OUT AND ABOUT

We were fortunate to be able to join the Hope Lutheran congregation from Ramallah in a day-trip to the Golan Heights. Although it was difficult for them to get the necessary permits to go into Israel and to cross the checkpoint at Kalandia, 104 of us, in two buses, enjoyed a wonderful day together.

The first major stop was at the Manara Cliff cable car which allowed us a tremendous view of the valley.

Crossing into the Golan Heights, we enjoyed a different countryside.

Many of our group enjoyed rafting at Beit Hillel.

A view of the Sea of Galilee on our way to Tiberias.

Another excursion gave us the opportunity to visit the Lutheran World Federation's Vocational Training School located in Beit Hanina. This facility was opened in 1964 and has provided vocational training for many Palestinians in auto mechanics, carpentry, metal work, and more recently in the communications industry.

A visit to the Shu'fat Refugee Camp which is home to over 20,000 people.

A walking tour of the Camp.

A boys programme creating computer animation in the community centre. Here we had an opportunity to watch them at work and also to interact with them and get their opinions on their life there and their future.

Theatre and Hall in the Community Centre

Visit to the village of Idna where Toshiko who lives here at the Guest House has been working on a project to help the ladies living there to develop a cooperative to sell their beautiful sewing and embroidery. Toshiko, an accomplished designer and seamstress has helped them create designs and patterns which will appeal to the international market. Their work is superb.

The wedding of Art and Beverly from Toronto, Canada. Art has been coming to the West Bank for several years as a member of Christian Peacemakers Teams. He was actively involved in the situation with the orphanages in Hebron. It was an honour and a privilege for Dale to participate in the wedding ceremony at Redeemer, Jerusalem, and for Donna to play the piano for fellow Canadians, and to join their families and friends at the reception in Bethlehem.

Dale, Suzanne, and Sr. Monica at the Lebanese Restaurant in Abu Ghosh where we began our adventure one Sunday after church to see the possible sites of Emmaus where Jesus first appeared after the resurrection. There are several possible locations based on the distances from Jerusalem.

Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance at Abu Ghosh. This is supposed to be the site where the Ark of the Covenant rested during the reigns of Kings Samuel, Saul, and the beginning of David's. Although the grounds were open, the church was closed on Sundays.

Ceiling of the arches at the entrance to the church.

Notre Dame...

Entrance to the Trappist Monastery at Latrun.

Closed on Sundays.

Donna, Dale and Sr. Monica in the garden at Latrun.

Emmaus-Nikopolis, another one of the possible sites where Jesus met the disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. Today Emmaus Nikopolis is a Muslim village with excavated ruins of a Byzantine basilica with Crusader renovations, a small archaeological museum, and a modern Trappist monastery. Because of the distance from Jerusalem, it is considered unlikely to be the location of the Emmaus from the Bible story. Also closed on Sundays, we'll have to return another time to see the interior.

Canada Park in Israel, near Latrun. A huge beautiful park which made us feel proud of a park with this name until we learned of the history of this area. The three villages of Dayr Ayyub ('48), Yalu and Imwas ('67) were captured and destroyed by the Israelis. All traces of these Palestinian villages were wiped out and the former inhabitants driven out and forced into refugee camps.

Valley of Springs in Canada Park

School assembly on May 15 at Beit Sahour commemorating the Nakba (catastrophe) caused by the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.

Part of the Power Point presentation prepared by the students of the Social Studies programme showing the land that was originally to be given to the state of Israel in 1947.

One of the many refugee camps that resulted in 1948 when villagers were driven out of their homes and forced to flee after the state of Israel was created as the Zionist policy was implemented. Some people were forced to live in caves until tents and food and clothing were eventually provided by UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Beit Sahour Dance Troupe performed at the assembly. They are part of a group that will be travelling to Finland in June to sing and dance. I have worked with the group on a few occasions to practise their English and prepare for their trip, as English will be the common language of communication while they're away.

That brings us up to date. We've enjoyed the variety of experiences and are looking forward to new ones coming up soon.