Christmas Eve Day we were given permission to go anywhere we wanted in Bethlehem. We decided we would spend the day visiting members in their homes. We met Odeh Marcos at the branch house and he drove us to meet Sahar Qumsiyah's mother and sister (on the left). Her mom is a widow and misses Sahar a lot. Sahar is in the US looking for a job to help her relocate to the US. They were hospitable and kept bringing out food to eat.
Sahar's mom, sister (Sohair), Linda, and Odeh.
We then went to Dima, Saliba, and Martina Hanania. The first thing Martina wanted me to do was to see her room and doll.
Linda and the Hanania family...
in their apartment with Odeh.
After our visits, the Jerusalem and the Bethlehem Branch members that were available came to the branch house for caroling, reading the story of Luke, and enjoying hot cocoa and cookies.
We played the hand slapping game with Ameer Marcos, age 10. Saliba, Linda, and Sanah Marcos watch.
Ameer, Odeh, and Yara Marcos
When we read Luke, Arden Hopkins or Jeff Chadwick (right) would read it in English and then Dima or Sanah (left) would read the same verse in Arabic.
Back row left to right: Blaine, Saliba Hanania, Mohammad Alshiabat, Arden Hopkins, Sharee ?, Becky ?, Gaye Strathern, Dima Hanania. Front row L to R: Linda, Ameer, Sanah, Yara Marcos, Kim Chadwick, Dorey ? Sitting on floor L to R: Odeh Marcos, Nadeem Marcos, and Martina Hanania.
Christmas Eve in front of the branch house with Christmas decorations along the street.
Leaving Bethlehem through the border crossing. It made us remember how Mary and Joseph were living under an occupying power as well.
Jerusalem's entrance to the border crossing.
Taxis line up in front of the border crossing building to take people into Jerusalem.
Crossing the border is always a hassle.
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