Betty and Dale Schwicker were obliged to leave the YMCA Rehabilitation Program back to the USA on the 21^st of Oct 2000, as a result of the current tense situation in Palestine.

The Schwickers arrived at the YMCA on the 1^st of July 2000 in a four-year voluntary mission organized with the Global Ministries in the USA. Betty worked as an Administrative Assistant and did wonderful work in fundraising and web site updating, in addition to communication with the concerned organizations and YMCA friends, allover the world. Dale was the one who supposed to organize many sports training activities for the YMCA Youth Recreation and Sports Center. He is an expert in the field of swimming and life savers training. Dale has prepared excellent programs for the Sports Center. He also prepared a program for the Palestinian Tennis Association to train trainers and beginners. He also secured the funds needed for that from world interested federations.

Betty and Dale were highly committed to their mission. They easily managed to live in a different country with a different culture and way of living. Their commitment and dedication in serving the YMCA mission made it smooth for them to do it.

The Schwickers were very sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and people. They witnessed the miserable and violent situation and blood shedding in Palestine. They were very touched by the scenes of violence prevails in Palestine.

It was not that easy for both to live this experience, as it was not that easy for them to leave us under these circumstances. They decided to leave for a while to Cyprus waiting for the situation to calm. As the clashes get escalated, they took their final decision to leave back to the USA, leaving wonderful memories and experience behind and promising to keep supporting the YMCA Rehab Program from abroad.

The YMCA is so sad that the situation did not give the chance for Betty and Dale to fulfill their mission in the Holy Land and give us their input and support that were so peculiar and interesting./