March 24, 2002

An Anglican youth ringing the church bells to signal to the rest of Zababdeh that worship is about to begin.

Marthame and Fr. Hossam headed back to Zababdeh together, making the reverse trek across what used to be the road from Nablus to Beidan. One of the problems for Fr. Hossam these days is that a one-way trip to Zababdeh is, at least, an hour - if the road gets worse, it could be more. Commuting between the two parishes is difficult at best.

Bulletin artwork for the Temptation of Christ.

Palestinian media coverage about the visit of Zababdeh youth to Jenin Camp on Mother’s Day.

We worshiped with St. Matthew's Anglican Church, the church bells signaling our successful arrival. The churches of Zababdeh celebrate the first Sunday of Lent, reading the temptation of Christ. It's very strange to do this while the Western church is celebrating Palm Sunday today and, even in Jerusalem, Easter greetings are being sent out. Fr. Aktham and the Latin parish and school have sent theirs out, too.

Marthame went by to visit the young man who took the kids up to Jenin camp a few days ago - they're working together on a brochure for the Palestinian Christian Youth Movement as they attempt to gather some financial support for its work. Marthame will head down to Jerusalem in a few days to meet with people and see what can be done.

We could see flares being shot over the hill, which made us worry for our friends in Aqaba and Tubas.