The Lands of the Bible tour group enjoyed an amazing variety of sites in the Holy Lands. The small group of 12 quickly learned to know each other and enjoyed worshiping together as well as sight-seeing and laughing about our idiosyncrasies. The age range of 27-73 did not deter individuals from enjoying each other’s company.
One of the surprises that our outstanding guide Samer Makari arranged for us, at our request, was a tour of an olive wood factory. The olive wood products are visible everywhere one travels in Israel/Palestine, and we usually end up in gift shops and souvenir shops to purchase these products. However, to visit a small shop in Bethlehem was a treat the entire group enjoyed. The visit to the cooperative where 36 families sell their wares, including olive wood products, made the final product even more highly treasured. Group members felt by purchasing these products they were helping to provide income for families in Bethlehem where they are feeling more isolated by the walls erected to prevent clashes between frustrated civilians and law enforcement officers.
~ Ron and Ruth Guengerich
