Bleak? Yes. But all the more reason for those of us willing to cross these barriers to build bridges that bypass the walls.

I'm very aware of how much of a parallel there is between the Israeli civil religion and the American version.

It is only the strength of living stones knit together that can bring about the peaceable kingdom.

Walk the Emmaus Road; you will most certainly be joined by the presence of the living Lord.

"We waited 2000 years to welcome you. Please don't make us wait another 2000 for your next visit."

Right before we left, the Barrier had started going up - a good quarter of a mile inside the Green Line. Since then, the area has been transformed into an industrial crossing.

As soon as the rest of the group headed off to the olive harvest, I grabbed a taxi down to Zababdeh. No sooner had the car risen over the hill and the town came into view than I felt a smile overtaking me.

"The diplomats have taken Palestine off the maps, he says, "So we have put Palestine on the shelves."

Christians in this part of the world consider this their God-given calling, to continue to be that salt and light.

We spent today on the Sea of Galilee, visiting the stretch of holy sites dedicated to various miracles and teachings of Jesus.