Ilhamdillah 'al-salaami (roughly, "thank God you made it back safely")! This chorus greeted us as we returned to school. That, and numerous questions about our trip to Iraq. Everyone wanted an update, a story.
Read MoreHalfway there, we came to an Israeli checkpoint. As we approached, the driver told everyone to say we were coming from Jericho, not Ramallah - our circuitous route took us so far East that no one would ever believe how we came.
Read MoreNo better or worse, just different emotionally. It's very hard to relax here.
Read MoreThe church is thriving in its faithful witness there, free to worship and serve.
Read MoreBoth churches have seen the devastation of the two wars. Emigration after 1991 was particularly devastating.
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We then gathered outside for some wonderful fellowship and conversation and an Iraqi-style Presbyterian-potluck.
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The monastery once had over one hundred monks in residence, but this has now dindled to one bishop and three monks. The view, of course, down the valley was unparalleled - those monastics knew the basic rule: location, location, location.
Read MoreAn early, early morning took us to Samarra and its spectacular mosque. The mosque itself is being renovated, but the prayer tower is accessible by a spiral staircase around its exterior that leads to spectacular views of the nearby towns
Read MoreThe congregation was formed from Assyrian Christians, and so many of the traditional elements of worship - the Lord's Prayer, hymn singing, etc. - are done in Aramaic rather than Arabic.
Read MoreToday 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.
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