As we pulled out of Jerusalem, I turned to look at the group we had collected on our bus. In the middle, Palestinian youth from Jerusalem gathered around a durbeke (drum), some standing in the aisles, others in their seats, all enthusiastically singing choruses. Separate from them, scattered about the bus were the Jewish young people and other Arabs, a few trying to join in, and others talking with friends, some listening to their own music. It was obvious that few of these kids knew anyone except for within their own youth groups, and those who did know one another were sticking closely together. Each person shared a sense of anticipation, as well as apprehension at the many new faces, sounds, and environment. Is this really going to work? Will all these adolescent fears and cultural barriers and language differences really be overcome? I quickly learned that there is something about the desert, away from the distractions of society, sharing the challenges and hardships of a common journey, that builds a bridge across all these obstacles. And there is the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts, and enables us to encounter one another in spite of different backgrounds and understandings.

"At first I was worried," said participant Rinat Kapusta. "So I kind of stayed in my group with my friends. It was hard to talk to the Arabs because not all of them spoke Hebrew or English. But I decided to reach out to these guys, and it worked. We gave each other funny nicknames and we really became friends. I was sad to see them go."

The first day was spent in the Khan, or large tent, at Shaharut. Since we arrived early, there was a lot of time to get to know each other. We began with a game in which people were paired and interviewed one another. Amid chuckles and silly comments, we introduced each other to the entire group, and amazingly everyone became quiet as they were given a few facts about each person. There was genuine interest in each one’s background and identity. A majority of the group was made up of two congregations in Jerusalem, while others came from Haifa, Netanya, and the House of Light in Shafaram. The first afternoon ended with more games and singing, but still only a few were willing to break away from their friends and meet others.

After dinner and a short worship time, the first devotional was given, introducing the theme of Joseph. As a young person, Joseph decided to follow the Lord in spite of difficult situations. We hoped to share with the young people the importance of such faith and willingness to listen to God’s commands.

Thursday morning our journey began. For many this was to be their first time on a camel, and they were not quite sure what to make of the various growls and groans coming from the camel’s long throat. After packing all our gear we left behind air conditioning, cold water, carbonated beverages, TV, the comforts of home and our peer groups. We stepped out into a dry, yet rich wilderness that had a very different experience to offer us.

I was struck that the moments where our group was most integrated and well balanced was when we were moving. Most started out with a partner or in groups of three, one leading the camel, one riding and the other walking alongside, switching periodically. At each rest stop, the youth would change places and these partnerships shuffled around and suddenly mixed. When a new person began leading your camel down narrow trails, you quickly became friends with this stranger who determined exactly where and how fast you would go (that is, if they could control the animal.)

In truth, our first full day was somewhat a chaotic one, as everyone acclimated to their new environment, temporary community, and the desert schedule. There was a shaky order to the day’s activities, which left many things, such as a solid devotional, unaccomplished. The kids did fill the evening with music, games and even tried to teach each other dances. The first night in the desert was spent getting to know one another through music and laughter, languages that can cut across communication barriers. Exhausted, we shared a good meal of lentil stew, then molded ourselves a place on the desert floor and slept until daybreak.

The next day, it took a bright sun and some energetic worship songs to revive our tired bodies. After a leisurely breakfast, we continued on the camel trek. A quick hour of hiking brought us to a 2,000 year-old well. We hardly minded as some of the boys playfully drenched us in the salty well water. Refreshed, we continued through small canyons cut by rain water that had long ago dried up. Again we pitched a tent and rested during the heat of the day. While some slept, others continued playing games or singing. We continued on through what was probably the most difficult climb of the trip, coaxing our reluctant camels to carry our friends and our gear up a rather steep mountain. Some camels (especially my dear Scorpio) groaned and stopped every few steps. It was an exercise in cooperation and reconciliation just trying to get this burdened animal up the mountain.

Until the second evening, the spiritual dimension of our desert encounter had fallen second to the noise and activity. Yet it seems that God used the games, songs, and even camels to mold us into a group, not simply a collection of Palestinian and Jewish participants, but a group of people who were ready to worship Him and to listen to His word. That night, waiting for our dinner by the light of oil lamps, the Holy Spirit moved in a very simple and true way. We began by sharing songs in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Then one of the leaders shared about the young people in the Bible, and how each of them, like Joseph, had listened to the voice of God. Some of the youth were impressed to share their faith, and how God had led them. One girl said, "It is important for me to be together like this, with Arabs and Jews. I am so glad that we are here." Another young man agreed, "We are joined by faith in Jesus our Messiah."

"People spend time in the desert and are changed," our guide Yoav said the next morning, and he listed Biblical examples such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus. The night before, our devotional was followed by games and stories, lasting late into the night; this time, the groups were more mixed as new friends joined the old. "They come here, and something happens that sets them on a new course," Yoav continued (loosely translated). "What has happened to you?" he asked, sending us for away for a quiet time of reflection.

From my quiet place on the edge of a small canyon, I could look and see the scattered members of our group: some on various levels of a hill, others in the crevices of the canyon, some lying flat on the desert sand, catching up on sleep after last night’s fun. What will they take away from this? What seed has been planted?

I have to tell you that what remains from this trip may not be a deepened cultural understanding. But what will stay in our minds, and the seeds that will grow, may come from moments of shared laughter and joyful noise. A fitting example is the incident that followed almost on the heels of that morning’s quiet time. One of the guys had brought along a video camera and began interviewing various members of the group. Slowly, his camera crew expanded to include a reporter, sound man, and prop man. Of course with each interview, his audience grew and the antics increased, simulating rain and a movie set in the desert, as well as improvising a music video and a talking camel.

What happened here is important in that it shows a level of comfort and vulnerability between the group members. They had reached a point where they were not afraid to be creative and silly in front of one another in a constructive and enjoyable way. What may result in years to come, if the seeds of anger and bitterness begin to grow, they will be choked by the seeds that God has planted here, in these days in the desert. And memories will serve both Palestinian and Jew, reminding them of friendships formed, faith shared, and a God who binds his followers together in love.