Hello from the Holy Land!
I am just going to be breif-I have arrived safely with only minor hold ups in Israel. Me and 3 roommates are staying with a Muslim host family-Attulah and Jamella . They have 5 grown children, their two sons and their families in the same house. They also have 3 daughters and 20 grand children! We have met 9 of them, all under 13, two of which are babies! We have our own "apartment" on top of the house, with our own front door, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. They are very wonderful people and feed us SO MUCH FOOD!!
The situation in Israel and the surrounding Palestinian areas is way more difficult and sad than I knew prior to coming. The conflict, to my suprise, is NOT religious! We are staying in a neighborhood where Muslims and Christians live in peace. Thus far we have visited Hebron, a refugee camp, a glass factory, the Christian Peacemakers Team, and the Tent of Nations, etc.
I also experienced the most terrifying moment of my life today when I was standing on a rooftop in Hebron and saw an Israeli soldier on the rooftop next to us. I saw him start yelling at children in the street below and suddenly he cocked his gun and aimed it at the children. Thank goodness nothing happend but my heart began to race and me and a friend started to cry. The conflict and oppression here is very real and very scary for the Palestinians and Israelis.
Ok, now please don't worry anyone! We are safe. Just experiencing the real life of peope here, not just visiting tourist sights.
I love and miss you all!
Take a look at these!
http://www.tentofnations.org/
http://cpt.org/work/palestine
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