May 23, 2003

Picnicking with friends among Zababdeh’s olive trees.

As we try to do every Friday, we slept late. We got up in time to join our good friends for a picnic. It was a bit hot, but we did our best to laze in the shade under the olive trees on the top of a nearby hill. We supped on grilled meat, fresh bread, cucumber and tomato salad, tea, and coffee. It was a nice relaxing time, looking down on Zababdeh, nestled in the golden wheat fields, which wave and rustle in the wind.

Marthame and Fr. Thomas engaged in serious theological and political conversation. Or, probably, sharing a joke.

In the evening, we and the village clergy went up to the University's coffee shop for a formal farewell to the WCC volunteers. It is so nice when the priests get together and show friendly ecumenical relations. Contacts for the WCCers were the churches, and the priests were all very pleased to have them here, and to have them encourage them and assist them in their ministry here. Their presence will be sorely missed - we've gotten used them, and them to us. The WCC team coming in the summer months is lean, so they won't have anyone in Zababdeh - we're hoping that'll be rectified in a few months, though.

Meanwhile, an article has appeared in the Atlanta paper talking about Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Our ministry was also mentioned in it.