November 15, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

*November 15 is Palestinian Independence Day, declared by the PLO in 1988.*

Happy Independence Day. We have a three day weekend, something very much needed. Since our weekend is usually split over Friday and Sunday, even two days of rest together is welcome, and three is just peachy.

Last night, we learned from friends in town, we missed quite the movie scene here. At around midnight, jeeps and tanks moved into town, covered by helicopters overhead (which Marthame heard, but was too far asleep to really register them consciously - Elizabeth missed them altogether). Until about 4:00 am, the Israeli army searched a few homes looking for specific wanted men, but rounded up a bunch of young men nearby for questioning anyway before releasing them hours later. A wanted man from nearby Tubas had fled through the hills into the town, was shot in the leg by the helicopter, and eventually arrested. Meanwhile, we slept through the whole Rambo affair.

*Elizabeth gleaning olives left after the harvest.*

This afternoon we went walking in the mountains with a friend of ours from the University, bringing the Bible along and engaging each other in some study. The passage, somehow fitting during Ramadan and with Advent approaching, was about fasting (Matthew 9:14-17). Elizabeth, perhaps inspired by the Study, began to glean the remaining olives on the surrounding trees.

*Elizabeth surrounded by our beautiful adopted extended family.*

In the evening we went to visit our good friends, taking advantage of a lighter work load to make good on some social obligations. Their son, who runs one of Zababdeh's three (!) internet cafes, shared his story of last night's madness - his place was full of young people when the army entered. When they heard helicopters and tanks and shooting, they turned off the lights and waited until 4:00 AM to venture home - even sticking one's head out of a door at the wrong time has proved fatal more often around here than should be normal.

As we chatted, our friends' grandchildren gathered around Elizabeth to get a free English lesson. "What is your name? What color is this?"

At night, flares lit up the sky, meaning a nearby village was likely facing what Zababdeh faced last night.