March 23, 2001 — Mudeif Productions

It has been a while since we've been able to take a walk in the fields, but the land all around is becoming greener by the day! The flowers are out in bloom, the sun is shining. Now is peak beauty time in Palestine, and beautiful it is. Particularly striking are the ubiquitous purple thistles.

We joined with our neighbors for a little cookout on their balcony as we enjoyed the weather. Noting that it was Friday, and we were grilling meat, we chatted with them about Lent and fasting. We find Lent a powerful opportunity to take on spiritual disciplines, to prepare for Easter, and to deepen our relationship with God. That said, we don't follow prescribed rules about what those disciplines may be. However, most of the Christians here, being Orthodox or Catholic, fast from meat and dairy products either for the entire forty days (except Sunday) or only on Wednesdays and Fridays.