We were hoping to visit a student in Qabatiya who is moving back to Romania next week, but tanks parked on the road make our visit unlikely.
Read MoreAll eyes were on the skies and the constant flares fluttering off to the West. The Israeli army had re-entered Jenin and had also gone to the nearby village of Jaba. The talk in the streets was that they would come to Zababdeh tonight, but fear has a way of multiplying itself beyond reality.
Read MoreBecause of the Israel re-incursion into Jenin, the two busses from there and beyond (and the students and teachers therein) didn’t come. We continued with exams for the rest of the kids - the Jenin students will have to catch up when it opens up again.
Read MorePeople here are tired of the violence, tired of the coming and going of the Israeli army, tired of being unemployed and poor, tired of having no freedom of movement.
Read MoreWe shared some Damascus sweets and Iraqi dates with our fellow teachers who were both glad to see us and jealous of our mobility and ability to travel places they cannot go.
Read MoreThings are relatively peaceful now - news is much more about the World Cup than about the situation...
Read MoreWe encounter a lot of bemused security in this part of the world.
Read More
Elizabeth headed off with a small group to look for rugs and gold in the Old City's markets.
Read MoreReflecting on the question of proselytism, he called us in the West to recognize that Islam is a reality to be understood, not ignored. As such, we in the Church must find our language for speaking with Muslims and sharing our faith - conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, but proclamation and witness are ours.
Read MoreMany were troubled by outsiders coming in to change Muslim hearts, failing, and leaving the local church to clean up the mess and bear the brunt of resentment.
Read MorePalmyra!
Read More
We then headed off to meet with Sheikh Ahmed Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Aleppo. He and Metropolitan Ibrahim (Syrian Orthodox) together received us in the mosque.
Read MoreOur first stop was at what is now called Simon's Citadel, but is famous for its ruins and one of its former residents, St. Simeon Stylites.
Read MoreHow do we share these stories when we get back?
Read More
Our last stop for the day was the ruins of the ancient port city of Byblos.
Read MoreAnother long bus ride, another set of ruins, this time the spectacular site of Baalbeck.
Read MoreWe headed down to southern Lebanon, for which we had to receive special visas. This is the area that was under Israel Occupation until 2000, an occupation that ended, we were told, due to the fierce resistance of Hezbollah. The people of the region are grateful for that liberation, as is evident by the waving of Hezbollah's yellow flags everywhere you go.
Read MoreWe had to bid farewell to some new dear friends, particularly those from the Iraqi delegation. Marthame and the Armenian Bishop of Baghdad had shared many wonderful conversations together.
Read MoreProtestant, Orthodox, and Catholic leaders unanimously said the Eastern Church calls on the Western Church to be a prophetic voice for truth and peace.
Read More
The centerpiece was the panel of Iraqi church leaders from the Armenian, Syrian, Chaldean, and Evangelical (Presbyterian) churches.
Read More