tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38513773099964348302023-11-16T02:46:10.886-08:00News from East JerusalemDonna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-59197920483425942332008-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:002008-08-12T14:20:14.477-07:00WHAT YOU DON'T READ IN OUR NEWSPAPERS<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AKAb4sQZtedNnZTUFK6gHtIqP5irU44-Y7FMCm8gnAfSXwb1QAyTUJNwvGrYRBpePNIW4hELchjBZJblE30Mp_xHVKKDmPv6T3DE9uP05rmERMSJm_zlguxLWldYMUIk-dro3bv3zzU/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233740506869832482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AKAb4sQZtedNnZTUFK6gHtIqP5irU44-Y7FMCm8gnAfSXwb1QAyTUJNwvGrYRBpePNIW4hELchjBZJblE30Mp_xHVKKDmPv6T3DE9uP05rmERMSJm_zlguxLWldYMUIk-dro3bv3zzU/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" /></a> A typical scene with the Old City of Jerusalem in the background</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2vakmfi7p67bW5DD6FZESMrOWJmH4BQKjVwvFl3RXO8MWFk3FCLiltkV7vEdKkBOYNXHK5eLBlJaLU_z6GZ8rMCEWXxfT3m_Pj9maPr9khGINc9Hu8zuYN7AHAdNXi08gJ37hxsjO8E/s1600-h/DSC_0027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233740301668879026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2vakmfi7p67bW5DD6FZESMrOWJmH4BQKjVwvFl3RXO8MWFk3FCLiltkV7vEdKkBOYNXHK5eLBlJaLU_z6GZ8rMCEWXxfT3m_Pj9maPr9khGINc9Hu8zuYN7AHAdNXi08gJ37hxsjO8E/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" border="0" /></a> At one of frequent house demolitions<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjZ-7RFRStJ4w8yQdMrlAUxd2UV0XQ-wdEABUxfTj2NfugI2VhwrQsf5MqLRW9GZRi2rdfCYXQqJs_Lumlc0ALwXxKjzmLoqDS2RMLduvdJcRo1W-aLJsrUsgs4KVBSmYmV8q4pdYjGw/s1600-h/DSC_0037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233740148653099490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjZ-7RFRStJ4w8yQdMrlAUxd2UV0XQ-wdEABUxfTj2NfugI2VhwrQsf5MqLRW9GZRi2rdfCYXQqJs_Lumlc0ALwXxKjzmLoqDS2RMLduvdJcRo1W-aLJsrUsgs4KVBSmYmV8q4pdYjGw/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" border="0" /></a> Leaving families like this one in June without a home.<br /><br /><div align="left"><br />I received the following email from Pastor Mark Brown, the Regional Representative of the Lutheran World Federation in Jerusalem. It contains his reply to the letter he received from the head of the YWCA in East Jerusalem.<br /><br />The incident described here has nothing to do with the house demolitions threatened by Olmert as a result of the bulldozer events. It is a depiction of what has been going on in the West Bank for a long time and continues as Israel takes over more and more Palestinian land in its efforts to ethnically cleanse and “redeem their land”.<br /><br />“Dear Mira:<br />Thank you and may God bless and keep you. Your account of yesterday's events is heart-wrenching. Thank you for sharing so powerfully the anguish of the Abu Eisheh family and in fact the grief and ongoing trauma of the whole Palestinian people. Please know that your words are an encouragement to me and others not to give up, but in fact to redouble our efforts to struggle against the occupation and all its inherent injustices and for a lasting peace. Please know that you and your family and neighbors are in our thoughts and prayers. I will share your words with various colleagues and friends.<br />In God’s grace<br />Mark<br /><br />-----Original Message-----From: Mira Rizeq [mailto:mira@ywca-palestine.org] Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:50 PM<br /><br />Dear All<br /><br />Please read this and share with your colleagues and friends. This morning, our family woke up to screaming voices at 4:00 a.m., and we started looking around and wondering what was happening, but we could not see anything.<br /><br />So we went up to the roof of the house (our house is 3 stories), and we saw tens of Israeli soldiers, special troops, border police, ambulances, fire department cars, police cars, surrounding Abu Eisheh's house, who is our neighbor, ordering the family to leave the house because they wanted to demolish it.<br /><br />For almost two hours, the families who live there refused to leave, and soon they were pulled out by force, and some were beaten and had to be taken to the hospital.<br /><br />For the last few months, this case of Abu Eisheh has been in courts, and the family have taken the case to supreme court few weeks ago, but of course as expected lost the case. The Israeli government decided to demolish the house because it is "illegally" built. This is not the first Palestinian house to be demolished in East Jerusalem , and for sure it won’t be the last. Hundreds of houses have been demolished, claiming that they are built "illegally" when Israel continues to deny issuance of building permits to East Jerusalem Palestinian residents. Most houses where settlements have been built, have been the target for demolishing. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">As you all know, the YWCA is also neighboring the Shim'on Essidiq tomb, claimed to be a very important Israeli site. The Israeli Government is now planning to build a settlement near the tomb, which will be 201 units, to house around 1,000 Israeli settlers, evacuating 20 East Jerusalem Palestinian families that presently live in and around that area. The YWCA building is facing this area, and could be eventually at risk, or could end up facing the Israeli settlement if kept "alive", and probably we will have to go through a thorough security system to be able to enter our premise.<br /><br />Where on earth can this kind of thing happen? For those of us who forgot that East Jerusalem is occupied, I have tidings for you...we will continue to suffer all this until the Occupation is over. But I also hope that there still will be Palestinians in East Jerusalem to celebrate the day when the Occupation is over. Until then we will continue watching the expropriation of houses, land, resources and rights and just document and report on these stories, because we as Palestinians and the rest of the World have proven that we can do nothing about this?? Sadly, we don't even have a shepherd to guard East Jerusalem.<br /><br />Until when will it continue to be the case that no one can stop Israel from violating International Law on a daily basis? The International Court in the Hague confirmed that the building of what is called the "Separation Wall" is illegal, yet Israel is continuing with this Wall, and instituting a whole system of entrance permits. We even stopped talking about it, and pass though it every day. This is our new reality.<br /><br />Abu Eisheh's apartment building is 4 floors, and there are 8 families living there (4 of the apartments are rented/sold to other families). All of them were evacuated by force this morning, and stood out in the street watching their own house being demolished before their own eyes. One of the residents in one of the apartments is even traveling abroad, so when they return, they will figure out the new living mode on the street. All the furniture, personal belongings, memories and valuables of all the residents are in there, and soon will be buried under the rabble of stones.</div><div align="left"><br />This has been our story since 1948, and it looks like this will continue to be our story until Israel and the rest of the world realizes that there can be no peace with house demolishing, with making people homeless, with land confiscations. As Palestinians living in Jerusalem, we continue to be "residents" and not citizens, and Israel has the right to terminate our residency rights using different mechanisms, which they have been doing since 1967.<br /><br />Lately, Ms. Mona Nasir, who is the daughter of Abla Nasir the previous General Secretary of the YWCA whom you all know well, has lost her Israeli Identity card coming home to attend her brother's wedding. Her child who was born in the States has been awarded a one month visa only, and Mona had to appeal 4 times to renew his visa so she can stay to attend her brother's wedding. Mona herself was told that after she leaves Jerusalem this time, she will be allowed to return only as a tourist. Imagine, someone who is born in a country has no right to return to it. The justification is that that she now resides in the U.S. (because she married a Palestinian there) and the U.S. is her center of life.<br /><br />90% of the Israelis who are now living in Israel have emigrated to Israel after 1948 (establishment of the State of Israel) and most come either from Europe or the States or the rest of the world, and now these emigrants have more rights than the Palestinians who have been living in this land for hundreds of years. They can choose where to live, they are offered building permits, they have full citizen rights!!!<br /><br />The press and UN observers came to the neighboring houses, and the roof tops were filled with people taking pictures, filming and watching. At 9:00 a.m., the army came to all our neighbors, and our street and closed it off, and ordered all people on roof tops (including us) to leave, threatening to shoot. Later, Palestinian politicians and representatives of the PNA and Islamic Awqaf came, and the army came rushing ordering them to leave. They closed off part of the main road (which links Jerusalem to Ramallah), and prohibited the press from covering the story. One of Abu Eisheh's sons was standing on the roof of our neighbor's house, taking pictures of what he knew very well will become the "used-to-be-his-home". I am not sure whether they or the rest of the residents of this house will have any roof to protect them tonight.<br /><br />Usually, when the Palestinian receive notices for demolition, they are given the option of demolishing their own homes, which apparently the Abu Eisheh family is refusing to do. If the Israelis complete the demolishing today, they will send the bill to the owners, who have to cover the cost of demolishing, patrolling of police and all other related expenses. So on top of becoming homeless, people have to cover the cost of injustice. The other option is that they will crack the foundations, which they have been doing for the last few hours, and give him a few days to complete the demolishing.<br /><br />It is almost noon, and I just came to work, realizing it will not be a normal day of work for me. Many of our days have not been normal days, yet we have to go on and on and on. Every day we have a new story to share, and every day there is a new family that suffers, new prisoners, new martyrs, and more sufferings. Today we are receiving the group who are visiting YWCA/YMCA on the Journey for Justice, and I have to share with them today our eternal journey of injustice, wondering if there ever will be justice in our land.<br /><br />At 11:30 a.m., I had to put my mother in my car and risk driving down our street which was blocked with army cars, and where tons of army were standing, and to argue with them that my mother has to go to hospital for her dialysis session. At least 10 army rushed to my car when I got to the middle of the street, asking me to stop immediately. It took lots of arguments to convince the army to let us pass, which finally they did, but most of our neighbors were prisoners in their homes, and probably will not be able to leave until the "operation" is completed. I also wonder at what hour I will be allowed to take my mother back home, and hope that we will return in a decent hour.<br /><br />My mother was saying that she still remembers when she left her home in Jaffa in 1948, she thought it was for few hours and that they will return home. Well she and the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were never able to return to this date, and today the Abu Eisheh family have been forced to leave their home, knowing they will have no house to return to. Every day we add more and more to the list of Palestinian refugees and homeless, and I wonder when will the day come when all these people will have the right to return??<br /><br />Mira Rizek<br />National General Secretary<br />YWCA of Palestine<br />Jerusalem<br /><br />www.ywca-palestine.org” </div><br /></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-14916100226636814662008-08-12T13:24:00.000-07:002008-08-12T13:51:39.901-07:00BULLDOZER RAMPAGE CREATES CHAOS, KILLS 3<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHF17Hz1bXBbuWqbXl-PmEAOEzWKTmbcN5mpLpS3BXCYJLTdOkp9xLTMe-m2joqTSZTVf-tckRDwSRUt6hk53M-1akmqLxM2qYWIncXN0FYnn0Fha6GTftaswDtjKZ4Uv7I5c5MGAPRM/s1600-h/IMG_7857.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233735045970767858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHF17Hz1bXBbuWqbXl-PmEAOEzWKTmbcN5mpLpS3BXCYJLTdOkp9xLTMe-m2joqTSZTVf-tckRDwSRUt6hk53M-1akmqLxM2qYWIncXN0FYnn0Fha6GTftaswDtjKZ4Uv7I5c5MGAPRM/s320/IMG_7857.JPG" border="0" /></a>This was the slightly blurry photo of the Caterpillar scene in The Record, Kitchener-Waterloo’s newspaper, on July 3, two days’ after our return. It was the story of “a Palestinian labourer driving a construction vehicle” that “rammed into packed buses, tossed cars into the air and rolled over pedestrians in a deadly rampage yesterday that killed three people and wounded dozens in Jerusalem”.<br /><br />The article went on to say that “Israeli police said the assailant, a 30-year-old Palestinian from Arab East Jerusalem, apparently acted alone. Police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said the man was working on a railway project in Jerusalem”.<br /><br />“The attack was a departure from suicide bombings and shooting sprees. ‘To our regret the attackers do not cease coming up with new ways to strike at the heart of the Jewish people here in Jerusalem’, said Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski.”<br /><br />The article continued describing the scene, quoting witnesses and identifying those who were either injured or killed. What a terrible event. How deplorable the injuries and loss of lives!<br /><br />The following day, this article appeared:<br /><br /> "<span style="font-size:130%;">Israel ponders next move after vicious attack</span><br /><br />JERUSALEM: A day after a Palestinian’s deadly rampage, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday called for reviving the practice of demolishing the homes of attackers’ families and the chief deputy proposed cutting off Jerusalem’s Arab neighbourhoods.”<br /><br />After recapping the events, the article went on to say “As a resident of East Jerusalem, the attacker, Hussam Dwayat, 30, had freedom of movement around Israel. The attack brought calls to reconsider some of the benefits the 250,000 Palestinians in Jerusalem receive. “I think we have to be tougher in part of the measures that we take against terrorists, especially terrorists who are part of our internal fabric of life,’ Olmert said. ‘If we have to demolish houses, we will demolish houses. If we have to revoke social rights, we will revoke soaicl rights. It’s inconceivable that we are slaughtered and they will have all the privileges that our society grants our citizens.’<br /><br />This prompted Donna to write the following Letter to the Editor (limit of 200 words) which was published on July 15 in The Record.<br /><br />“It was with dismay that I read of the Palestinian labourer Hussam Dwayat’s deadly rampage in East Jerusalem. </div><div align="left"><br />Living in East Jerusalem for the past nine months, I learned how misinformed I had been about Israeli policies and propaganda. Whenever an incident occurs, the Israeli press release immediately conveys the impression that Israel is again being victimized, without accepting any responsibility for the actual causes. </div><div align="left"><br />Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert speaks of demolishing the home of the attacker’s family and revoking social rights and privileges to the Palestinians. What he doesn’t say is that they already demolish people’s homes on a regular basis in order to take over more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Palestinians are already second class citizens and are subject to daily restrictions of movement, inequalities before the law, and lack of privileges granted to Israeli citizens but denied to them. It is the daily stress from living under these conditions and lack of hope for improvements in the future that drive unstable and desperate people to commit such unspeakable acts. </div><div align="left"><br />If Israel truly wants its citizens to live in peace, it needs to cease its aggression and take the necessary steps to allow both nations to live in peace.”</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">O that it could be so!</div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-9376712629355238052008-08-12T13:13:00.000-07:002008-08-12T13:23:42.270-07:00REFLECTIONS FROM HOME<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-t8x1f2Tmlsb9vzqLN4FqFgAbHdNnA4DaNHtJpAtPudd1t14Mn8VBzIl7lrZCmeAmHEkpmMxyY_ELN5i1qL3vnhTrFQ0x8P-JUoOVmPu37MqIXzT9CzdyoKz0Cow52JiP3qfpkjHZVE/s1600-h/IMG_1694.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233727511535034562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-t8x1f2Tmlsb9vzqLN4FqFgAbHdNnA4DaNHtJpAtPudd1t14Mn8VBzIl7lrZCmeAmHEkpmMxyY_ELN5i1qL3vnhTrFQ0x8P-JUoOVmPu37MqIXzT9CzdyoKz0Cow52JiP3qfpkjHZVE/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" border="0" /></a> HOME AS WE LEFT IT!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">It’s hard to believe that we’ve been home for over a month already. We arrived at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on July 1 at 5:45 a.m. after a very pleasant direct 12-hour flight via Air Canada from Tel Aviv to Toronto. Fortunately we ran into no major problems leaving Tel Aviv and arrival in Canada also went smoothly. We forced ourselves to stay up all day enjoying a reunion with our daughters and family later in the day.<br /><br />Since then life has been busy and at times hectic as we were thrown immediately into the issues and responsibilities that we’d left behind nine months ago. Our first task was to prepare a power point presentation on our experiences in Palestine to be given the following week at our Synod Assembly in London, Ontario. We’ve also been booked for several other presentations during the coming fall and we look forward to sharing our experiences with as many people as possible.<br /><br />Our first intentions were to finally, after such a long hiatus, write a concluding entry to our blog. However, we’ve decided to continue, for a time at least, with reflections from this side of the world. We’ve decided that it might be worthwhile to try to present our perspective on news as we receive it here in Canada as well as any direct news from friends in Jerusalem. Hope you’ll continue to follow the occasional articles.<br /><br />To those of you in Jerusalem and the West Bank, we want to express our gratitude for sharing your lives with us during our stay. To those of you at home, we appreciated your support while we were away. We look forward to maintaining both friendships throughout the years ahead.</div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-3606774015718134572008-06-15T04:48:00.000-07:002008-06-15T05:45:58.376-07:00GO ... AND FOLLOW ME!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLZaft-7BY0JYOGoe6EfM8oENYlPY7EiZo1A2kUmMXeqJ4jlUKekwFMRKzkfHV1RY1x02T2w635sDXKBYkY9BnPEkFRs9SL3I30nTS9QTt9o9MZIhx6i8P9i4mX7qXooKvR6y6y-bvyM/s1600-h/IMG_2881+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212074303465230162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLZaft-7BY0JYOGoe6EfM8oENYlPY7EiZo1A2kUmMXeqJ4jlUKekwFMRKzkfHV1RY1x02T2w635sDXKBYkY9BnPEkFRs9SL3I30nTS9QTt9o9MZIhx6i8P9i4mX7qXooKvR6y6y-bvyM/s320/IMG_2881+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a>Pastor Julie Rowe has been working here in Jerusalem for almost 5 years; she started out as an Ecumenical Accompanier and has been working for the last 4 years as Assistant to Bishop Dr. Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. She will be returning to the U.S. at the end of June. Thanks to Julie we have been included in a wide range of opportunities that have opened our eyes to the situation here in the West Bank. She has given us permission to share the excellent sermon that she preached at the Church of the Redeemer on the 4th Sunday after Pentecost.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Go… and Follow Me</strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Rev. Julie Rowe, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land<br />June, 2008, Jerusalem Genesis 12:1-9 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The hymn we will sing in a few minutes, Here I Am, Lord, is one of my favorites. I used it at my ordination. So I was surprised one day when I was standing next to one of my favorite bishops in a service in Texas when he said, "I hate this song!"<br /><br />I said, "Why?" It's a great song about God asking who will answer the call to serve the needs of God's people. But the chorus says, "I will go, Lord, if you lead me."<br /><br />He said, there's no IF about it! God is always leading you!<br /><br />So I said, "Well, we could just change the word from IF to WHERE… I will go, Lord, WHERE you lead me."<br /><br />Well, that pleased him.<br /><br />But about a year later, I found myself here in Jerusalem wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into….<br /><br />As they say, be careful what you pray… or what you sing …<br /><br />I think we have all been there … hearing a call, a voice, that tells you you need to leave the familiar place you are in and go to something or someplace new and different and scary. I've been here off and on for 5 years now, first with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel on a peace team, then for the last 4 years as assistant to Bishop Younan here of the Palestinian Lutheran church.<br /><br />I'm here because I heard that call in the night, and I know that many of you have, too. For those of you who are visiting, this congregation is made up of people who have left the places they called home to come here, mostly to work with Palestinian Christians and Muslims and Israelis from the peace camp. It has been fascinating to meet these and others here who have left comfortable homes, jobs and retirement to come and work here in amazingly difficult situations, like people from CPT, who last night slept in an orphanage that has been threatened with closure because they are an Islamic charity accused of supporting Hamas.<br /><br />Those of us who live here know that it is not an easy journey. Most of us are immediately overwhelmed by everyday realities that fly in the face of what we have always believed. Over these years I have been shocked and saddened by what I have seen done in the name of God, in the name of my own religion and in the name of my country. I have had to question some fundamentals of life and faith I had taken for granted.</div><br /><div align="left">Take, for example, today's Old Testament reading about Abraham and Sarah. One of the most familiar of all texts, where God calls Abraham and Sarah to a new land and promises to make of them a great and chosen nation.<br /><br />For the last 4 years, I have worked every day with people, Palestinian Christians and Muslims, for whom that has meant they have lost – or worse, yet, are still threatened every day with losing - their homes, their land, their identities.<br /><br />What does it mean for Christians – especially for Palestinian Christians – that God called the Jewish people as a "chosen people?"<br /><br />To answer this, you have to read the whole chapter, the rest of the story. The key to me is the purpose: Abraham and Sarah were blessed "so that" Israel would become a blessing to all families on the earth. In the covenant with Abraham and the selection of Israel as the "chosen people," God was doing a new thing: creating a new vision of what it means to live as God's people in the world God "chose" the people of Israel to show the world how to live by faith with justice, equality, righteousness and love for God and one another.<br /><br />In the Exodus story, for example, God is saying no to the wealth, monopoly, and oppression of Egypt's monarchy. God heard the cries of the landless, enslaved Hebrew people, and said, "Set my people free." God led them out of the bondage of Egypt to be a new community, founded not on the world's values of wealth, power and kings but on God's values of justice, love and righteousness. God called the people to redistribute the land every 50 years (the year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25) to counteract the inevitable inequities and injustice that the world's system generated. God asked the people to let the land lie fallow every 7 years so that those who had nothing could eat from the land themselves.