Three tanks left the edge of Qabatia by way of the military/settler bypass road, but by 10:00 it was too late to bring kids to school. Ugh.
Read MoreThe war crimes of the Palestinians - the suicide bombings, the armed attacks on citizens - are paraded before the world, and rightly so. But those of the Israelis don't even warrant news coverage - they're that common. Status quo.
Read MoreAt 3:00 this morning, the army entered Tubas and began their activity
Read MoreWe pulled up into one of several stonecutters' shops which line the road to Misilye.
Read MoreExplaining the liturgy was both encouraging (for how much we've learned) and discouraging (for how much we have left to know). But to put a bright spin on it, the mystery still remains.
Read MoreFiras' new responsibilities as deacon (and, soon to be, priest) include not only Zababdeh's Melkite community, but also for the Christians in Jalame and Muqeible. Not more than a quarter mile separates the two villages, but the two places couldn't seem more apart.
Read MoreMarthame's visit to the Anglican clinic yesterday was only helpful to a point - his ears are congested, and the doctor decided to "suction" them - end result, one ear is open, the other closed - closed, closed. Not unlike Jenin today.
Read MoreBy the time assembly ended, the Jenin schoolbus had not arrived, meaning our Jenin kids probably would not make it today. That means students from Jenin (including a couple of Elizabeth's eighth graders) will miss some of their half-semester exams.
Read MoreYesterday, we got a pre-recorded message that our phone bill was late and must be paid or we might have our lines cut. The problem is, we haven't received a phone bill in three months.
Read MoreObviously, we're worried for our students and teachers who not only have to travel through this battleground, but have to live there.
Read MoreAriel Sharon has promised "retribution" for this attack. It's bad enough here when the Israelis aren't seeking revenge.
Read MoreWe thought briefly about leaving home today, but then found that gravity's pull in our bed seems to be unusually strong.
Read MoreThe olives are brought in large bags, then dumped into the system which sorts the olives out from the sticks and leaves, then they are washed, crushed, then the water and oil are separated out. The end result is glorious, glorious fresh olive oil.
Read MoreThere is a certain rhythm to picking - one tree, then morning coffee, then another, then breakfast, then another, tea, then another, and lunch.
Read MoreMarthame spent the evening with Deacon Firas at his brother's internet cafe.
Read MoreThe drain on this land, and particularly on this church, is life-threatening.
Read MoreMarthame smiled at the wrong moment, when the Russian policeman was looking at him. He came over and asked in Hebrew, "What are you laughing at?" Then in Arabic, "Are you a Muslim?"
Read MoreThere is no order here, there is no Authority, and people have been living in more squalor than usual for the past two years. Every night, Apaches and F-16s fly overhead, and periodically puncture the night and Gazan buildings with rockets. If this is hell, then we are the devil's minions, we American taxpayers.
Read MoreEvery PC(USA) moderator has the ex-officio honor of being ecumenical canon at St. George's, but until now, only one moderator had come to Jerusalem to receive this honor. The Rev. Dr. Canon Fahed Abu-Akel is the second, and today this honor was given to him as part of the Sunday worship service.
Read MoreOur destination was the village of Kufr Yasif, Rev. Dr. Abu-Akel's home town. He had been raised in the Greek Orthodox Church there, and even though he had become a Protestant pastor, it was that church which hosted his "welcome home" reception.
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