Kids arriving at Mar Elias School

We got up yesterday (3-26-11) and it wasn’t long before we heard the sound of children at the school where we are now staying in Ibillin, Israel.  We are staying at the Mar Elias School that Father Chacour founded for children in the area.  As we walked to our bus, we were greeted by smiles and “Shalom’s”.  You could tell that the children were happy and excited to be at school. Later in the evening, we were all blessed by being able to meet Archbishop Chacour in person at the school. 

View from the shore of the Sea of Galilee

One of the highlights of our day was visiting the Sea of Galilee and actually being able to ride in a boat that was similar to the one that Jesus and the disciples would have travelled in.  As we floated on the sea, we reflected on the story of Jesus walking on the water and telling Peter to do the same. 

Late in the day we travelled to the village of Ber Am which was destroyed in the 50’s by the Israeli government. We were fortunate to visit with a gentleman who lived in the village in 1948 and could tell us his story of how the villagers were forced out of their homes and what has happened to him since that time.

We have been fortunate on this trip to be able to communicate with several of the native Palestinians and the stories that we have been told are somewhat difficult for us to absorb. The lives that we are fortunate enough to be able to live in the United States are so far removed from what has happened over the years in this country.

Shalom – Carol Garwood