<br /><br />Once in the land, however, the Israelites began to turn back to the world's values of wealth and power. Against the Prophet Samuel's warnings, they chose to have a king, and invested him with great powers. Then unrighteousness, idolatry and injustice ruled the land. The prophets warned that shunning the covenant responsibilities would bring about their destruction, but the people did not listen. So now, God took them out of the land, into exile. But in exile, when the people were landless and homeless once again, the prophets' message changed again to offer forgiveness and hope through the promise of returning to the land.<br /><br />This time, instead of coming in to conquer those in the land, they came back to the land seeking to live together with those from other nations already living there.<br /><br />This evolution shows that God values justice, love and righteousness above any one people. The Biblical message is different for different people at different times. For those who are landless and have no hope or home, God promises homeland and blessing. But those who have land, exploit it and covet more land, will lose it.<br /><br />The history of salvation shows the clear movement from belief in a tribal, closed-in God to a more universal, inclusive God. The Bible is not a one-act play; it is a complex narrative with a storyline and a movement over time. So from the exile, you have the prophet Ezekiel, for example, giving a different vision of the Israelis living in the land after exile along with those who were already there:</div><br /><div align="left">"So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who reside among you and have begotten children among you. They shall be to you as citizens of Israel…" (Ez 47:21-22).<br /><br />The prophet Isaiah clearly prophesies that they are to stretch their minds and hearts to all peoples. "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Is, 49:6; Is 42:6-9; Is 56:6-8)<br /><br />He foretells a day when "on this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food (Is 25:6) and calls on Israel to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Is 56:3-8).<br /><br />Jesus takes this concept even further. Today, we hear him inviting the outcast tax collector to follow him and even eat with him. Jesus embodied a God who welcomes all to the table, in fact, says he came for the sinners, so that he could transform them with the power of love and grace. Both of these calls in the texts today…to Abraham to "go from your country to a land I will show you" and to Matthew to "follow me" still echo for us today. </div><br /><div align="left">Yet people interpret them in so many different ways, it is sometimes hard to discern where we are to go, what we are to do and which leaders we are to follow. More and more, religious leaders use these stories and words to justify injustice, theft of land, violence and hatred of the other. How are we to know which voices are right?<br /><br />Look at what happens to Matthew when he follows. It shows us exactly what Jesus is about, and what we should be about.<br /><br />First, Jesus chooses all, invites all to the table. In a world where we can't talk to terrorists, we shun nations and whole peoples as evil, where it is mostly only the wealthy and powerful that have places at the table, Jesus welcomes all, and then uses the power of God to transform and teach people a better way to live.<br /><br />Second, Jesus heals all, even when it breaks the laws of society. The woman with the flow of blood for 12 years would have been an untouchable, an outcast of society because of ritual purity laws. Yet when she touched him, he didn't rebuke her, but encouraged her and healed her. Even called her "daughter," showing people that God's love and healing know no bounds.<br /><br />Third, Jesus is in the resurrection business. He is about moving people from death to life, bringing health out of brokenness, community out of isolation, light out of darkness. Jesus is about transforming people into a new community of abundant life, justice and wholeness.<br /><br />Jesus still calls all of us on our journeys of faith to follow into new and unexpected places, to go beyond our comfort zones and into the grittiness of daily life where real people live and laugh and cry and dream. But there's no guarantee it will be an easy ride. That's the hard thing about a life of faith … it's just that, a life of faith. Not a life of certainty, not a life of easy answers. A life of faith is a series of many leaps of faith.<br /><br /><strong>What I Don't Like About Jesus </strong>… Gerhardt Frost<br /><br />Let me tell you<br />What I don't like about Jesus.<br /><br />He calls me to follow; I like to run around.<br />He lets me see a single step,<br />And sometimes even less than that;<br />I like to know the end.<br /><br />I choose to travel by sunlight or headlight;<br />He gives me only starlight.<br /><br />I like to set the pace;<br />He asks me to hurry, or worse – sometimes to wait.<br /><br />He embarrasses me and gets me into trouble;<br />He sometimes makes a scene.<br /><br />And just when I feel strong<br />He calls me to a cross;<br />I want a crown.<br /><br />I don't know that I want a crown. But I sure want to see less of a cross. I want God to do something about all this! To stop the madness, the bombings, the rockets, the home demolitions, the land confiscation.</div><div align="left"><br />But luckily, in a life of faith, hope is not in the facts on the ground or the politics. A life of faith is in "hoping against hope" that God can bring new life out of barrenness and can call into existence things that do not exist.<br /><br />To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places – and there are so many – where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act ... To live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory. Prof. Howard Zinn<br /><br />So on those days when we see the worst, and we stand on a rock ledge, watching while a young child still in her puppy slippers watches her home being demolished, we can also remember the people who have acted magnificently and rebuilt some of those houses.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We can remember those who have lost loved ones who, instead of using their grief to fuel more bitterness and hate are instead working together to heal the nation from occupation and division.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">And these people are able to do this because they feel a power and strength beyond themselves that helps them answer the call they hear.<br /><br />And when it seems we can't find that hope, or that healing, or the courage to take that next step into the void, it is the hope and the grace and guidance of God that finds us, through others, through prayer, through coming together in worship and around the Bread and the Wine.<br /><br />Because alone it is impossible. But together it is an incredible journey.<br /><br />May God grant you grace and guidance for the road ahead, wherever it leads you.<br /><br />Amen. </div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-61250343820347052792008-06-10T05:31:00.000-07:002008-06-10T13:25:22.543-07:00IT'S TIME FOR PEACE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_G78ZikT3lRgw43wOR9qmg3Yk4YPTyRzQCD5CF0NonvppeStumQVbLEWysubBmSjkszTXP-mfQ5HG_vZrJ5nZp_YlzOHnIxkHq5yDnNqta5AsGGOLO4whH_BzbSEJvQXIPvtoBuWOjI/s1600-h/IMG_7440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210244019818566338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_G78ZikT3lRgw43wOR9qmg3Yk4YPTyRzQCD5CF0NonvppeStumQVbLEWysubBmSjkszTXP-mfQ5HG_vZrJ5nZp_YlzOHnIxkHq5yDnNqta5AsGGOLO4whH_BzbSEJvQXIPvtoBuWOjI/s320/IMG_7440.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were pleased to be able to participate in the Peace Clock which was held in Manger Square in Bethlehem on June 8. The ceremony was planned by the International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel, a joint advocacy initiative under the auspices of the World Council of Churches.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aLbaYV5B8aBjOuQj2NTmAWHhbIrHUNit2VPsxf3dxTj89esRlJewY2HFLsVSjp7fXCxDcSlReCsdBgZQJAcRfuypFgzAEAUa4csSVRZ3f0Evz_PbvcXOpT0K21kEax7qW5cpcpNA8Xk/s1600-h/IMG_2185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210243550653740066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aLbaYV5B8aBjOuQj2NTmAWHhbIrHUNit2VPsxf3dxTj89esRlJewY2HFLsVSjp7fXCxDcSlReCsdBgZQJAcRfuypFgzAEAUa4csSVRZ3f0Evz_PbvcXOpT0K21kEax7qW5cpcpNA8Xk/s320/IMG_2185.JPG" border="0" /></a> Those of us who wanted to be involved were given a number from 1 to 60, representing time in years.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y9YyG-84Q0JeIBCmf-sNOwTKlUqsxgLqEQxP433rnUDPoAX03bbCGod_kE5HNdt87Ez8ld68bMvKxd9gQ3nEYiLAkmQh2cx1Ht3HSxercsmPo9axZQFNehj4VZHGRKZj9Eg_2_3iKd0/s1600-h/IMG_7443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210243109308819378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-y9YyG-84Q0JeIBCmf-sNOwTKlUqsxgLqEQxP433rnUDPoAX03bbCGod_kE5HNdt87Ez8ld68bMvKxd9gQ3nEYiLAkmQh2cx1Ht3HSxercsmPo9axZQFNehj4VZHGRKZj9Eg_2_3iKd0/s320/IMG_7443.JPG" border="0" /></a> The number 60 represented the number of years since the Nakba, the catastrophe, for the Palestinians, and the Anniversary of the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. The number 41 represented the number of years of Occupation since 1967.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJejHVBQ_Dadq9mYy_C_tV1aAvijNWN4D66IF8e9H3lkoc0DwTH4cpa4OTZQlly_6l6RsZazHBBx4VxtDYQGo1_tUPEahBLdXMjByh_YEPPG4ADuvQYJcHzZmi0CHdyLzLxzctCpD3g34/s1600-h/IMG_7446.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210242605526331650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJejHVBQ_Dadq9mYy_C_tV1aAvijNWN4D66IF8e9H3lkoc0DwTH4cpa4OTZQlly_6l6RsZazHBBx4VxtDYQGo1_tUPEahBLdXMjByh_YEPPG4ADuvQYJcHzZmi0CHdyLzLxzctCpD3g34/s320/IMG_7446.JPG" border="0" /></a> A Swede and 2 Canadians positioning ourselves before the event.<br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDyY819GrOGcRrkp2V5WRlf1o6bsuvcfY7PjP0sg2_0RKzqkaZAqxLWIuO4q3KhWhxLDN43ZcpJplRyBncO6CDOYhMfvC3mHmny2231_gHVy6vBPLEq8GGqGfjX8qgNigdvWY9Y8_qS4/s1600-h/IMG_7450.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210242056017586498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDyY819GrOGcRrkp2V5WRlf1o6bsuvcfY7PjP0sg2_0RKzqkaZAqxLWIuO4q3KhWhxLDN43ZcpJplRyBncO6CDOYhMfvC3mHmny2231_gHVy6vBPLEq8GGqGfjX8qgNigdvWY9Y8_qS4/s320/IMG_7450.JPG" border="0" /></a> The people in the centre of the circle represented the hands on the clock. As the hands moved from 1 to 60, the person on the end lit the torch of the person marking each year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ16wh_IpkUGx9HJ2r-iKiV1M8aaj2JE2GWOUpbp_2ZfNEGkSUsNtbfNaIBASKQSpyCQLcBVZQTXx8Ps-n-HwQJp57g6BhFLKroeDSUfJrfqCPp4ZPFIX0931d2pL8XNXydNWzVmFqsOs/s1600-h/IMG_7451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210241606156722690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ16wh_IpkUGx9HJ2r-iKiV1M8aaj2JE2GWOUpbp_2ZfNEGkSUsNtbfNaIBASKQSpyCQLcBVZQTXx8Ps-n-HwQJp57g6BhFLKroeDSUfJrfqCPp4ZPFIX0931d2pL8XNXydNWzVmFqsOs/s320/IMG_7451.JPG" border="0" /></a> A drum beat every 15 seconds was the signal for the hands of the clock to move on and light the torch of the next year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2ostxeoiKvRSCJxIuljTUFnZTl6_AMDO1qEMBlYX1br_hgiVRul2K3esfJaYC1JJWC5MqETs3xjz_y4tmLNpWMOo01_PlfFxmvGhMVvNbkOdx4aKNihhSg1Qn3iCVucjl7BAkKZbd6I/s1600-h/IMG_7453.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210241123840240162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2ostxeoiKvRSCJxIuljTUFnZTl6_AMDO1qEMBlYX1br_hgiVRul2K3esfJaYC1JJWC5MqETs3xjz_y4tmLNpWMOo01_PlfFxmvGhMVvNbkOdx4aKNihhSg1Qn3iCVucjl7BAkKZbd6I/s320/IMG_7453.JPG" border="0" /></a> This continued around the face of the clock. The message of the letters on the clock hands was only clear when viewed from the front.</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc61SOdSlTsQcfXZOSkID3R2gNfpBvuq5lBd1CHys0L4XscfUSA07LyqRRT4Nb7EW9AP9mAcNNjPp7fd-aKuF5TMvuPF7fN0U_9cDPgeA1czSONtkZ4ywIlISk5cgBIVfqPKZDTEkdMA/s1600-h/IMG_7457.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210240240675662466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqc61SOdSlTsQcfXZOSkID3R2gNfpBvuq5lBd1CHys0L4XscfUSA07LyqRRT4Nb7EW9AP9mAcNNjPp7fd-aKuF5TMvuPF7fN0U_9cDPgeA1czSONtkZ4ywIlISk5cgBIVfqPKZDTEkdMA/s320/IMG_7457.JPG" border="0" /></a> At that time, the theme "It's Time for Palestine" was visible.<br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLjhQCgC5hKfwSDKm86SOBg4RMcE1y6n6kOf6pLZ-IXr4wprysLmXykQk_W-TGbuYZceaTg0DcJgGA3d6FJzBAqSLWxSnFLSfJdXqO0kK6MOSJbn1xczjeFRuYCoOKUhtfjXKhhupzkE/s1600-h/IMG_7462.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210239718374691618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLjhQCgC5hKfwSDKm86SOBg4RMcE1y6n6kOf6pLZ-IXr4wprysLmXykQk_W-TGbuYZceaTg0DcJgGA3d6FJzBAqSLWxSnFLSfJdXqO0kK6MOSJbn1xczjeFRuYCoOKUhtfjXKhhupzkE/s320/IMG_7462.JPG" border="0" /></a>When the torches for each year were lit, we all read the following: It's time for Palestine.</div><div align="left">It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace.</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cu4RW2jMjz6DcFFo_qsownAev_HJuxz-dVh9XxcjW2FVxfqSkI82HT-oiMlAd1n9vugdDgDQ_Zng5vDZNrR8yw_fA1FLeiX9aS1jskTEEH7BHB3CXh39rw0v3WnNsYBpaTQCO7GudAs/s1600-h/IMG_7459.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210239262381621522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Cu4RW2jMjz6DcFFo_qsownAev_HJuxz-dVh9XxcjW2FVxfqSkI82HT-oiMlAd1n9vugdDgDQ_Zng5vDZNrR8yw_fA1FLeiX9aS1jskTEEH7BHB3CXh39rw0v3WnNsYBpaTQCO7GudAs/s320/IMG_7459.JPG" border="0" /></a> It's time to respect human lives in the land called holy; it's time for healing to begin in wounded souls. It's time to end 60 years of conflict, oppression and fear. It's time for freedom from occupation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha93G5oD5qgNMxQ0opxDn5qXFmxX9_3Ce3ybJkaW_vzlqRAnmpyEq2qRkShzyqOxXhnAduUMkr382WNPZ3jQtQgLoZP6zy5Sin2cYDQLBvPMgT0Hu_KVDTPvAWu4Jzxz461Ktwk-GRrps/s1600-h/IMG_7463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210238709663728786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha93G5oD5qgNMxQ0opxDn5qXFmxX9_3Ce3ybJkaW_vzlqRAnmpyEq2qRkShzyqOxXhnAduUMkr382WNPZ3jQtQgLoZP6zy5Sin2cYDQLBvPMgT0Hu_KVDTPvAWu4Jzxz461Ktwk-GRrps/s320/IMG_7463.JPG" border="0" /></a> It's time for equal rights; It's time to stop discrimination, segregation and restrictions on movement. It's time for those who put up walls and fences to build them on their own property. It's time to stop bulldozing one community's homes and building homes for the other community on land that is not theirs. It's time to do away with double standards.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ3Br-UC4whhNu0zi3yZUhVujOmkIE2PHjSibYcp7Emdi7hqTsTvwPTKt98GxIOE8gjQ_p19j-fGZU3DK40GZ6RUSTlLfhkVrvrVyBtA5WkR1KUdufuPhi0AIev1cQak92diwrMRC3rE/s1600-h/IMG_2193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210238309776072210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ3Br-UC4whhNu0zi3yZUhVujOmkIE2PHjSibYcp7Emdi7hqTsTvwPTKt98GxIOE8gjQ_p19j-fGZU3DK40GZ6RUSTlLfhkVrvrVyBtA5WkR1KUdufuPhi0AIev1cQak92diwrMRC3rE/s320/IMG_2193.JPG" border="0" /></a>It's time for Israeli citizens to have security and secure borders agreed with their neighbours. It's time for the international community to implement 60 years of United Nations resolutions.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYSf1Z852o6PPTuBG-wYcii0wkAsZYzmHsjwTFdeJ6nhsjOrew2X9X7tGhJGMbRZgP97BHnmjev5-_MCwPhc43eJrXT0YQPyXX-MXBSy-2mnJVTWkvbvtzApUoUjXRMXlSEcCoBoiNgY/s1600-h/IMG_7464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210237825507483010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYSf1Z852o6PPTuBG-wYcii0wkAsZYzmHsjwTFdeJ6nhsjOrew2X9X7tGhJGMbRZgP97BHnmjev5-_MCwPhc43eJrXT0YQPyXX-MXBSy-2mnJVTWkvbvtzApUoUjXRMXlSEcCoBoiNgY/s320/IMG_7464.JPG" border="0" /></a>It's time for Israel's government to complete the bargain offered in the Arab Peace Initiative. It's time for those who represent the Palestinian people to all be involved in making peace. It's time for people who have been refugees for 60 years to regain their rights and a permanent home. It's time to assist settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to make their home in Israel. It's time for self-determination.</div><br /><div></div><div>It's time for foreigners to visit Bethlehem and other towns imprisoned by the wall. It's time to see settlements in their comfort and refugee camps in their despair. It's time for people living 41 years under occupation to feel new solidarity from a watching world.</div><br /><div></div><div>It's time to name the shame of collective punishment and to end it in all its forms. It's time to be revolted by violence against civilians and for civilians on both sides to be safe. It's time for both sides to release their prisoners and give those unjustly accused a fair trial. It's time to reunite the people of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It's time for all parties to obey international humanitarian and human rights law.</div><br /><div></div><div>It's time to share Jerusalem as the capital of two nations and a city holy to three religions. It's time for Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities to be free to visit their holy sites. It's time in Palestine as in Israel for olive trees to flourish and grow old.</div><br /><div></div><div>It's time to honour all who have suffered, Palestinians and Israelis. It's time to learn from past wrongs. It's time to understand pent-up anger and begin to set things right. It's time for those with blood on their hands to acknowledge what they have done. It's time to seek forgiveness between communities and to repair a broken land together. It's time to move forward as human beings who are all made in the image of God.</div><br /><div></div><div>All who are able to speak truth to those in power must speak it. All who would break the silence surrounding injustice must break it. All who have something to give for peace must give it. For Palestine, for Israel and for a troubled world, <em><strong>it's time for peace</strong></em>.</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-85148037145676476852008-05-29T05:12:00.001-07:002008-05-31T11:52:53.709-07:00CYPRUS: A PLACE TO DISCOVER<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPAZm97wIauLUhnqF-8yU-3V6JTWzZXrREtbO3gcxnLYrVjD8esVuJdy41MR7cb9zqEmgpUdsxE8Rl5vv6Wii_61oF3yFG9X6zNR0n94sKrEwEM4XEetnIiBU3-sF7a03vVfMV3PKu9A/s1600-h/IMG_1910.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206497086329129026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPAZm97wIauLUhnqF-8yU-3V6JTWzZXrREtbO3gcxnLYrVjD8esVuJdy41MR7cb9zqEmgpUdsxE8Rl5vv6Wii_61oF3yFG9X6zNR0n94sKrEwEM4XEetnIiBU3-sF7a03vVfMV3PKu9A/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" border="0" /></a> Join us on an overview of a delightful trip to Cypus. Such a beautiful island, it's no wonder that over the 10,000 years of its history so many civilizations wished to possess it, leaving behind such a rich heritage.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrQN6COLRgxGAjDdry9t1hC_wWxwiOmY2Sr1Q00u47EgxFIy6amfR_hB5iAVj1YZlhMLg2526cPxKMLP0EFHGWMGA10LpJbasRfNmFKjgAjODmicFwZwoge1LFsMd7ggKUBnFDA7-4Ys/s1600-h/IMG_6624.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206494917370644514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrQN6COLRgxGAjDdry9t1hC_wWxwiOmY2Sr1Q00u47EgxFIy6amfR_hB5iAVj1YZlhMLg2526cPxKMLP0EFHGWMGA10LpJbasRfNmFKjgAjODmicFwZwoge1LFsMd7ggKUBnFDA7-4Ys/s320/IMG_6624.JPG" border="0" /></a> Arriving in the early morning, we walked along the Foinikoudes promenade in the Laiki Geitonia (the traditional pedestrian quarter).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPTgVERtB_Eqa58zJ3hgGV61KJ1FMWlgVD1l85UO-8Oc8VnRHxYSod6F8tlwio-7P5GhJw8Rb3Nayk6FRWY-_dPB0CAITvquZkOJ3Tx7WJg7jqNuMkYLZnMoqRnEklS_-AKDcTuQwofo/s1600-h/IMG_6623.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206494230175877138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPTgVERtB_Eqa58zJ3hgGV61KJ1FMWlgVD1l85UO-8Oc8VnRHxYSod6F8tlwio-7P5GhJw8Rb3Nayk6FRWY-_dPB0CAITvquZkOJ3Tx7WJg7jqNuMkYLZnMoqRnEklS_-AKDcTuQwofo/s320/IMG_6623.JPG" border="0" /></a> People were already renting their lounges and umbrellas and settling in for a day in the sun, sand, and waters of the Mediterranean. Tempting as it was to join them, having only five full days to see the island, we decided to devote our day to seeing as much of Larnaka as time and energy allowed.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00m3-jTL1RALmJWw_T2-Fgs5JK_4wEbnEwE-sN7sXFQVYViBvQBFxKzhSCxTzBNLqt2h2khp8t_tkdynw7ArWMDL193fw1UXiHxCcQj7zwnbI_GYGxGoJhEgpXS5oL2fIBUunbw5fY0Q/s1600-h/IMG_6608.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206493637470390274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00m3-jTL1RALmJWw_T2-Fgs5JK_4wEbnEwE-sN7sXFQVYViBvQBFxKzhSCxTzBNLqt2h2khp8t_tkdynw7ArWMDL193fw1UXiHxCcQj7zwnbI_GYGxGoJhEgpXS5oL2fIBUunbw5fY0Q/s320/IMG_6608.JPG" border="0" /></a>Armed with our city map, we began our tour with Agios Lazarus Church in St. Lazarus Square. Built in the 9th century and restored in the 17th, it is one of the most remarkble examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnH9SdjwM7IxW7Gazx38acsd42ET1omipgjwQsDCyqbh6waJxntfsIbm9_CFlBeZfKpJSDPucy1XZ7WlXwfdzqpuLWj90N0_bACM9y6mhU5X5FAURLvC3AhHI9p8iypAcBKQ7CSupeg0/s1600-h/IMG_1900.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206493010405165042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnH9SdjwM7IxW7Gazx38acsd42ET1omipgjwQsDCyqbh6waJxntfsIbm9_CFlBeZfKpJSDPucy1XZ7WlXwfdzqpuLWj90N0_bACM9y6mhU5X5FAURLvC3AhHI9p8iypAcBKQ7CSupeg0/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" border="0" /></a> St. Lazarus is said to have come to Cyprus after being resurrected by Jesus, became a bishop and lived here for 30 years. His tomb can be seen under the sanctuary. We visited many of the main sites over the rest of our time in Larnaka, too many to include here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsYza641UVN6EhbvvlQDJ6r_s-TsZ1Trw-_tbqC1kLlK7-2_iQe8ylezIMJZGGtRneUzyx1Aqjo_OhpD887fyApnPq1MNNAsPTDIDFqufkHmADJFfyNDhXSkHHIMne2BoC7vQ-lGecIA/s1600-h/IMG_6652.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206492490714122210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsYza641UVN6EhbvvlQDJ6r_s-TsZ1Trw-_tbqC1kLlK7-2_iQe8ylezIMJZGGtRneUzyx1Aqjo_OhpD887fyApnPq1MNNAsPTDIDFqufkHmADJFfyNDhXSkHHIMne2BoC7vQ-lGecIA/s320/IMG_6652.JPG" border="0" /></a> The next day we joined a tour which took us to the eastern and northern sections of Cyprus which was invaded by the Turks in 1974 and which occupies 37 per cent of the island. We drove through the part of Famagusta (Ammochostos) called "the Ghost Town" where Greek homes were left empty when they were forced to flee south during the invasion. These homes have remained unoccupied with the Turks using them as a negotiating card. There are 200,000 Greeks living in refugee camps in the Greek section of Cyprus waiting to return to their homes in the north.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq4NvkpIm-BjM1igwaobiuGncl6AEz59Z1YjegxkU9fK3FOParwEgyle3RTkzv1e_F5nV9wB7xfBLtyTdxptxaxTgN2EixsDhhxzkHl6BfedwOwRw54J2FLj7SxO3_EmwzayXnkwEp3s/s1600-h/IMG_1922.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206491653195499474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRq4NvkpIm-BjM1igwaobiuGncl6AEz59Z1YjegxkU9fK3FOParwEgyle3RTkzv1e_F5nV9wB7xfBLtyTdxptxaxTgN2EixsDhhxzkHl6BfedwOwRw54J2FLj7SxO3_EmwzayXnkwEp3s/s320/IMG_1922.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were given free time to explore the Venetian Walls in the old part of town and<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4mVVZW0CdbVW0xZUM7c55cs5QAfeTRNPkXZq39LneAJeWXxo6LQ_KmRL-3Z17HVGyNF__VDYDdKI36qyFcSsS-SgUEDSLIwkV8xXCC5Xywbq7OcovGU0EA7v3jvniMbC1r3vElLJgB0/s1600-h/IMG_6679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206491013245372354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4mVVZW0CdbVW0xZUM7c55cs5QAfeTRNPkXZq39LneAJeWXxo6LQ_KmRL-3Z17HVGyNF__VDYDdKI36qyFcSsS-SgUEDSLIwkV8xXCC5Xywbq7OcovGU0EA7v3jvniMbC1r3vElLJgB0/s320/IMG_6679.JPG" border="0" /></a>wander through the centre of town and explore the ruins of the Venetian Royal Palace. Here, the former St. Nicholos church has been the Lala Mustafa Pasa Mosque since 1298 with both the exterior and interior retaining its Christian achitecture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Gn_GZ7oYjxlHtFFu86yC9W_IG85KkLV_Ap2cZd_XLIoJwKmFmbGDsDT5Y-0rrBUfNtxSuOOM8Yn-tueATGBimRc3EluVzisR-mt-PgPM4_Z2aX3GSSeFJ3pmE93en2LKQvvto1mcxk/s1600-h/IMG_6859.