The 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.
Read MoreThe signs of protest and solidarity in town are limited to a parade through town and an occasional burning tire - the now-familiar signs of Palestinian protest.
Read MoreMost of the village remains riveted to televisions at the top of the hour.
Read MoreWeather update: it rained! Hard!
Read MoreDay two of the conference, sponsored by Schools on Line. There's much too much to tell of these three days, but it is a capsule of life with the Palestinians and the Israelis.
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