October 14, 2003

In Nablus, Elizabeth and Andrea followed and filmed Jeries and Elia (school-age subjects for the film) going to school, at school, and after school. They were both flattered and embarrassed by the attention.

Marthame and Fr. Aktham compare notes at work.

Meanwhile, the priests of Zababdeh are taking good care of Marthame the bachelor in Elizabeth's extended absence from here. Fr. Aktham has issued an open invitation for lunch until Elizabeth returns, and Fr. Thomas and Fr. Firas have invited Marthame over on several different occasions to fill in the gaps in his stomach. While Marthame is no slouch in the kitchen, he's also more than willing to share in the good company and good food.

Fr. Aktham should be in the States right now, but has not been able to get permission from the local military District Coordinating Office to leave the West Bank with his Israeli-plated car. He's hoping things'll be sorted out by next week for another attempt, but the situation looks pretty bleak here.

Again, we're hoping it's all temporary, but who can predict...