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206490089827403698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Gn_GZ7oYjxlHtFFu86yC9W_IG85KkLV_Ap2cZd_XLIoJwKmFmbGDsDT5Y-0rrBUfNtxSuOOM8Yn-tueATGBimRc3EluVzisR-mt-PgPM4_Z2aX3GSSeFJ3pmE93en2LKQvvto1mcxk/s320/IMG_6859.JPG" border="0" /></a> We drove through the main potato-producing area on the island known as Kokkinochoria, meaning "Red Soil villages" thanks to the fertile red earth in which they are grown. Felt some nostalgia for P.E.I. back home!</div><div><div align="center"><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJX7wbMiFDLYlATfNg5S0QF9Y_U0gwNWR2-d555R4_q_tRY4F7pyEl0Egd_zON_4C3RCEpkpzL8lnPVmGUDtwFgaJIgfTvPe0sNyV7yQomkdVHbDUThwN_2HNNgpxTyrhOagiZeBeXM/s1600-h/IMG_6755.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206488032538068898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZJX7wbMiFDLYlATfNg5S0QF9Y_U0gwNWR2-d555R4_q_tRY4F7pyEl0Egd_zON_4C3RCEpkpzL8lnPVmGUDtwFgaJIgfTvPe0sNyV7yQomkdVHbDUThwN_2HNNgpxTyrhOagiZeBeXM/s320/IMG_6755.JPG" border="0" /></a> At Bellapais we stopped to explore Bellapais Abbey, built in the 12th century AD by the French King Hugh III, a fine example of gothic architecture.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LtwsK9L99hdCtBFq2A0yZxWACuKqcNdClGekfgpnhUsm0_OOBw5YAdsuF7LG51joKflHiFTry3MeVnpEXph9IKpKwXt8oX_iUiWxav6l2Qe5QmKJ42Lm7UTJxdf5jUxD2DolrSfWejs/s1600-h/IMG_6757+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206487195019446162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LtwsK9L99hdCtBFq2A0yZxWACuKqcNdClGekfgpnhUsm0_OOBw5YAdsuF7LG51joKflHiFTry3MeVnpEXph9IKpKwXt8oX_iUiWxav6l2Qe5QmKJ42Lm7UTJxdf5jUxD2DolrSfWejs/s320/IMG_6757+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a> It also offers breathtaking views of the northern coast of Kerynia.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIPnbIKE4utM1R_ubs1sv2pf5FVog0iHP0DPsGJFqaHKcmzLL134MEf3ZBwu1SoBuTMYtspNCSobni558gsCwZrX_7bbAPu7z2u4w5FdKHLpplYui1wTxL5PuGbGRk2GBvF5e6uodH4/s1600-h/IMG_6779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206483776225478514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuIPnbIKE4utM1R_ubs1sv2pf5FVog0iHP0DPsGJFqaHKcmzLL134MEf3ZBwu1SoBuTMYtspNCSobni558gsCwZrX_7bbAPu7z2u4w5FdKHLpplYui1wTxL5PuGbGRk2GBvF5e6uodH4/s320/IMG_6779.JPG" border="0" /></a>We stopped in the city of Kerynia with its more than 3000 years of Greek history, had lunch and wandered through town</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincQZc_XtAJoLpoChhngekJ4eju-BwXP1WOMoNwFj88iajCyEr-nbwKTIQX1_UlEKK-Uryuv03DgWGgEnjCWVfuF1AMr-1Y7gxIf5M9ULAToaiLXuz0tlbqQcFLCH7T7AG7sc3oTVDXFc/s1600-h/IMG_1975.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206482947296790370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincQZc_XtAJoLpoChhngekJ4eju-BwXP1WOMoNwFj88iajCyEr-nbwKTIQX1_UlEKK-Uryuv03DgWGgEnjCWVfuF1AMr-1Y7gxIf5M9ULAToaiLXuz0tlbqQcFLCH7T7AG7sc3oTVDXFc/s320/IMG_1975.JPG" border="0" /></a> to the picturesque harbour and the Castle of Kerynia. Time and space do not allow the inclusion of more views of this beautiful city.</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRINgzu8wogm3IiOwqIpYA1-209IdwnnLA5oPl9PSxQsYdu_StNwYYLSB5FEWt0FUEOImACNaZ64PL-xn9q0pB6eFhUYdYDqPdIrEt7-hy7PND0tHuB1oLkLVJoHGYdWgp8ivcaPg2eY/s1600-h/IMG_6843.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206481401108563794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRINgzu8wogm3IiOwqIpYA1-209IdwnnLA5oPl9PSxQsYdu_StNwYYLSB5FEWt0FUEOImACNaZ64PL-xn9q0pB6eFhUYdYDqPdIrEt7-hy7PND0tHuB1oLkLVJoHGYdWgp8ivcaPg2eY/s320/IMG_6843.JPG" border="0" /></a> The next day we took our second tour which took us first to Nicosia (Lefkosia), the capital of Cyprus since the late Byzantine period (11th century). The history of this city dates back to the Bronze age.</div><div align="left"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IIFjrAs6vD2A3WBPXUFSYgL9JXogt48nvg3fv5JyJGQx_j4D37YQe0fIN1tNPkgdDt89OEU6Ocsc61kFvCl5auivZExH_jAppyqX0k3zg3Tckw-YRb7nxhQaFS-MMmx827kQpF56uqc/s1600-h/IMG_1985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206480533525169986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IIFjrAs6vD2A3WBPXUFSYgL9JXogt48nvg3fv5JyJGQx_j4D37YQe0fIN1tNPkgdDt89OEU6Ocsc61kFvCl5auivZExH_jAppyqX0k3zg3Tckw-YRb7nxhQaFS-MMmx827kQpF56uqc/s320/IMG_1985.JPG" border="0" /></a> We walked into the old city where we visited the Panagia Phaneromeni Church, wandered through the shopping district which headed for the Turkish occupied section of the city.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9fLHiPrNsCk6K9zl7fUFzSYC3FZ9T_ZnP1Ctf5_Wwd3vBCAp0uQbTS0ia2K8dZ9G1O-cPzFwFYZY8WB9-DfCFxNiPmP7wsRHt9TQXhiLGDtCD5eY04nS2LkQZ9uw-ClzkQdKDqgF8V8/s1600-h/IMG_6820.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206479708891449138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9fLHiPrNsCk6K9zl7fUFzSYC3FZ9T_ZnP1Ctf5_Wwd3vBCAp0uQbTS0ia2K8dZ9G1O-cPzFwFYZY8WB9-DfCFxNiPmP7wsRHt9TQXhiLGDtCD5eY04nS2LkQZ9uw-ClzkQdKDqgF8V8/s320/IMG_6820.JPG" border="0" /></a> As you leave the Greek side of the city, there is a section under UN control (indicated by the coloured banners); the cones mark the entrance into the Turkish section. Passage into this part of Nicosia has been allowed only since January of this year. We walked into the Turkish section--no one indicated at that time that we needed passes--only to discover on our way out that we should have obtained them. After looking at our passports, the soldier on duty fortunately allowed us back into the Greek section to continue our tour!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z28OKk7ZYVyYjn7IXEbOTH7LkzzX60aE6d5k9cCVNDeykusOIRz6iihB_WQjDbkDYAxbgH6At7GGPhfH8eUoegFX2CeQR0mfHEc5V0AVhUIGGgzTyjhn-5qX5BL8oELhHBsXUTcZdWo/s1600-h/IMG_6895.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206478617969755938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z28OKk7ZYVyYjn7IXEbOTH7LkzzX60aE6d5k9cCVNDeykusOIRz6iihB_WQjDbkDYAxbgH6At7GGPhfH8eUoegFX2CeQR0mfHEc5V0AVhUIGGgzTyjhn-5qX5BL8oELhHBsXUTcZdWo/s320/IMG_6895.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our next stop was the picturesque village of Kakopetria, a well-preserved village dating back to the 14th century.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinseJ0IFjrnThyphenhyphenER7wfPSDKklYmp8srqKuSurhi3V5Btr143kIJ5zo7Cu7yyQlDi9-dlIVFtY91BXy6YAmog_9IJLAoFlUcipSXiABs9UbXP6s8V5n2ZaeKG9-OwhNSFmX5zW415HSCoU/s1600-h/IMG_6924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206477179155711762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinseJ0IFjrnThyphenhyphenER7wfPSDKklYmp8srqKuSurhi3V5Btr143kIJ5zo7Cu7yyQlDi9-dlIVFtY91BXy6YAmog_9IJLAoFlUcipSXiABs9UbXP6s8V5n2ZaeKG9-OwhNSFmX5zW415HSCoU/s320/IMG_6924.JPG" border="0" /></a> We drove through the beautiful Troodos mountains where we stopped for lunch in the Troodos centre and continued on to the village of Omodos, dating back to the 4th century, and built around one of the oldest monasteries in Cyprus, the Holy Cross.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVIW5zy4K8jWdk1JAd6rK4FZk5g4Ln0SNokKU5cG2kRvJzbVPo2EG9x4DkXvisS2C4jdfqWZPXyclfzBMqUmMN48gMvQxrqGAj8_snsb5i-MzeMAFLqLmp-gbrZp2HB4hAvqIU7PUf6M/s1600-h/IMG_6931.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206476393176696578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVIW5zy4K8jWdk1JAd6rK4FZk5g4Ln0SNokKU5cG2kRvJzbVPo2EG9x4DkXvisS2C4jdfqWZPXyclfzBMqUmMN48gMvQxrqGAj8_snsb5i-MzeMAFLqLmp-gbrZp2HB4hAvqIU7PUf6M/s320/IMG_6931.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here we were given an explanation by our guide at the Wine Press in the village as Omodos is known as one of the best wine producing areas of the island. Free wine tasting was available at the Gerolemo, Olympus, and Marion wineries.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrXXSBsdbiKoxUcHpL4XjAxK8eXRk_azQqpfm1IU-3QbxXIsCBj_9HhSN-xwl3uRpIALxYYyjvnT4QGFo7tLBkHgMCOfg6N7xNK5SuJg6QIXNn_EcD79lC5JlyOicLhGYS7M7EPnGBG4/s1600-h/IMG_2096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206474593585399538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrXXSBsdbiKoxUcHpL4XjAxK8eXRk_azQqpfm1IU-3QbxXIsCBj_9HhSN-xwl3uRpIALxYYyjvnT4QGFo7tLBkHgMCOfg6N7xNK5SuJg6QIXNn_EcD79lC5JlyOicLhGYS7M7EPnGBG4/s320/IMG_2096.JPG" border="0" /></a> The next morning, we rented our little Demio Mazda, our first experience with a right-hand drive car. We were forever turning on our windshield wipers with the lever on the left of the steering wheel when we wanted to change lanes. When we finally mastered using the turn signal lever on the right, the challenge was remembering that it's down for a right turn and up for a left! Undoing years of conditioning wasn't easy!!</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwErS1FjjtZRUABdIWSf3BbLEYiwONEGDCLAp8d7YPRDran8cT7GCBT6bAlEckUXzgc-a81pYnpz3nrzeYgC_nDB7Ew1K_uH3pEGB6bYPy8hYu2B_Tfyymo_oZrB6LUQ-OpX-qi1iaUe8/s1600-h/IMG_7012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206465677233293026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwErS1FjjtZRUABdIWSf3BbLEYiwONEGDCLAp8d7YPRDran8cT7GCBT6bAlEckUXzgc-a81pYnpz3nrzeYgC_nDB7Ew1K_uH3pEGB6bYPy8hYu2B_Tfyymo_oZrB6LUQ-OpX-qi1iaUe8/s320/IMG_7012.JPG" border="0" /></a> The 2-hour drive to Pafos on a beautiful 4-lane highway went smoothly; however, trying to find the entrance to Kato Pafos, the Archaeological Park, proved somewhat challenging. But we made it! Above are the ruins of the House of Theseus, one of the three houses dating from the 2nd to the 5th centuries AD accidentally discovered by a farmer in 1962.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T3YgZ51xq7jyOwk68JjPbdQI-ArvDrjlKgOUoP943HGopFw6ULkNHzBtNJB314yXqZxi2LvY4LepMXBrInDDNW5yhW4HQrs7E4ikx5bgBkctUsyTYcpRyc76qprJcSdpT_ITY-9rI9U/s1600-h/IMG_7023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206464813944866514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4T3YgZ51xq7jyOwk68JjPbdQI-ArvDrjlKgOUoP943HGopFw6ULkNHzBtNJB314yXqZxi2LvY4LepMXBrInDDNW5yhW4HQrs7E4ikx5bgBkctUsyTYcpRyc76qprJcSdpT_ITY-9rI9U/s320/IMG_7023.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here in the House of Dionysos is an example of the many mosaic floors for which the three houses (the third being Aion) are famous, and are considered masterpieces of mosaic art. Some of the mosaics in this house depict the god of wine.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzzYc_EzCNAtLE-MFWRvtssiHOWL7BZsslbCTN1Relp7ZZEyKMy9igshZu3cju2EzSI5XrV0F3lcFUNrrPuCA5-gX78Pj_Did-9pzS0ZsKDmbykMprBOjWw_ooLI6gBa4JktV595df-g/s1600-h/IMG_2022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206464221239379650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzzYc_EzCNAtLE-MFWRvtssiHOWL7BZsslbCTN1Relp7ZZEyKMy9igshZu3cju2EzSI5XrV0F3lcFUNrrPuCA5-gX78Pj_Did-9pzS0ZsKDmbykMprBOjWw_ooLI6gBa4JktV595df-g/s320/IMG_2022.JPG" border="0" /></a> St. Paul's Pillar, according to legend, is where the Apostle was flogged before converting the then Roman governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity. It is located in the ruins of the Chrysopolitissa/AG Kyriaki Church which was built in the 13th century over the ruins of the largest Early Byzantine basilica on the island. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg4Ig-smIKZ4GsOS6BNKLH-j6SBzFym2-3f-Ze8T-QYXWPXj5IndR428lZ4sKcu43w-Vq_uRzABwwIJi6omGTkUvhdNkDr9mBJsgNFIwAYGtKlG2cQvfmd5jJ4_kpj4zSwKT7zxPYLZk/s1600-h/IMG_7043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206463130317686450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg4Ig-smIKZ4GsOS6BNKLH-j6SBzFym2-3f-Ze8T-QYXWPXj5IndR428lZ4sKcu43w-Vq_uRzABwwIJi6omGTkUvhdNkDr9mBJsgNFIwAYGtKlG2cQvfmd5jJ4_kpj4zSwKT7zxPYLZk/s320/IMG_7043.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Tombs of the Kings are one of the major archaeological attractions of Pafos. These monumental underground tombs carved out of solid rock date back to the 3rd century BC and some like these are decorated with Doric pillars. As they were used by high-ranking officials, it was the magnificence of the tombs that gave the area its grand name.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWS6-OKD9HryQDCc_C3DviUjnqFvJHWD1kZMwmwAajtuEpHSLADjamDazcFrlA_8ia-UGWFFqq4P8XQlJOftx8X3-LW7QQ_mxF63nUFRzN5ZqwElbz2etdeD6OyqjMLD_r04nEYiRtrY/s1600-h/IMG_2071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206462481777624738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWS6-OKD9HryQDCc_C3DviUjnqFvJHWD1kZMwmwAajtuEpHSLADjamDazcFrlA_8ia-UGWFFqq4P8XQlJOftx8X3-LW7QQ_mxF63nUFRzN5ZqwElbz2etdeD6OyqjMLD_r04nEYiRtrY/s320/IMG_2071.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the return to Larnaka, we followed Aphrodite's Cultural Route, stopping at breath-takingly beautiful Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite's birthplace.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5YHB-6K6T7iqZ3LsryY3XfPJ1EuIZNvK3T1c-Na8Oy51kq_C4vuoZnpj6xOTPpnbRYyoDl2qqp_GQzXKkmJH19cLMo12xbS8IzG6TINQAiI8QXxx41mduQ7bfoThkZe1uU2a8Tp4COI/s1600-h/IMG_2081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206461803172791954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5YHB-6K6T7iqZ3LsryY3XfPJ1EuIZNvK3T1c-Na8Oy51kq_C4vuoZnpj6xOTPpnbRYyoDl2qqp_GQzXKkmJH19cLMo12xbS8IzG6TINQAiI8QXxx41mduQ7bfoThkZe1uU2a8Tp4COI/s320/IMG_2081.JPG" border="0" /></a> The last stop of the day was at Kourion, an important city-kingdom in antiquity. This magnificent Greco-Roman theatre was built in the 2nd century BC. The House of Eustolios which consists of a complex of baths and rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaics, and the ruins of the Roman Agora are nearby.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU-MSNDC1eHa_-p2wUKBFeaO7Ux0V9uDZMHJb6uoLtuwldJ_YatpiuzSQLAu3Bgha7JQ88eyqF1xnDfurN7DOGtJ1UqSxlj0hNF_eOksP-fgocTvCB1fkg_ft7GiqfYoMk17pBwQ4cXc/s1600-h/IMG_7085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206459741588489842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU-MSNDC1eHa_-p2wUKBFeaO7Ux0V9uDZMHJb6uoLtuwldJ_YatpiuzSQLAu3Bgha7JQ88eyqF1xnDfurN7DOGtJ1UqSxlj0hNF_eOksP-fgocTvCB1fkg_ft7GiqfYoMk17pBwQ4cXc/s320/IMG_7085.JPG" border="0" /></a> On our last day, we visited the Hala Sultan Tekkesi Mosque located just outside Larnaka on the Salt Lake. It was built in 648 AD on the spot where Umm Haram, related to Mohammed, fell off her mule and died. The construction of the mosque was immediately ordered on the spot. It is now one of the most important holy places of worship for Muslims, ranked immediately after Mecca and Medina (Saudi Arabia), and Al Aksa (Jerusalem).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijJliXF9t8-lHWcnjHi12mDu-yQHObgAzhCJ0241IMoyLbWYg7zOitCpFkt1zZHNCxSS0bUyNf2ZAcvfu_6AAVHzL7Repde_s9Cd971moh4hoJjKDO7yAnm9qyd5kfcx_juSCcd91udI/s1600-h/IMG_7094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206459131703133794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijJliXF9t8-lHWcnjHi12mDu-yQHObgAzhCJ0241IMoyLbWYg7zOitCpFkt1zZHNCxSS0bUyNf2ZAcvfu_6AAVHzL7Repde_s9Cd971moh4hoJjKDO7yAnm9qyd5kfcx_juSCcd91udI/s320/IMG_7094.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Angeloktisti Church in Kiti Village is an 11th century Byzantine church erected over the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Unfortunately taking photos of the rare 6th century mosaic of Virgin and Child between the 2 archangels Michael and Gabriel--which equals the mosaics of Ravenna, Italy--was not allowed inside the church.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_pGHAJkF3REsRXReNqRGWyTfCMJqN-8BKCR9SCjFPqj0qrymClBAXPd75ECIg3o1OUFU6bj4BjSJA39VKIg-fQU2bsBY33HH7xaNVSxtVUFOI6-6i33iVyy1uwTYAmBDDiL_i_lxRlY/s1600-h/IMG_7100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206458470278170194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_pGHAJkF3REsRXReNqRGWyTfCMJqN-8BKCR9SCjFPqj0qrymClBAXPd75ECIg3o1OUFU6bj4BjSJA39VKIg-fQU2bsBY33HH7xaNVSxtVUFOI6-6i33iVyy1uwTYAmBDDiL_i_lxRlY/s320/IMG_7100.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five characteristic cylindrical-shaped dwellings have been reconstructed using the same construction methods and materials used in Neolithic times.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAzYMscwCL6SFQndMI5SqfnJ3RqzgG70XJT8DvoRxWh3_hIeGfLRvtYW1QW-qBNSgtuAOtMA0IxM_0EEmYzIw40E11KesZqJ_aPAZA1lf4pOqcBwCnOYQDUoMHRyz1SZBc9nm0ama3yg/s1600-h/IMG_7112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206457864687781442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAzYMscwCL6SFQndMI5SqfnJ3RqzgG70XJT8DvoRxWh3_hIeGfLRvtYW1QW-qBNSgtuAOtMA0IxM_0EEmYzIw40E11KesZqJ_aPAZA1lf4pOqcBwCnOYQDUoMHRyz1SZBc9nm0ama3yg/s320/IMG_7112.JPG" border="0" /></a> Remains of all phases of the Neolithic age are evident in the settlement, providing insight into living conditions in the region during prehistoric times.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMytPzkSjw5_lEJ4hpm6WhV4e6A_IeISQm51-6-_kj6VlzBaIqfNMOJnNTYvh6kgrGDhI4zsnT7C1jseQ-7n09iTB-YJOCRILLYwdFnrNMpgGjr6Hp-n7EGudSDO-HJsYJ9r1puSXnqq0/s1600-h/IMG_2087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206456941269812786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMytPzkSjw5_lEJ4hpm6WhV4e6A_IeISQm51-6-_kj6VlzBaIqfNMOJnNTYvh6kgrGDhI4zsnT7C1jseQ-7n09iTB-YJOCRILLYwdFnrNMpgGjr6Hp-n7EGudSDO-HJsYJ9r1puSXnqq0/s320/IMG_2087.JPG" border="0" /></a> The return to Larnaka was made more interesting by the beautiful oleander and bougainvillea planted along the highway.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzidj2O9fe_qF5wJ_WITt8DrorfnDgg-25qmB7HDWo3EOzpE2DW6MApIfciL0JzRcvDRO_pPQPin6ook1BvYJX9RVJBfhWZW0lupapEe3XBysu0vOR-sPTIB-b9Xy4ug2l3o8UTspzxk/s1600-h/IMG_7120+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206456576197592610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzidj2O9fe_qF5wJ_WITt8DrorfnDgg-25qmB7HDWo3EOzpE2DW6MApIfciL0JzRcvDRO_pPQPin6ook1BvYJX9RVJBfhWZW0lupapEe3XBysu0vOR-sPTIB-b9Xy4ug2l3o8UTspzxk/s320/IMG_7120+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a> After returning the car, we stationed ourselves at one of the many cafes along the promenade and enjoyed a leisurely meal across the road from </div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvN_K0jGmBetE1lkiDO5pXiH2jx9zRZ-BKbXhNWB-q58Az0QUSS525G4xDtHT6gVmZsa9_vwoNgKlkfy3QJt4JyjcyNgNjVoLp6KlmZXozvbiy0JuUCGeH_65UUutM263-9JWU5YyMk/s1600-h/IMG_1912+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206456241190143506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRvN_K0jGmBetE1lkiDO5pXiH2jx9zRZ-BKbXhNWB-q58Az0QUSS525G4xDtHT6gVmZsa9_vwoNgKlkfy3QJt4JyjcyNgNjVoLp6KlmZXozvbiy0JuUCGeH_65UUutM263-9JWU5YyMk/s320/IMG_1912+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a> the Mediterranean Sea until it was time to take a taxi to the airport for our return flight. If you're interested in seeing any more of the hundreds of photos not included here, please let us know when we return home. :))<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-76822241370396815682008-05-21T03:09:00.000-07:002008-05-21T03:29:45.578-07:00Day of Pentecost Sermon<div align="left">FEAST OF PENTECOST – 2008<br /><br />This sermon was preached on May 11, 2008. Please pardon the tardiness in posting it. And please pardon the use of upper case. I’m not shouting at you. I write in capital letters so that my aging eyes can more easily see the text.<br /><br />TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF PENTECOST. IT IS ONE OF THE 3 GREAT CELEBRATIONS IN THE CHURCH CALENDAR. THE OTHER 2 CELEBRATIONS ARE CHRISTMAS AND EASTER, OF COURSE.<br /><br />THE WORD PENTECOST COMES FROM A GREEK WORD THAT MEANS 50 AND WAS THE NAME FOR THE JEWISH HARVEST FESTIVAL CALLED “SHAVUOT” THAT IS CELEBRATED 50 DAYS AFTER THE JEWISH PASSOVER. IN FACT, THAT’S WHY SO MANY PEOPLE WERE GATHERED IN JERUSALEM IN OUR 2ND READING FROM ACTS – THEY WERE THERE TO CELEBRATE “SHAVUOT”. SO, WE CHRISTIANS ADOPTED THE WORD PENTECOST AS THE NAME FOR THIS DAY WHICH COMES 50 DAYS AFTER THE RESURRECTION.<br /><br />CHRISTIANS THINK OF THAT 1ST PENTECOST WE READ ABOUT IN ACTS AS THE BIRTH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND SO TODAY WE ARE ALSO CELEBRATING OUR CHURCH’S BIRTHDAY. THAT’S WHY WE HAD A CAKE WITH CANDLES FOR THE CHILDREN TO BLOW OUT.<br /><br />WE YOU GET TO BE AS OLD AS I AM, YOU ALWAYS STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE WHEN A BIRTHDAY ROLLS AROUND. AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE WROTE AT THE BOTTOM OF AN EMAIL HE SENT ME RECENTLY – IT‘S BETTER TO BE OVER THE HILL THAN UNDER IT. THAT’S TRUE!<br /><br />BUT SERIOUSLY, ON MY LAST FEW BIRTHDAYS, I’VE ASKED MYSELF: HAVE I GOT WHERE I WANT TO BE IN LIFE? HAVE I ACCOMPLISHED THE TASKS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT ASSIGNED TO ME? IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR ALL OF US ON OUR BIRTHDAYS!<br /><br />WELL, ON THIS 2008TH BIRTHDAY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH – SINCE YOU AND I ARE THE CHURCH – I’D SAY IT’S A GOOD TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CHURCH’S LIFE, AND ASK OURSELVES “HAVE WE GOT WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE AS THE CHURCH, AS THE BODY OF CHRIST?” <br /><br />BEFORE WE TRY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, LET’S REFLECT ON THIS MORNING’S READINGS. I THINK THAT PART OF THE ANSWER IS THERE.<br /><br />IN THE 1ST READING FROM NUMBERS SOME TATTLETALE COMES RUNNING TO MOSES. “FATHER MOSES!” HE SHOUTS BREATHLESSLY. “ELDAD AND MEDAD ARE PROPHESYING IN THE CAMP.” ELDAD AND MEDAD! DO YOU THINK THOSE ARE REAL NAMES OR ARE THERE JUST FOR COMIC RELIEF?<br /><br />PROPHESYING MEANS HEARING THE WORD OF GOD AND PASSING ON THE WORD OF GOD TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS. IN MOSES’ TIME, ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE WERE CHOSEN TO BE PROPHETS, SO IT WAS BELIEVED. MOSES CERTAINLY HEARD THE WORD OF GOD AND SHARED IT WITH THE ISRAELITES. AND ACCORDING TO THE READING, THE SPIRIT HAD DESCENDED UPON 70 ELDERS GIVING THEM LICENSE TO PROPHESY, BUT ELDAD AND MEDAD WEREN’T AMONG THE 70. AND THERE THEY WERE, IN THE CAMP, PROPHESYING! HOW DARE THEY?<br /><br />THE TATTLETALE WHO CAME RUNNING TO MOSES WAS OFFENDED. ELDAD AND MEDAD DIDN’T HAVE THE CREDENTIALS. SO, MOSES WAS EXPECTED TO ISSUE A PROPHETIC RESTRAINING ORDER TO THESE PROPHESYING SCALLYWAGS.<br /><br />MOSES’ RESPONSE WAS PROPHETIC IN ITSELF. “I WISH THAT ALL GOD’S PEOPLE WERE PROPHETS AND THAT GOD WOULD SEND THE SPIRIT TO THEM”. MOSES BROKE WITH PROPHETIC TRADITION AND WISHED THAT WE WERE ALL PROPHETS. <br /><br />THE READING FROM NUMBERS IS A SET-UP. IT PREPARES US FOR A MORE SPECTACULAR OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT – JUST WHAT MOSES WISHED FOR. WHEN JESUS WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE HIS DISCIPLES AND ASCEND INTO HEAVEN – WE WERE WITNESS TO THIS ON ASCENSION DAY AND LAST SUNDAY TOO – JESUS TOLD THEM TO GO TO JERUSALEM AND WAIT FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS TOLD THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE HIS WITNESSES TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. BUT THE DISCIPLES DIDN’T REALIZE JUST HOW INCLUSIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GOING TO BE. THEY WEREN’T GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONES.<br /><br />AND SO, ON THE FESTIVAL OF SHAVUOT, 50 DAYS AFTER THE PASSOVER, WHEN JERUSALEM WAS BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE KNOWN WORLD, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME IN THE FORM OF FLAMES THAT DANCED ABOVE THE HEADS OF THE DISCIPLES, AND THEY BEGAN TO PROPHESY, TELLING OF GOD’S DEEDS OF POWER. THE STRANGE THING WAS THAT EACH PERSON THERE IN JERUSALEM HEARD THE GOOD NEWS IN HIS OR HER OWN LANGUAGE.<br /><br />THE CROWD WAS SO INCREDULOUS THAT THEY SHOUTED OUT, “THESE GUYS ARE 3 SHEETS TO THE WIND. THEY’RE FULL OF NEW WINE”. WELL, AS YOU HEARD, PETER COUNTERED WITH “IT’S ONLY 9 AM. THE PUBS AREN’T EVEN OPEN YET. THEY’RE FOR REAL. REMEMBER WHAT THE PROPHET JOEL SAID. I SHALL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL PEOPLE AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY”. WELL, THERE IT WAS, THE FULFILLMENT OF JOEL’S PROPHESY AND MOSES’ WISH. THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME, NOT JUST UPON THE DISCIPLES, BUT UPON ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH. THE CHURCH WAS BORN. SO, THE QUESTION WE ASK OURSELVES ON OUR 2008TH “ARE WE LIVING UP TO GOD’S EXPECTATIONS? ARE WE INDEED PROPHETS?”