While in the West we may sing "rain, rain, go away," in an arid climate, rain is a sign of blessing.
Read MoreWe were smiled upon today, and the blessing of Window 2 came to our rescue, in the form of the lovely Nina - she helped us slay the beast, and we danced down the stairs, visas in hand and passports intact!
Read MoreHe then consoled us and promised to write a letter saying Marthame "is not only a priest, but a bishop."
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A day spent somewhere between Apartheid and the Holocaust.
Read MoreWe then made a traditional Palestinian meal for our hosts and some other friends of maqlube (literally, "upside-down").
Read MoreAfter further bellyaching (the only way to force your way through the bureacracy - so we've been told by Israelis, Palestinians, and ex-pats alike), we were told nothing could be done until Wednesday on our applications - the man who knows how to turn on the computer is on vacation.
Read MoreToday being Saturday, all Israeli government offices are closed - thus there was nothing to be done about the visa applications.
Read MoreWe also ran some errands for the priests, something that we can do quite concretely to help out here.
Read MoreAs usual, some of the teachers helped out with that part, by helping prepare coffee and bring in trays of things, and take out trays of things.
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A few months ago, we had received a video from France on the implementation of electricity in Zababdeh (in 1969).
Read MoreKind of like commuter traffic jams, and then kinda not...
Read MoreOne person recounted how they used to have to sneak to church to avoid the Jordanian snipers in the Old City.
Read MoreOne of the soldiers had scrawled in English on his army jacket, "F*** the world." Somehow appropriate.
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.
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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 MoreThey dropped Marthame off, and he found his way to the Melkite Bishopric to meet with Bishop Boutros Ma'alim.
Read MoreReports came on CNN of stadiums full of football fans chanting "USA! USA!" when hearing the bombing had started. And we're confused as to why there're anti-American sentiments in the world?
Read MoreKids are also rallying around their flag here - something in common between Americans and Palestinians.
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