Thirty EMU students were commissioned during a chapel service Friday, Jan. 11 for a semester of study and learning in the Middle East and embarked later the same day.

It is the fifth time for Linford L. Stutzman, associate professor of culture and mission at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Janet M. Stutzman, former director of alumni/parent relations at EMU, to lead a cross-cultural program to the Middle East.

The group will live and study in Israel and the West Bank, immersing themselves in the ancient/modern world of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Earlier, 19 EMU students received a prayer of sending on Jan. 9 in the opening convocation of second semester prior to leaving the next day on a semester-long cross-cultural study program in Mexico and Guatemala led by Byron J. Peachey and his spouse Deanna Durham.

By Tom Mitchell, Daily News-Record

Amira Hillal’s eyes flashed when she talked of Israeli soldiers who invaded her family’s home, arrested her father and seized his business.

“He’s in jail now,” Hillal said. “We don’t know when he’ll get out.”

Hillal, 26, a Christian who lives along Palestine