<br /><br />GOD’S MIGHTY DEEDS THAT THE INSPIRED DISCIPLES, AND THE INSPIRED CROWD IN JERUSALEM TOLD OF ARE GOD’S INCARNATION, AND GOD’S LIFE AS A HUMAN BEING, AND GOD’S CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION - ALL TO SHOW US GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT TAKES AWAY OUR SIN AN GUILT, AND PROMISES US ETERNAL LIFE. THOSE ARE GOD’S MIGHTY DEEDS. AND THE PEOPLE WHO HEARD THE DISCIPLES PROPHESY ON THE 1ST PENTECOST WENT OUT AND SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS. THIS IS THE OBVIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO PROPHESYING<br /><br />BUT THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT PROPHESY THAT ISN’T QUITE SO OBVIOUS. PROPHECY ISN’T JUST WORDS – IT’S ACTION TOO. IN FACT A CHRISTIAN’S ACTS, I SUBMIT, ARE MORE IMPORTANT, MORE PROPHETIC, THAN HER OR HIS WORDS. BELIEVING THE RIGHT THING AND ALWAYS USING THE RIGHT WORDS TO EXPRESS ONE’S BELIEF IS CALLED ORTHODOXY. DOING THE RIGHT THINGS BECAUSE OF ONE’S BELIEF IS CALLED ORTHOPRAXIS. I THINK THAT ORTHOPRAXIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ORTHODOXY . ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.<br /><br />SOUTH AMERICAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN LIBERATION THEOLOGIANS LIKE BOFF AND GUITERREZ HAVE SCOLDED US FOR ALL THE TIME AND ENERGY WE’VE WASTED ON WORDS. FOR THE 1ST 451 YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CHRISTIANS FOUGHT OVER WHAT WORDS TO USE TO EXPLAIN HOW JESUS COULD BE BOTH GOD AND HUMAN BEING. FINALLY, IN THE CITY OF CHALCEDON, TURKEY, IN 451, THE DEFINITION OF JESUS AS BOTH DIVINE AND HUMAN, THE DEFINITION YOU AND I ACCEPT, WAS ENDORSED BY A MAJORITY PRESENT. <br /><br />BUT SOME DIDN’T AGREE, AND THE WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY OVER THE RIGHT WORDS GOES ON. SOME BRANCHES OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH STILL BELIEVED THAT JESUS HAD ONLY ONE NATURE, EITHER HUMAN OR DIVINE, BUT NOT BOTH. IN FACT, JUST AROUND THE CORNER AT THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, THE OPPOSING SIDES STILL SQUABBLE OVER WHAT TO BELIEVE ABOUT JESUS. CHRISTIAN UNITY – ISN’T THAT THE PREFECT OXYMORON!<br /><br />SUCH A WASTE OF TIME WORRYING ABOUT HOW TO DESCRIBE JESUS’ NATURE, LIBERATION THEOLOGIANS TELL US. WE CHRISTIANS, WE THE CHURCH, SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT JESUS DID – WE SHOULD’VE FOCUSSED MORE ON HIS ACTS OF LOVE AND FORGIVENESS, HIS FELLOWSHIP WITH THE MARGINALIZED OF HIS SOCIETY, HIS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE POOR, HIS STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE FOR THE OPPRESSED. THESE ARE GOD’S MIGHTY ACTS. JESUS SAID, “THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE, AND THE ACTS OF JESUS ARE THE LIBERATING ACTS THAT MAKE OPPRESSED PEOPLE FREE. <br /><br />THIS IS THE NOT SO OBVIOUS MESSAGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE 1ST PENTECOST WHEN THE CHURCH WAS BORN. THE HOLY SPIRIT, I BELIEVE, CALLS US TO DO MUCH MORE THAN JUST TELL THE WORLD WHAT WE BELIEVE. GOD CALLS US TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS, NAMELY TO DO WHAT JESUS DID.<br /><br />THE DISCIPLES AT PENTECOST DIDN’T NEED TO BE REMINDED WHAT RIGHT ACTION WAS. THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS, AND THEY WENT OUT INTO THE WORLD AFTER PENTECOST TO BE AS MUCH LIKE JESUS AS THEY COULD. AND SOME OF THEM, LIKE STEPHEN, PETER, PAUL AND JAMES GAVE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DID.<br /><br />WHENEVER I DID A UNIT ON DISCIPLESHIP WITH MY CONFIRMATION CLASSES, I FOCUSSED ON DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, OR OSCAR ROMERO, WHO DIDN’T JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY BELIEVED – THEY LIVED THEIR FAITH IN THEIR LOVING ACTS, AND GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE PROCESS. OR MOTHER THERESA! I DOUBT THAT MOTHER THERESA CONVERTED ANY OF THE POOR OF CALCUTTA TO CHRISTIANITY THROUGH WORDS – BUT I’LL WAGER THAT SOME BECAME CHRISTIANS BECAUSE OF MOTHER THERESA’S ACTS OF LOVE. FOR CHRISTIANS BELIEVING THE RIGHT THINGS IS IMPORTANT, BUT, DEAR FRIENDS, DOING THE RIGHT THINGS – DOING AS JESUS DID, IS ESSENTIAL.<br /><br />IF I WERE PREACHING THIS SERMON BACK IN CANADA, I’D SAY TO THE CONGREGATION, “DON’T EVER THINK THAT ONLY PASTORS ARE CALLED TO PROPHESY. THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLS ALL OF US. BUT IT’S EASIER FOR ME BECAUSE I’M PROPHESYING TO THE CHOIR, SO TO SPEAK. I’M PROTECTED BY MY OFFICE AND THE TRADITIONS OF THIS CHURCH. I CAN TRY TO EQUIP YOU AS BEST I CAN FOR THE TASK, BUT YOU’RE THE ONES WHO HAVE IT TOUGH. YOU’RE CALLED TO PROPHESY IN AND TO A SECULAR, SOMETIMES HOSTILE WORLD OUT THERE. BUT JUST REMEMBER! YOUR LOVING ACTS WILL SPEAK LOUDER THAN ANY WORDS.”<br /><br />IT’S DIFFERENT HERE IN JERUSALEM. IT’S A TOUGH, UNJUST, UNKIND, UNLOVING, WORLD OUTSIDE THESE DOORS, BUT SO MANY OF YOU ARE HERE IN ORDER TO ACT OUT YOUR FAITH, TO DO AS JESUS DID, AND WHERE JESUS DID IT. YOU’RE HERE TO DO YOUR BIT TO BRING JUSTICE AND PEACE TO THIS RAGGEDY OLD HOLY LAND. YOU ECUMENICAL ACCOMPANIERS AND CHRISTIAN PEACE MAKERS AND MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND WORLD VISION WORKERS AND SEBEEL, ALL OF YOU WHO WORK FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES – YOU ARE ON THE FRONT LINES - ALL OF YOU ARE HERE TO SET GOD’S PEOPLE FREE. <br /><br />I BET YOU DON’T TALK VERY OFTEN ABOUT WHAT YOU BELIEVE, BUT, THEN, YOU DON’T HAVE TO. YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR.<br /><br />THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLS US ALL TO PROPHESY. OF COURSE, WE ARE CALLED TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE ON THIS FEAST OF THE PENTECOST IS TO REMEMBER TO CONFORM OUR LIVES TO JESUS’ LIFE AND, LIKE JESUS, LET OUR LOVING ACTS SPEAK FOR US.<br /><br />ROBERT, A DOCTOR FRIEND OF MINE, TOLD ME HIS SON THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY FOR COMING HERE. IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS. ROBERT IS GOING HOME THIS WEEK, BUT WHEN HE RETURNS IN SEPTEMBER, HIS SON, ALSO A DOCTOR, IS COMING WITH HIM TO TEACH WITH ROBERT AT THE PALESTINIAN AL QUDS UNIVERSITY. ROBERT SAID WITH A SMILE, “HE DIDN’T LISTEN TO WHAT I SAID, HE LISTENED TO WHAT I DID.”<br /><br />SO, ON THIS OUR 2008TH BIRTHDAY, WE THE CHURCH ASK OURSELVES, HAVE WE LISTENED TO GOD’S CALL? HAVE WE GOT TO WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE? AMEN<br /><br /><br /> </div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-47934222189779734682008-05-15T06:15:00.000-07:002008-05-15T10:47:23.834-07:00OUT AND ABOUT<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8nvwEqvqHJBVCGSi2JjoYw07c_ZY81jYOlx5Mrla85GSQoWQjgcotsIydzJ2r-llhcWhpD6E2aCKSVRjp_iTMmsHREYEee1FzlEs8I_8Ct_YXBhE1d-mUheXrPXIjPu46eRVmfjKXLI/s1600-h/IMG_5952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200632704016852354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8nvwEqvqHJBVCGSi2JjoYw07c_ZY81jYOlx5Mrla85GSQoWQjgcotsIydzJ2r-llhcWhpD6E2aCKSVRjp_iTMmsHREYEee1FzlEs8I_8Ct_YXBhE1d-mUheXrPXIjPu46eRVmfjKXLI/s320/IMG_5952.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were fortunate to be able to join the Hope Lutheran congregation from Ramallah in a day-trip to the Golan Heights. Although it was difficult for them to get the necessary permits to go into Israel and to cross the checkpoint at Kalandia, 104 of us, in two buses, enjoyed a wonderful day together.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nqNT6D5ku0MEVEycuTjD8W9Is6dboFWVY1L7Ypbra-x8QTyxgnU1Wu6NYxwn6MXA3ggZXiJrezaNP3sXRqoyr2QPEkereMH8SWsC3D1nOuc8IYbTf1Ppq30FnmbEP7AYGADTDM9fvis/s1600-h/IMG_1740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200632442023847282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nqNT6D5ku0MEVEycuTjD8W9Is6dboFWVY1L7Ypbra-x8QTyxgnU1Wu6NYxwn6MXA3ggZXiJrezaNP3sXRqoyr2QPEkereMH8SWsC3D1nOuc8IYbTf1Ppq30FnmbEP7AYGADTDM9fvis/s320/IMG_1740.JPG" border="0" /></a> The first major stop was at the Manara Cliff cable car which allowed us a tremendous view of the valley.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_tEP0WsVF_PhgiRX48048leRdhHP82XBp8oc4Cg6ocxEI_Di6DsZcLFlpTzJBZKwFRs5ObIkYUwJz3ygoIzSgqJ34EP0O0hiczbFY6jEn16OepOVAdXLFyNFzKXKmM4CZ2omT_i3ggQ/s1600-h/IMG_5965.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200631552965616994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_tEP0WsVF_PhgiRX48048leRdhHP82XBp8oc4Cg6ocxEI_Di6DsZcLFlpTzJBZKwFRs5ObIkYUwJz3ygoIzSgqJ34EP0O0hiczbFY6jEn16OepOVAdXLFyNFzKXKmM4CZ2omT_i3ggQ/s320/IMG_5965.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebUUOwu61IiuKe0IQzY12GF0SQWf0n57LEnJsC_lJaKalPalCIB5IqmGLSlV7LMb7U5_y218A1-72ddJ6wmQFT8T7K2u_AjhPaii3BtSJ7urwOp4QqoYX6zONH1bvkn8UaFtcr7IJW90/s1600-h/IMG_5979.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200631222253135186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebUUOwu61IiuKe0IQzY12GF0SQWf0n57LEnJsC_lJaKalPalCIB5IqmGLSlV7LMb7U5_y218A1-72ddJ6wmQFT8T7K2u_AjhPaii3BtSJ7urwOp4QqoYX6zONH1bvkn8UaFtcr7IJW90/s320/IMG_5979.JPG" border="0" /></a> Crossing into the Golan Heights, we enjoyed a different countryside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv56f14GwOz5HYRBrKcmaiMo6tL8HBszADye8XsnkcJStfDzxk1zdxGhdHL0rfnqahj7Qf27g1T4lYzef1FYTFkuSfimnpNu6M6kNuZTwIocvGjSuNd8G_GwqqCvONNDWDW-7SGc-2Pcw/s1600-h/IMG_5985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200630715446994242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv56f14GwOz5HYRBrKcmaiMo6tL8HBszADye8XsnkcJStfDzxk1zdxGhdHL0rfnqahj7Qf27g1T4lYzef1FYTFkuSfimnpNu6M6kNuZTwIocvGjSuNd8G_GwqqCvONNDWDW-7SGc-2Pcw/s320/IMG_5985.JPG" border="0" /></a> Many of our group enjoyed rafting at Beit Hillel.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJox9M3AYUvQdUalV1BeeFRNCDj1iBUEAKraCYhKNoCeApHDOWaPUyZDObHeSGmnSmVuAUDBSbrKZGi9XOa2su-Xn-vQ5_Cvof9HbDZ8iD1YyUwDbIFVICVqSBF5nDk2m9uKbaDScf6Cc/s1600-h/IMG_5992.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200629963827717426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJox9M3AYUvQdUalV1BeeFRNCDj1iBUEAKraCYhKNoCeApHDOWaPUyZDObHeSGmnSmVuAUDBSbrKZGi9XOa2su-Xn-vQ5_Cvof9HbDZ8iD1YyUwDbIFVICVqSBF5nDk2m9uKbaDScf6Cc/s320/IMG_5992.JPG" border="0" /></a> A view of the Sea of Galilee on our way to Tiberias.<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpjAZBOLCsS5M3dAX0Bplv9__uK6iYLAu0IS3uWCsol42uNsCd-yCqCfE1RV2rRR3lENaRjJBtB4K7ZjyNi_o9MxVKrmjZFdTQtOr-uZ40A1O5LcVEJu9KFqhmg0GTGn3AuYKpsNElOU/s1600-h/IMG_6033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200629087654389026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpjAZBOLCsS5M3dAX0Bplv9__uK6iYLAu0IS3uWCsol42uNsCd-yCqCfE1RV2rRR3lENaRjJBtB4K7ZjyNi_o9MxVKrmjZFdTQtOr-uZ40A1O5LcVEJu9KFqhmg0GTGn3AuYKpsNElOU/s320/IMG_6033.JPG" border="0" /></a> Another excursion gave us the opportunity to visit the Lutheran World Federation's Vocational Training School located in Beit Hanina. This facility was opened in 1964 and has provided vocational training for many Palestinians in auto mechanics, carpentry, metal work, and more recently in the communications industry.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GQoAULdmuCKIbS295N54mMRo4yARKbbB5yQ4cOYh4mLZIjB1yIeMXgrQW4c-t9gNM3ev7RQpBItqrJF_oCxa38pxmhQbyQsPEP_2h6DHXpmqyWZPJYgc9L32XwMCYzvDMFmK12m6cY0/s1600-h/IMG_6037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200628477769032978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GQoAULdmuCKIbS295N54mMRo4yARKbbB5yQ4cOYh4mLZIjB1yIeMXgrQW4c-t9gNM3ev7RQpBItqrJF_oCxa38pxmhQbyQsPEP_2h6DHXpmqyWZPJYgc9L32XwMCYzvDMFmK12m6cY0/s320/IMG_6037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF7tDuBlQ1T4XTrfioCpE6saBrO5isQdT_XjRxyodIt4gk057kARz6oB19Q7MK6TbUN3HLSGAwMKacQDzf6mIeDM64zyr7OdQnL7WNfXM99XDHEBFsUO1jfmjApEkp61NojPqoT-RYC4/s1600-h/IMG_6039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200628228660929794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF7tDuBlQ1T4XTrfioCpE6saBrO5isQdT_XjRxyodIt4gk057kARz6oB19Q7MK6TbUN3HLSGAwMKacQDzf6mIeDM64zyr7OdQnL7WNfXM99XDHEBFsUO1jfmjApEkp61NojPqoT-RYC4/s320/IMG_6039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dcCAd1mJBiLLKC8ygN9G_YVAd8g6cVB3F5O1OEDlp_t52iaacJ90RJfkdzsdbbXpBxP-WvrVSNIQ1bWQwyJCPR7zpgZj8xLfgXiGeibwYDEke_FBhTe_mjuWcdNJiaJGif6q2VlLU8M/s1600-h/IMG_6043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200627245113418994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dcCAd1mJBiLLKC8ygN9G_YVAd8g6cVB3F5O1OEDlp_t52iaacJ90RJfkdzsdbbXpBxP-WvrVSNIQ1bWQwyJCPR7zpgZj8xLfgXiGeibwYDEke_FBhTe_mjuWcdNJiaJGif6q2VlLU8M/s320/IMG_6043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rDL7tmWT_6iRgJ9xb59LxU7bI7k72_UugeMwvsVqwm7lrj3ZmUfXUKRIt92PSCYt7aDRrT9xcl6fniUShbyKgFhVXMLYuseLpMXXtL5Ip_FHWm-1ibFsORBRTcdQqJP9FVzrjAXKLUI/s1600-h/IMG_6048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200626841386493154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rDL7tmWT_6iRgJ9xb59LxU7bI7k72_UugeMwvsVqwm7lrj3ZmUfXUKRIt92PSCYt7aDRrT9xcl6fniUShbyKgFhVXMLYuseLpMXXtL5Ip_FHWm-1ibFsORBRTcdQqJP9FVzrjAXKLUI/s320/IMG_6048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeByHU8z6-N8EyILhMOVIidOPG9hO3y_5_OsjYsCGZUy0BRQaMLchRv2hwN7idzMZinmKn1RhphbyvhwNSlQ_gY_WGrGr7K88Dv3Fh6uuw9J9h6MvtVifhq-_3JY0m7il32D2iHUjkrs/s1600-h/IMG_6077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200626068292379858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeByHU8z6-N8EyILhMOVIidOPG9hO3y_5_OsjYsCGZUy0BRQaMLchRv2hwN7idzMZinmKn1RhphbyvhwNSlQ_gY_WGrGr7K88Dv3Fh6uuw9J9h6MvtVifhq-_3JY0m7il32D2iHUjkrs/s320/IMG_6077.JPG" border="0" /></a>A visit to the Shu'fat Refugee Camp which is home to over 20,000 people.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kBuJwKbbcfLWXjWXwieaSSoxMFdfDxd2x6oE8W4jNzJ0YAaZ_deanKTjPxuNsBc19qJ1LkJ3Mt0y0srxhEfq62Q72p9WpYGwZsVVV0MkB8wU4E1Nz5eHRCSGimGO3iXheMuCQnzL0Cs/s1600-h/IMG_6085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200625621615781058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kBuJwKbbcfLWXjWXwieaSSoxMFdfDxd2x6oE8W4jNzJ0YAaZ_deanKTjPxuNsBc19qJ1LkJ3Mt0y0srxhEfq62Q72p9WpYGwZsVVV0MkB8wU4E1Nz5eHRCSGimGO3iXheMuCQnzL0Cs/s320/IMG_6085.JPG" border="0" /></a>A walking tour of the Camp.<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU7Jl0eZSYj-xLpMCdHMqIHn4Ime_W9eMzLGDfelbPl9iMp3LMW176F3x5bSWv_Xq8Sx1-kvxt0l9AScFWw07rG__f0My5YUWRLi6mscRqLeIFjyGdz_4BxaUmBJVcsRThULE4q-kjAA/s1600-h/IMG_6078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200622898606515378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU7Jl0eZSYj-xLpMCdHMqIHn4Ime_W9eMzLGDfelbPl9iMp3LMW176F3x5bSWv_Xq8Sx1-kvxt0l9AScFWw07rG__f0My5YUWRLi6mscRqLeIFjyGdz_4BxaUmBJVcsRThULE4q-kjAA/s320/IMG_6078.JPG" border="0" /></a> A boys programme creating computer animation in the community centre. Here we had an opportunity to watch them at work and also to interact with them and get their opinions on their life there and their future.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAGe88ptHzaOmeNZGcz8gtzLtuL1E1u06I1fhIxiQHUMKN6QVRfSlk0bbxWLBvXnyOzYpPYb7LCpGIviGwUyLQ3EKB20y2X3oo0RjKt1Q13XaeG3Q9T53EDhKB3-TZTAr7F4miIxt6eY/s1600-h/IMG_6102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200622451929916578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAGe88ptHzaOmeNZGcz8gtzLtuL1E1u06I1fhIxiQHUMKN6QVRfSlk0bbxWLBvXnyOzYpPYb7LCpGIviGwUyLQ3EKB20y2X3oo0RjKt1Q13XaeG3Q9T53EDhKB3-TZTAr7F4miIxt6eY/s320/IMG_6102.JPG" border="0" /></a> Theatre and Hall in the Community Centre </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWjBCc-9pKFfLuoM_O12G-ZHbA6ca2Kx76I-CGnJUzS0XLEBK0-lOrLM2JHSjtWH86yL2Y4FAU-Q2KV-6Jhjow_G36X5fvyAbfn3SOo_-XPKxdA6S_psUcy4OcIeKmkikkXtt3HC5i6Q/s1600-h/IMG_6159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200618255746868354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWjBCc-9pKFfLuoM_O12G-ZHbA6ca2Kx76I-CGnJUzS0XLEBK0-lOrLM2JHSjtWH86yL2Y4FAU-Q2KV-6Jhjow_G36X5fvyAbfn3SOo_-XPKxdA6S_psUcy4OcIeKmkikkXtt3HC5i6Q/s320/IMG_6159.JPG" border="0" /></a> Visit to the village of Idna where Toshiko who lives here at the Guest House has been working on a project to help the ladies living there to develop a cooperative to sell their beautiful sewing and embroidery. Toshiko, an accomplished designer and seamstress has helped them create designs and patterns which will appeal to the international market. Their work is superb.<br /><br /><div align="left"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-od_66hmSlU3_9qMHEPRHtstL577vDohejikuSMtqK533jGYHAqK4JrQgp4NMhVY253zPd2pTIUykFFwEPm8QfkOsVtFA7oeUYN_v8OCkWadcwYFxVtRz9tSa9qZfSvSjtEvkOn3-sY/s1600-h/IMG_6160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200617843430007922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-od_66hmSlU3_9qMHEPRHtstL577vDohejikuSMtqK533jGYHAqK4JrQgp4NMhVY253zPd2pTIUykFFwEPm8QfkOsVtFA7oeUYN_v8OCkWadcwYFxVtRz9tSa9qZfSvSjtEvkOn3-sY/s320/IMG_6160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ4cNA98WZUGOU9uyNUak7ros8wuJ1M87q0IIb_7d2WQhp2JUOcZbL3ea0UW70r3ePIgbxTQ8pd1FQySuNoCjB8D6DFtJz2o3x6pj3UGxNGbY7r8Rj0H9OYeKEF0_tpF62UTzdseO0D0/s1600-h/IMG_6139.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200615193435186274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ4cNA98WZUGOU9uyNUak7ros8wuJ1M87q0IIb_7d2WQhp2JUOcZbL3ea0UW70r3ePIgbxTQ8pd1FQySuNoCjB8D6DFtJz2o3x6pj3UGxNGbY7r8Rj0H9OYeKEF0_tpF62UTzdseO0D0/s320/IMG_6139.JPG" border="0" /></a> The wedding of Art and Beverly from Toronto, Canada. Art has been coming to the West Bank for several years as a member of Christian Peacemakers Teams. He was actively involved in the situation with the orphanages in Hebron. It was an honour and a privilege for Dale to participate in the wedding ceremony at Redeemer, Jerusalem, and for Donna to play the piano for fellow Canadians, and to join their families and friends at the reception in Bethlehem.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M1h3NRar72vj8eupolPDvAparvUnkki-m2BzvOjF4Y1NFo4jXiaAybpddexT_eBU9k7UXccTVejrhjJavflLReZxcNgdtZLGUeaFtMdfbPp1x_fF9M9HSNuQRVHu_97MRRMaaCWE2uk/s1600-h/IMG_6178.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200613007296832594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M1h3NRar72vj8eupolPDvAparvUnkki-m2BzvOjF4Y1NFo4jXiaAybpddexT_eBU9k7UXccTVejrhjJavflLReZxcNgdtZLGUeaFtMdfbPp1x_fF9M9HSNuQRVHu_97MRRMaaCWE2uk/s320/IMG_6178.JPG" border="0" /></a>Dale, Suzanne, and Sr. Monica at the Lebanese Restaurant in Abu Ghosh where we began our adventure one Sunday after church to see the possible sites of Emmaus where Jesus first appeared after the resurrection. There are several possible locations based on the distances from Jerusalem.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0KiKnAHs095fSu0UEPnhldzr3-4lMso-ADAnYRWveF2CNYrfJsQ-dgRi3UmsgYfqto3jmOjc6cUkXukGKy9oJ3iB6cBr4R_ljRFN2mD3fz8jfC5fnRvOgOHJymIJR70GpQQi7GruA3A/s1600-h/IMG_6184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200611564187821122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0KiKnAHs095fSu0UEPnhldzr3-4lMso-ADAnYRWveF2CNYrfJsQ-dgRi3UmsgYfqto3jmOjc6cUkXukGKy9oJ3iB6cBr4R_ljRFN2mD3fz8jfC5fnRvOgOHJymIJR70GpQQi7GruA3A/s320/IMG_6184.JPG" border="0" /></a> Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance at Abu Ghosh. This is supposed to be the site where the Ark of the Covenant rested during the reigns of Kings Samuel, Saul, and the beginning of David's. Although the grounds were open, the church was closed on Sundays.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWLTYWh6jqg8Tt_EP0dKdPujtO0o51C7ak-w7B9QIYbII324mWiWabfbqAwA1-WZML7kwpQUiTRJr8WaVHGibwAYFioG495LOuTGBOamwyU2R7ZfZ9mI-oQzm9tSqnVY7pMKYHacE89g/s1600-h/IMG_6188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200611224885404722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWLTYWh6jqg8Tt_EP0dKdPujtO0o51C7ak-w7B9QIYbII324mWiWabfbqAwA1-WZML7kwpQUiTRJr8WaVHGibwAYFioG495LOuTGBOamwyU2R7ZfZ9mI-oQzm9tSqnVY7pMKYHacE89g/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ceiling of the arches at the entrance to the church. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGGsaqTHFdakGqOb7Kr-SF2roPmjtsSPT_N3_fp-6EaNgNwszf3un70LyCKa6ZQx1qRqr1g5Kgr69kdXaAiEdpRyle5R0AkDNuEyLKVZ2klyr0YU0yJF-hcWWC6K8wNOsEYiw6hNBnXk/s1600-h/IMG_6194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200610919942726690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGGsaqTHFdakGqOb7Kr-SF2roPmjtsSPT_N3_fp-6EaNgNwszf3un70LyCKa6ZQx1qRqr1g5Kgr69kdXaAiEdpRyle5R0AkDNuEyLKVZ2klyr0YU0yJF-hcWWC6K8wNOsEYiw6hNBnXk/s320/IMG_6194.JPG" border="0" /></a> Notre Dame...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufzsnS8n4Iey_6T6uW4ryzbR6H_qUukwIQ_elF9DAQ_XmigeMVBqkyP4W5Uktb8jR8rFaG3TPDQtU_S2rXpZ8Pj207AEzaidnZcu2UEE-IoEO34O_fAMawrkwSCj9NL7NrtEmU5W_ZVk/s1600-h/IMG_6205.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200609597092799506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufzsnS8n4Iey_6T6uW4ryzbR6H_qUukwIQ_elF9DAQ_XmigeMVBqkyP4W5Uktb8jR8rFaG3TPDQtU_S2rXpZ8Pj207AEzaidnZcu2UEE-IoEO34O_fAMawrkwSCj9NL7NrtEmU5W_ZVk/s320/IMG_6205.JPG" border="0" /></a> Entrance to the Trappist Monastery at Latrun.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0RyeWMwzymWIENbEXBYp6OzLtuFSyCSOcGk0aUELnmPE9gEzLlXdT2dEtmKMPeZgksOJ-VoAI6CFcs9uJaFxJtcnAgKznAoui1Q4hcnUcjFSvzVvobfirNIz0UJ5HCHqbNEBvPyxufo/s1600-h/IMG_6209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200609274970252290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0RyeWMwzymWIENbEXBYp6OzLtuFSyCSOcGk0aUELnmPE9gEzLlXdT2dEtmKMPeZgksOJ-VoAI6CFcs9uJaFxJtcnAgKznAoui1Q4hcnUcjFSvzVvobfirNIz0UJ5HCHqbNEBvPyxufo/s320/IMG_6209.JPG" border="0" /></a>Closed on Sundays.<br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPoZGAIAz_H3QFSCEvfmjdxIBmFMm5yl5iNs6Qu_iChvAxfHFINvq3J94O79tXoIbKukhyikQiql0ZOLgVqjLfYlxYXz_ueOLwRsSmV9xjDsSaVsj_LS8AKjkExSCSOYb8TvXlNzWT28/s1600-h/IMG_6211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200608540530844658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPoZGAIAz_H3QFSCEvfmjdxIBmFMm5yl5iNs6Qu_iChvAxfHFINvq3J94O79tXoIbKukhyikQiql0ZOLgVqjLfYlxYXz_ueOLwRsSmV9xjDsSaVsj_LS8AKjkExSCSOYb8TvXlNzWT28/s320/IMG_6211.JPG" border="0" /></a> Donna, Dale and Sr. Monica in the garden at Latrun.</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCtIiabCzBIyUwSKnTyIOHYHqkgx53tR5Jo4RY_QxV-yjfZKlaiUA4dyc2KuDr2UoGm_dPYtJJVrdAWwzzr7YKmWkARcZ7kW0zOrd2-B9N0vmBpj3JChi3dCW7fvAFCEDInq_oKUqkew/s1600-h/IMG_6217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200605276355699682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCtIiabCzBIyUwSKnTyIOHYHqkgx53tR5Jo4RY_QxV-yjfZKlaiUA4dyc2KuDr2UoGm_dPYtJJVrdAWwzzr7YKmWkARcZ7kW0zOrd2-B9N0vmBpj3JChi3dCW7fvAFCEDInq_oKUqkew/s320/IMG_6217.JPG" border="0" /></a> Emmaus-Nikopolis, another one of the possible sites where Jesus met the disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. Today Emmaus Nikopolis is a Muslim village with excavated ruins of a Byzantine basilica with Crusader renovations, a small archaeological museum, and a modern Trappist monastery. Because of the distance from Jerusalem, it is considered unlikely to be the location of the Emmaus from the Bible story. Also closed on Sundays, we'll have to return another time to see the interior. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaNSSuCglzJweVZHnpsGQ7BlND_vsvbIT19iu5uaBovej0xKKani2BCssbX5Ma7p4MDM5lRyw3GuAy67C3QEXUcKECGeF4FRsSC4WDS6Uf_rx2MmRCjabu1R9A-fZcFrnFHT_49CpTQ/s1600-h/IMG_6219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200602798159569874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaNSSuCglzJweVZHnpsGQ7BlND_vsvbIT19iu5uaBovej0xKKani2BCssbX5Ma7p4MDM5lRyw3GuAy67C3QEXUcKECGeF4FRsSC4WDS6Uf_rx2MmRCjabu1R9A-fZcFrnFHT_49CpTQ/s320/IMG_6219.JPG" border="0" /></a> Canada Park in Israel, near Latrun. A huge beautiful park which made us feel proud of a park with this name until we learned of the history of this area. The three villages of Dayr Ayyub ('48), Yalu and Imwas ('67) were captured and destroyed by the Israelis. All traces of these Palestinian villages were wiped out and the former inhabitants driven out and forced into refugee camps.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUPjCreTOlJyFyyKWruf6m2PB1TLoyAMbdJcRUQ0dr8MszXWxALh_JXW4RfYWTK4RdMZMc0Q5kl3Qe5iCBm-5PI8hOZzkjZ2JaMGJeVD729O-MD4QNW3EYAK5g6QRvR-tPc-5lKWwQ8/s1600-h/IMG_6220.