|
|
Click on a picture to view it full size.
|
|
Somewhat dazed after an evening of flight, we arrived in the early afternoon in Tel Aviv at the Ben Gurion airport.
|
|
The entry into Israel was gained after a lengthy stand in the Customs/Immigration line. Each of us was asked to declare his/her plans during our time here, including where we would be staying during the trip.
|
|
Our first evening was marked by the graciousness of our cook and the hospitality of Father Elias Chacour, founder and president of Mar Elias College, and the first of a series of incredible sunsets that we would be privileged to experience from the balcony of our dormitory during our eleven day stay at Mar Elias.
|
|
|
|
(Mar Elias dormitory and class rooms for the grade school on the premises)
|
|
(long range view of Ibillin from Mar Elias)
From our dormitory we would look out over the town of Ibillin, toward the mosque and church situated on the opposite hill. Five times a day, the Muslim call to prayer would beckon from the Mosque’s minaret, reminding us of the rhythm of Muslim life. Many an evening, (sometimes until 3 o’clock in the morning) from the homes across the hill, we would hear the music and laughter that would mark the celebration of a Palestinian wedding, known for lasting weeks at a time.
|
|
Mar Elias makes its mark on the landscape of Ibillin as well. As seen from the opposite hill, one sees the miraculous experiment which is in large part the result of Father Chacour’s vision and tenacious unwillingness to concede to the many obstacles that were placed in his way when he first tried to build the college. Father Chacour even had the name of the hill changed to "Mountain of Light."
|
|
|
