Father Chacour asked us to enjoy our visits to the Holy sites of Israel/Palestine - The Land - but to remember to focus on the living stones - The People of the Land.
The people we have met here have all lost a great deal under the occupation of the State of Israel. Homes, land, family, friends, the rights we consider basic--- education, employment, travel and much, much more - controlled and/or appropriated without due process. A family we spent time with today, has a home surrounded on three sides by The Wall. They are now a dead end. Their shop in the first floor of their home is closed. They cannot sell their home without permission from the State of Israel as they are in the "C" zone. They cannot leave and cannot stay.
As the Palestinians have struggled to regain what they have lost and improve the lives of their children, they remain remarkably friendly and peace loving people. Devoid of hate. They have a great love of all things American except our foreign policy.
It was with sadness that we left our friends in Ibillin, but we have found more friends in Bethlehem. The Living Stones.
The bus rides continue to be a great adventure. We wait for the sound of metal on metal and cringe. Our driver told us to just shut our eyes. It is impossible for a bus to travel to the International Center in Bethlehem, yet here we are. The miracles continue.
Lynn Martin
When can you find us?
Saturday, June 28, 2008
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