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200602119554737090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUPjCreTOlJyFyyKWruf6m2PB1TLoyAMbdJcRUQ0dr8MszXWxALh_JXW4RfYWTK4RdMZMc0Q5kl3Qe5iCBm-5PI8hOZzkjZ2JaMGJeVD729O-MD4QNW3EYAK5g6QRvR-tPc-5lKWwQ8/s320/IMG_6220.JPG" border="0" /></a>Valley of Springs in Canada Park</div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh704wVka7UAKEOZaJ1qCc3S5RViMAdSxBUckdxVNzySM9CAKcw6unNIpUVCVsOtOBpl_KLM8J5vHbcjFYd1KCA5fZfomMyl_hxNJnp5tSos5i44PnwNU_G4VL9Vte-VDf8hznK24VIg/s1600-h/IMG_6226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200599418020307890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh704wVka7UAKEOZaJ1qCc3S5RViMAdSxBUckdxVNzySM9CAKcw6unNIpUVCVsOtOBpl_KLM8J5vHbcjFYd1KCA5fZfomMyl_hxNJnp5tSos5i44PnwNU_G4VL9Vte-VDf8hznK24VIg/s320/IMG_6226.JPG" border="0" /></a> School assembly on May 15 at Beit Sahour commemorating the Nakba (catastrophe) caused by the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.</div><div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bfE6E27ZOo3mmCyhRbZhNBzHrbcdy0-ljFaOfLe5s-ZZXgVubAl_Hx8Hwrg7V2LeKKZb87_HmxdhhAkepFRvhJj9CHk7jwaLeodPCUmo_WWt1FAbEhoaG3gle7gxfY5MpP_5wzKJH1w/s1600-h/IMG_6227.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200597798817637282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bfE6E27ZOo3mmCyhRbZhNBzHrbcdy0-ljFaOfLe5s-ZZXgVubAl_Hx8Hwrg7V2LeKKZb87_HmxdhhAkepFRvhJj9CHk7jwaLeodPCUmo_WWt1FAbEhoaG3gle7gxfY5MpP_5wzKJH1w/s320/IMG_6227.JPG" border="0" /></a> Part of the Power Point presentation prepared by the students of the Social Studies programme showing the land that was originally to be given to the state of Israel in 1947.</div><div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsv393qRpykpVVKhYeUz1LO93Yn7Pusylq3APOQr9EPeJ-nPoI-Ks3JIZ__GnHKABn8hYpaJnizOwfQ3EObMKCLXCzWxIV6Ak7ELPt2SmdshR0ueec3J1K51oN9WY8auifYRr76uwSfg/s1600-h/IMG_6248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200595256196998034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsv393qRpykpVVKhYeUz1LO93Yn7Pusylq3APOQr9EPeJ-nPoI-Ks3JIZ__GnHKABn8hYpaJnizOwfQ3EObMKCLXCzWxIV6Ak7ELPt2SmdshR0ueec3J1K51oN9WY8auifYRr76uwSfg/s320/IMG_6248.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the many refugee camps that resulted in 1948 when villagers were driven out of their homes and forced to flee after the state of Israel was created as the Zionist policy was implemented. Some people were forced to live in caves until tents and food and clothing were eventually provided by UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.</div><div align="left"></div><div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHxxTxoq8oSPykJs53vgkvm56WyfDLWyeoXPKUUE0auGSVWmLEXn8oKmVkAMsFwKXpZDKyvXL46cxn3gsbo6P4FomO-7E5nGtwswjoXh2TszstdqcfTJdP-q-BZsce_Pb9Jx93W0qSQ/s1600-h/IMG_6267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200593117303284610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyHxxTxoq8oSPykJs53vgkvm56WyfDLWyeoXPKUUE0auGSVWmLEXn8oKmVkAMsFwKXpZDKyvXL46cxn3gsbo6P4FomO-7E5nGtwswjoXh2TszstdqcfTJdP-q-BZsce_Pb9Jx93W0qSQ/s320/IMG_6267.JPG" border="0" /></a> Beit Sahour Dance Troupe performed at the assembly. They are part of a group that will be travelling to Finland in June to sing and dance. I have worked with the group on a few occasions to practise their English and prepare for their trip, as English will be the common language of communication while they're away. </div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">That brings us up to date. We've enjoyed the variety of experiences and are looking forward to new ones coming up soon.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-75035240929258738302008-04-30T10:21:00.000-07:002008-04-30T12:14:28.818-07:00HEBRON REVISITED<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7aH54mATNfPQ_mMgPWIfImpgGL89ToScPblBXAH-KthpasYeXMD_W9ccEOVMM6dLNaKqYnTgEECiKp1xY4YcfSZ6IN98JpiVaLS09zre_f38C1lOav7HuPsclyNwoqa6-TAA2bWdUQQ/s1600-h/IMG_5868.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195113581833151554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7aH54mATNfPQ_mMgPWIfImpgGL89ToScPblBXAH-KthpasYeXMD_W9ccEOVMM6dLNaKqYnTgEECiKp1xY4YcfSZ6IN98JpiVaLS09zre_f38C1lOav7HuPsclyNwoqa6-TAA2bWdUQQ/s320/IMG_5868.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hebron Girls' Orphanage and School</div><div align="center">(also housed the women's sewing centre)</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mkNlbrOxFtcaHuMkA3Qgta7zg8V6V3CclI0l4TtmfhCFsr0YyjV-CvC0zz7SzORsN_PL0u9GSGk11z2VqVgdVLg0r9I6deDGH-bkRk-BK2TH-5d4jgjiZBuMx0AgveMHnkuDl68aGk4/s1600-h/IMG_5869.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195113105091781682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mkNlbrOxFtcaHuMkA3Qgta7zg8V6V3CclI0l4TtmfhCFsr0YyjV-CvC0zz7SzORsN_PL0u9GSGk11z2VqVgdVLg0r9I6deDGH-bkRk-BK2TH-5d4jgjiZBuMx0AgveMHnkuDl68aGk4/s320/IMG_5869.JPG" border="0" /></a> Boys' Orphanage and School<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYSDKeeFPt7Hq3KQZsC2rOLKQGruZQMb2AQuMuU4phhgTHBetG2mIzV6y3KQT_F1yGr5xm7gZoriVIewD7rTafw_qtCin149-PYjmBCqUQQEO5Ri2hQIKd9stdWxn7-6unvjN3OrBW7I/s1600-h/IMG_5873.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195112615465509922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYSDKeeFPt7Hq3KQZsC2rOLKQGruZQMb2AQuMuU4phhgTHBetG2mIzV6y3KQT_F1yGr5xm7gZoriVIewD7rTafw_qtCin149-PYjmBCqUQQEO5Ri2hQIKd9stdWxn7-6unvjN3OrBW7I/s320/IMG_5873.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4z-VZ2zvcjDfkIpeiuuBX6Vyo7MwVis_lGrkJzNxcNm59ZmsYg9eYumjitUNSNrfS2_S5vp6FbUzT6MjRtS-jtQnkcNo_scI7P5_m3ln1zdmZCgX98hRGkcWBdLsyqdfHupsd6zGdw4/s1600-h/IMG_5878.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195112155904009234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4z-VZ2zvcjDfkIpeiuuBX6Vyo7MwVis_lGrkJzNxcNm59ZmsYg9eYumjitUNSNrfS2_S5vp6FbUzT6MjRtS-jtQnkcNo_scI7P5_m3ln1zdmZCgX98hRGkcWBdLsyqdfHupsd6zGdw4/s320/IMG_5878.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG8oIKkkjvJAzE2hE55kjfTCZPSx4rNmb117m36QSSCqomfLGvruJIc5jy6d94s8ShTVV1Jo_5geadEjtQ_zH0BuUjYhbc4MiMbzJDtc7lyVmRYYIySBtPokAaW5OvdR313l20F9Tbyc/s1600-h/IMG_5880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195111619033097218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG8oIKkkjvJAzE2hE55kjfTCZPSx4rNmb117m36QSSCqomfLGvruJIc5jy6d94s8ShTVV1Jo_5geadEjtQ_zH0BuUjYhbc4MiMbzJDtc7lyVmRYYIySBtPokAaW5OvdR313l20F9Tbyc/s320/IMG_5880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGZ2ArCjcOCgIERvZHk0Ugm4LNUhQFWRh0CKKaE1FxLCVLfE09iCc9B_62_X03mWliQETGmcPmw9GUbXxPMKtLVs1JKE7cSVz6bmAWOGxO5TTzUeOUwfwXghM-8ki-ojfXvKQ76HiLMg/s1600-h/IMG_5893.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195110914658460658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGZ2ArCjcOCgIERvZHk0Ugm4LNUhQFWRh0CKKaE1FxLCVLfE09iCc9B_62_X03mWliQETGmcPmw9GUbXxPMKtLVs1JKE7cSVz6bmAWOGxO5TTzUeOUwfwXghM-8ki-ojfXvKQ76HiLMg/s320/IMG_5893.JPG" border="0" /></a>School gardens </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDnMPAP80nfjrpSZ-vkPxRG4o9WUzpGUvuqwJbTMHOoQ-6W78Z8WfYjw3GZnuFDgbMeoIKXQbrJpSbrKk3ZyQ0_dToCYFOrk91GW4Srds9jSilb_ImpV7RLmjZ-TvKEiMnqHcnxwDcFs/s1600-h/IMG_5894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195110382082515938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDnMPAP80nfjrpSZ-vkPxRG4o9WUzpGUvuqwJbTMHOoQ-6W78Z8WfYjw3GZnuFDgbMeoIKXQbrJpSbrKk3ZyQ0_dToCYFOrk91GW4Srds9jSilb_ImpV7RLmjZ-TvKEiMnqHcnxwDcFs/s320/IMG_5894.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQimXOVUJylCDeelcuDCbRifyp6d8MapDhbnaz5wMgl2brlnNCg2GT8KEDx4p7ZxuIEPjkhd_z5KRQFV2ijIulkOlIivDGzppJDiHJmACvoAQS5zFxy4BYci-PsoAZGVi9YgsrRMzeCEM/s1600-h/IMG_5899.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195109905341146066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQimXOVUJylCDeelcuDCbRifyp6d8MapDhbnaz5wMgl2brlnNCg2GT8KEDx4p7ZxuIEPjkhd_z5KRQFV2ijIulkOlIivDGzppJDiHJmACvoAQS5zFxy4BYci-PsoAZGVi9YgsrRMzeCEM/s320/IMG_5899.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sports and recreation centre<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jd-18vifYhVh2gmLtEvkis1b6Iq-i1qFY9N3rQ_YdBTpOjMjBrh0keesYkIWpehnxtpBVVHDMT3ntQV2ik5O6PZQhTU_-MaWSSfmULGgXtefgcugM2aL-JaktwZMsiwJ35FwB3Q7VuA/s1600-h/IMG_5908.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195109067822523330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jd-18vifYhVh2gmLtEvkis1b6Iq-i1qFY9N3rQ_YdBTpOjMjBrh0keesYkIWpehnxtpBVVHDMT3ntQV2ik5O6PZQhTU_-MaWSSfmULGgXtefgcugM2aL-JaktwZMsiwJ35FwB3Q7VuA/s320/IMG_5908.JPG" border="0" /></a>Newly built school for 1200 girls<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFzSBTn1aO05z0E-GanrN7Nh5cOYzK-Pbm3rT6YFFYfa6F8J3D9fouADMqpvKDOjSKeIe2Zn98NTsyuUewUf612WdqqJClpR-Br0sPWq4oyXvdsqk-oWfIztUpcn05YiU4dpboRrcw8k/s1600-h/IMG_5909.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195108685570433970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFzSBTn1aO05z0E-GanrN7Nh5cOYzK-Pbm3rT6YFFYfa6F8J3D9fouADMqpvKDOjSKeIe2Zn98NTsyuUewUf612WdqqJClpR-Br0sPWq4oyXvdsqk-oWfIztUpcn05YiU4dpboRrcw8k/s320/IMG_5909.JPG" border="0" /></a>Gates welded shut by soldiers<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQR5fmLNY2RqEeUdfyb3XEgNIXLCge0M_-SWRnAW9CFfdyoLodoo9R7QFFpMHEJ6UpzYQToO39-8WCz3hXMYrI7UIR-vqoWuNyUQkplGhQ3rlfrJLwo_OG2muBkprrEiEGnUeQPoJluY/s1600-h/IMG_5912.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195108170174358434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQR5fmLNY2RqEeUdfyb3XEgNIXLCge0M_-SWRnAW9CFfdyoLodoo9R7QFFpMHEJ6UpzYQToO39-8WCz3hXMYrI7UIR-vqoWuNyUQkplGhQ3rlfrJLwo_OG2muBkprrEiEGnUeQPoJluY/s320/IMG_5912.JPG" border="0" /></a>Warehouse which stored three huge refrigerator units filled with food<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLanw2inrh832-mHnPCZRJCpWh0cHer8O0liLppfC5HD5UI5n2mRW_FmpHYN-eDmkXI8DHkVI0CUtNS0TyvqaJupZt-Aw1up4KROahuSrnDs5AsMTlbKuqjQ1gQw_32GZcwlTGhs83XM/s1600-h/IMG_5913.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195107757857498002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLanw2inrh832-mHnPCZRJCpWh0cHer8O0liLppfC5HD5UI5n2mRW_FmpHYN-eDmkXI8DHkVI0CUtNS0TyvqaJupZt-Aw1up4KROahuSrnDs5AsMTlbKuqjQ1gQw_32GZcwlTGhs83XM/s320/IMG_5913.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ransacking of the warehouse kitchen<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFSkj66ukyEIYdY_9r1JzxLJi40fgsUj8YdkyP9KBEH8bjHYKI-FCCn9dPbC1VWPgm0BpU47mygidU6Xq_Qff2OYlmaQB9tl8hGXMn-iqQYDRzD0pk-eZObkSxDK_QyK1jnmg5pYs0Yc/s1600-h/IMG_5915.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195107358425539458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFSkj66ukyEIYdY_9r1JzxLJi40fgsUj8YdkyP9KBEH8bjHYKI-FCCn9dPbC1VWPgm0BpU47mygidU6Xq_Qff2OYlmaQB9tl8hGXMn-iqQYDRzD0pk-eZObkSxDK_QyK1jnmg5pYs0Yc/s320/IMG_5915.JPG" border="0" /></a>Warehouse doors damaged by soldiers breaking in<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCAOzDmbPTB3I_NFgx1sGUFoVP8gzaQC62BMQP41d0H5sszc2OfA1AU4HFbeTTBwiTTiJjW1W4CXOK0XnsnKt7dc4nKGyNyZcxEM6c71ziQ5Z499BCyv4K7NHB34h1ssEveDMz1l_wSM/s1600-h/IMG_5919.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195106834439529330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCAOzDmbPTB3I_NFgx1sGUFoVP8gzaQC62BMQP41d0H5sszc2OfA1AU4HFbeTTBwiTTiJjW1W4CXOK0XnsnKt7dc4nKGyNyZcxEM6c71ziQ5Z499BCyv4K7NHB34h1ssEveDMz1l_wSM/s320/IMG_5919.JPG" border="0" /></a>Warehouse emptied of clothing and supplies<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2IdcfdJOQum0cWTlt9KF-QzSFdJRkuX7joNJ4eY5p5oAnK7djUzyYvssrhW0q37XnCCn5OJEbyb5c5rEb8RvXftdlVAN12pQHNJSh0J0wxybHfFs-Ze24kgMnMdF_mOl3eBhydQLa1c/s1600-h/IMG_5920.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195106392057897826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2IdcfdJOQum0cWTlt9KF-QzSFdJRkuX7joNJ4eY5p5oAnK7djUzyYvssrhW0q37XnCCn5OJEbyb5c5rEb8RvXftdlVAN12pQHNJSh0J0wxybHfFs-Ze24kgMnMdF_mOl3eBhydQLa1c/s320/IMG_5920.JPG" border="0" /></a> Computers and office space emptied plus storage on upper floor<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5-dyNkeZgFGYXdhjrVYF7WSwNe3NDjnWYIeE-hiPiM1ikD4Rt_RFNxr8DuLT31IHiIIEguvpXO3pkmIsjMZqv0B1QdVtPIYj0vReDVu6YO_eRxoGStnHYpgN5JpisGTu-nKOM3lbt8k/s1600-h/IMG_5928.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195105906726593362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5-dyNkeZgFGYXdhjrVYF7WSwNe3NDjnWYIeE-hiPiM1ikD4Rt_RFNxr8DuLT31IHiIIEguvpXO3pkmIsjMZqv0B1QdVtPIYj0vReDVu6YO_eRxoGStnHYpgN5JpisGTu-nKOM3lbt8k/s320/IMG_5928.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_JvyqKUOsuLvibmoD3IGbs3uQqVuQsS1jJzpQgO1BQ6Ob6PnIa_HHtGkfNDw7P7D5QnGYwHQErbtiEV4F6-d81x6_TwxGrZHJD756eiILJ5bc2iO1js8DRO9DoWXvUVOCPo5VCnwJcg/s1600-h/IMG_5929.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195105494409732930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_JvyqKUOsuLvibmoD3IGbs3uQqVuQsS1jJzpQgO1BQ6Ob6PnIa_HHtGkfNDw7P7D5QnGYwHQErbtiEV4F6-d81x6_TwxGrZHJD756eiILJ5bc2iO1js8DRO9DoWXvUVOCPo5VCnwJcg/s320/IMG_5929.JPG" border="0" /></a>Entrance to first destroyed bakery<br /><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lybGIn5f5Rqm2km2Lzv9LSbffJ5YmHt2Dl3V7Q81rzU8S5e-e4B-1YY8wn8ZxKoRZ9pMdjCb95UsApqdoAdsXsiOYSh0Y1JaomzoYA_SLwxABNctagXnLqbZXApcBGMi7YnaCL0td-E/s1600-h/IMG_5940.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195092059752030994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lybGIn5f5Rqm2km2Lzv9LSbffJ5YmHt2Dl3V7Q81rzU8S5e-e4B-1YY8wn8ZxKoRZ9pMdjCb95UsApqdoAdsXsiOYSh0Y1JaomzoYA_SLwxABNctagXnLqbZXApcBGMi7YnaCL0td-E/s320/IMG_5940.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ32KV_4gb6SOdYBXSnLhm4YkVt6nB1_rxwlihEiiYcvVBXvyXyi2GmfTiiEytj_2yYNpcpltxGQ4xWqmIBFV8i5UbBsEOia_q28GLxlB-VnGjDSfLpUE3JYJxY36-LPk5txgrmJFdVc/s1600-h/IMG_5942.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195091535766020866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ32KV_4gb6SOdYBXSnLhm4YkVt6nB1_rxwlihEiiYcvVBXvyXyi2GmfTiiEytj_2yYNpcpltxGQ4xWqmIBFV8i5UbBsEOia_q28GLxlB-VnGjDSfLpUE3JYJxY36-LPk5txgrmJFdVc/s320/IMG_5942.JPG" border="0" /></a>Second destroyed bakery<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyUGskx7VKbjIA03oZqcMv05h36cFf3BMLTb1AFNvqwDljoBqEn5eZkLo9UFZAygy_o7Kfhk0ldoNYAkaWZrac9sUWjgAVW6pvoGSPQuxNr9FNc7I-s-OQiZr_6dl8OEinJe5qGp_jHE/s1600-h/IMG_5950.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195091020369945330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyUGskx7VKbjIA03oZqcMv05h36cFf3BMLTb1AFNvqwDljoBqEn5eZkLo9UFZAygy_o7Kfhk0ldoNYAkaWZrac9sUWjgAVW6pvoGSPQuxNr9FNc7I-s-OQiZr_6dl8OEinJe5qGp_jHE/s320/IMG_5950.JPG" border="0" /></a>Boys living in 30-unit apartment building under threat of eviction<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6WsF6oZiniXwHdC8STfN4_lW1kJhXQZWB8QPN-7usuEvIvGICkfgMBcyFEubFKQavfO-AYpXf48zFLh1Mwk_J-UrE5tikdKExbJ1Yntu63t9ogU0ZQ7xnZTYM1lOnkrFaeS7VqHIMd4/s1600-h/IMG_5946.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195090577988313826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6WsF6oZiniXwHdC8STfN4_lW1kJhXQZWB8QPN-7usuEvIvGICkfgMBcyFEubFKQavfO-AYpXf48zFLh1Mwk_J-UrE5tikdKExbJ1Yntu63t9ogU0ZQ7xnZTYM1lOnkrFaeS7VqHIMd4/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" border="0" /></a>30-unit apartment building with 2nd destroyed bakery </div><div align="center">plus grocery store still in operation<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left">A couple of weeks ago, a Christian Peacemakers Team from Hebron attended our worship service at Redeemer and made us aware of a current situation in Hebron, a city of 200,000 people located south of Jerusalem in the West Bank.<br /><br />The Islamic Charitable Society (ICS) which was established in 1962 to take care of orphans and needy families in Hebron has expanded through the years to become responsible for 2 orphanages, 3 schools, a dairy, sewing workshop, 2 bakeries, mall, 30-unit apartment building, and a newly completed school for 1200 girls scheduled to open this fall.<br /><br />On February 26, the Israeli Army issued six military orders of closure and eviction for these facilities charging that the ICS supports terrorism, and on March 6 proceeded to carry out these orders in spite of the fact that the matter is currently before the courts and no decision has yet been reached.<br /><br />So, on Sunday afternoon we joined a small group to visit Hebron and have a look at the situation. It was unbelievable to see what had been done. The newly completed girls school stands empty with its gates welded shut. On their raids on the warehouse, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have confiscated clothing, refrigeration units and shelves full of food stuffs, computers, stationery, and other supplies intended to fill the needs of the children, and have destroyed two bakeries. The confiscated goods alone were worth over $300,000, and the damage that was done to the warehouses and bakeries is beyond our estimation.<br /><br />We were told that twenty per cent of the monies donated to support the orphanages and schools comes from the local community while the other eighty per cent comes from Europe, the U.S., and Middle Eastern countries. The IDF basically stole these donations and carted them off for whose use? Such wanton destruction is appalling. But to see it done outside the jurisdiction of the courts! Just another example that we’ve seen of the lack of human rights in the West Bank.<br /><br />For further details and video, go to <a href="http://www.elcjhl.org/">http://www.elcjhl.org/</a> “Orphanages, Services to Needy Children and Jobs under Threat in Hebron”<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Just In: HEBRON At 1:00 am this morning, April 30th, the Israeli Military raided the Hebron Girls' Orphanage near the intersection of Salaam and Al Adel (Peace and Justice) Streets. Acting on orders issued by Major General Shemni, soldiers looted the workshop of all its sewing and processing machines, office equipment, rolls of cloth, finished clothing and supplies. CPT members documented, with still photos and video, approximately 40 Israeli soldiers emptying the workshop contents into 2 - 40ft. trucks. The estimated value of the physical material taken is $45,000 US. The cost in terms of the fear and terror instilled in the hearts of the little girls living above the workshop is much higher. For further information go to </span><a href="http://www.hebronorphans.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#3366ff;">www.hebronorphans.blogspot.com</span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-72817240139035945242008-04-20T05:46:00.000-07:002008-04-20T08:04:59.098-07:00A WEEKEND IN THE SINAI<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT5Lorvi4uxagcvBTbhyphenhyphengNVgfVBoRosPUsKKrPOs6oGSxnhl9tDvMgAIe-G9B6GOWggJVojtmnmcsH_NemnKiURihP8I6yv-5aP9LkdjumWPEL8Un2Vg13ZV-SA2nrOMS8f79sn6iPSQ/s1600-h/IMG_5337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191330119241437810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT5Lorvi4uxagcvBTbhyphenhyphengNVgfVBoRosPUsKKrPOs6oGSxnhl9tDvMgAIe-G9B6GOWggJVojtmnmcsH_NemnKiURihP8I6yv-5aP9LkdjumWPEL8Un2Vg13ZV-SA2nrOMS8f79sn6iPSQ/s320/IMG_5337.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBL84B2jKYVjYpIFNp6JG9RXT1i0xafWc5slMFLFKq4H6_gLDJoGhqHIKAPURhH6Tj6fRs56WCXX3TnWFtoJNk-Q_fBU1XFOWLL9wCFIPbPkUOfaQPpld5WDGpEju8rrybTHf1dBQMn8/s1600-h/IMG_5343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191329767054119522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBL84B2jKYVjYpIFNp6JG9RXT1i0xafWc5slMFLFKq4H6_gLDJoGhqHIKAPURhH6Tj6fRs56WCXX3TnWFtoJNk-Q_fBU1XFOWLL9wCFIPbPkUOfaQPpld5WDGpEju8rrybTHf1dBQMn8/s320/IMG_5343.JPG" border="0" /></a> Taba<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsUW9_yAHwQEKR2K1-GtpaRVClC2S0duGMdNYBbGB3kZLC3lMaXpawlTRTsY37Z3o9X4zqnsclc87USRQisLeAAnv1bBS1PvMx6HgDER2oaL_4E9OUfcvhaAdGB-3eMqQHB1xYrpr39Y/s1600-h/IMG_1491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191329354737259090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsUW9_yAHwQEKR2K1-GtpaRVClC2S0duGMdNYBbGB3kZLC3lMaXpawlTRTsY37Z3o9X4zqnsclc87USRQisLeAAnv1bBS1PvMx6HgDER2oaL_4E9OUfcvhaAdGB-3eMqQHB1xYrpr39Y/s320/IMG_1491.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlhmX0iZ4SSdnwW8Y_LxmqTeKkyXbGqfP6xuC7N6dSEX19UkjVNs-SL9CQ94T4e7pBgaFTMyw9t_RMqoAuQrnXrhqBOWG8Jjs8d8NlP_v_p6-JX83P6rXIUUBaz0cBSg3PzmVSVKuYhk/s1600-h/IMG_1492.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191328847931118146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlhmX0iZ4SSdnwW8Y_LxmqTeKkyXbGqfP6xuC7N6dSEX19UkjVNs-SL9CQ94T4e7pBgaFTMyw9t_RMqoAuQrnXrhqBOWG8Jjs8d8NlP_v_p6-JX83P6rXIUUBaz0cBSg3PzmVSVKuYhk/s320/IMG_1492.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUOilh2P78ZuuJn1D0-mjlay27O2dWynr9STD6rF-OY2wbwHBb1nkxGV-YBVzyL41sQHGJFlau8b5wDGBJX0QMKcF0V-FsDH9BVmo-oHEkm2Tt-80-6bMvtaY44j2rY4EiT9CJMMaSkc/s1600-h/IMG_5351.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191328336830009906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUOilh2P78ZuuJn1D0-mjlay27O2dWynr9STD6rF-OY2wbwHBb1nkxGV-YBVzyL41sQHGJFlau8b5wDGBJX0QMKcF0V-FsDH9BVmo-oHEkm2Tt-80-6bMvtaY44j2rY4EiT9CJMMaSkc/s320/IMG_5351.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz_Pwb3gXXyZTpfKH5IxYjVMcZkIOk8gywMYdqia56eHT9hL9ZhiU4LJbCbm1NrxomYkNCvbrxRhXkMoSnIBx3vnCEiEckm5AicZ3a0pEyNRIc_N8kCaf3ffnIwv6GJQE9iHzuGX3Yy4/s1600-h/IMG_5355.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191327988937658914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvz_Pwb3gXXyZTpfKH5IxYjVMcZkIOk8gywMYdqia56eHT9hL9ZhiU4LJbCbm1NrxomYkNCvbrxRhXkMoSnIBx3vnCEiEckm5AicZ3a0pEyNRIc_N8kCaf3ffnIwv6GJQE9iHzuGX3Yy4/s320/IMG_5355.JPG" border="0" /></a> Gulf of Aqaba<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN3608HSM8blBlsmcRqGKTiwgIJf5tU9tRtxxmeBk80pdgxTuMbp6mZ5Q81cjIcklg8Gj-_EDP7L3dmi25h0Syh-ep2ND5hNdgv0qu6rJ5iZmNrLsGKALsR7uOKbwNu15-_08Yd4WfSs/s1600-h/IMG_5402.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191327525081190930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN3608HSM8blBlsmcRqGKTiwgIJf5tU9tRtxxmeBk80pdgxTuMbp6mZ5Q81cjIcklg8Gj-_EDP7L3dmi25h0Syh-ep2ND5hNdgv0qu6rJ5iZmNrLsGKALsR7uOKbwNu15-_08Yd4WfSs/s320/IMG_5402.JPG" border="0" /></a> St. Catherine's Monastery<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu_t1PDcThyphenhyphenC7aKJJpcrL1zb5Yc3h1qTulLSRsa6-bVhq1Psj6hfMAv6Gfzke9bBE3dhaYoEynm32hqLXbwTFL3frAXwZNfgagzmTr5AfqiTIiNeHPFvpDhzuH4J6p6xO3oUrnKsoJMk/s1600-h/IMG_5410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191327168598905346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu_t1PDcThyphenhyphenC7aKJJpcrL1zb5Yc3h1qTulLSRsa6-bVhq1Psj6hfMAv6Gfzke9bBE3dhaYoEynm32hqLXbwTFL3frAXwZNfgagzmTr5AfqiTIiNeHPFvpDhzuH4J6p6xO3oUrnKsoJMk/s320/IMG_5410.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9k3YtFytTU2nsvNHLCeTTOUgneEZZ7_HKeb-bHJNzdfgjlqHLtpR7QRn8pOfK1CmcuoC9yrzltkqT923IoYLgWMJ7D0YgWr3r9RaiQVUcrppyHCuSfM3oOiLLpeL-U0FxC26okShmnU/s1600-h/IMG_5404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191326713332371954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9k3YtFytTU2nsvNHLCeTTOUgneEZZ7_HKeb-bHJNzdfgjlqHLtpR7QRn8pOfK1CmcuoC9yrzltkqT923IoYLgWMJ7D0YgWr3r9RaiQVUcrppyHCuSfM3oOiLLpeL-U0FxC26okShmnU/s320/IMG_5404.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZiMnjsF18jrXVAhD11utTQ5j5KidcuUrCkpHX4HEJ2kxCXSftGbfZii9Uehwk47PdlCAXQRBEN_u0oU3eIrXappY-0Y_yvveFtu3k-gvq6PwWQ5S4i4s1aWsS2j6B4m993zr95Xg_g4/s1600-h/IMG_5415.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191326026137604578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZiMnjsF18jrXVAhD11utTQ5j5KidcuUrCkpHX4HEJ2kxCXSftGbfZii9Uehwk47PdlCAXQRBEN_u0oU3eIrXappY-0Y_yvveFtu3k-gvq6PwWQ5S4i4s1aWsS2j6B4m993zr95Xg_g4/s320/IMG_5415.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Hoj9IQi2walGkRO-du3WIBd84OQDsy2juH2KaosaufMoi-O367jgGBUT29J_WA58A9zjA7iv1t49wHdrSI7Yqm4n_uSJooN9UNhzH1aep0KEkGmesBTO1Jea1hGfZ8l3_omZgt8v-k/s1600-h/IMG_5421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191325107014603218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6Hoj9IQi2walGkRO-du3WIBd84OQDsy2juH2KaosaufMoi-O367jgGBUT29J_WA58A9zjA7iv1t49wHdrSI7Yqm4n_uSJooN9UNhzH1aep0KEkGmesBTO1Jea1hGfZ8l3_omZgt8v-k/s320/IMG_5421.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mt. Sinai in the background<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsJN41umWDzRxqX9ok_Z3u7j0XFe_svlZrsRSmLA-ucP8Cgj85gXuczHBqf8HwrdmCLX6S4bL6PLHyHkQOq5lurQEMaUU2hrhw2JVecWYGB0sYLHQ4pbjeR0XqBGKrurOIxv5QmzWg30/s1600-h/IMG_1517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191324673222906306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsJN41umWDzRxqX9ok_Z3u7j0XFe_svlZrsRSmLA-ucP8Cgj85gXuczHBqf8HwrdmCLX6S4bL6PLHyHkQOq5lurQEMaUU2hrhw2JVecWYGB0sYLHQ4pbjeR0XqBGKrurOIxv5QmzWg30/s320/IMG_1517.