December 22, 2001

A banner for our friends at Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Today was the last day of school. Roswell Presbyterian Church, one of our supporting congregations, sponsored a Christmas party for the children. They did the same last year, which was an absolute treat for the younger kids.

Here come the gifts!

A gift? For me?

Gifts!

This year, we started with a party for the small children. Like yesterday's party, there was singing and dancing, but also jumping (?). They got different gifts than yesterday, and this time without the political machinations. This year, unlike last year, we were able to give gifts to all of the students into the school - Roswell increased their gift this year, and the school added some money. Elizabeth, Abuna Aktham, Baba and Mama Noel (truth be told that they were both Mama Noels) went around from class to class distributing the presents. Abuna made a point of telling the children that the presents came from one of our churches in America to share a happy Christmas with them.

Some of our students, mugging for the camera.

The simple joy of receiving a gift.

English Class Exhibition.

In the classrooms, as we have come to expect, there was also singing and dancing, and the kids learning "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in English. The day was a blast for the kids, for Abuna Aktham, and for Elizabeth who got to share in the joy that all this brought. Especially in these frustrating days, and for kids whose parents have no work or income, this was definitely a high point for the season. The kids shared their thank you's with "Miss Elizabeth". Elizabeth also put up a display of her 7th grade students' projects in which they wrote about their families - along with accompanying photographs. In the afternoon, there was a luncheon for all of the teachers together. Even moreso than last year, this year the teachers deserved kudos for their ability to persevere in the midst of adversity.

Meanwhile, Marthame was in Abuna Aktham's car driving down to Bethlehem. Getting out was not tricky - at the checkpoint at Tayasir (now blocked by a gate), the soldiers were mostly just confused as to how Marthame had managed to get into Zababdeh in the first place, particularly with an Israeli yellow-plated car. A quick stop in Nazareth proved interesting, as the people Marthame met - Palestinian Christians - know the Palestinian Christians that we know in Lubbock, Texas! Small world.

Marthame arrived at the Tantur checkpoint to enter Bethlehem, but found it completely closed. He was picking up several boxes of bibles for Abuna To'mie, the Greek Orthodox priest in Zababdeh, from Bethlehem Bible College - instead, they brought the bibles to Marthame.

He also met up with Father Peter, an American Jesuit priest who has been here for twenty-seven years. He was on his way up to Zababdeh for the Christmas celebrations. The two rode up together in Abuna Aktham's car, meeting new checkpoints and Israeli bunkers all up and down the Jordan Valley road. They weren't stopped until they reached Tayasir again and were told they couldn't pass - "too dangerous." The fact that they had just driven on settler roads (which are more dangerous) and had come from Zababdeh that morning didn't seem to make any difference in the conversation.

Two hours later, as we climbed the military ranks in our conversation, and as Abuna Aktham came down in another car to argue and make phone calls, we were permitted to pass. The soldiers were surprisingly patient with us but still couldn't understand why in the world we would want to go up to Zababdeh. We arrived in time for a quick late lunch and an evening Advent Mass.

dec01Mudeif Office