Learning to Receive

By: Leona Good and Maddie Gish February 11, 2015

11 February 2015 After another week in Guatemala, we are all adjusting more to Spanish classes, host families, and the culture here, and it seems our bodies are finally adjusting more to the food – praise the Lord. One of the many great aspects of this trip is the opportunity to spend 2 months becoming part … Continue Reading ››

Palestinian Neighbors

By: Rachel Bowman and Sam Swartzendruber February 11, 2015

10 February 2015 We've concluded our final week in Beit Sahour. This week has been full of last times: last time walking to the ATG (Alternative Tourism Group) in the morning, last Arabic class, and last meals with our host families. We started out the week watching a film called The 18 Wanted, a comedy/documentary about … Continue Reading ››

Riding camels in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Pictured: Isaac

The Birds

By: Ruthie Beck February 9, 2015

8 February 2015 THE BIRDS I envy the birds that fly across The wall that divides means and men The birds don't see the anger of years That break old hearts and bring new tears The wall that splits friends and foes The wall that cuts highs to lows I wish the birds could tie a string, wind me up and there to bring So … Continue Reading ››

This week in the news: Palestine

By: Alena Yoder and Malachi Bontrager February 4, 2015

2 February 2015 Hebron - the first glimpse of the conflict on the ground, and a major reality check. How is it possible that neighbors would have each other arrested, or throw their trash on each other? I stood on one side of a wall that divides the city and half an hour later I was … Continue Reading ››

New learning in Guatemala

By: Amanda Helfrich February 3, 2015

2 February 2015 Throughout the big transition from the U.S./Mexico border to Guatemala, we experienced many different emotions. Coming off of such a full and difficult two weeks, we felt we had seen so much but hadn´t done anything about it to help. One evening we talked to a Christian border patrol agent, who challenged us … Continue Reading ››

All We Need Is Love…and maybe some equality

By: Lydia Tissue January 27, 2015

25 January 2015 Good evening from Beit Sahour! On Monday, we spent the morning at the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) headquarters where we heard from Shareen, a lawyer that works often with abused women, share about her life and work. And never have I ever been so thankful for my father and opportunities as a woman. In Middle Eastern … Continue Reading ››

Beit Sahour

By: Martha Bell January 26, 2015

25 January 2015 Entering into Israel and Palestine has brought a whole new mixture of challenges, emotions, and incredible experiences. After a very smooth border crossing into Israel we headed towards our new homes for the next weeks in a small Palestinian city in the West Bank right outside of Bethlehem. Our group was separated out … Continue Reading ››

Exploring immigration on the border lands

By: Kari King January 21, 2015

20 January 2015

Our group arrived in Tucson, Arizona on January 8th shortly after midnight, and we spent several days in a hotel there while beginning our study of immigration issues at the US/Mexico border. Our first activity on the morning of the 8th … Continue Reading ››

Into the desert

By: Ruthie Beck January 20, 2015

19 January 2015 Marhaban - Hello from the Middle East 2015 group! This week has been a whirlwind of new sights and experiences, smells and sounds. From the Bedouins calling out to us, encouraging us to buy their wares, to the enticing dishes at each meal, we have arrived in a new world. Over the next … Continue Reading ››

Synergy

13 November 2014 She stomped onto the bus, long, loose red curls swinging from side to side, framing her weathered face. With a gruff expression, she brought us to attention with a shout of "hello." She leaned against the side of a seat, … Continue Reading ››

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