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54jHry_qMMPLBggSozlxnbrZpro1cmJU-sxkymBTwFW_eIufO2XM1vj8gi1Ct3AJqJFI8vH_6oKc2H42OuPynliEVKdzEBiVZYVvGmNfosxgNMkcYwIdrdzrEcT7YOd0f8LaEq5qAeh8/s1600-h/IMG_5431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191324183596634546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54jHry_qMMPLBggSozlxnbrZpro1cmJU-sxkymBTwFW_eIufO2XM1vj8gi1Ct3AJqJFI8vH_6oKc2H42OuPynliEVKdzEBiVZYVvGmNfosxgNMkcYwIdrdzrEcT7YOd0f8LaEq5qAeh8/s320/IMG_5431.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkbzN-K6FsD1fgu0Z8hRpYVvcG2VBMmcRmTbgTHM7rhd35F2jshU-bqc9Qm1QWWTDUoYD-5PKcdPH-3zyVKs-QhrWXJoLJs74GYiwW3Fw0AVtBMWgAS91ozgWemSCzFYJpNAQkrwLh2w/s1600-h/IMG_5426.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191323861474087330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFkbzN-K6FsD1fgu0Z8hRpYVvcG2VBMmcRmTbgTHM7rhd35F2jshU-bqc9Qm1QWWTDUoYD-5PKcdPH-3zyVKs-QhrWXJoLJs74GYiwW3Fw0AVtBMWgAS91ozgWemSCzFYJpNAQkrwLh2w/s320/IMG_5426.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk0X-hMb53DfvG6n-Jxz-TfQ-xBvhiRXbwzhyY3DLMR4d7uvkbVghTNEWR7a4uZJWBGXdm7aV0X-oAsOn2KIhQ8DVbyp3F80ffohNAfgsZTKJBNUYGCneOM9Vq2lzUtwrOrGzWhBopN4/s1600-h/IMG_5445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191323350372979090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk0X-hMb53DfvG6n-Jxz-TfQ-xBvhiRXbwzhyY3DLMR4d7uvkbVghTNEWR7a4uZJWBGXdm7aV0X-oAsOn2KIhQ8DVbyp3F80ffohNAfgsZTKJBNUYGCneOM9Vq2lzUtwrOrGzWhBopN4/s320/IMG_5445.JPG" border="0" /></a> And up we go!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZaVcT9vr3gATC65o8d2UpHkHg2C_ci0SpFuNp_MG6tS5xZ_QZGevv7m249TtRlok69tkSOmSlO42ELwQDongxopluNjIAbo7r5lkSdz7eLsj1aWQ73dkqDza1GAg7d_Txx-iyKLxQBQ/s1600-h/IMG_5480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191322590163767682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZaVcT9vr3gATC65o8d2UpHkHg2C_ci0SpFuNp_MG6tS5xZ_QZGevv7m249TtRlok69tkSOmSlO42ELwQDongxopluNjIAbo7r5lkSdz7eLsj1aWQ73dkqDza1GAg7d_Txx-iyKLxQBQ/s320/IMG_5480.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sinai Rose's Bedouin stop--end of camels<br />On foot from here on up.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI56v7eRIhcllGQJlJSIKfleJuDi79Xp8mSCRWK_wq-ITUhgR6lSKsGRpS7HTjLqZnYOd7xI9Reo2LwZA1HI_4fN34oFZmguhiKvC8YAoHx5YLCsFTcmNvnFaxIFs8jOKv9d56UiLOTPk/s1600-h/IMG_5486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191322070472724850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI56v7eRIhcllGQJlJSIKfleJuDi79Xp8mSCRWK_wq-ITUhgR6lSKsGRpS7HTjLqZnYOd7xI9Reo2LwZA1HI_4fN34oFZmguhiKvC8YAoHx5YLCsFTcmNvnFaxIFs8jOKv9d56UiLOTPk/s320/IMG_5486.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmvWaedQgocYZbAX9YrvNT70f3GhNEnlIVTDrITq0AN22M8n4XhO8-oNnx_U9Xq3d_lcdJ80wEOvMMqOShcNVjhrzx6wxioAiRBu0Tpxpu7CCnyUTomRmlbYLEpuesu3SmIW05QQSsyc/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191321653860897122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmvWaedQgocYZbAX9YrvNT70f3GhNEnlIVTDrITq0AN22M8n4XhO8-oNnx_U9Xq3d_lcdJ80wEOvMMqOShcNVjhrzx6wxioAiRBu0Tpxpu7CCnyUTomRmlbYLEpuesu3SmIW05QQSsyc/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" border="0" /></a> The end is in sight!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00HCfr6um3RoS9rlWDPxKKrSIZovh6z1BPpES2E227Pow1AwERo8OWxQVdx6QrTV0gIehx4x1Blxa-hhX3aVXEeY_-rPdW-adp39M9vmW-mueb4LCsFVtuPek0DzxoBgsZhHgWZObhrg/s1600-h/IMG_5497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191320897946653010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00HCfr6um3RoS9rlWDPxKKrSIZovh6z1BPpES2E227Pow1AwERo8OWxQVdx6QrTV0gIehx4x1Blxa-hhX3aVXEeY_-rPdW-adp39M9vmW-mueb4LCsFVtuPek0DzxoBgsZhHgWZObhrg/s320/IMG_5497.JPG" border="0" /></a> At last--we've reached the summit!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SsIoICzKCb-wks8lA6YB6G2kYMWJhILIQfOGfQ2j4kDurX-_I5cEiVvAS-uiSC9fMbwaugCZSqg_zhftA__HFxBO7hNCitwgfmLfv5ugQdl5VgSABBnCnSWxgax0_DGHmZ83CWhoiqc/s1600-h/IMG_5500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191320541464367426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SsIoICzKCb-wks8lA6YB6G2kYMWJhILIQfOGfQ2j4kDurX-_I5cEiVvAS-uiSC9fMbwaugCZSqg_zhftA__HFxBO7hNCitwgfmLfv5ugQdl5VgSABBnCnSWxgax0_DGHmZ83CWhoiqc/s320/IMG_5500.JPG" border="0" /></a> On top of the world!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGS6GByabbdM3VqENc9BI3nSBkM4nrrSyBGPUoa7mULHAPiX7zxoTd1RKMVIBpMaaRxdsZwCij9GYsvxDA4-b_q9yFJfAknCrXiYuobsFfApWGHmklx1Okjd1ujyoojYnwNEy-zxDoIB4/s1600-h/IMG_5498.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191319665291039026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGS6GByabbdM3VqENc9BI3nSBkM4nrrSyBGPUoa7mULHAPiX7zxoTd1RKMVIBpMaaRxdsZwCij9GYsvxDA4-b_q9yFJfAknCrXiYuobsFfApWGHmklx1Okjd1ujyoojYnwNEy-zxDoIB4/s320/IMG_5498.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n-bw6F5uJdqikxFwZTdfLUsctvCr8C7G__sDvwJEpVqheAij1wtTpuTEC2eG7K3tXv038RBgJnvtBFENCREQ4-zcR9H8Nu4eii4uSFJcqDXKlw1pqpg6rAQ7A457v0FdnW386AACjZs/s1600-h/IMG_5504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191315529237532898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n-bw6F5uJdqikxFwZTdfLUsctvCr8C7G__sDvwJEpVqheAij1wtTpuTEC2eG7K3tXv038RBgJnvtBFENCREQ4-zcR9H8Nu4eii4uSFJcqDXKlw1pqpg6rAQ7A457v0FdnW386AACjZs/s320/IMG_5504.JPG" border="0" /></a> Let's rest awhile!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQSCz0uUh30EshW6E-ppuISJ2KZCf7xSHzCqOFGChWvNq8IPHAqg1HRmr-sjsDEMqwv6eIxUTKQb9xMvoTujN-qYxCLY2H8_VqQPIvYYJOqh2qkEPVbudfJFdwkJqqdEbwRA3eJykERQ/s1600-h/IMG_5524.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191314880697471186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQSCz0uUh30EshW6E-ppuISJ2KZCf7xSHzCqOFGChWvNq8IPHAqg1HRmr-sjsDEMqwv6eIxUTKQb9xMvoTujN-qYxCLY2H8_VqQPIvYYJOqh2qkEPVbudfJFdwkJqqdEbwRA3eJykERQ/s320/IMG_5524.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the way to the Coloured Canyon<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd2WuwM8ZeOUfKhSPA6-pb45tgU-w91CGhq4DNJETV11F8MzcELoo8ixT69-JztEfNElPw7_vjsO8BQ1XcxlZgiZMhPyTT4uBjhpWEVHQCDVZ6cqf1H4jlU2HEV8423LRkh4ZPhqp0K4/s1600-h/IMG_5529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191314434020872386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd2WuwM8ZeOUfKhSPA6-pb45tgU-w91CGhq4DNJETV11F8MzcELoo8ixT69-JztEfNElPw7_vjsO8BQ1XcxlZgiZMhPyTT4uBjhpWEVHQCDVZ6cqf1H4jlU2HEV8423LRkh4ZPhqp0K4/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" border="0" /></a> You mean the Canyon's down there? </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcEFWG5kKr52dCpXQZSBoP6EHBc9nFOP7icqtsVgpX1PHam4uIi6Y_eZYQzMgEUbd7DwxJv1e6tCqrEAky2yztNc_pJ4w-A5IwtsntLZYcPgi3PikOwcsQpdmFGYon5qQIzytlTihE58/s1600-h/IMG_5539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191313862790222002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcEFWG5kKr52dCpXQZSBoP6EHBc9nFOP7icqtsVgpX1PHam4uIi6Y_eZYQzMgEUbd7DwxJv1e6tCqrEAky2yztNc_pJ4w-A5IwtsntLZYcPgi3PikOwcsQpdmFGYon5qQIzytlTihE58/s320/IMG_5539.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb65Q50KuGg-ohpPTOnKu-as4RfAQIiAKgXQkrllRC9f5U82kSjcMso9DaaKv4NlakgQMwh2QVV_DvHW6Nyif7U3jYuwM3GE7DEsnrZ2fdxLrdy_OoTEcRaDNWjSIwOowWwFiEzaxq7A/s1600-h/IMG_5542.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191313484833099938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYb65Q50KuGg-ohpPTOnKu-as4RfAQIiAKgXQkrllRC9f5U82kSjcMso9DaaKv4NlakgQMwh2QVV_DvHW6Nyif7U3jYuwM3GE7DEsnrZ2fdxLrdy_OoTEcRaDNWjSIwOowWwFiEzaxq7A/s320/IMG_5542.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wow!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9uTp845mNXoClT8y6hqykqCP5tQC1a77LpNn5fs4WwDWzHLLK3CDMsmWLlcA6l6f5_pGbImiqQzX6pprirHkniBfbE7AlnPqZIgBkrDq3l7GmP0e1MiuWDBgVCn7xnMSaGujRhCtE8A/s1600-h/IMG_5548.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191312986616893586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9uTp845mNXoClT8y6hqykqCP5tQC1a77LpNn5fs4WwDWzHLLK3CDMsmWLlcA6l6f5_pGbImiqQzX6pprirHkniBfbE7AlnPqZIgBkrDq3l7GmP0e1MiuWDBgVCn7xnMSaGujRhCtE8A/s320/IMG_5548.JPG" border="0" /></a> You mean we go through there?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlbwmvVfuIFFFONtWXnLTTJWwRVZuAYFC4FbKd5WO7U9vcJogPC5n2JAo6nt0XZEG5wgSyer8qrWeu97hWwJpf6AUtir3_Xz325Kk2c5Of4WgOsy3_IlRy_dO55afNlJc0zOi9-_opTI/s1600-h/IMG_5575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191312574300033154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlbwmvVfuIFFFONtWXnLTTJWwRVZuAYFC4FbKd5WO7U9vcJogPC5n2JAo6nt0XZEG5wgSyer8qrWeu97hWwJpf6AUtir3_Xz325Kk2c5Of4WgOsy3_IlRy_dO55afNlJc0zOi9-_opTI/s320/IMG_5575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbsLVz1KoNDGtkD8slJj1HOl3Vp510BSdj_JrZoUeEqbJxAZxS0MHmTFPU88PmHcHr7JJIF1eiskAJiL8z2dVNzeAk8YqAAGNjEPmPZOlVgg0PNTt9ZITyREqRepRuFIIv0Mm6wMSiUk/s1600-h/IMG_5581.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191312252177485938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbsLVz1KoNDGtkD8slJj1HOl3Vp510BSdj_JrZoUeEqbJxAZxS0MHmTFPU88PmHcHr7JJIF1eiskAJiL8z2dVNzeAk8YqAAGNjEPmPZOlVgg0PNTt9ZITyREqRepRuFIIv0Mm6wMSiUk/s320/IMG_5581.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6B2oWaPy6bOUOdRbiFm3V3mRyQr55cgs4QD-5p7jDVqT0Ej3p2vZx1UkpbAfJBUZtPwd0XGzlzQc4Lo4c0NnXmTj_FxzPCF9XLDHw4t2ncxP2fAiEak84V8Mdw4zZD9ZmAR4ZHIQZG4/s1600-h/IMG_5585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191311934349906018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6B2oWaPy6bOUOdRbiFm3V3mRyQr55cgs4QD-5p7jDVqT0Ej3p2vZx1UkpbAfJBUZtPwd0XGzlzQc4Lo4c0NnXmTj_FxzPCF9XLDHw4t2ncxP2fAiEak84V8Mdw4zZD9ZmAR4ZHIQZG4/s320/IMG_5585.JPG" border="0" /></a> No wonder we're exhausted! </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjjgOt9YMZq4NoosHe5IUhKicQOLFZZLBYfHo8ruxS4FAEh_JpEN-UY_Bhqgom9VYZVb-gS8WaAouNx37wTBCLd8Rzs3biT_lfE4YuJJ46ZC-Ot2ym61VMmJCPjttMNYLoLWRKkWHR84/s1600-h/IMG_5586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191311560687751250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjjgOt9YMZq4NoosHe5IUhKicQOLFZZLBYfHo8ruxS4FAEh_JpEN-UY_Bhqgom9VYZVb-gS8WaAouNx37wTBCLd8Rzs3biT_lfE4YuJJ46ZC-Ot2ym61VMmJCPjttMNYLoLWRKkWHR84/s320/IMG_5586.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ahhhh!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RZ8oQ0okqHVmOAgV8OTCi4MKeW2rw-6wQwKDYd-DeFY8CfGJwZG4bmcE87dF89EjjN8uxG5VWmtPSNZB9kNEHpJPaxSS6IkA-FMfLSyXhgMVj4YaxbOWEFoUu48vJWsrZk0xyg0sZ50/s1600-h/IMG_5591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191311109716185154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RZ8oQ0okqHVmOAgV8OTCi4MKeW2rw-6wQwKDYd-DeFY8CfGJwZG4bmcE87dF89EjjN8uxG5VWmtPSNZB9kNEHpJPaxSS6IkA-FMfLSyXhgMVj4YaxbOWEFoUu48vJWsrZk0xyg0sZ50/s320/IMG_5591.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aMKjoe7SsHYl101VV3Cg2PYRxHAwJZ5jjtUFSeZzN3HjyzS7u4TQCkFXA5MIA4WvV6hPU0ZclW7Lw3krR3jluYvaHdsvUXAbEBOPB0f0xqtcOW9qV-ef9bftUe85SRcPgO6Bjx0L6eM/s1600-h/IMG_5604.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310761823834162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aMKjoe7SsHYl101VV3Cg2PYRxHAwJZ5jjtUFSeZzN3HjyzS7u4TQCkFXA5MIA4WvV6hPU0ZclW7Lw3krR3jluYvaHdsvUXAbEBOPB0f0xqtcOW9qV-ef9bftUe85SRcPgO6Bjx0L6eM/s320/IMG_5604.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nuweyba on the Gulf of Aqaba<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31fZOMX5W41lp6T3Yw6oigYqPZrFccS-Jh4aoj4FVcSdMVKbXLoNd0WXZWEVBr6OPMmN1NdsdEQGarAoqGtnCbqUUlej91xVGcWPOxM-qs2NFv62vs1JkRRe9ZGIKKeuwCVpQruBx7W4/s1600-h/IMG_5596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310461176123426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31fZOMX5W41lp6T3Yw6oigYqPZrFccS-Jh4aoj4FVcSdMVKbXLoNd0WXZWEVBr6OPMmN1NdsdEQGarAoqGtnCbqUUlej91xVGcWPOxM-qs2NFv62vs1JkRRe9ZGIKKeuwCVpQruBx7W4/s320/IMG_5596.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgodUbPGDz03pbkg5sRkiPpwltmP4_llDLIAQ9LUJ1uZR-ytU1geD0kahMITUx7ldFTQRBJc80UZ7J1eGiYHjWMWDxlhK1mTX8YyHcpkdfdCVsoj8b2lVlsFCdzOmALO9PHqB55XEiVos/s1600-h/IMG_5603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191310057449197586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgodUbPGDz03pbkg5sRkiPpwltmP4_llDLIAQ9LUJ1uZR-ytU1geD0kahMITUx7ldFTQRBJc80UZ7J1eGiYHjWMWDxlhK1mTX8YyHcpkdfdCVsoj8b2lVlsFCdzOmALO9PHqB55XEiVos/s320/IMG_5603.JPG" border="0" /></a> Shopping at the Bedouin Market<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tmybfOLHHT_SXsZ-cBTVBKXbOZ_H06AjsedvBZ9vFLVbWJKO8-AqvDOuDRTlvHw8HLVdcxuPegcfA94ZGQdsbD7EgEJshEcPDNaInZEZVBI9M9Sene678MUHyurAEJqTWM4T3IeaZ4Y/s1600-h/IMG_5613.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191309718146781186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tmybfOLHHT_SXsZ-cBTVBKXbOZ_H06AjsedvBZ9vFLVbWJKO8-AqvDOuDRTlvHw8HLVdcxuPegcfA94ZGQdsbD7EgEJshEcPDNaInZEZVBI9M9Sene678MUHyurAEJqTWM4T3IeaZ4Y/s320/IMG_5613.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the life! Waiting for Dale..</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuWEephHpaoVZrhiMPwG7b6ovqRfO28e107j21y_IWpNRpba6D4KUJIvAZsmvJhHLAgTsosQYgQlRhME_5lc6Aob3IfFYkjur1090wVimaQQux92sJk57QubnhluSGe7Yg97RXgfxifU/s1600-h/IMG_5627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191309280060116978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuWEephHpaoVZrhiMPwG7b6ovqRfO28e107j21y_IWpNRpba6D4KUJIvAZsmvJhHLAgTsosQYgQlRhME_5lc6Aob3IfFYkjur1090wVimaQQux92sJk57QubnhluSGe7Yg97RXgfxifU/s320/IMG_5627.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12B8n4f_uCddxTa1Bbcg0y6s-RAR4xBUekaT2LQytCMup8Rqv3Xu_-4BxOYTNgZnKEORcDvEMaa_3RP4IKgYImomXgAgXXFIB1MvpanoOBuFJVEO3jucGNT2Dz7076DyWpcHmb3m6QoA/s1600-h/IMG_1490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191308966527504354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12B8n4f_uCddxTa1Bbcg0y6s-RAR4xBUekaT2LQytCMup8Rqv3Xu_-4BxOYTNgZnKEORcDvEMaa_3RP4IKgYImomXgAgXXFIB1MvpanoOBuFJVEO3jucGNT2Dz7076DyWpcHmb3m6QoA/s320/IMG_1490.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ma 'is salame - Au revoir!<br /><br /><div>Time is running out--only two and a half months until we fly home! Got to pack in as much as possible in the remaining time! Hence only two weeks after our trip to Jordan, we were off to the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt for a 4-day weekend.<br /><br />We were joined by a friend we met at Redeemer. Suzanne is a UCC (United Church of Christ) pastor from Connecticut here for a year of study. We made an awesome threesome!<br /><br />Not to waste any precious time, we caught the 7 a.m. bus from the Central Bus Station in West Jerusalem for the four-hour drive to Eilat, Israel, where we crossed into Egypt. The border crossing was less troublesome than the Allenby Bridge to Jordan, but when is border crossing easy, especially in this part of the world!<br /><br />We arrived at our resort in Taba—the Sol y Mar Sea Star—just before 2 p.m. where we discovered that we’d gained an hour and were there just in time for a wonderful buffet lunch! So after unpacking and resting a bit, we luxuriated in the all-inclusive features of the hotel. After booking our tour for the next day, we enjoyed the beautiful pools and deck chairs, walked the short distance to the hotel’s beach on the Gulf of Aqaba where we tested the waters and met some cute Bedouin kids, took advantage of the open bar for “happy hour”, and had a delicious buffet dinner. Exhausted after our early start, we turned in, unable to enjoy the luxury of a T.V. of our own. (That tells you how tired we were!)<br /><br />The next morning at 8 a.m. we were off to St. Catherine’s Monastery. Located at the foot of Mt. Sinai, St. Catherine's Monastery was constructed between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush, which has a chapel built over it. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, and reliquaries. But of even greater significance is that it houses the second largest collection consisting of 3500 volumes of illuminated manuscripts (The Vatican has the largest). The Monastery even has a small 10th or 11th century mosque which was probably built to appease the Islamic authorities of the time.<br /><br />St. Catherine's is a formidable fortification, with granite walls 40 to 200 feet tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. Unfortunately there were so many bus loads of tourists that it was impossible to move on our own and take time to view the works of art in the chapel where we were forbidden to talk and take pictures. Our guide had to give his explanation outside the monastery. Also, the mosque was closed and so we felt that we had a very rushed and inadequate view of the interior.<br /><br />From there it was off the short distance to mount our camels for the 1 ½-hour ascent up 7,497-foot Mt. Sinai, believed to be the mountain on which Moses received the Ten Commandments. After dismounting our camels about 2/3 of the way up, we walked several hundred metres along a winding path until we reached the 750 “steps” that would take us to the summit where the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1934 on the location of the original chapel built in 363 and rebuilt by Justinian in 530.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>After many stops and much huffing and puffing, we finally arrived at the top and were rewarded by a truly breathtaking view. The only problem with reaching the top was that we also had to descend and this time no camel eased the way. So, we clambered slowly down the rock “stairs”, and then following a different path from the one taken by our camels, arrived after several hours back at St. Catherine’s, rewarded all the way down by the amazing scenery.<br /><br />The three-hour drive back to the hotel gave us a chance to rest so that on our return we could reward ourselves with a glass of wine—did I say “a”?—by the pool before enjoying another delicious late dinner. </div><div><br />The next morning we were off again, this time to the Coloured Canyon. The description sounded like a nice easy day compared with the trek up and down Mt. Sinai. At Nuweyba, our taxi transferred us to a 4x4 van. At first, the road to the Coloured Canyon was well paved, snaking through magnificent mountains and rock-formations of awe-inspiring beauty. Then, by a cluster of date palms, it turned onto a bumpy gravel road for about 15 minutes. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>As we shakily descended from the van, we were shocked with the realization that in order to start our trek through the canyon, we had to descend 820 feet to reach the canyon floor!! Oh no! Twenty minutes later, we were ready to enter the 800-metre canyon. It felt like walking through a dry riverbed with walls reaching some 20 stories in height and rock formations varying from sandstone to limestone and granite with veins of basalt.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Except for a few obstacles, it was a fairly easy hike. At one point, we had to slide down through a vent, where the two sides of the canyon almost touched each other leaving a narrow opening which dropped several feet to the path below. A few minutes later, another obstacle appeared where we had to squeeze through an opening in the satiny smooth rock created by a huge rock and drop another two metres. So much for an easy hike!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We finally reached the end of the canyon and looked up only to realize that our 4x4 was waiting for us 820 feet above us! Fortunately a Bedouin tent and a cool drink awaited us at the top where we regained our breath in the 34-degree heat.<br /><br />Our trip ended with a visit to the Bedouin market in Nuweyba. Sitting in a comfortable open-air tent on the Gulf of Aqaba, we regained our energy with our less-than-appealing box lunch, but made up for it by browsing through the shops before returning to the hotel.</div><div><br />We spent the rest of our weekend enjoying the resort and nursing our sore muscles; soon it was time for the 4 ½-hour bus ride back to Jerusalem. The excursions were tougher than we’d expected, but <em>are we proud</em>—we rode a camel for 1 ½ hours, climbed Mt. Sinai, and hiked the Coloured Canyon! Were we or were we not an awesome threesome! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-50462312490827285792008-04-16T01:03:00.000-07:002008-04-16T07:37:44.732-07:00Ramblings from a Police StateKurt is an Ecumenical Accompanier. His job, along with his fellow EA’s from several European countries, is to monitor any situation in which abuse is meted out by Israelis against Palestinians. Kurt and his colleagues go to checkpoints to observe the countless ways in which Israeli soldiers dehumanize individual Palestinian men, women, and children. They can’t intervene, but they can report on what they see. Needless to say, the Israeli military doesn’t like Ecumenical Accompaniers.<br /><br />Donna sees dehumanizing abuse every day at the Bethlehem checkpoint which looks like a huge military compound. Last week she saw an elderly man refused entry into Jerusalem because he had bought too much produce outside of Jerusalem. You see, Palestinians in Jerusalem must buy Israeli fruit and vegetables, and it’s more expensive. So, until recently, they would brave the checkpoints and buy less expensive Palestinian produce in Bethlehem or Hebron. The Israelis caught on and passed a law that Palestinians, or anyone else for that matter, cannot bring more than one kilo of produce into Jerusalem. The man Donna saw was forced to empty all his bags containing the fruit and vegetables to show to the soldiers and then was turned back. This time Donna expressed her dismay to the soldier who checked her passport. Good for her for taking the risk! Every day Donna witnesses episodes like this while she’s on her way to school in Bethlehem, and this one was the proverbial straw.<br /><br />Back to Kurt! He reminds me of a young Max von Sydow. He’s strong and stoic. He never says much, but a couple of days ago he was visibly shaken. In his capacity as an EA, he had been asked to witness the demolition of a house belonging to a Palestinian family. The family was given no notice. Soldiers suddenly arrived, threw all of their possessions out of the house, and razed it to the ground with a couple of bulldozers. They owned the land but they had not obtained a building permit. Kurt said that the screams of the wife and daughter will resound in his mind for the rest of his life.<br /><br />House demolitions happen all the time in East Jerusalem. It’s part of Israel’s intentional policy to make Palestinians “disappear”. What happens is that Palestinians who own a piece of land in occupied Palestine want to build a family home. Or they want to put an addition on an existing house. So, they apply to the Israeli authorities for a building permit, pay a large fee, and wait. The permits are never issued. Sometimes, after years of waiting, frustration prevails, and they build without a permit. It may take the Israelis a while to bring in the bulldozers, but the demolition eventually happens.<br /><br />Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is in Israel now. Winner of the 2002 Nobel peace Prize, he came to broker peace. The Israelis don’t like Jimmy Carter. Not long ago he authored a book called <em>Palestine: Peace not Apartheid</em> which exposed Israel’s internal policy regarding occupied Palestine, much to Israel’s dismay. Of course Israel doesn’t acknowledge the existence of Palestine. Israel calls Palestine “Judea and Samaria”, and considers it part of Israel. Jimmy Carter hit the nail on the head in calling Israel’s policy “apartheid”. All we need to do is look at a United Nations OCHA map to see what Israel has done to occupied Palestine. The apartheid wall, the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, the exclusive settler roads that join the illegal settlements to one another, and the ubiquitous checkpoints have turned occupied Palestine into a series of “Bantustans”, just like in apartheid South Africa. This is an ongoing Israeli policy in spite of a number of UN motions asking Israel to cease and desist. So, there is no chance of a two-state solution because there is no state for Palestinians to live in – just a series of isolated “Bantustans”. Jimmy Carter was right on! Of course, the top Israeli leadership ignored President Carter, and publicly insulted his ability.<br /><br />What is frustrating about all of this is that everybody here, observing all the things I’ve described above, knows what is happening. But the story doesn’t get out. There’s never more than a muffled whisper in the North American press of what’s really happening to the Palestinian people in their own country. The Israeli lobby in North America and influential organizations like the Canadian Jewish Congress do a good job of stifling the truth and upholding Israeli propaganda. When the Israeli Air Force attacks Gaza City with smart bombs and kills dozens of Palestinian civilians, the Israelis are described as courageously defending themselves against an implacable enemy. When the Palestinians launch their homemade rockets, attack a checkpoint, or, worst of all, find an individual who is so dehumanized by Israeli aggression and oppression that he is willing to launch a suicide attack against his enemy, the North American press calls it terrorism. A simple definition of terrorism is “the act of instilling terror in the hearts of the enemy”. If Palestinians are terrorists, then the Israelis are even more so.