Saturday, October 26, 2019 ~ Deb Gamble & Jayne Smith

Hope inspires the good to reveal itself. ~ Emily Dickenson

As we near the end of our pilgrimage it seems fitting to reflect on what we have seen. The best analogy I can think of is a roller coaster. We have had so many highs – the places we have been privileged to visit and the people, oh, the wonderful people we have been blessed to meet. This seems to be followed (sometimes way too quickly!) by the sobering reality of the politics of this land and the devastating effects on its people. But no matter where we were on the roller coaster, there was always hope present.

Today was most certainly a pinnacle of the highs. Visiting the students at Mar Elias Middle School was pure delight.

The children’s enthusiasm in engaging in conversation with us, wanting to know about our families and where we live, telling us about theirs, was infectious. I talked with a future engineer, teacher, computer scientist, biologist and even a future professional swimmer and soccer player. And the English class! Wow! What intensity and eagerness to learn.

And the inspiration we received from Nabila Espanioly at the Al Tufula Center for Women and Children. Being a political activist could have been enough. Starting the school could have been enough. Being a resource and inspiration to young women could have been enough. But she somehow dug deeper to write children’s books full of history and inspiration and once again, hope.

Coming here I thought of hope as a noun, but I have learned that hope, used wisely, is a verb, a very active verb. That is a lesson I won’t forget.
~ Deb Gamble

After visiting Mar Elias School and Al Tufula Center for Women and Children we walked to the Liwan Culture Café and delighted in a marvelous lunch and traditional lute music.

Sally Azzam, one of the owners, told her story of why they decided to open the Café. The hope in her story was that after their Café opened it brought in other businesses to a formerly deserted part of town. Wonderful local art was available for purchase and several of us shopped!

We visited the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church and that visit was made more special because of a wedding being held there. Beautiful children so excited to be in the wedding! The band leading them into the church was something to watch for sure. Thanks to Haifa for talking me into getting very close!

Our before-dinner time with Abuna Elias Chacour….I have heard him speak years ago but the impact of his story was only made clearer by the sights and stories we have heard.

It made me hopeful again about the fate of Palestine and Israel by Abuna’s words:
“The closest road to Jerusalem runs through Washington D.C.” Reminding me to write politicians.
“Men from Galilee don’t make appointments…we make appearances.” Reminding me to use every opportunity.
“Are you ready to raise hell for peace?” Reminding me to always strive for peace.
~ Jayne Smith