October 13, 2001

Saint Andrew’s Hospice in three languages.

We made our way early this morning to St. Andrew's Church of Scotland in West Jerusalem, one of the few pieces of official Presbyterianism here. We met with the pastor, who has become a good friend - even despite our rare trips to Jerusalem. Our conversation was interesting, touching on the situation and contingency plans, but also on the possibilities for the relationship of our ministry to theirs and the possibility of re-forming (no pun intended) the Presbytery of Jerusalem. We got a quick stop in their Sunbula shop (which sells traditional needlework and other crafts from women's cooperatives and other self-help groups. It's also finally on-line!) before heading off to Ramallah to meet our ride back to Zababdeh (by way of the Galilee).

Many years ago, the president of the Arab-American University of Jenin started a learning center for young, gifted science students, and their programs have expanded throughout Gaza and the West Bank. We met up with him at the center in al-Bireh. Our wait at Qalandiya was at least an hour (since we were in a private car, we couldn't walk across and hop in another taxi, as usual).

A glimpse of the Mediterranean at Akka.

We headed up to the ancient port city of Akka (or Akko or Acre, depending on which language you prefer) which still has a significant Palestinian population within Israel. Because of our wait at Qalandiya we didn't get sufficient time to wander too much around the Old City with its Ottoman era walls, or fully explore the Crusader castle, but we did get a chance to eat fresh seafood overlooking the Mediterranean.

Part of Akka’s Old City walls, lit up at night.

We then headed to Nazareth for the night, where we stayed at The Harbour again, getting the chance to meet the director of Nazareth Village, an historical reconstruction of Jesus-era Nazareth. We haven't had the chance to visit it, but from what we've heard it's fantastic. We hope to get the chance soon.