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.

The 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.

At 3:00 this morning, the army entered Tubas and began their activity

We pulled up into one of several stonecutters' shops which line the road to Misilye.

Explaining 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.

Firas' 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.

Marthame'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.

By 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.

Yesterday, 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.

Obviously, we're worried for our students and teachers who not only have to travel through this battleground, but have to live there.

Ariel Sharon has promised "retribution" for this attack. It's bad enough here when the Israelis aren't seeking revenge.

We thought briefly about leaving home today, but then found that gravity's pull in our bed seems to be unusually strong.