September 7, 2002 — Mudeif Productions

Today is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year feast, so the curfews around Palestinian cities are extra-tight. Saturday is a school day here, but Marthame has taken advantage of his class schedule to spend the day working from home. Unfortunately, no one informed him ahead of time that today was Mass for the students (after two years here, we haven't gotten used to how news travels through the village - however, we have gotten used to the idea that it often doesn't travel to us).

Marthame headed up to the University with Deacon Firas/Stephen to make a copy of his ordination video. The problem was one of formatting, the camera we're using being American system and video machines here being Middle East system. In the end, it took a long time, but thanks to computer technology, he got his copy. We wandered around the campus a bit, which is getting ready to return to term next Sunday. Administration and faculty are busy, students are beginning to congregate, and lots and lots of construction is underway.

In the evening, we paid a long overdue visit to our old neighbors, who had moved into a new place six months ago. Being foreigners, we get a special dispensation when it comes to the local customs. The father used to work in a hotel in Jerusalem (which has been closed for two years). His salary at the time was about $700/month, with which he supported his family of five boys. About a year ago, he began driving a taxi after working some handout jobs around town. On a good day, that is, a day when Jenin is open, he takes home 50 shekels (about $10). A month of good days nets him $200-$250, half of which they pay in rent. Most days aren't good, though - today, for example, his take-home was 8 shekels (less than $2). How they're surviving, other than by the grace of God, baffles us. Nevertheless, they treated us to a feast - home-made pickles, cheese pizza (without tomatoes - they're 5 shekels/kg), hummos, babaganoush...Yet another humbling experience of Arab hospitality.