Today was our day of sightseeing. We hired two cars to take us on a quick highlight tour of Baghdad.
Read MoreWe gathered with representatives from the churches to map out our schedule for the next week or so.
Read MoreWe sat through many speeches by bishops and patriarchs (dubbed by Marthame the "hat and necklace brigade"), all calling for an end to sanctions, decrying American imperialism, speaking of great religious freedom in Iraq.
Read MoreSixteen hours in a bus was our fate for the day.
Read MoreIt's been a while since we've worshiped in our first language - about two months.
Read MoreWe have been invited to Baghdad to the Fifth Annual Christian Peacemaking Conference, and have been making preparations for several months now.
Read MoreRaba is a small village of about 7000 (twice the size of Zababdeh), resting on a nearby mountain peak.
Read MoreToday word came in the school of the Patriarchate Essay Contest Winners. Zababdeh's school had more students honored than any other school in the Patriarchate!
Read MoreMarthame headed back up to the university today to take a peek at a car for sale. It gave him a chance to enjoy the always breathtaking view of Zababdeh (they picked a great spot for a university).
Read MoreZababdeh relies on a broken water pump in Area C, which is caught in "Corporate Occupation" - the Israeli's independent water company is refusing to cooperate with the Palestinian's independent water company due to the current unrest, which means Zababdeh gets water about once a week (roof water tanks are automatically refilled from the pump when they get below a certain level, if there is water).
Read MoreNews came today of the four month-old baby killed in Israeli shelling of a Gaza Refugee Camp. A lot of head-shaking is taking place in Zababdeh, particularly at Sharon's half-hearted "apology" as he visited settlements in Gaza again.
Read MoreMore and more people are getting the urge to depart. The internet cafes (yes, there are two for a village of 3000) have become an escape for some - a few hours of chatting, etc., and a resource for others - learning about American immigration requirements.
Read Moretheological news, today continues the daily worship for the "Month of Mary" in the Latin Church.
Read MoreThe journey was thankfully unremarkable, given the usual route through the valleys and pits, though the Israeli soldiers did allow us to pass through one military checkpoint rather than driving for miles around it.
Read MoreThe reason for the trip was to connect with an American group that had come here for a two week visit.
Read MoreElizabeth went with the Latin Church's youth group on a trip to Nablus to visit Abuna Dominick and the Sisters of Charity. Their convent is also a home for the elderly and for severely handicapped children.
Read MoreChapter one of the long, tedious car saga is drawing to a close.
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Nablus has an incredible energy to it. It's the largest Arab city on the West Bank and hasn't become quite as cosmopolitan as Ramallah has. As a result, it has retained much of its Eastern charm, hospitality, mystery, and activity.
Read MoreWe caught up with some of the families who plied us with coffee and simple Arabic early on - good to reconnect.
Read MoreWent for a picnic in the nearby hills with some contemporaries - late twenties, early thirties professionals who live and work in Zababdeh and Jenin, both Muslim and Christian.
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