This tour is active and strenuous, and the schedule keeps us busy. Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven walkways with lots of hills, sometimes for an hour or more. (Use of walking poles or canes is fine, but be prepared for a few times when rest stops might be an hour apart.)
Questions? Please email or call or text Joan Deming, the tour leader: jdeming7@gmail.com or 608-235-1046.
Recommendations from recent Living Stones Pilgrims
Pilgrimage group with Ramallah Friends School 4th graders
Rev. Dr. Alan Dorway, WA, May 2015
“To anyone thinking about traveling to Israel/Palestine: GO. I went with the Pilgrims and felt totally safe (and my parents went with me!). Joan and our many hosts prepared us well and steered us clear of any potential conflicts. I felt the reading I did in preparation did open my eyes to legitimate concerns in the region, but did not prevent me from going. Yes, things can happen anywhere. Yet, there is a vast difference between being there and watching the news on television.
The news gets many things right, but they do not showcase the hard work of reconciliation many on both sides of the issues are doing right where we as Christians boast “Jesus” lived. Yes, he did live there, so we need to go, learn, and be reminded that reconciliation, justice, grace, and love are not just theological terms; they are being practiced today exactly where and how Jesus would. We have a lot to learn and this trip will open hearts for scripture and our ability to interpret for our friends stateside some of the complex issues tearing apart the Middle East. I hope you go, it changed my views, my life, and deepened my hope in Christ and His coming kingdom.
Heidi C. Borter, PA, May 2015
I sincerely felt our group was protected by the loving arms of God which took the form of inspiring Palestinian guides and friends who were so loving and kind. They had our best interests at heart each step of the way during this truly once-in-a-lifetime journey. Go! Learn! And come home and spread the truth as God would have us do.
Andrew Lewis, NJ, May 2016
The trip is safer than many popular tourist destinations I can think of. I never felt scared for the safety of anyone on the trip. In fact, both the residents of the West Bank and Israel are very kind. In my opinion there is really less risk for Americans traveling in Israel than for traveling in many cities in the US.
A May 2016 participant from OH
Before I took my first trip to Israel/Palestine in 1989 I wrote my will. I was excited to be going, but not sure what to expect. I’ve been back several times and loved every minute every time. We’re treated not like tourists, but like very special friends. This year my daughter who went with me said she’s coming back and telling every one it was very safe.
Ann Lewis, WA, May 2016
I really appreciated the careful planning of our Living Stones pilgrimage itinerary. The opportunity to meet and learn from people with different perspectives quickly rose to being the most significant aspect of the trip. The strong military presence in the area was a constant reminder of the fear and oppression people of this region face, yet I always felt safe as we traveled together by private bus and walked through markets and city streets. I would sign up for this trip again in a heartbeat.
Bob Garrison, WI, May 2016
Thank you for leading the trip. I have termed it “the most educational trip I have ever taken” to anyone who has asked. (That is a compliment, by the way.) By educational, I mean learning as much as I did about the issues/the occupation; coming in, I knew what I read in Chacour’s book Blood Brothers. After the trip, having experienced, with my eyes and ears, the real stories from the real people, it was an eye opener for me. I felt safe the entire trip, with you and the guides leading the way. It was a little uneasy on the CPT rooftop with the armed guard staring at us from the next rooftop. But we were told what to do, and what not to do, so no problem. Same at the check points and airports.
Ann-Sofie Dean, CA, May 2016
This trip gave much more than I had hoped for in helping me understand the current situation in Israel/Palestine. We had access to a large number of people who worked for peace and reconciliation in the area and their reports were both helpful and concerning. We developed a deep empathy for the Palestinian people. The interactions we had with children, both at the Mar Elias school and schools in the West Bank were the most encouraging. The Palestinian people were at all times welcoming and happy to see us. It would be difficult to find more genuine hospitality than what we found everywhere we went.
At no time did I have any concern for my safety. My goal of seeing where Jesus had walked was more than fulfilled, the hills and sea of Galilee, Capernaum, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, drinking from the same well where Jesus met the Samaritan woman and (of course) Jerusalem. We travelled all around to visit places mentioned in the bible, in a very comfortable bus, and stopped to see what various churches had done to commemorate these holy places. Jesus would have been surprised.
Phil Dean, CA, May 2016
Before leaving I asked Don Griggs, who has previously led 13 trips, how safe would it be. He said no trip had had any problems. He said the guides, and the bus chauffeurs were well connected and were able to assess any risk if there were any. The whole time we were there, I felt completely at ease. In fact, more relaxed than being in crowds in Italy or France where I’m always worrying about pickpockets.
