May 3, 2001

Marthame with Paul Eckel.

After school, we jumped in the rental and took the Jordan Valley route down to Jerusalem with one of our friends from the Arab-American University of Jenin. The reason for the trip was to connect with an American group that had come here for a two week visit. The tour was being led by Paul Eckel, a former pastor of Marthame's, who leads these groups roughly twice a year. He had invited us to join them and talk about our experience "on the ground." It was a good chance for us to put our thoughts together and to give a picture of life here these days.

A full tourist hotel in West Jerusalem.

The group was receptive and interested, if a bit weary (long days of trying to get to Bethlehem coupled with jet lag will do that to you - so will driving from Zababdeh to Jerusalem!). Meeting them in their hotel, we discovered where all of the tourists have been hiding - the Olive Tree Hotel's dining room was packed! The group was kind enough to put us up for a night and feed us, as well as pray for us and our work. Food for the body and food for the soul.