So here I am, with 2 weeks left on my trip to Jerusalem. I have been busy and many things have happened since the last time I've written, giving me little time to keep up with blog posting...

The main reason I've been busy is that since late last month, I've been volunteering at a Christian Palestinian organization called Sabeel. As per Sabeel website:

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, to promote unity among them toward social action. Sabeel strives to develop a spirituality based on love, justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities. The word "Sabeel" is Arabic for 'the way' and also a 'channel' or 'spring' of life-giving water.

Sabeel also works to promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence and witness of Palestinian Christians as well as their contemporary concerns. It encourages individuals and groups from around the world to work for a just, comprehensive and enduring peace informed by truth and empowered by prayer and action.

I have also been able to see other parts of the country, due in part to family outings as well as Sabeel excursions, and I am very thankful for having had these opportunities.

Sabeel also has a young adult conference every year, which lasts 10 days and has both local Palestinian and international participants. It is a great way to learn about Palestinian Christian life here, a unique opportunity to see the country and make lifelong friends as well. Sadly I won't be here for the conference this year, but it gives me the idea of coming back at some point in the future to participate in it. 

As my experience comes to a conclusion, I am starting to make lists of 'last minute things to do,' like buying souvenirs and foods, hanging out as much as you can with people you see everyday, and remembering to go back to some places to take wayyy too many pictures (because of course, everything feels so important when it's last minute, and you never know when you'll get to see these places again... LOL).

Some of the things I look forward to sharing shortly:

* trip to the Galilee

* visiting Lifta

* common trends (fashion)

* lifestyle

Of course there will be others... these are just the ones that pop into my head at the moment.

2 weeks to conclude it all... I look forward to adding a few more memories to that already-long list. +