<br /><br />Jewish organizations that record acts of anti-Semitism now include all anti-Israeli statements as anti-Semitic. If any of these organizations read what I have written, then I guess they will call me “anti-Semitic”. Let me state categorically that such a judgment would be patently untrue.<br /><br />I am, however, definitely against Israeli policy.Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-63489307887276877172008-04-05T04:36:00.000-07:002008-04-05T06:20:58.808-07:00ON THE ROAD AGAIN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeLvbgHllGK1oDvL_IH4OA8P6YNuG8gp4D8OrViShQfmQgq3VjsCAYKQlmOHIFqGR1-7_7QBUfHhx7R4OvAgR-ItSFsB6-p2gyeDFpYHkSgsN_VVslaWheGuKBIGEFIS_BMYvKaYDwC8/s1600-h/IMG_1109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185742217016500722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeLvbgHllGK1oDvL_IH4OA8P6YNuG8gp4D8OrViShQfmQgq3VjsCAYKQlmOHIFqGR1-7_7QBUfHhx7R4OvAgR-ItSFsB6-p2gyeDFpYHkSgsN_VVslaWheGuKBIGEFIS_BMYvKaYDwC8/s320/IMG_1109.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bethany beyond the Jordan<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSBoP1_h0dpROW0vQ2HFOXXrKgFIhLEmtj2lWrJ7IG1-MrjH-PD_uYla_S6cf69ZaFibUW1Q_yz8boKCC41mJIwhbHuGa9vernQsSzhmg7TaDKDbHIHxYJk9XRHd4_Py29c5odVvfgZA/s1600-h/IMG_1145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185741607131144674" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSBoP1_h0dpROW0vQ2HFOXXrKgFIhLEmtj2lWrJ7IG1-MrjH-PD_uYla_S6cf69ZaFibUW1Q_yz8boKCC41mJIwhbHuGa9vernQsSzhmg7TaDKDbHIHxYJk9XRHd4_Py29c5odVvfgZA/s320/IMG_1145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />View from Mt. Nebo<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5yF5Gaa0qXIesjsthg1e4EyWmPr93LS9EHUmjuXzLRYEH_Vmj_9WphVcSfYCsRDeF1fKYfXFoIRPwwnM9W2jAvm49YqhOpDygcqb3DcJMxZgbcSdnGMNhVe4w4ITY6UZz9wcKrSU8OI/s1600-h/IMG_4545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185740937116246482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5yF5Gaa0qXIesjsthg1e4EyWmPr93LS9EHUmjuXzLRYEH_Vmj_9WphVcSfYCsRDeF1fKYfXFoIRPwwnM9W2jAvm49YqhOpDygcqb3DcJMxZgbcSdnGMNhVe4w4ITY6UZz9wcKrSU8OI/s320/IMG_4545.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Madaba mosaic map<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctHHoT6AxvT7R1hyphenhyphenRIDCg7FXT2Pop0St8HmpaMpVAjb1yj6lJ3fTimNHd0GaGcdf-rnBwrfI1Ywdlv27sM6Xev-bjWeBdn2SSPde2xwOQwTyHqKwdcXyOMSJG1qTLr5FPegCz1-L_QWA/s1600-h/IMG_4560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185740395950367170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctHHoT6AxvT7R1hyphenhyphenRIDCg7FXT2Pop0St8HmpaMpVAjb1yj6lJ3fTimNHd0GaGcdf-rnBwrfI1Ywdlv27sM6Xev-bjWeBdn2SSPde2xwOQwTyHqKwdcXyOMSJG1qTLr5FPegCz1-L_QWA/s320/IMG_4560.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Amman Beach Resort on the Dead Sea<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCLZqRm7zrPeb7CDm6IV_D46Ivmg6143-aH-00jJYq8uxnpjmWBNFhGxc-b3vc45GpWUMN_xpt0ghwON2uDxZxuXvOMiibGtJZbrbeMJ8na_odGfq6MSv7Gd1smxP7BGy85XU-qX3gfU/s1600-h/IMG_4621.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185739970748604850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCLZqRm7zrPeb7CDm6IV_D46Ivmg6143-aH-00jJYq8uxnpjmWBNFhGxc-b3vc45GpWUMN_xpt0ghwON2uDxZxuXvOMiibGtJZbrbeMJ8na_odGfq6MSv7Gd1smxP7BGy85XU-qX3gfU/s320/IMG_4621.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Jerash Castle - Oval Plaza</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH19wSX8MUCPnZUUSKBfHPhiX7FDVLNwg3h6m_pF9GuFsiSNytzjKQwATuQOfTJfg14k22N7H1RbgM3VKvKxk5Pjuh3fesNFTxq6UPSymIQx5VgiLu-r6MPpbYdXG_vobYQCt0yfJjnc/s1600-h/IMG_1227.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185739459647496610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvH19wSX8MUCPnZUUSKBfHPhiX7FDVLNwg3h6m_pF9GuFsiSNytzjKQwATuQOfTJfg14k22N7H1RbgM3VKvKxk5Pjuh3fesNFTxq6UPSymIQx5VgiLu-r6MPpbYdXG_vobYQCt0yfJjnc/s320/IMG_1227.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Donna and the Roman Centurian in the Hippodrome<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBECI-3mbC1o6dDQnXp0mb2-GrdTElidwGutDN0eyV7OF6i5kajIUkBKV-G3jLLIZ2IzS0Rr744wIId2Vh9ID3jGJXX3DmakbrAdZRtrjn5sty_Y-kaDIWaqO3wxLwMwuaTY4VCRBLkMM/s1600-h/IMG_4680.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185738188337176978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBECI-3mbC1o6dDQnXp0mb2-GrdTElidwGutDN0eyV7OF6i5kajIUkBKV-G3jLLIZ2IzS0Rr744wIId2Vh9ID3jGJXX3DmakbrAdZRtrjn5sty_Y-kaDIWaqO3wxLwMwuaTY4VCRBLkMM/s320/IMG_4680.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dale with the Gladiator<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3kUSNW-hITKJM9YUL_soDp25bEisUZjvbbSTSFoz-ppI3bqKPi-sujXzJud745RlrGP-oWanNF_KR72hnU5oraPpglG_8eIzJ3a970Gc6UA8PGyaw7rBe23rRDQqqDxIc-9HgeqE-EI/s1600-h/IMG_4686.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185737780315283842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3kUSNW-hITKJM9YUL_soDp25bEisUZjvbbSTSFoz-ppI3bqKPi-sujXzJud745RlrGP-oWanNF_KR72hnU5oraPpglG_8eIzJ3a970Gc6UA8PGyaw7rBe23rRDQqqDxIc-9HgeqE-EI/s320/IMG_4686.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ajlun Castle<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBVLWRAPXYnyKkuZxK-Kn4EccRB_ufne-k7HLD_TB97sKtcq6e4ry8IiJVeR-kLWR2UdCELT1Zz47-cCY5cNGtVnyMVPhfRMMEsqoDmDsKUhur6C3VK9wsCLDi8e4yN2udYd5eK8A3u8/s1600-h/IMG_4756.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185737453897769330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBVLWRAPXYnyKkuZxK-Kn4EccRB_ufne-k7HLD_TB97sKtcq6e4ry8IiJVeR-kLWR2UdCELT1Zz47-cCY5cNGtVnyMVPhfRMMEsqoDmDsKUhur6C3VK9wsCLDi8e4yN2udYd5eK8A3u8/s320/IMG_4756.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dale at Umm Qays<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-esxD0Ia6eV9d4Tkvj8nsluRe79KhuAxsAMWNAe-ssgPwEbQUcZSeQLbalDRBl49cJ6tViA90ihBaK1qe-qQqDocrnQu0zr1tf_rxg6e4XAPYQ2GRVMsy3Yw0HGoykVcBQiGxMF7aQ/s1600-h/IMG_4774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185736972861432162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1-esxD0Ia6eV9d4Tkvj8nsluRe79KhuAxsAMWNAe-ssgPwEbQUcZSeQLbalDRBl49cJ6tViA90ihBaK1qe-qQqDocrnQu0zr1tf_rxg6e4XAPYQ2GRVMsy3Yw0HGoykVcBQiGxMF7aQ/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Pella's archaelogical digs<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY0arY8cc9auI34ucn5H-3R7q2Ye4AFLxqaSqM3H2Pw35olL3wIEmtNwNGqFRrXWdoorfE_n2gOfdo4_p8sxAcszVz76-OjDjicgQAsb0I-8sGHGORarhwbg-M13nErN3PkGqxyfPbT4/s1600-h/IMG_1262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185736418810650962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY0arY8cc9auI34ucn5H-3R7q2Ye4AFLxqaSqM3H2Pw35olL3wIEmtNwNGqFRrXWdoorfE_n2gOfdo4_p8sxAcszVz76-OjDjicgQAsb0I-8sGHGORarhwbg-M13nErN3PkGqxyfPbT4/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />View from Karak Castle<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8WP43q0Q7jdxc9MFYhtyUp8993HTSRyXSmWWMs7F53yTD_L6B9K0HY7waW809HiyiqF5DYgM95y4NiQ0RCa-zYhFpd1fsEE0fLSl2S7oHKtExnk8dV9OGrI6NHYWxf4AddyHWe-U5Y/s1600-h/IMG_4811.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185735534047387970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8WP43q0Q7jdxc9MFYhtyUp8993HTSRyXSmWWMs7F53yTD_L6B9K0HY7waW809HiyiqF5DYgM95y4NiQ0RCa-zYhFpd1fsEE0fLSl2S7oHKtExnk8dV9OGrI6NHYWxf4AddyHWe-U5Y/s320/IMG_4811.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Entrances to passages at Karak Castle<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GdEPv0ibKj-2pGfHyp4PD3uXHohKd5sKARyTuf4acpLN65ktIu2mWeVV-B7aZ3mhKH0ZU7VMxQqN7z91dJwFqWKeB9mFUJ5QtEZCLhdySzLY3IA-TpIiZ7O8Tu3-cbUxpOIwe0CPBSE/s1600-h/IMG_4855.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185727459508871458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GdEPv0ibKj-2pGfHyp4PD3uXHohKd5sKARyTuf4acpLN65ktIu2mWeVV-B7aZ3mhKH0ZU7VMxQqN7z91dJwFqWKeB9mFUJ5QtEZCLhdySzLY3IA-TpIiZ7O8Tu3-cbUxpOIwe0CPBSE/s320/IMG_4855.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Wadi Rum - lunch in the Bedouin Tent before the tour in the 4x4 jeep<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8wWBM4CBsByZFE8DNqwhmbJmy2A51l2x1jdyXJ9HRZSLQM73tGYXqGlZovIM9ri2wqskdax6_6tcIWQKd7IIc1CpHvu5ekAvX2lN8e8eMlziRX-xSwe8bTkDkeE_ggMH3lBywwgR8IQ/s1600-h/IMG_4871.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185726931227894034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8wWBM4CBsByZFE8DNqwhmbJmy2A51l2x1jdyXJ9HRZSLQM73tGYXqGlZovIM9ri2wqskdax6_6tcIWQKd7IIc1CpHvu5ekAvX2lN8e8eMlziRX-xSwe8bTkDkeE_ggMH3lBywwgR8IQ/s320/IMG_4871.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With the camels at Wadi Rum<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcIHuUEL9vDvpKQFClpnTodvH-0fHty_6JeLgJvAiIZqVV8qOjbwk0XPS_gyqF7aLAbBVsgxSsixa-dv6Ka84BX1EXJtvcD6onDf3XymfI-ZGLyJHnfmmnmk1RAw1Hsl39_NX1VAmZ80/s1600-h/IMG_4952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185726308457636098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcIHuUEL9vDvpKQFClpnTodvH-0fHty_6JeLgJvAiIZqVV8qOjbwk0XPS_gyqF7aLAbBVsgxSsixa-dv6Ka84BX1EXJtvcD6onDf3XymfI-ZGLyJHnfmmnmk1RAw1Hsl39_NX1VAmZ80/s320/IMG_4952.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Entrance to Lawrence of Arabia's cave<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZvYT9xw-_0fts5ZKSfWQ9jPBJucNgI2WTvDCW9kY4lZ3IRXs09Xl1Czr-dnaP9oSxPsFcM2o8IEiKly7nnkI-iwRJF06nQJi08k7JW0ouIQMxctEGkTwmbUKhN_R0DYfmr_kH88nDwE/s1600-h/IMG_4889.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185725913320644850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZvYT9xw-_0fts5ZKSfWQ9jPBJucNgI2WTvDCW9kY4lZ3IRXs09Xl1Czr-dnaP9oSxPsFcM2o8IEiKly7nnkI-iwRJF06nQJi08k7JW0ouIQMxctEGkTwmbUKhN_R0DYfmr_kH88nDwE/s320/IMG_4889.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Wadi Rum<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-j28fLIR1oj7m0WdclAr2mqG7KGLIQhBBQVVjX_WgtMBqXkzKeUwY2-KVKebQ8gZDAvZ8EYcHWGApDg5c8XXlYsmfGnA_9fxDdHKUALEEO6M4RvloPWV3rfYhQilG413dUG_BM_ZtuY/s1600-h/IMG_5145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185725565428293858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-j28fLIR1oj7m0WdclAr2mqG7KGLIQhBBQVVjX_WgtMBqXkzKeUwY2-KVKebQ8gZDAvZ8EYcHWGApDg5c8XXlYsmfGnA_9fxDdHKUALEEO6M4RvloPWV3rfYhQilG413dUG_BM_ZtuY/s320/IMG_5145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Qasr Al-Kharrana, 8th Century Desert Castle<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amman<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzMvUt005QNgh-jfUMfTJdbCpgFdtNGVZkLtREJivE6GWqvZms3engdtW4OB6xtPXHO6zIyoqzGN5vbXwt-DrGo4Y3YarKKKZb_3vV4KPXiRVGsK3vbTay4dEZxcw6mRytJW_2t6S3U8/s1600-h/IMG_5234.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185724989902676178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzMvUt005QNgh-jfUMfTJdbCpgFdtNGVZkLtREJivE6GWqvZms3engdtW4OB6xtPXHO6zIyoqzGN5vbXwt-DrGo4Y3YarKKKZb_3vV4KPXiRVGsK3vbTay4dEZxcw6mRytJW_2t6S3U8/s320/IMG_5234.JPG" border="0" /></a> Just returned from a 5-day trip to Jordan. We got a taste of it last November when we went to Petra; had thought of going back sooner but the hassle of crossing the border was somewhat of a deterrent. However, being better prepared for it, we decided not to let that keep us from seeing the sights we were interested in while we’re so close. So, we resigned ourselves to the 4-hour trip from Jerusalem to Amman--which should take no more than an hour and a half--, the numerous checkpoints, exit and entrance fees, and line-ups; and made our arrangements.<br /><br />We arrived on Friday at about noon and after settling in, hooked up with Mohammad Ali (no, not Cassius Clay), a taxi driver who spoke some English, and ended up hiring him each day to take us to the places we wanted to see.<br /><br />On the way to Bethany beyond the Jordan, we drove past Elijah’s Hill where the Prophet Elijah ascended into heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and could see the monastery that attracted pilgrims well into the medieval period. John the Baptist lived in Bethany beyond the Jordan and it was there that he baptized Jesus in the early 1st century A.D. (John 1:28)<br /><br />At Madaba, “the City of Mosaics”, in the Greek Orthodox church of St. George, we saw the wonderfully vivid 6th century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. With two million pieces of coloured stone and a full 25x5 metres in its original state, most of which can still be seen today, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far away as the Nile Delta.<br /><br />Ten minutes away is Mount Nebo where Moses is buried and from which he saw the Promised Land—the vast panorama that encompasses the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem--that he was not allowed to enter. It is considered the most revered holy site in Jordan.<br /><br />We ended Friday’s tour with a peaceful and relaxing couple of hours at the Amman Tourist Beach resort on the Dead Sea. Although we didn’t have swimwear with us, we enjoyed wandering around and then, over a cappuccino, watched families and visitors frolic in the wonderful pools and amenities that the resort had to offer.<br /><br />Saturday’s itinerary took us to the ancient city of Jerash/Jarash/Gerasa which boasts of an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6500 years. The city’s golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now generally considered to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world with its theatres, paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, public squares and plazas, towers, and gates, etc. At the hippodrome, we enjoyed the performances of the “Roman Army and Chariot Race”, complete with ten gladiators fighting “to the death”!<br /><br />Ajlun Castle is a fine example of Islamic architecture. Imposingly built on a mountain top by Saladin’s general in 1184 A.D., it dominated the three main routes leading to the Jordan valley and protected the communication routes between Jordan and Syria.<br />Umm Qays was the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Gadarene swine. Here we explored the ruins of the ancient city once referred to as “a new Athens” with its black basalt theatre, colonnaded main street, and had it been less hazy, a spectacular view of the JordanValley, the Sea of Galilee, Syria, and the Golan Heights.<br /><br />We ended the day at Pella, a favourite of archaeologists with its excavated ruins from the Graeco-Roman period, the remains of a Chalcolithic settlement from the 4th millennium B.C., remains of Bronze and Iron Age walled cities, Byzantine churches and houses, an early Islamic residential quarter, and a small medieval mosque.<br /><br />An early start on Sunday began a 3-hour drive to Wadi Rum, stopping on the way to see the dark maze of stone-vaulted and endless passageways of the great Crusader castle of Karak which fell to Saladin in 1188. Wadi Rum is the classic picture of sandy desert, with sandstone jabals (mountains) rising sheer out of the valley floor. This is the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I and where the 1962 movie “Lawrence of Arabia” starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guiness and Omar Sharif was filmed.<br /><br />Our last day of touring took us to the desert castles of Qasr (castle) Al-Hallabat, Qasr Hamman As-Sarh, Al-Azraq, Qasr’Amra, Qasr Al-Kharrana, and Qasr Al-Mushatta where they stand as a testament to the flourishing beginnings of Islamic-Arab civilization. Built mostly under the Umayyads (661-750 A.D.), these seemingly isolated pavilions, caravan stations, secluded baths, and hunting lodges were at one time integrated agricultural or trading complexes located on extensive and elaborately irrigated farmlands. The design and architecture of each castle is unique.<br /><br />We concluded the day with a tour of Amman, the capital of Jordan. A city of contrasts, it is a blend of old and new, with modern buildings in the heart of the city rubbing shoulders with its much older past.<br /><br />We caught of glimpse of the palace of King Abdullah 11, where he resides with his wife, Queen Rania, and their 4 children. From the Citadel which includes the Umayyad Palace complex (720-750 A.D.), the Temple of Hercules (161-180 A.D.), and the Byzantine Church (6th or 7th century A.D.), we got a panoramic view of the city. Downtown is the restored Roman Theatre (2nd century A.D.), the Roman Forum, Nymphaeum (ornamental gardens and public fountains), and the Grand Husseini Mosque built on the site of an older mosque from the Umayyad period.<br /><br />Thus concluded a memorable visit to a fascinating part of the cradle of civilization— although we both agree that we’ve seen enough castles for quite some time!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-63176121778219380542008-03-24T02:21:00.000-07:002008-03-26T14:40:43.116-07:00The RESURRECTION of OUR LORD: SUNRISE WORSHIP<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8GaOtNKsSfQgVNJ-9r3OMM5WQE5bcoFiBFWEVNXF55fNRCocsucSHp3ZVOTgkUAlIXi4YP19SIKzST5ypgvmBNa2b3XO8h24GzUm1YQzHNcMsYNQPNhY4mXvKTltYAPMHsxW3oEJ3xk/s1600-h/IMG_4385.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181243861544198338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8GaOtNKsSfQgVNJ-9r3OMM5WQE5bcoFiBFWEVNXF55fNRCocsucSHp3ZVOTgkUAlIXi4YP19SIKzST5ypgvmBNa2b3XO8h24GzUm1YQzHNcMsYNQPNhY4mXvKTltYAPMHsxW3oEJ3xk/s320/IMG_4385.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dale assisted by Pastor Karl Reko of the ELCA<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaoAyINFaHdfePETz3zPS9rGTnNfTDpXz7yNNM507pDWJblGXdbiG4jN1T21Sl5_ZzFkIW5tzTcD_6mPaZVr9HLOQdIDe_4KeR-sbsAlgSe_e700DvvmOBMN4w-HS0B0CWH4irH5Jw4Y/s1600-h/IMG_4395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181243509356880050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaoAyINFaHdfePETz3zPS9rGTnNfTDpXz7yNNM507pDWJblGXdbiG4jN1T21Sl5_ZzFkIW5tzTcD_6mPaZVr9HLOQdIDe_4KeR-sbsAlgSe_e700DvvmOBMN4w-HS0B0CWH4irH5Jw4Y/s320/IMG_4395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TzSAs9hAFfKQMssHSEYbHy9VhPcmVv6qTz24vbuFfx6_xUMvajtXWk-yrFpfNRnYfBS8cSbBAVRCuAcv56zf27fcd-Rdp8Fs_i7ztexpAGsEd7RNpafZaoci7-lFfGho2MppqTtQCyY/s1600-h/IMG_4396.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181242955306098850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TzSAs9hAFfKQMssHSEYbHy9VhPcmVv6qTz24vbuFfx6_xUMvajtXWk-yrFpfNRnYfBS8cSbBAVRCuAcv56zf27fcd-Rdp8Fs_i7ztexpAGsEd7RNpafZaoci7-lFfGho2MppqTtQCyY/s320/IMG_4396.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabdy0F3Nk1RvR4rrsTBd27ROMwnTvytQ_L_cLCRXH9Cnfivx59EdiKsOAsOMn6HD1UDg7zt-oTf9k4MOhIGP15s1Zk2hN-hm9lgj2WhmnXT0JWbIK5t40UiksuE61GAt-3-pH0aV6Gpo/s1600-h/IMG_4397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181242667543290002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabdy0F3Nk1RvR4rrsTBd27ROMwnTvytQ_L_cLCRXH9Cnfivx59EdiKsOAsOMn6HD1UDg7zt-oTf9k4MOhIGP15s1Zk2hN-hm9lgj2WhmnXT0JWbIK5t40UiksuE61GAt-3-pH0aV6Gpo/s320/IMG_4397.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTlJEwOIw6MoS0NVZNP7iPLte9V_Eqdh3985Op3jnN-GRXKijqCf_BhDuViqmfJjgfxhl3yC30c2957Z64hTUCc61QZK81kwYvu71ST3R97QnKJxSYNIoquK1kTNGn3YoJUgj_D4TWBc/s1600-h/IMG_4399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181242006118326402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTlJEwOIw6MoS0NVZNP7iPLte9V_Eqdh3985Op3jnN-GRXKijqCf_BhDuViqmfJjgfxhl3yC30c2957Z64hTUCc61QZK81kwYvu71ST3R97QnKJxSYNIoquK1kTNGn3YoJUgj_D4TWBc/s320/IMG_4399.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYd1sLtMHx96XkupwCFlRaQOITga2FvJQiFvQfh4g0vpj7Hwo-zyxXmgHayi43eR6RLCUNUWoQd0agk0PqDZQnADhBQ_K3A0RBzU1ftrzhVaIRtmGeW5GX_4tRdx1vupdqGL7f7Ol1CM/s1600-h/IMG_4405.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181241559441727602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYd1sLtMHx96XkupwCFlRaQOITga2FvJQiFvQfh4g0vpj7Hwo-zyxXmgHayi43eR6RLCUNUWoQd0agk0PqDZQnADhBQ_K3A0RBzU1ftrzhVaIRtmGeW5GX_4tRdx1vupdqGL7f7Ol1CM/s320/IMG_4405.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYt-0AyhRCkjnW7kHjEgyYOT3mjn4KckralziKj_r5X-q498YjyQzQI23Lru1ItH_3QWNUi93Sob934bwD-MCmjHmDirRC0CDyTv1RKddcQV7vil5YjDsUGUKik7MrAkstqF163JCBmY/s1600-h/IMG_4408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181241125650030690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYt-0AyhRCkjnW7kHjEgyYOT3mjn4KckralziKj_r5X-q498YjyQzQI23Lru1ItH_3QWNUi93Sob934bwD-MCmjHmDirRC0CDyTv1RKddcQV7vil5YjDsUGUKik7MrAkstqF163JCBmY/s320/IMG_4408.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Pastor Judith Williams's daughter and family with Stockwell Day.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOw2YJXEQ0WsnrMzUqpbVwrCjj5pDdKyRhEPSA4kEeiWmgrG8vxkJNKLiaWp_gQtl2mxuqcEFprTsxTM2a2gKoOxOi9ZZXk0BZnk6siH3prdL_Gir7go67bC1rhlzwW3oAjWjLyw2HWk/s1600-h/IMG_4412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181240554419380306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOw2YJXEQ0WsnrMzUqpbVwrCjj5pDdKyRhEPSA4kEeiWmgrG8vxkJNKLiaWp_gQtl2mxuqcEFprTsxTM2a2gKoOxOi9ZZXk0BZnk6siH3prdL_Gir7go67bC1rhlzwW3oAjWjLyw2HWk/s320/IMG_4412.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Easter Breakfast at the Brown's</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVf7AzYDfmnNEPnIMr1JNTbgYppDslVfQnZQB0riVZMMTGSADzpE57QtoaSG8jzZFK3DdCcsYlRpGAsOw_kKWrrSb7dMyGhphlqs5wLRk17j2A7q3gQVh65yFV66Pcrl2VJlfeCP9DGQ/s1600-h/IMG_4431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181240154987421762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVf7AzYDfmnNEPnIMr1JNTbgYppDslVfQnZQB0riVZMMTGSADzpE57QtoaSG8jzZFK3DdCcsYlRpGAsOw_kKWrrSb7dMyGhphlqs5wLRk17j2A7q3gQVh65yFV66Pcrl2VJlfeCP9DGQ/s320/IMG_4431.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bishop Younan preaching at the joint Arabic-English 9:00 a.m. service at the Church of the Redeemer<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ia00L9bB4UVrGKDOELXkoFpnNb-3WKWxUrMP1KhaEKautjcywlMCwlGwvXesJO7_e5YkPIybh8kg1hh3WcY1fDBahST8vmNxJ_W3V6r5lD9BJrmfhpF4xokyRGdkgjSFHN1HWT3GFEk/s1600-h/Israeli+soldiers+blocking+the+entrance+to+the+Garden+Tomb.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181239712605790258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ia00L9bB4UVrGKDOELXkoFpnNb-3WKWxUrMP1KhaEKautjcywlMCwlGwvXesJO7_e5YkPIybh8kg1hh3WcY1fDBahST8vmNxJ_W3V6r5lD9BJrmfhpF4xokyRGdkgjSFHN1HWT3GFEk/s320/Israeli+soldiers+blocking+the+entrance+to+the+Garden+Tomb.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Entrance to the Garden Tomb<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Easter Sunday was a memorable day in many ways. First of all, on Saturday morning, Mark Holman, pastor of the English speaking congregation at Redeemer, called me and asked me to preach and preside at the sunrise service. He had been fighting a strep infection all week and realized on Saturday morning that it was getting the best of him. So, I was on! Saturday wasn’t quite as relaxing as I had expected.<br /><br />We gathered at 5:15 am. Our congregation holds its sunrise service in a small stone amphitheatre just to the southeast of AVH on the edge of the Mount of Olives looking east toward the Dead Sea and the mountains of Jordan. The mountains prevent us from seeing the first light of dawn, but rather we are bathed in a more general light that gets brighter as the sun begins to rise above the mountain peaks.<br /><br />Mark had already prepared a sermon. He told me that I could do as I pleased with it or dispense with it completely. It was a fine sermon. Fortuitously Mark and I are in concert regarding the political situation here in the West Bank, and neither of us hesitates to expression his opinion. So I took advantage of Mark’s preparation, made a few minor changes and additions to make it sound “Dale”, and preached it. I have attached the sermon to this post.<br /><br />Our Easter sunrise congregation was comprised of regular congregants, numerous expats, students from Hebrew University just down the road on Mount Scopus, and a major surprise! Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, was there representing PM Harper and the Canadian government.<br /><br />After worship, we all crossed the street to Mark and Susanne Brown’s home for Easter breakfast. Mr. Day joined us. The temperature had climbed into the mid 20’s C and the sun was shining. It was only 7 am. The earliest and hottest Easter in memory, I was told.<br /><br />At 9 am the English speaking congregation joined the Arabic congregation at Redeemer where Dale assisted in serving communion. Bishop Younan preached in Arabic and summarized in English.