A Michigan couple is using their small business to support Palestinian Christian families in Bethlehem, bringing handcrafted olive wood carvings to Indiana over the weekend.

From Bethlehem to the Midwest: A Story Rooted in Faith and Family

Alfred and Grace Salsa have been living in the U.S. since 2002, but their roots run deep in Bethlehem — the ancient city where both were born and raised. What started as a personal mission to stay connected to their heritage has grown into something bigger: a business with purpose.

Their company, Holy City Crafts, travels the country showcasing and selling religious olive wood carvings made by Bethlehem artisans. And it’s not just about business. A whopping 85% of sales go directly back to the artisans’ families, many of whom are Christian Palestinians struggling to survive amid economic instability and dwindling tourism.

This weekend, Fort Wayne, Indiana, was their latest stop.

War, Loss, and a Vanishing Community

It’s been nearly a year and a half since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, triggered another devastating phase of violence in the Israel-Gaza conflict. While headlines often focus on rockets and retaliation, Alfred Salsa sees the effects through a different lens — one shaped by heritage and heartbreak.

The Christian population in Bethlehem, once a thriving community, now makes up just around 10% of the city’s residents. Many have fled due to political and economic pressures. And those who remain face mounting uncertainty, especially as the war continues to scare off tourism, Bethlehem’s lifeline.

“The tourists aren’t coming like they used to,” Alfred explained. “People in Bethlehem depend on that. It’s their main income. Without it, families are left without a way to survive.”

A Sacred Craft with a Purpose

The heart of Holy City Crafts lies in its products — religious carvings of olive wood made entirely by hand. The process is sacred, traditional, and deeply symbolic in Christian culture. These are not mass-produced souvenirs. They’re labors of love made by artisans who often pass their techniques down through generations.

And the mission behind them is just as powerful.

• 85% of every purchase goes back to the families who crafted the items

• Products include nativity sets, crucifixes, rosaries, saints, and angels

• Many of the carvers are from families who’ve lived in Bethlehem for centuries

Alfred says they aim to bring a piece of Bethlehem to every place they visit — not just physically, but spiritually too.

Bringing Bethlehem to Fort Wayne

Over the weekend, Holy City Crafts set up shop at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. For two days, parishioners browsed tables filled with ornately carved crucifixes, olive wood rosaries, and miniature nativity scenes.

Some stopped to talk. Others just observed. Many pulled out their wallets.

For the Salsas, it was more than just another vendor visit. It was a chance to connect, to share stories, to remind people that Bethlehem isn’t just a place in scripture — it’s still there, and its people are still struggling.

Grace spoke quietly with an older couple who’d visited the Holy Land years ago. Another woman asked if the carvings were made by children — Alfred was quick to clarify that each piece was made by skilled adult craftsmen, many of whom have been carving for decades.

“It’s important to us that people understand — these aren’t just souvenirs. They’re prayers in wood,” he said.

Where They’re Headed Next

If you missed the Fort Wayne event, you’re not entirely out of luck. Alfred and Grace travel widely, especially through the Midwest. They try to stop in at least one church per year within the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. And more trips are already in the works.

Curious folks can reach out to Alfred directly via email to get updates on upcoming visits. He’s approachable, soft-spoken, and happy to explain the meaning behind each carving. And yes, he replies to every email personally.

One priest who hosted the couple last year in South Bend said their visit brought a unique connection to the Holy Land that can’t be replicated by brochures or pilgrimages.

Table: Holy City Crafts Snapshot

Holding Onto a Disappearing Identity

What makes this story resonate isn’t just the war, or the politics, or even the art. It’s the stubborn hope in it all. Bethlehem’s Christian community might be shrinking, but people like Alfred and Grace are making sure it doesn’t disappear without a fight.

Even now, Grace says she dreams of one day taking their grandchildren to visit the old churches and crowded markets of her childhood. Whether that’s possible — she doesn’t know. But she’s not giving up.

“We can’t lose our home,” she said softly. “If we can’t live there, at least we can keep it alive here.”