Less than one week left to go. I hear my teammates talk about it, our coworkers at Musalaha talk about it, our host families talk about it, but I want to deny that this is true. I love this place and this people, and it breaks my heart that I will have to say goodbye soon. As with every trip I have ever taken, I wonder if I will see these new friends ever again, or if I will have the opportunity to return back someday.

I have learned a lot here in Palestine.... the importance of family and relationships, and how necessary it is to have hope, even in a situation that seems hopeless. I take my hat off to these families for their ability to be happy... joyful even... as they continually face opposition and oppression. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed every day at work, and every night we have spent with our host family. We have shared some great conversations, many a laugh, and even a few tears. I pray that one day I will be able to return and see everyone again, or hope that one or two of them may even visit Canada.

Thank you for all your prayers for the team. Each one of you is a blessing to us! Please also pray for the people we will be leaving behind that God will continue to work in their lives and in the situation here.

Blessings,

Adrianna

Herodium

What a view! 

 You can see the dead sea from Herodium.

 The tunnels under the palace

Prayer requests

Here are a few ways that you can be praying for our team.
1. Mia and Luke both have colds.
2.That God would give us the strength to not give up.
3.That we could process the things that we have seen here thus far properly.
4.That we could live out this next week completely and fully, and leave Palestine with no regrets.
5.That we would not build up a prejudice with one side or the other.
6.That the relationships that we have built all remain strong even as we prepare to leave soon.
7.That when we come home this would still be a passionate topic for all of us.
Thank you all for your prayers!
Team Palestine

Love at its finest

Getting loved on by a kid :) So blessed! (above)

Mia and her new best friend Fadia (above)

Class presentations (above)

More Class presentations (above)
Mia making more friends (below)

Wow, what a day. Had a blast working at Jemima which is a school for mentally and physically handicapped children and adults. When we first arrived there last week our hearts just broke. Often in  Middle Eastern culture these people are seen as a disgrace but truthfully they have the biggest hearts. They love unconditionally, they are quick to forgive and most of the time wear a smile. Maybe we could all learn a thing or two from these people. It has been a truly heart breaking to hear some of their stories and where they have come from and the situations that they were in. Thankfully Jemima comes and helps these kids get out of the situations that their families put them in. One of the other areas that we got to help in was the brick making process. We took crushed up olive pits and mixed them with sawdust and water and compacted them into a brick like shape, as you can imagine this was a very dirty experience but full of laughter and bad outfits that were too bad to share on the blog. I think it is safe to say that these kids have showed us so much of Christ's undying love and ask nothing in return.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3: 17-19
Thank you to everyone that has been praying for us, we really appreciate you!
Luke

A few photos from our weekend

At Biet She'an

 The Sea of Galilee. 

Camel Riding!

The only way for peace.

Jesus is the only solution to this problem. It is discouraging to see how deep this conflict runs, but I have hope that God will make this better in His perfect timing. In the meantime, I am called to help in whatever small way I can here.

I saw this painting on the wall between Israel and Palestine today. It reminded me that God cares about this place and He is at work here. This world needs Him so desperately.


God bless you all and thank you for your prayers.
Mia