Then we heard planes overhead - there's no regular flight path through the West Bank, only military planes.
Read MoreWe have made friends with one of the shepherds who was in college when the first Intifada closed schools.
Read MoreOur neighbors have had their baby!
Read MoreWe hear word of fuller West Bank closures, as the Israeli military has surrounded major population centers. These closures can prevent people and goods from moving from one town to another. We and people here are all aware that Zababdeh relies on transportation with other West Bank towns and Israel for all of its water, electricity (that is, petrol for the village generator), and much food.
Read MoreThe olive harvest continues, of course, and will likely do so in some way, shape, or form for another couple of weeks.
Read MoreMost families here rely on the harvest to either make ends meet or to supply their entire oil for the year - which means that the town basically shuts down - this includes the school for today.
Read MoreIronic that we're picking olives, the symbol of peace, as both sides have accused the other of a "Declaration of War."
Read MoreThere is too much water under the bridge at this point to start such a program with high school students - it is too difficult to simply forget and move on.
Read MoreDay one of our foray into the olive harvest! We left early in the morning with one of the families of the village to attend to their thirty or so trees up on the hill.
Read MoreTuesday nights are our gatherings in people's homes.
Read MoreThere are an incredible number of people who have family in the States or in Europe - only half of the population of Zababdeh actually lives in Zababdeh!
Read MoreEven in these difficult times, we feel blessed by this taste of reconciliation.
Read MoreOur hearts are broken.
Read MoreMarthame found his way to the 4:00 sports gathering on the school grounds.
Read MoreWe were treated to a traditional Palestinian meal of "ma'alube," chicken with almonds and rice, cooked by our new good friend whose son is a friend of ours in Chicago.
Read MoreFollowing church today, the Catholics met up with the Orthodox for a protest demonstration through town.
Read Moret's clear that the impact of conflict has a number of civilian and institutional casualties - including education.
Read MoreIt was built on the site of an ancient grotto that dates back many, many centuries. They're not sure how old - there's a stone with either Greek or Roman letters carved into it (it's hard to tell because it's so weathered) that no one has been able to date to give some evidence of its age.
Read MoreWe did some Bible study before moving to the church for prayer and vigil. Peace is needed so badly here, and yet the people feel so abandoned by the rest of the world.
Read MoreWe joined in some music with our friend playing the ‘oud and his children singing, while Marthame flailed along on guitar.
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