February 1, 2001

Today we got our first glimpse of the new sheep (until now it has been too cold for them to come outside). It's definitely not the suburbs of Chicago here - there's something wonderful about walking past a house on the way home and hearing "Baaaa" coming from inside.

Tonight there was also an engagement celebration, the first one that we've known about in a while (we're still figuring out how people learn these things, but when everyone is related, I guess there's not too much need for a local paper). The contrast between this one and the last few we went to before the Intifada was stark. People are celebrating in a much more muted way. There's music, but no dancing. People are still in a nation-wide mourning. It was interesting to see the melding of traditions between the way local women who bless the engagement and the way Celine Dion.

After the engagement was the monthly worship service put together by college-age youth. This has been one of the blessings coming out of the current tragedy, as they have committed themselves to a deeper sense of prayer and vigil through these quiet services of prayer and meditation.

Baby sheep!

A subdued wedding reception in Zababdeh.

The monthly college-age led service at the Latin Church.