May 14, 2002

Unloading the new copy machine.

The biggest news to reach the school today was the new copy machine. It was ordered several months ago, but only now has the road been re-opened enough to transport it here.

Thistles in bloom in the fields outside of Zababdeh.

Elizabeth found time to go for a walk with a friend from the University. It was very nice to get out into the fields and hills again, seeing up close the local nature after a long absence. It's clear spring has ended and summer arrived, as the wheatfields and grasses in the hills yellow the landscape, which is still spotted with green olive trees and fields of cabbage and zucchini. Thistles are in full swing: blueish, purple, yellow, white all going gangbusters.

Meanwhile, Marthame visited with our Melkite friend, learning some of the prayers from their Byzantine Mass - both for self-edification and to share some in worship during our summer itineration.