May 1, 2002

A reconstruction of an ancient Galilean home.

Marthame continued running errands in the Galilee while Elizabeth taught her kids before the coming Holy Week holidays (Eastern calendar prevails for Easter in Zababdeh). Marthame paid a visit to Nazareth Village, a ministry of the local Nazareth YMCA. Some years ago, a Nazareth Christian communicated his interest in building a place that would draw Christian pilgrims, teach them something about the life of Christ, and to share the gospel. Nazareth Village is the result - a reconstruction-in-progress of Jesus-era Nazareth. Not many tourists are coming these days, so Marthame had a private tour given by a Russian Messianic Jew. The most powerful thing was seeing things pointed out in the tour which are still in practice in Zababdeh - most notably efforts of water conversation in the desert.

We had planned for Elizabeth to come tomorrow, but after a look at the upcoming Jerusalem Holy Week schedule, we changed our minds so she wouldn't miss anything. We both rushed to coordinate a rendevouz, and everything graciously came together (as things rarely do here) - subhan allah (the wonders of God). We had to wait a few minutes at the Jalame checkpoint, as a possible bomb threat was being investigated on the settler road. Within a few minutes everything was clear, and we headed up to spend the night in Nazareth.