Tag Archives: featured

As we say goodbye to Jerusalem

By: Lauren Sauder and Derek Harnish March 20, 2015

We arrived back from free travel and dove right back into the Old City of Jerusalem. We spent the week in a convent called Ecce Homo, which translates to "behold the man". The arch that goes over the street adjacent to the convent has been suggested … Continue Reading ››

Riding camels in Wadi Rum, Jordan. Pictured: Isaac

Learning from Geography

By: Sarah Sutter and Bethany Chupp March 19, 2015

February 20, 2015 We're in Jerusalem at last! The center and capital of Israel. A city that was fought over, over 2000 years ago and is still being fought over today. A walled stone city and a modern sprawling metropolis all in one. It is truly something you have to see for yourself to understand. Nonetheless, … Continue Reading ››

Pig Brains & Fried Plantains

By: Bekah Hertzler and Karisa Martin March 12, 2015

11 March 2015 Pig Brains & Fried Plantains 1// Roaming through the crypts, so ominous, so overbearing, we are greeted by the thickening of the dead. Trees tower above, providing shelter from the sun. Their leaves cast soft patterns against the crypts. I smell something fragrant. Broken glass from a crypt reveals the scent: bouquets of beauty reek … Continue Reading ››

Sun, Stars, Beauty and Silence in Petén

By: Isaac Schertz and Grantley Showalter March 3, 2015

2 March 2015 This past week, most of the group’s attention was on our Thursday midterm exams. Everyone was very relieved when they were over. We also had a birthday to celebrate, which helped lift moods. The leaders even got a piñata, pizza and cake. Everyone spent the night at CASAS because we were leaving early … Continue Reading ››

A Powerful Complexity

By: Molly White and Kenzie Lapp February 18, 2015

17 February 2015 From the images of the suffering Christ visible on the walls of ancient cathedrals, to the presence of wooden crosses hanging above front doors, it is evident that religion is a large part of culture here in Guatemala. This past week, the visits and discussions have centered around religious expression present throughout the … Continue Reading ››

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 ››

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 ››

EMU Intercultural Learning