For anyone considering this trip, the initial focus is a study tour of the occupation and what the Palestinians are experiencing under it. As the trip unfolds, you’ll be meeting many wonderful, hospitable, open, and welcoming Palestinians. You’ll hear them describe their work for peace and reconciliation. You’ll hear stories of how the occupation affects them, but also stories of forgiveness. You’ll be inspired by the wonderful children and youth and what’s happening at the Mar Elias and the other schools you’ll visit. As you talk with students and teachers, you’ll realize you can’t detect who is Muslim, Jewish, or Christian. Everyone honors and respects each other. What a hope for the whole country.
And, of course, you’ll see the holy sites. I now know what the land looked like where Jesus lived and did his ministry. I saw places where I know he walked. What a feeling to be in the Garden of Gethsemane, among olive trees older than 2,000 years, and to look at Jerusalem across the valley, as he did.
Charlie Lewis, WA, May 2016
Reflections on Why to go:
~ a very well rounded/balanced trip with seeing the holy sites and meeting with the living stones
~ I have never met Christians anywhere around the world who live more authentic lives of faith and follow Jesus’ teaching with more courage and conviction than the numerous Palestinian Christians I’ve met. They model what being a follower of Jesus looks like and encourage my faith by their perseverance in hope.
~ our brothers and sisters in Christ in the occupied territories are so grateful to know that they are not alone, that Christians from the U.S. are deeply concerned about their lives, their story, their struggles, and their desire to be agents of reconciliation as well as free of an oppressive occupation.
~ Having read rather extensively numerous books and articles on the Israel/Palestinian conflict and having had many Palestinian Christians as guests at our church there is simply no substitute for actually going to the West Bank and Israel, experiencing the land and the people and the situation firsthand. My previous impressions and views took on a much deeper and richer dimension.
In terms of safety…
~ I never felt unsafe being in either the West Bank or Israel, though the pervasive military presence of the IDF everywhere took some getting use to. The only thing that made me feel uncomfortable and ironically, less safe was the culture of militarism exemplified by the ever present Israeli Defense Forces.
~ After the Pilgrim’s tour group left for the U.S., my family stayed later. We spent several more days in the West Bank and Israel, even walking alone at 9 at night for a mile in a busy Bethlehem after parting from our Palestinian friends. Though we were the only Americans on the street, it felt as normal as walking in a busy small city in the U.S. with people talking, shopping, buying ice cream, taking care of kids, and not a hint that we were any different than any other person.
~ we got happy greetings from children and adults saying “welcome” when on the streets of Hebron, Bethlehem and other West Bank towns. Many were, no doubt, hoping we might purchase from their shops and support their business which relies heavily on tourists which is impacted negatively when people, unfortunately, do not come out of a sense of fear. ~
How Wi’am’s yard used to look – before being fire-bombed
Sharing concern for our partners/friends at Wi’am, the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center in Bethlehem:
Yesterday, 7 December, the Israeli Defense Force’s response to stone-throwing children caused terrible damage at Wi’am. Stone-throwing and IDF response are daily occurences, but this damage is by far the worst. Outdoor lights broken, electricity into the Wi’am building damaged, seating destroyed, a shade and its frame burned beyond repair, another garden shade torn down, dozens of tear gas and sound grenade canisters littering the Wi’am garden and yard.
We have shared events in this yard with Palestinians and an array of international friends at Wi’am twice this year for significant community events. The first was during our May pilgrimage: a communion service with Pax Christi International, a very moving service of unity and bridge-building. The second was a women’s ecumenical prayer service, late October, to pray for peace.
Wi’am is one of our Pilgrims of Ibillin peace-building partners, and this yard is part of our home in Bethlehem. Share this! People need to know how bad the situation has become. And if you want to contribute to Wi’am to help them recover from the damage, gifts to Pilgrims of Ibillin (designated “Wi’am”) will go 100% to Wi’am. You can give through Pilgrims’ website: www.pilgrimsofibillin.org.
Wi’am yard, immediately next to ground zero for protests in Bethlehem. IDF claims Wi’am damage is just collateral result of stone-throwing.This table is a survivor.Wi’am staff members survey the damageShredded and burned “shade” from Wi’am yard
Mahmoud Hugerat, Adi Makhol, and their teacher Nemer Elias at the HYPE Youth Startup Competition in Milan.
Thirty-seven high schools worldwide entered the 2015 HYPE Foundation competition, “making a difference with youth in the fields of Empowerment, Leadership, Personal Development, Social Action and Impact-Entrepreneurship.” Each team developed a new concept for a computer app and created a Powerpoint presentation to introduce their concept to a panel of judges. Only 7 of the 37 teams were chosen to compete at EXPO Milano 2015 in late October, and Mar Elias was in that elite group. The Mar Elias team of Mahmoud Hogerat and Adi Makhol, with their teacher Mr. Nemer Elias traveled to Italy in October to give their presentation before the HYPE judges at Expo Milano, and they won 2nd place over-all. Congratulations to the traveling team, and to the 2 other members of their app-development team, Maria Aboud and Rany Sosan, who didn’t get to make the Italy trip but whose work on the team helped ensure success!
