There is a real dearth of study of Orthodoxy in American seminaries, so all of our knowledge is coming by way of our experiences here, rather than anything more academic - thus, it is coming slowly, as a process of discovery.

Interesting to see the blending of nationalist and religious rhetoric, especially as our own nation continues to do the same in the wake of September 11th.

Friday morning is a gathering for the children ages 6-10. They do a Bible story and then have fellowship time together (including dancing, apparently).

Seems the promised opening of closures will have to wait for the end of Yom Kippur and the first anniversary of the Intifada.

Marthame tried again with the English club, this time with a modicum of success!

We then heard the sound of airplanes overhead - we assumed they were heading towards Jenin as they often do, but they kept circling overhead.

It seemed appropriate to preach on serving a living God when preaching by the seat of one's pants.

We turned on the TV today to get the latest news, only to find out that we have no TV.

The main thing to be understood, it seems, is from the layers and layers of archaeological digging done here - kingdoms come and kingdoms go, and the new ones build on the ruins of the old ones. Politics is not a constant. Maybe this is the lesson of Armageddon.

Today, everyone made it to school - mostly on time (except for the usual crew of Zababdeh kids who tend to linger a little tardy, no matter the politics of the moment). Perhaps the cease-fire is having its effect.

Arafat has declared a unilateral cease-fire, and the Israelis have announced no more offensive actions. We really hope this means good news for our area.

On the same bus were teachers and students from Qabatiya, who had endured little sleep the previous night - further incursions by the IDF have come into their village, too

We also met with Abuna Aktham to talk about our work, his first few weeks here, and some calendar bits.

The weekend has brought little change in the situation for roads in our area, and thus has brought little change for our work situation. Still no teachers or students from Jenin and beyond.