February 3, 2003

With both Fr. Aktham and Deacon Homam down in Beit Sahour, Marthame did some subbing for them, mostly teaching the students simple hymns in English. The eleventh graders were interested in "Amazing Grace" and the story that goes with it, that of John Newton's conversion from slave trader to devout Christian.

Arab-American University of Jenin students planning next steps with the visiting American group.

Marthame went up to the University later in the day to visit with some of the students who were involved with the visiting American group. There is a deep interest in follow-up, and a deep hope that this is not the last group to come to visit and to work with the youth here. Two of the teachers - one local, one American - are taking charge and are helping to empower the students to brainstorm for future ideas. It's exciting to be part of it all, but with the impending war, it seems like this area will fall silent for a while as far as the outside world is concerned.

Fr. Firas lends a hand on the ladder with Melkite Church repairs.

Local workers mixing concrete for the new Melkite Church roof.

On the way home, Marthame stopped by the Melkite convent. Thanks to financial support which has arrived from Holy Cross Melkite Church in California, Fr. Firas has been able to make some real headway with the work before him. The church has transformed from an abandoned building to a construction site, and now all of the old plaster has been stripped away. Today, a concrete mixer arrived to lay the new roof on top of the church. Fr. Firas got himself dirty, as he seems to enjoy doing during the work. It's another step along the way - not all the way, but getting there.

Fr. Firas and Marthame in Melkite liturgical finery - Marthame wears a robe belonging to Fr. Stephanos (Fr. Firas’ grandfather).

Deacon Homam returned in the afternoon, but Fr. Aktham has stayed behind in Jerusalem. As a result, Fr. Firas led afternoon prayers in the Latin church. Marthame went to pray with him, and Fr. Firas insisted Marthame wear his grandfather's old Melkite robes. It was certainly touching, but not very practical. Fr. Stephanos was a tall man, and the robe which is supposed to come down to the wrists (so when you lift your arms you can use your hands) nearly draped the floor. So any simple action first involved the gathering of the robes, which looked more like the field crew gathering in the tarp after a rain delay at Wrigley Field rather than a graceful liturgical motion. It had an unfortunate comic effect. But it made a nice picture.

The Christmas pageant editing woes continue. We can't seem to figure out how to get the editing software to work with the camera and hardware. But at least we have electricity!