This is the second major computer science contest won by Mar Elias students in 2015. In June, a different team of four Mar Elias students won Israel’s “Hackathon” with an app they developed to provide information on emergency first aid and links to the nearest healthcare resources.
The Mar Elias winning team together with the 1st place team from California
MEEI’s HYPE Foundation entry was an App they called “Handy N Hand,” designed to match up elderly people and youth volunteers through a vetted, secure process. The young people would provide services like rides to appointments, help with chores, or even simple companionship. Elderly citizens in need would get reliable help, while the youth would receive volunteer credit (a requirement for Israeli high school matriculation). The App isn’t yet reality, but the young entrepreneurs who developed it hope for funding soon, to bring the idea to life. Stay tuned!
NEWS FLASH: The Strike was settled on Sunday, 27 September. Classes in all Christian Schools start for the new school year on Monday, 28 September. Teachers and students are excited and ready. Watch for another blog entry soon updating the situation, but here is one of today’s articles with the basic information: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/christian-school-strike-israel-end-34077495
26 September 2015, just before the end of the strike:
A Message from Archbishop Emeritus Elias Chacour after returning home to Ibillin from a speaking tour September 12-20 in Grosse Pointe, Ann Arbor, Adrian, Tecumseh, and Holland, MI; and in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, IN.
“The people I met in the many places where I spoke are for me part of the extremely beautiful face of America. These represent to me peace builders, which means they are children of God.
At home, I found everyone still very concerned about the school strike. We hate the strike and want our children back in school. Nonetheless, this strike revealed to us the very strong solidarity from our Muslim brothers and sisters in Israel. Had it not been for their outspoken solidarity, we would have been left on the side.
It’s also heart warming to see a very large segment of the Jewish society expressing their full solidarity with our Christian schools. We are harvesting what we have sown in tears and passion. Indeed, we don’t want to strike against Israel or to mar the picture of this country; we want to do anything possible to build a real democratic and just society. Our strike went on because we were hurting deeply. We were cornered by the Ministry of Education to shout enough is enough.
We risk the danger of becoming unable to fulfill our mission of justice and charity towards reconciliation within Israeli society. Our mission and our responsibility are only education. It means, we need to create a unity of the citizens within the vast diversity of affiliations, whether religious, political, racial, or any other legitimate diversity.
I urge you never to give up, what we are doing is of a unique importance. Be happy and proud and continue the way on.
Abuna Elias Chacour
Melkite Catholic Archbishop em. of Galilee, Israel
Thank you for your care for the Living Stones of Israel/Palestine!
Instead of having classrooms busy like this one, Mar Elias buildings are empty as Christian Schools strike.
The first of September should have been the first day of school for 2015-16 at Mar Elias High School, Mariam Bawardi Elementary School, and the Mariam Bawardi Kindergarten in Ibillin. Instead, the teachers and students from all the Christian Schools in Israel and East Jerusalem are out on strike. Since two years ago, drastic budget cuts from the Israeli Ministry of Education and restrictive rules disproportionately affecting the Christian schools have put them all in an untenable situation in which their very survival is at stake.
Negotiations have been going on for a year and a half, but the Israeli Ministry of Education and the government have not budged. Israeli President Reuven Rivlen hosted a meeting on August 24 between Christian School leadership and the Minister of Education, hoping for a breakthrough, but no real relief was offered.
This strike involves 33,000 students and 3,000 teachers. Almost 3,000 of those affected attend or teach at Mar Elias.
On the eve of the strike, Abuna wrote: “September 1st is the day on which all Israeli schools, among them our Mar Elias Schools, begin the scholastic year. Unfortunately, in the light of tight and unreasonable restrictions that the Ministry of Education has for years been implementing and imposing on our Christian schools, we have collectively decided not to open our schools unless we reach a fair agreement through which to grant our students their rights to study fully and equally as their Jewish peers. Please share this sad news all around in the hope that it would reach people with authority.”
Because of your care for Mar Elias, we wanted you to know. To read the full statement about the strike and its background from the Office of Christian Schools in Israel, please visit the “Come and See” website. In addition, I’ll post articles on our Pilgrims of Ibillin Facebook page or check back here on our website blog page as I find more resources to help those of us “outside the loop” understand the situation.
