FOTONNA Newsletter Dec 2025

Update from Daoud Nassar

Dear Friends:

In this holy Advent season, as we prepare our hearts to welcome the Light who enters a weary and wounded world, we dare to speak of hope—not the thin hope of wishful thinking, but the deep, living hope that God breathes into all who refuse to surrender to despair. It is the hope that rises like dawn after a long night, the hope that stands its ground even where possibility seems to have run dry.

Here at the Tent of Nations, hope is not merely something we feel—it is a discipline we choose each day. It is the courage to rise when circumstances press us low, the faithfulness to tend the soil, to plant trees, and to bear witness through simple, steady acts that darkness will never have the final word.

We trust that God empowers us to nurture a hope that refuses to die—a hope that sinks deep roots into dry and difficult ground, a hope that reminds us that we are a resurrection people, called to be bearers of life even in places marked by struggle.

Advent invites us not to the comfort of hope but to the courage of it. Real hope is costly. It stretches our hearts beyond what we think we can endure. It keeps us awake when we would rather sleep. It teaches us to trust God’s promise even when our eyes cannot yet see its fulfillment.

And so, hope requires patience—a holy and active waiting, rooted in our unshakeable trust in the God whose love never retreats, whose mercy never abandons, whose presence never fails.

We remember the prophet Jeremiah who, in the midst of war and devastation, performed a confusing act of faith: he bought a field. When the future looked impossible, he planted a promise in the soil. His bold gesture declared that God’s future is more real than fear, more real than destruction, more real than uncertainty.

May this Advent season strengthen your spirit, deepen your faith, and renew within all of us the love and courage to hope beyond all hope.

Blessings and Salaam,

Daoud Nassar
Director, Tent of Nations
-People Building Bridges-
https://tentofnations.com/
www.fotonna.org
https://www.facebook.com/tentofnations

A Message from the FOTONNA Board of Directors

Greetings in this holy season from FOTONNA’s Board of Directors! As always, we are moved and thankful for Daoud’s message of encouragement and challenge (shared above), and we join with him in wishing you a blessed Advent and Christmas.

2025 has brought a time of change and renewal for our FOTONNA Board of Directors. Founding members Bill Plitt and Bill Mims and Board member Michael Phillips have moved into a newly-created status as Emeritus Board Members. They will continue meeting with the board as often as they are able, but without voting privileges.

Looking to both the future and renewal of the Board (since FOTONNA is only a couple years shy of our 20th birthday), current Board Members are beginning a process for seeking new members to share in the important work of providing North American support for the Tent of Nations. Stay tuned in early 2026 for information regarding ways to express interest in serving on the Board.

A brand new FOTONNA Website also debuted this fall, bringing updated content and a fresh look to our support for Tent of Nations. Check it out at https://fotonna.org! If you find bugs, or if there’s information you’d like to see and can’t find, please do let us know at info@fotonna.org.

It’s been a full and productive year for FOTONNA as well as for Tent of Nations. We are grateful to partner with you in providing support and encouragement – to the Nassar family, and to each other as Tent of Nations friends.

Thankfully,

Joan Deming 
for the FOTONNA Board:  Charlie Lewis, Daoud Nassar, Mark Braverman, Beth Moore, Nadia McGeough, Heidi Saikaly, Kyle Cristofalo, Joan Deming

2025 Tree Planting Funding Appeal

As this year draws to a close, please consider a generous year-end donation to provide new trees as well as the labor, farm equipment, and resources (think water) needed for tree planting in 2026 on the Tent of Nations Farm.

New young trees will be purchased locally and international volunteers or paid local farm helpers will provide the labor to help Daoud and Daher prepare the fields and plant the trees. Over the ensuing 2 years, those trees will need TLC to be hand-watered, cultivated and fertilized, until their roots are deep and strong enough to thrive on their own. Every step of this process carries a cost.

  • $30 provides one young tree: olives, grapes, lemons, almonds, and carob trees will all be planted. Consider providing a few, or even a row of trees!
  • $50 makes sure water and fuel are available when needed
  • $100 supports the labor needed to care for young trees
  • $400 or more provides tools and equipment maintenance, and other help as needed.

YOUR GIFTS will provide young trees and the resources to care for them! Thank you for your generosity!

How to Give

Our FOTONNA “Make a Donation” website page provides information about donating directly to FOTONNA by credit card or by check (not tax deductible under US law):

  • To Donate securely online by credit card, scroll to the bottom of the Donation page and click on the “Make a Donation” button.
  • To give by check, download the donation form here, fill in the form, and mail with your check (made out to FOTONNA) to 3436 East Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Interested in tax deductibility for your gift? FOTONNA also offers a tax-deductible giving option: your contribution of $250 or more can be made through our fiscal sponsor, Tree of Life Educational Fund.

From the right side of FOTONNA’s donation page (2nd option), find and click on the link to open our page on the Tree of Life Educational Fund website where you will find:

  • A secure Online option for credit card donations.
  • A downloadable Tax-deductible Contribution Form to print, fill in, and mail with your check to TOLEF at the address on the form.
  • Instructions for having a check sent directly from your financial institution to Tree of Life Educational Fund from your IRA, a Donor Advised Fund, or other financial vehicle.

Questions? Contact: Beth Moore, FOTONNA’s Finance Co-Director, ebmoore1@live.com.

Accompany the Nassar Family at Tent of Nations

You are invited to participate in life at Tent of Nations: the Nassar family farm. The family continues to live its mission: cultivating the land, creating community, and standing true to their commitment of refusing to be enemies. Your presence is sorely needed and will be an encouragement.

Spending time at the ToN is a unique opportunity to experience life on a Palestinian farm, enjoy the hospitality of the Nassar family, participate in caring for the land, and engage with people from all over the world who are committed to a just peace in the Holy Land. Learn more here.

For more information about how you can spend time on the farm you can also contact FOTONNA (Friends of Tent of Nations North America) by emailing info@fotonna.org.

We are Grateful to be on the FOTONNA road with you!

Thank you for all the ways that you are leaning into the wind, walking with the Nassars on their “journey for justice with faith, love, and hope in action.” Your prayers, advocacy work, financial gifts, and presence on the farm as visitors and volunteers are deeply appreciated by Daoud and his family.

Heidi Saikaly and Joan Deming
FOTONNA Board of Directors Communications Team