This is from Jonathan Bowman, his second post of the trip.
Marhaba! (hello in Arabic)
We are busy traveling across Palestine at the moment, and rest has been at a premium. Our dear friend Yousef, the director of Young Life in Palestine, welcomed us into Zababdeh, a small village of only a few thousand people. We met his team of leaders, a delightful group of young adults.
In the early evening they held a party with a few hundred people (kids and families) under Young Life’s name. We belted out favorite songs, took HUNDREDS of pictures, and battled each other in many friendly contests, like arm wrestling. A few hours later our group broke into duos and trios with different families from the village for the night. Talk about hospitality!
These families shattered what we knew, teaching us a new definition of generosity, of selfless living. If you so much as mentioned a desire for something, it was yours. If you told a little boy you liked his hat, he graciously gave it to you without pause. For two of the girls, the family slept on the floor and insisting that the girls sleep in the only bedroom. I was personally invited to stay in one young man’s home after talking to him in the streets for only a few minutes. These invitations are common, and they are genuine.
I must mention the food. The hummus here puts anything in America to shame. What an incredible range of tastes. Crisp, green cucumbers, juicy ripe red watermelons, and well spiced lamb. I ate way too many pitas on this day.
These followers of Christ warmed our hearts. We are forever changed by their reciprocation of Christ’s love. The father of the family Scott and I stayed with told us to consider his house our second home. We are rejoicing in the incalculable love of Jesus. Would you rejoice with us?
Here is a short video of a portion of our time with Yousef’s kids and friends: