November 2, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

While Marthame worked on preparations for next semester's course at Ibillin, Elizabeth went to school to teach and to get birthday cake! Fr. Aktham turned thirty-three today, and the whole school took part in the celebration, with cake in the teachers' room and candies handed out to the kids. Fr. Aktham looks even younger than he is, and when he first came, everyone commented on how young he is. Having served in parishes before Zababdeh, it was clear he was used to - even amused by - this. When we learned how old he is, though, we had to inform him that Marthame is younger. And, indeed, so is Fr. Hosam. So after Fr. Thomas, the Greek Orthodox priest, Fr. Aktham is the second oldest pastor in the village!

*A Christmas card for American friend Davis.*

*Preparing Christmas cards for American penpals.*

The school also had a special mass today - not for Fr. Aktham's birthday, but in honor of All Saints' Day. Elizabeth also worked with the first grade religion class on a penpal project. The last two years, Roswell Presbyterian Church has sponsored the school's Christmas party. This year is no exception, and in addition, the first grade Sunday School teacher there is working with Elizabeth to have the children write Christmas cards to each other. Given the postal system situation, we might've started too late already! But the kids (and Elizabeth) had a lot of fun decorating their cards.

*The procession to the village cemetery.*

In the afternoon, Marthame went to the Latin Church's special Mass. All those who lost loved ones in the past year come to remember them. After Mass, there is a procession to the village cemetery as hymns are sung. After a brief liturgy, family members of those who have died hand out sweets - mostly chocolates - as others come to pay their respects: "Allah yerhamhum - God have mercy on them." Perhaps this shapes our Western Halloween tradition (not practiced here), the sweetness of treats symbolizing hope at the end of the mourning period. Families then spread out through the cemetery, visiting other family graves, and leaving candles at the site. People wordlessly drifting through the cemetery, cattle egrets squawking in the trees, tears and sniffles, darkness descending. A beautiful, somber evening.