Monday, 22 October ~ Donna Veatch

Each day has brought a glimpse of the old and rays of light for a new day in Palestine. In Nazareth, home to Mary and Joseph and Jesus’ boyhood, we visited sites commemorating the Annunciation and wandered through excavations revealing structures of times past. 

Nabila Espanioly, founder of Al Tufula Center for Women and Children shared her struggle for each step of her education and profession, returning to build a center focused on child development and women’s empowerment. 

Over lunch at the Liwan Cultural Cafe, co-owner Sally Azzam explained how they are revitalizing community life in the neighborhood where locals may find comfortable space to share arts and culture. 

Abuna Elias Chacour

Father (Abuna) Elias Chacour, Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church and founder of the Mar Elias Educational Institution, met with us to share stories of overcoming tragedy to reach out in love.  He commented that after all his years of seminary and religious life he remembers the following:  God does not kill. God is love. You can forget the rest!  He asked us for our friendship and solidarity, which has been the most critical factor of this journey. We can see the sights and remember what they represent, but more importantly hear the stories and honor the people behind them who work to make each tomorrow better. 

Father Chacour invited us to be pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian, but not anti-Israeli or anti-Palestinian. This is perhaps our biggest challenge yet. 

Sunday, 21 October ~ Alan Ogilvie

We have seen many remarkable sites during our tour. Some sacred like Church of the Nativity and some secular like Dar Al Kalima University. Today was no different as we visited various churches along the Sea of Galilee, took a beautiful late afternoon cruise on the Sea of Galilee in a boat similar to what was used during the time of Christ and visited the ancient Village of Biram, which was destroyed by troops in the early 1950s.

Toomi Magzal

Particularly memorable was walking the ruins of Biram with an energetic 91 year old former resident, Toomi Magzal, who spoke of how his family and the entire population of the village was forced to leave their homes with only 48 hours notice with the promise from officials that they could return in 2 weeks. Only later did it become clear they would never be permitted to return and the village would be destroyed. Despite what he and his family had experienced through this ordeal, he was not bitter but rather simply desired for there to be peace in the Holy Land. Truly an amazing individual.

Friday, 19 October ~ Jean Angel and Mary Lynn Thomson

In a land with A, B and C areas, separate roads and legal systems, and frequent humiliations, I feel great comfort from loving peacemakers including Ayed Abu Eqtaish and colleges assisting children arrested in a military system of law (through Defense for Children International-Palestine); Abdullah Cohen educating people about his Samaritan culture to protect it, a priest at Jacob’s Well Church persisting in his ministry even when under attack by settlers, and Abuna Firas in Zebabdeh giving lessons to his congregants that envision a new and better Israel/Palestine. Here everyone we meet has a story and is an advocate for humanity. People are working to love each other as God loves us and this work is an inspiration. We are pilgrims grateful for welcoming hospitality and delicious Palestinian food.  May we join our new friends in their work to create a more just world.