First update from Bethlehem

Hi all, 

We all made it safely, on time and with no problems! It was a beautiful day, and we arrived at 9:30 AM after a "quick" 10 hour flight.  We weren't able to get much sleep on the plane.. it was a cultural immersion with animate conversation, prayer, and families.  At least it was entertaining.  We were met with a van and drove to Bethlehem.  A few of us them walked to Manger Square for lunch, overlooking the Church of the Nativity one one corner and the Friday prayers at a large mosque on the other.  Then we even shopped a little, having a tea break at one of the shops.  Peg, Jim, and Jeanne met wit the four students that Kim's scholarships have been given to these past years.  They were right at home coming back here.

Now we've had dinner with Nuha, the Dean of Dar al Kalima College. It's hard to believe the college now has 200 students. And they've started a new degree in Culinary Arts. They are hoping to have several of the programs move from diploma to a university level degree this year. I can't believe that 4 years ago when I was here they were just breaking ground on the college and had 20 some students.

We have a great group of people. It should be a wonderful week. We're at the International Center in Bethlehem which is quite nice.

Hope all is well there.. God has been so good to us here already.

Love,
Caryl