The road was the worst so far, the road from the Arab-American University of Jenin. Every road is closed, and so every "road" is necessarily a dirt road through the fields.
Read More"Give us this day our daily bread..." We have begun a new schedule of getting up early and taking a walk - directly to the bakery to get our fresh bread for the day.
Read MoreOnce again, it was impossible for Fr. Hossam to get here. This time, shots apparently hit very close to the Anglican Church compound in Nablus. As he worked on his sermon last night, he was pinned down in his study.
Read MoreThe rain is sorely needed. Here's irony though: we have no water.
Read MoreWe called it our "War Time Picnic." It was a great chance to not think about any of the stuff that goes wrong from day to day
Read MoreWe had a nice visit as we sat out on her porch and looked over her fruit trees and the rest of Zababdeh.
Read MoreAs school let out, we were met with a demonstration led by University students through the streets of Zababdeh.
Read MoreOne of the soldiers had scrawled in English on his army jacket, "F*** the world." Somehow appropriate.
Read MoreThe destruction of the latest incursion was evident, almost apocalyptic in its appearance.
Read MoreWe had a lively discussion with the students about the role of women in society - there was as much variety in opinion among the all-male, mostly-Muslim students as you would expect to find in an American classroom.
Read MoreTwo Israeli tanks were on the move on the opposite hilltop, sending the children into equal fits of fright and intrigue. The same could be said for the teachers (us included), though we were less vocal about it.
Read MoreWe were invited for lunch with one of the teachers and her family. They live in Zababdeh, and she teaches Islam to the Muslim students from grades 4-12.
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Word filtered through later in the day that an eleven year old girl had been killed on her way to school by Israeli soldiers who had invaded Jenin. Needless to say, those of us responsible for the safety of students are concerned by such reports.
Read MoreWe had a couple of visitors a few nights ago, and Marthame had casually mentioned that he wanted to get a galabiye, or a dishdashe, the gown worn by men at home here. They're very comfortable, and in the summer they're extremely cool.
Read MoreWe spent the afternoon visiting with one of the Muslim families of Zababdeh whose daughter teaches religion in the school to the Muslim children.
Read MoreMarthame assisted in the multi-lingual worship service.
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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.
Read MoreMarthame told him that we live in Jenin - the man responded that he had almost rented a very nice house in Jenin with a swimming pool for a great price, but that there were two checkpoints to pass in and out of to get there. It was only then that Marthame realized he meant "Ganim," one of two nearby settlements, the very existence of which has meant the siege of the entire Jenin region.
Read MoreThey dropped Marthame off, and he found his way to the Melkite Bishopric to meet with Bishop Boutros Ma'alim.
Read MoreWe headed up to the University today to visit friends and also to get a good backdrop for a project we're working on.
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