You’re invited to hear Peace Advocate and author Archbishop Elias Chacour, speaking at special events in Michigan and Indiana almost daily between September 13 and 20, 2015.
All are welcome at all events. Admission is free unless otherwise noted, and a free-will offering will be received to support scholarships to help low-income students attend the Mar Elias Educational Institutions, founded by Abuna starting in 1982.
Monday, 14 Sept, 7:00pm evening event at Grosse Pointe Memorial with a panel of past Ecumenical Scholars (Archbishop Emeritus Elias Chacour, Dr. Mary Mikhael, and Rev. Samer Azar) focusing on Middle East Peace — again helping celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary. Click here for more information.
Thursday, 17 Sept, Holland, MI
2:00pm Hope College and Western Seminary meeting with students
7:00pm at St. Francis de Sales Church, Holland, event sponsored by Kairos USA – W. Michigan. Free will offering.
Saturday, 19 Sept, Fort Wayne, IN, Gala/Fundraiser dinner ($65) , 5:30-9:30pm at Courtyard by Marriott, downtown Fort Wayne. Please visit the Indiana CMEP website for more information or to register (click here).
Sunday, 20 Sept, 2:00pm at North United Methodist Church,3808 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208. An afternoon event organized by Christians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East. Questions? email hgdg@aol.com.
At each event, copies of Abuna’s books will be available for sale and for autographing.
Now retired from serving as the Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church in Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee, Abuna Chacour lives in Ibillin on the campus of the schools he founded, the Mar Elias Educational Institutions. Today those schools have more than 3,000 students and faculty, including Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Jews. Students come from a 50 mile radius around Ibillin, often bypassing closer schools, in order to participate in the diverse and wonderful Mar Elias family where daily, Peace is Built on Desktops.
Abuna has worked tirelessly for reconciliation between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East and is author of several books, including Blood Brothers and We Belong to the Land. He is a recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award and the Niwano Peace Prize for his work in education and peace-building.
Questions? Contact Joan Deming or L. Michael Spath(Check back for updates on times/locations)[/vc_column_text][vc_facebook][vc_googleplus][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Thirteen current students, two recent graduates and one teacher from Mar Elias High School in Ibillin spent 2 weeks in the US in July, discovering America (well, the Upper Midwest) and winning hearts and opening minds all along their journey. They came as Ambassadors for their school, sponsored by Pilgrims of Ibillin —picking up from Abuna Elias Chacour the call to share how Peace is being built on Desktops in Ibillin.
For all, it was their first trip to the United States, and they especially loved arriving in time to celebrate the 4th of July. (Cedar Point rollercoasters and fireworks! Shopping, boating, bike-riding, and picnics!) But they also gave 2 excellent presentations July 5th at Grosse Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church, and large audiences came to hear them, despite the major holiday weekend.
The group was selected by their teacher, Emil Haloun, as students who would represent the values and unique gifts of Mar Elias, have good English skills, be outgoing enough to enjoy meeting lots of new people, and be positive members of their group. Emil could not have found fifteen more compatible, wonderful ambassadors. They were a well-balanced group: 8 guys, 7 girls; 8 Muslims and 7 Christians (but not the same 7 and 8). They came from 4 different villages. Several started attending Mar Elias as 3-year-olds, a few transferred in as 6th graders, and about half transferred in from other schools as 9th graders. Half of the group ride a bus for up to 45 minutes one way (past other high schools) in order to attend Mar Elias. The other half are from Ibillin.
As Pilgrims’ executive director, I had the privilege of working with local pastors and hosts to plan the trip, and got to lead/accompany them from their arrival July 2nd in Detroit to their departure from Chicago on July 14th. It was the most fun (and the most work) I’ve had in a long time. HUGE THANKS to some special organizers who made the tour fantastic for all:
Rev. Peter Henry mobilized host families, drivers, picnic providers, boat owners, and teen companions for the first five days of the trip in Grosse Pointe.
In Ann Arbor, Harris and Margaret McClamroch and Nancy Oliver organized a wonderful dinner and overnight for the students with their church’s Pilgrims of Ibillin supporters.
After a ferry ride across Lake Michigan, Rev. John Hobbins in Oshkosh, WI, picked up the organizer mantle and kept the group breathless with fun activities — including connecting with the Oshkosh IBC (International Book Club).
On their last afternoon together the students spent time reflecting on highlights of the trip. They were overwhelmed with the hospitality of thirty host families(!), the warmth of everyone’s interest, and the positive connections they made between new American friends and the school they all love. — jcd
one still very concerned about the school strike. We hate the strike and want our children back in school. Nonetheless, this strike revealed to us the very strong solidarity from our Muslim brothers and sisters in Israel. Had it not been for their outspoken solidarity, we would have been left on the side.
