February 24, 2003
Rain washes across Zababdeh’s fields.
Today is Marthame's first day of school in Ibillin. He left in the morning for Jalame (the rain has left the roads in an unbelievable state - worse than their normal horrific condition). His ride from Jalame to Nazareth, however, fell through - the checkpoint was closed to traffic. By chance, there was an Israeli taxi in Jalame - at first, the driver didn't want anything to do with someone traveling from the West Bank (Arab Israelis sometimes have very little understanding of their West Bank counterparts and are frightened of associating with them), but assured of Marthame's passport, valid visa, and profession, he consented. He had dropped off a niece from his village in Jalame, and had argued his way through the checkpoint coming in.
Getting out was tough, though - an hour and a half wait at the checkpoint before a single car passed. Meanwhile, outside it rained and sleeted. A couple made their way to and from the checkpoint on foot twice - both times turned back. Others were allowed to walk through with their small children, their drivers unable to convince the soldiers otherwise. The soldier was confused by Marthame's presence, but relented. The driver was kind enough to have pity on Marthame and take him all the way to Shefa'amer where he'll be lodging for the night.
The director of the theology department has been kind enough to take in this wayfaring stranger - perhaps being a fellow Presbyterian helps. Marthame is teaching an introductory college-level course on Church History - 1250 to present - at Ibillin's Mar Elias College. The students are all older, working, coming from an ecumenical mix - Baptists, Melkites, Maronites, Anglicans, Orthodox, Latins. Their English ability is mixed, so Marthame is teaching in translation. Fr. Hatem, whom we first knew when he was the Anglican priest of Shefa'amer, will be doing the translation this semester. Since Marthame is only to come once a week, he'll teach three hours - three lectures - every Monday. His assessment of day one? "Fun!" A lot of work, but a lot of fun.