After our adventures getting from Zababdeh to Jerusalem, one thing has become clear: the peace process should begin with taxi drivers.
Read MoreThe church is the fourth oldest known church in the world, built on the site where Jesus healed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and one thanked him. There is an ancient cave within the church and a hole in the roof where people would deliver food to the lepers who had been quarantined in grottos.
Read MoreNevertheless, we traveled. We visited two Churches of the Annunciation (one Latin and one Greek).
Read MoreWe were welcomed back to Zababdeh, walking the streets to a chorus of "welcomes", "Merry Christmases" and "have some coffee." It's good to be home.
Read MoreVisiting friends and family during Christmas is a traditional Palestinian pastime - this is our particular version of it.
Read MoreThere were some pilgrims from the rest of the world, but taking the center stage were a group of Christians from around the world who had traveled on foot and camel from Iraq through Syria and Jordan.
Read MoreO little town of Bethlehem, the organs still do play of Jesus in a manger and angels on the way; our music and our singing is louder than a gun, and church bells in their ringing remind us we have won.
Read MoreAfter sleeping late, we headed for a walk along the Mediterranean and a day at nearby Jaffa.
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Once in Tel Aviv, we checked into our youth hostel.
Read MoreHope still flickers, like the light of Advent candle, in faithful anticipation.
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Now that winter is here, the morning assembly time outside is drastically reduced - especially when a rainstorm shows up uninvited.
Read MoreThe school's system of organizing exams is quite effective - all of the students in grades 6-11 take their exams together in the auditorium.
Read MoreThe Bible Society of Jerusalem sent a group of five young adults for an afternoon of puppet shows, games, and presents.
Read MoreWe also found our way to Jenin - fortunately, it hasn't rained in the last day or so, and we were able to drive around the roadblocks. More everyday, Palestinian non-violent resistance - though they probably would just consider it par for the course.
Read MoreWe went for one of our periodic walks in the mountains towards sunset, this time up into the pine trees - yes, pine trees! The terrain here is nothing like we would have imagined.
Read MoreNegotiating our way across these days is interesting business.
Read MoreWhen construction began on the mammoth Ma'ale Adummim settlement, the Bedouin way was in danger. The first 65 families were removed four years ago and given shipping containers to live in by the Israeli government - poetic to say the least.
Read MoreWe arrived in Jerusalem, and had time to be ugly Western tourists.
Read MoreOur visit to Hebron was greatly facilitated by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
Read MoreThe apartheid situation of the Old City was readily apparent. A handful of settlers had the freedom to go wherever they wanted, as soldiers held the hundreds of Palestinians in the market.
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