By Samantha Heim, 5.19.2017

Today was my birthday and it was the most amazing and unforgettable one I’ve had yet.

Herodium

We began the day by touring the ruins of Herodium, Herod’s palace and burial place.

Inside Herod’s mountain — built to hold his tomb

We proceeded to visit the Shepherds’ Field, which, believe it or not, is not an actual field. Instead there was a church overlooking what must have been the Shepherds’ Field once upon a time. In that church, a magical moment happened, with another group from Germany, we sang Angels We Have Heard On High with both languages mixing in perfect harmony.

Quest students and Bonnie with Mitri Raheb

The day continued with a meeting with Reverend Mitri Raheb who spoke about his work for returning Palestinian culture and helping his people to “not only survive but thrive.”

Of course that’s not all, next up was Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.

Family members of prisoners on 33rd day of hunger strike

While in the Square, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. We were able to sit and listen as Palestinian women spoke about the current prison hunger strike (affecting their sons, husbands, and brothers), and their hopes for a peaceful and beneficial resolution.

Just when I thought this day could not get any better, after dinner I was surprised with a birthday cake and impromptu dance party! Everybody in the group joined in as well as the workers and owners of the hotel. I was intensely struck by the generosity and kindness of all the people on this pilgrimage and all the people we have encountered along the way

Excited to meet more of these amazing people and make more incredible memories.

Samantha

For lots more photos, see Pilgrims of Ibillin’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimsofibillin/.

By Bonnie Van Overbeke  5.17.17

Today, on our first day in Bethlehem, we spent time with staff at Wi’am, a Palestinian Mediation Center learning about the affects of the wall that looms over their office.  Their many programs teach nonviolent resistance techniques and conflict resolution skills to help residents cope with the physiological affects of the occupation.

With Usama we also walked through Aida Refugee Camp located next to the Center.  Aida was established in 1948 after over 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly driven from their villages for the establishment of the State of Israel. The large key over the entrance to the camp symbolizes their hope of returning to the homes and farms they lost.

Quest students from The Crossing Ministry, UW Madison,
in Bethlehem by the separation wall and Israeli guard tower.

Zoughbi Zhoughbi, direction of Wi’am

The entrance to Aida refugee camp.

 The narrow streets of the camp.

Usama Nicola, our Wi’am guide

 “A country is not only what it does but what it tolerates.” Written on the barrier wall separating Bethlehem from the Jerusalem and the world.

Dawn over Bethlehem

We are in Bethlehem! All eleven of this year’s participants arrived tired, safe, happy, and a little unbelieving that the view from their hotel balcony is actually Bethlehem. Tomorrow we begin to discover stories we’d never hear without this trip, but tonight over dinner and brief getting acquainted time we began to be a group, a living, learning community. (Fearless leader totally forgot to get group photos. Oops. Tomorrow.) In the morning we’ll start at Wi’am, the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center in Bethlehem, then Aida Refugee Camp, and that’s just the morning. Stay tuned!

Entrance to Wi’am Center

Delicious beauty in Wi’am garden…

…and ugliness outside Wi’am’s gate.