog series, ‘My journey with Brother Andrew’
As I sat with Bishara, my impression was that this gentle man had many reasons to harbor anger and bitterness. Seared in his memory is the picture of his mother dragging his father’s lifeless body off the street. His father, Elias Nicola Awad, was caught in the crossfire between the Jordanian army and solders in the Israeli paramilitary force. A large red spot on his forehead marked the spot where a single stray bullet ended his life.