12/17/2025
Here are some of us trying to stop our visitors from leaving- DON'T GO!!
So, we are about to finish our fall drive, and time has passed and already the trip is feeling far away. Right now, I am working on the diplomas and plans for graduation. But I keep watching the videos that the group made with each other- and reliving that special time.
I never really told you about our 3 days together in the tent. God that trip was epic. But that together time, after all the tours they had been on, well that was the moment that it all made sense. The visiting group had seen a lot, they came in more informed. We were together. There was a feeling that our group in Israel and Palestine were not alone. It was incredible to feel the connection, the trust, the melding.
Our leaders from the program brought such beauty in the ways they opened the time, in the ways they celebrated at night, in the ways they showed themselves fearlessly to the new people. There wasn't a hesitation, there was vulnerability and truth telling. They brought themselves fully. And the new people did the same. It was such an honor to be part of. Really, it's so clear that we can do this, this way of coming together in courage and awareness and feeling and truth.
One of the things that happened was that the people from North America seemed to lift a burden from the shoulders of the ongoing group. If only we could all understand that anyplace we are able to help shoulder the burden of others, by seeing, by feeling, by opening our hearts, that burden can be transformed. We are all a part of everything. Of course, the way the world is set up- it is so easy for us to distance ourselves, to say- that is them- that is happening far away- that has nothing to do with me. But on closer examination, we are all connected. So, where we can- helping to shoulder the burden simply makes sense.
When the North Americans held the pain of all the different experiences, suddenly it felt that people had the space to see and feel things that had been hard to see and feel before. I will never forget the Jewish members in the center expressing their pain and seeing the circle that included the Palestinians surrounding them- arms open, eyes open- willing to feel. A moment. And there were many more that happened in all directions.
Finally on the last day that the new people were going to be with us- they were invited to come in the center and have a place for all of their feelings. The group wanted to give back to them, to hold them, to let them express what had happened for them. A huge fight broke out- misunderstandings, pent up feelings, grief and rage and anger at each other. And our leaders suddenly were facilitating a group that needed their help. They brought all their wisdom to help this group move through conflict. What a joy to witness. And what a revelation for them. Wow, we are not alone in conflict and pain. Pain and conflict belong to the human experience.
I know we are all still reverberating with all we felt, learned, witnessed, and came together around. Souls are connected. People here are finding ways to be part of the graduation. My heart feels so full.
And our fall drive is almost over. We matched our $5,000 grant (thank you!) and got a surprise $10,000 donation from an anonymous donor who melted my heart with his message. Thank you to one and all.
Our drive ends the 31st of December. If you have year-end giving left to send out, consider giving to us. Though we exceeded the modest goal we set, we are still grateful for any contributions. There is so much that needs to be supported. We want to grow, we want to become sustainable, we want to flourish. We want to keep doing this work that brings not just possibilities of peace, but JOY. Join us in spreading the peace and joy in our radical and completely unique way. Let's help more and more people be able to hold this kind of space. And one human at a time let's create a new world.
With so much love and gratitude. Ann
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-next-cohort-of-the-peace-leadership-program/