<br /><br />After the 9 am worship we walked a few steps to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and took a peek at the crowds around Jesus’ tomb, and then walked through the suq an out the Damascus Gate to the other place on Nablus Road where some say that Jesus was buried – the Garden Tomb. The crowds were impossible and the Israelis had blocked the entrance so the pilgrims had to enter single file. That was our Easter morning!<br /><br />What a joy it was to preside and preach at the Easter Sunrise Worship, and what a blessing to do it all here in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">SERMON: “Look Not In, But Out”<br /><br />(prepared by Pastor Mark Holman, and edited and preached by Pastor Dale Finch)<br /><br />Through early morning darkness, they made their way to the sepulcher. The two Mary’s simply needed to “look in” on the scene. They had been there when the tomb was sealed but they just needed to look in on the burial site, much the way many of us have done on our first return to the grave of someone we love. Was everything all right, they wondered? Were all things as they left them? Had it all been real – the grief, the pain, the loss?<br /><br />The last thing they were expecting was that the whole world had been shaken to its core. Perhaps the rumbling earthquake was a clue. But then, such tremors are not that rare here in Jerusalem. We’ve had a few minor ones in the last few months. Expecting nothing more than a sealed tomb, the two Mary’s trudged in darkness to the vault.<br /><br />But, the women soon discovered, the whole world - more than that - the whole cosmos had changed. And for the rest of their lives – and the lives of all believers to come – they would be looking, not in, but out!<br />Most of us have heard the Easter stories from the four gospel writers so many times that we’ve blurred the four into one composite. The women coming to prepare Jesus’ body – Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the gardener who was really Jesus - Peter & the beloved disciple running to the tomb – Mary Magdalene sent by the risen Christ to announce the Good News.<br /><br />But, today’s account from Matthew is different and more pointed - it deserves consideration on its own. Let me mention just two of the unique elements in Matthew’s account.<br /><br />First, only Matthew tells of the women’s instant recognition of the Resurrected Lord. Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene immediately fell to Jesus’ feet and worshipped him. No longer was he merely son and friend, but Lord and Savior.<br /><br />Second, in Matthew’s account, we hear the unique instructions pointing to Galilee. First the angel, and then Jesus urged them, “Go, tell the disciples to go to Galilee.” That’s where the believers would see him.<br />Reflecting upon this last point, Dr. Deborah Krause , professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary wrote:<br /><br />When the angel’s direction is read in the context of the whole gospel story, Galilee seems less a specific place than it is a direction to a particular kind of ministry. Galilee is the place of Jesus’ ministry to the “least.” There he crossed over the boundaries that separated the clean from the unclean. There he ate with the tax collectors and sinners and proclaimed all of God’s children holy. It is to this activity that Mary and Mary are to direct Jesus’ disciples. It is in the mission of Galilee that the disciples and all of Jesus’ followers will see the risen Lord.<br /><br /><br />I know that the gathering of worshippers on this spot at Easter sunrise has become a tradition for our congregation and community. Before first light we leave our customary place of worship – just 60 paces from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - to gather here on the Mount of Olives. From this highest point in East Jerusalem, on the campus of the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital, we come together in community looking East and awaiting the new day.<br />We greet one another with “He has risen! Alleluia! He has risen indeed!”<br />This drama, played out every Easter morning, serves as a small but important<br />testament to God’s message that death has no power over life. We remember that<br />first morning when the earth shook and the whole Cosmos was forever changed.<br /><br />It is a thrilling Easter worship experience; yet, in many ways, the sunlit view from the Mount of Olives is pretty much the same as yesterday. Just like yesterday, before the sunlight hits the Mount of Olives, the beams have to go across the imposing Ma’ale Adummim, the largest of the illegal Israeli settlements built on confiscated Palestinian land. This settlement, housing over 30,000 Israeli settlers, has been built in violation of international law and many United Nations resolutions.<br /><br />Today, the population of Christians in the Holy Land is shrinking in numbers. Christians now comprise less than 2% of the Palestinian population. It was close to 20% in 1948. The majority of remaining Christians (including Lutherans) are Palestinians whose religious roots go back many generations. An outsider looking in on today’s worshippers may wonder, “What is so new about this day? What are the signs that God’s gift of life has shaken off the clutches of death?”<br /><br />Also, same as yesterday, the imposing “Separation Wall” stands in plain view as it snakes across the land of the West Bank. This evil construction, sometimes towering 25 feet in the air, stands to separate family from family, worker from job, patient from hospital, farmer from field, and parishioner from church and mosque.<br /><br />This barrier uncoiling across the landscape is so formidable, that only an earthquake – or the Easter power of God – could shake its foundation and stop its creeping path across the land and its long-established communities.<br /><br />What really has changed? What sustains peoples’ Easter hope of new life?<br /><br />In Mohammed Alatar’s fine film, “The Iron Wall” there are many voices of people suffering oppression and striving for justice in Palestine. One man, Samean Khoury, from the Palestinian Forum for Peace and Democracy, speaks of his hope seen through the eyes of faith and with a long view of history. Despite his years in prison, despite the current hardships of the Palestinian people, despite loss upon loss, he holds fast to hope saying, “It is hard to be optimistic, given the circumstances we live under. However, I am optimistic. One day we will be free. I have no doubt about it. Definitely, one day we will be free. No doubt whatsoever.”<br /><br />As we believers gather on the Mount of Olives today, let’s not dwell either on this momentary sunrise well-being, or yesterday’s powerlessness. Let’s remember the voices of the angel and the Risen Lord: “Tell the others, and go to Galilee.”<br />Trusting in the long view of God’s salvation history, believers today – here and abroad – roll up their sleeves and, through concrete acts of mercy and justice, join in the unfolding of God’s new day of life.<br /><br />If we were to walk just one hundred paces Southward. We would have another remarkable view. We would gaze across 15 dunums (about 4 acres) of land that will soon be the construction site for the Mount of Olives Housing Project located on this campus of the Lutheran World Federation. This project will provide 84 apartments for Palestinian Christians – Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical - who will form a new community that is not fractured by the separation wall. This community will provide safe, secure and reasonably-priced living quarters for Palestinian Christians who, without it, would have no choice but to leave Jerusalem.<br />With the generous financial support of several European national church bodies, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as well as of congregations and individuals worldwide, the Lutheran World Federation hopes to break ground for this project in 2009.<br /><br />Support of this project is just one way for the faithful to heed the risen Christ’s command to “go into Galilee” his work of bringing justice to oppressed people.<br /><br />About 500 CE theologian John Chrysostom ended an Easter homily like this:<br /><br />First and last alike, receive your reward<br />Rich and poor, rejoice together!<br />Conscientious and lazy, celebrate the day!<br />You who have kept the fast, and you who have not,<br />Rejoice this day, for the table is bountifully spread!<br />Feast royally for the calf is fatted<br />Let no one go away hungry<br />Partake, all, of the banquet of faith.<br />Enjoy the bounty of the Lord’s goodness!<br />Then, dear friends, filled with God’s grace, go into Galilee and finish the work that Jesus started.<br /><br />AL-MASIH QAM – HAKKAN QAM</div><br /><div align="left">CHRIST IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">PS: Please see our Easter article in the Kitchener Record <a href="http://news.therecord.com/Life/faith/article/326174">http://news.therecord.com/Life/faith/article/326174</a></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-55340421994739360392008-03-24T02:16:00.000-07:002008-03-24T02:20:45.581-07:00Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-18168434547711957032008-03-22T06:42:00.000-07:002008-03-22T08:46:04.302-07:00MAUNDY THURSDAY & GOOD FRIDAY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7X_bGN6FMpNAXwbf8LboUOLhqo55yfWgn5VgYPOctlE_TFfPKG1ulaPgtgLcOzw1g_NsIblQie9NrZeQ9xq0SleLwQhlfXBDrR19d_mY4GrMJrZAP_mi8NPse4RK9JO-t1ivzNz5ZJw/s1600-h/IMG_1043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180568456462065698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7X_bGN6FMpNAXwbf8LboUOLhqo55yfWgn5VgYPOctlE_TFfPKG1ulaPgtgLcOzw1g_NsIblQie9NrZeQ9xq0SleLwQhlfXBDrR19d_mY4GrMJrZAP_mi8NPse4RK9JO-t1ivzNz5ZJw/s320/IMG_1043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3DQEcTyqd_f5pi9wI4TOKqo-8r7XOipJi-lzaXKFmnCNQUCWT0Y-POxE7ou9wkVYcfVfis4VY5X6Ge_ioLET7MvHriYdx_ewvj_EpOL6bF_GoK-iGuB5lRM2EQ8Q_NaJGgBiFo474HY/s1600-h/IMG_1044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180567722022658066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3DQEcTyqd_f5pi9wI4TOKqo-8r7XOipJi-lzaXKFmnCNQUCWT0Y-POxE7ou9wkVYcfVfis4VY5X6Ge_ioLET7MvHriYdx_ewvj_EpOL6bF_GoK-iGuB5lRM2EQ8Q_NaJGgBiFo474HY/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqF6wpi3mtMXVw_pPjKd2HVvyFuh2vAmrPpT_X73fKO82QPSteB4Xqf4eDUXQL6x-jErYnabgNyLfkVnnSF4mVIOC24VApvsoua4JpAAe0dWjJhnOtmER5UM7d4pet5tEKvW8zFQSQ_g/s1600-h/IMG_1049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180567013353054210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqF6wpi3mtMXVw_pPjKd2HVvyFuh2vAmrPpT_X73fKO82QPSteB4Xqf4eDUXQL6x-jErYnabgNyLfkVnnSF4mVIOC24VApvsoua4JpAAe0dWjJhnOtmER5UM7d4pet5tEKvW8zFQSQ_g/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5a65daQYozCbsHcruR5CY-5roBHhXCMDFS0c7mLLrf6fbtCkgC3QveEn00bjO6ApKCB543OVa9CB7X8oFc9FiMbYwTnWeSVE0whuGQujmDrmujobRjB4HE0fTMwL5iyxTwjXMXlo04M/s1600-h/IMG_1050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180566381992861682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5a65daQYozCbsHcruR5CY-5roBHhXCMDFS0c7mLLrf6fbtCkgC3QveEn00bjO6ApKCB543OVa9CB7X8oFc9FiMbYwTnWeSVE0whuGQujmDrmujobRjB4HE0fTMwL5iyxTwjXMXlo04M/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbPq3ksP_-5cNtVyjgoZzrk80WwA-sJL9-8ZSeqUg59ew7xBKiwgy4q6X4I4b310HaZyLLFwXAivaKYKfNRq-oppODR3LHSRBl_4hAKVxCBf4ViLuZeHYwmgKNmZlPLIf5GHIVlwFOkk/s1600-h/IMG_1068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180565724862865378" style="FLOAT: right; 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MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5diy9MHMMGnAVMn9q5zTjshVuGG81bWx020upJtEuCmVswUb_fbeHPDfS1A4_g8TxcxuPKJ08WMluezBReaQsKN5mRnAjXW3V2vr9MCJyid7CvNU0F1p9jMW7J2NRPJY-vY9vCYaLpQ/s320/IMG_4330.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Ee_jpeZgrFoeT24ktdPnQKGnzO7n8PXgl1FWPwZZYxLjEuJJam6VJdny_KVvVmuSGb2ZailnlOjyTx833sAPLK5loiqWenz8s0XRP9ck6YQ1nYhavqsduPh6zb3Xk4FwDo9sTkeiIY/s1600-h/IMG_4332.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180563762062811058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Ee_jpeZgrFoeT24ktdPnQKGnzO7n8PXgl1FWPwZZYxLjEuJJam6VJdny_KVvVmuSGb2ZailnlOjyTx833sAPLK5loiqWenz8s0XRP9ck6YQ1nYhavqsduPh6zb3Xk4FwDo9sTkeiIY/s320/IMG_4332.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WCO4Gg9sZkDbFfBMAoptHOTTJL3TyE1v3eNiHw5p2203CKvnIBFPvaKv4aqDEYNT0qpwglgOSC6wNJ-3Kk1A5F1CPbOXH5783kT-VXSzHn8-6h-AMgy48iHnkA-tWH8BJSr2adoUZJg/s1600-h/IMG_4335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180563092047912866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WCO4Gg9sZkDbFfBMAoptHOTTJL3TyE1v3eNiHw5p2203CKvnIBFPvaKv4aqDEYNT0qpwglgOSC6wNJ-3Kk1A5F1CPbOXH5783kT-VXSzHn8-6h-AMgy48iHnkA-tWH8BJSr2adoUZJg/s320/IMG_4335.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg62BPjmTdnq96jlOkglj8qGwFOxnEcLgavM6Lsx1ohUK2bWRiHFzu2FXjAinMFz6O51h-8SPwi6LiJHgtLkXR0A3KnYsxu-qnld-DUgEpg43ItdawaNo6W-9nIQyE1L3nM93fYPYR3-g/s1600-h/IMG_4356.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180562469277654930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg62BPjmTdnq96jlOkglj8qGwFOxnEcLgavM6Lsx1ohUK2bWRiHFzu2FXjAinMFz6O51h-8SPwi6LiJHgtLkXR0A3KnYsxu-qnld-DUgEpg43ItdawaNo6W-9nIQyE1L3nM93fYPYR3-g/s320/IMG_4356.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, one thing different from any other Holy Saturday, and from any other March 22 in my memory, is the temperature. It’s 29 degrees C. Each day of Holy Week has got just a bit warmer.<br /><br />There are other things that make this Holy Week different, apart from weather and celebrating it in Jerusalem. The continuing bombardment and blockade of Gaza which is like a gigantic concentration camp! Tension in Jerusalem because of the killing of the seven yeshiva students gunned down by a Palestinian gunman seeking revenge for the more than 100 civilians killed by the Israelis in Gaza, followed by the retaliation by Israeli soldiers gunning down 4 Palestinians in Bethlehem for no apparent reason other than being known as activitists! Such is life in this part of the world.<br /><br />It’s a melancholy week too. Our friends are leaving, or getting ready to leave. Shannon, who worked for Sabeel, left for the US on Friday. Susanne left last week. Kendra is leaving next week. Diana is returning to Germany next week. Our good friend Gillian is packing to leave in a few days. David, also with Sabeel, came back from Turkey expecting a 3-month visa but was given only a month to pack up and get out. Maybe he’ll be able to have it extended, but Sabeel is an organization that promotes liberation theology, and so probably not!<br /><br />Oh yes! March 20 was the Milad an Nabi (the prophet’s birthday) and so we experienced longer calls-to-prayer and more celebratory fireworks and music from the Muslim communities than usual. And the Jews celebrated Purim this weekend, dressing as devils and clowns and going just a little crazy as they remember what Esther did for the Jewish people during the Babylonian exile. Interesting ingredients in the Jerusalem Triduum mix!<br /><br />We gathered at Redeemer for the multilingual Maundy Thursday liturgy at 4:30 pm and then walked in procession through the suq to Lion’s Gate, and then across the Kidron Valley to St. Mary Magdalene Russian Orthodox Church on the western slope of the Mount of Olives just above the Garden of Gethsemane for final prayers.<br /><br />Up at 5 am on Good Friday to make it to the 1st Station of the Cross just inside St. Stephen’s gate by 6:30 am! Lutherans and Anglicans followed the Via Dolorosa, stopping at each of the first nine Stations for readings and prayers. The last five Stations are in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we could not go, and so we venerated the last five Stations in the few metres between Redeemer and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the completed the Good Friday liturgy in the Redeemer sanctuary.<br /><br />As we followed the Via Dolorosa, we were assailed with the activity and noises of an awakening suq, and jostled up against shops to make way for the various carts, some motorized, that bring goods to the vendors. We were just a curiosity! It must have been like that when Jewish carried his cross through the Old City. Just an interruption and curiosity to the people he was dying for! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-77227709436347626292008-03-19T06:39:00.000-07:002008-03-19T07:37:07.098-07:00PALM SUNDAY WHERE IT HAPPENED!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LoZc6pNCxc9l_mL9uO2KvCNW1hNypI6PebDJKnK0gN-8Pz4dtT2uNCp53Bpg_EHhkCdNHLlQ-blFQgLEvoN6k7HV8ra0xuTarWox0E8nkBve679JAPoB8c3eZ9y5Nbk8iKM82maHffI/s1600-h/IMG_4214.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179461534661487954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LoZc6pNCxc9l_mL9uO2KvCNW1hNypI6PebDJKnK0gN-8Pz4dtT2uNCp53Bpg_EHhkCdNHLlQ-blFQgLEvoN6k7HV8ra0xuTarWox0E8nkBve679JAPoB8c3eZ9y5Nbk8iKM82maHffI/s320/IMG_4214.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTKAA2tCTRRXOJWpJIUqbbukk_-CUw05ccz8p8rlN6rMNT6RR3rr8Lha0SnMNd-vzK-kJdP0Cn_nVvdWS5O_JupijzwQ-kbbtTkZmN_Ci7kx2IdBSwKrstGHakNkSVwT7E_dMsf6f9Bs/s1600-h/IMG_1028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179454263281855810" style="FLOAT: right; 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MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenuQ-1EjPJ5wSqT97pQatucGv9u9cGpvQQt3fBj7jyQ56hqrzkEy1xQXw5QE9o-gvNABBK92TKGKergm0Y6FKVIXZM2ExILH12jbOLdqEbMSKqtvU5Z78aS3kS2piy9B6drH6kXW38eE/s320/IMG_1004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyRDPoOg66vD_muuf89jXwq91H4qEpiSf3n72U0LBWnKrobCYj4XyWtDTDq9hYV00n0v3c8Dlin6VzDsdPjafYYimq0TZsNIRxSBYHxAdAEC5Has-hkf9uWOHzx8KRO8mYDlkEFDBej4/s1600-h/IMG_0998.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179448916047572178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGyRDPoOg66vD_muuf89jXwq91H4qEpiSf3n72U0LBWnKrobCYj4XyWtDTDq9hYV00n0v3c8Dlin6VzDsdPjafYYimq0TZsNIRxSBYHxAdAEC5Has-hkf9uWOHzx8KRO8mYDlkEFDBej4/s320/IMG_0998.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>Bethphage lies at the bottom of the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. That’s where Jesus asked his disciples to go find him a donkey to ride on as he made his way into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. It seems as if Jesus’ reputation as a miracle-worker had preceded him. I always had the feeling that the reception he got must have surprised him, but, of course, the Jews of Jesus’ time were looking for a messiah, and many of them thought Jesus was the one they were waiting for. So, they welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna”, believing him to be the great leader who would rally an army behind him and drive the occupying Romans out of Judea. How disappointed the Jews must have been when they heard Jesus’ message of peace and love of enemy.<br /><br />Bethphage was once upon a time an easy walk from Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus. Today the Israeli separation wall gets in the way. Bethany is outside the Jerusalem “bubble”, and Bethphage is inside. If Jesus and his friends had wanted to walk from Bethany to Bethphage this Palm Sunday, they would have had to go several kilometres out of their way to an Israeli checkpoint to present their travel permits. If they were living in the West Bank, they wouldn’t have got to Bethphage at all! West Bankers don’t get into Jerusalem unless they work there, and Jesus could not have claimed a place of employment.<br /><br />Palm Sunday 2008 was a beautiful, sunny day with a clear blue sky and a temperature in the low 20's. The procession began at Lazarus’s tomb in Bethany and got as far as the separation wall on the western edge of the town. It was for West Bank Palestinian Christians who are not permitted to enter Jerusalem. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Those of us on the Jerusalem side of the wall gathered at the Bethphage Church with its beautiful murals depicting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. There were hundreds of us pilgrims! We first jammed into the church to have our palm and olive branches blessed, and then we assembled outside to begin our ascent of the Mount of Olives.<br /><br />Beside the church the ruins of a house demolished by the Israeli authorities are a stark reminder of the Israeli occupation.<br /><br />Troupes of Palestinian brownies, cubs, scouts, and guides representing various Christian congregations led the procession, followed by vested clergy and community officials in their traditional garb. We were well guarded by gun-toting Israeli soldiers. We reached the top of the Mount of Olives just above Dominus Flevit and went down the west side past the Garden of Gethsemane. We crossed the Kidron Valley and entered Old Jerusalem through Lion’s Gate, ending the procession in the precincts of St. Anne Cathedral where a closing liturgy was read by the priests of St. Anne. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-81266738461387207622008-03-16T14:17:00.000-07:002008-03-16T14:34:30.902-07:00A MUST-READ!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboG-Y-0zFVEnUqxv2JpZ4SKszVb3Qkphodni-jZY7yVGEvyRDs5MCC99lYUubAlsKb1zsaMzhU3sdo661OZ1ed-cfDP3Y2HB2jjpkX67Ev3kgFtDACA1adod6mM9_x-7I0FnHBlPVqo0/s1600-h/IMG_0999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178453651866004658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgboG-Y-0zFVEnUqxv2JpZ4SKszVb3Qkphodni-jZY7yVGEvyRDs5MCC99lYUubAlsKb1zsaMzhU3sdo661OZ1ed-cfDP3Y2HB2jjpkX67Ev3kgFtDACA1adod6mM9_x-7I0FnHBlPVqo0/s320/IMG_0999.JPG" border="0" /></a>A recent house demolition in the West Bank, Palestinian territory,</div><div align="center">used by the Israelis to force Palestinians out of land they wish to occupy. </div><div align="left"><br />The book that I’m challenging you to read completely erased any lingering doubts I may have had about what has taken place here up to and after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Reeling from the guilt and horror of the holocaust, the world supported the wishes and demands of the Israeli Zionists, ignoring or showing indifference to their hidden agenda, and allowed the Palestinians to take the blame for being authors of their own fate and to be painted as terrorists. This book does not advocate anti-Semitism but it does clearly lay the blame for the situation here at the feet of Israeli policy and the indifference and lack of understanding of the rest of the world.<br /><br />In his book <em>The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine</em>, Dr. Ilan Pappe describes the attitude of the Palestinians to yet another conquest in 1947-8. “Over the centuries, the country had been passed from one hand to another, sometimes belonging to European or Asian invaders and sometimes to parts of Muslim empires. However, the peoples’ lives had continued more or less unchanged: they toiled the land or conducted their trade wherever they were, and quickly resigned themselves to the new situation until it changed once again. Hence, villagers and city dwellers alike waited patiently to see what it would mean to be part of either a Jewish state or any other new regime that might replace British rule. Most of them had no idea what was in store for them, that what was about to happen would constitute an unprecedented chapter in Palestine’s history: not a mere transition from one ruler to another, but the actual dispossession of the people living on the land.”<br /><br />The 1948 Israeli War of Independence involved one of the largest forced migrations in modern history. Around a million people were expelled from their homes at gunpoint, civilians were massacred, and hundreds of Palestinian villages destroyed. Denied for almost six decades, had it happened today it could only have been called “ethnic cleaning”.<br /><br />Ethnic cleansing is defined as expulsion by force in order to homogenise the ethnically mixed population of a particular region or territory. The purpose of expulsion is to cause the evacuation of as many residents as possible by all means at the expeller’s disposal. The end result of such acts is the creation of a refugee problem. Ethnic cleansing has come to be defined as a crime against humanity, punishable by international law. Ethnic cleansing continues here in the Holy Land today.<br /><br />In his groundbreaking book, renowned Israeli historian, Ilan Pappe, offers impressive archival evidence to demonstrate that, from its very inception, a central plank in Israel’s founding ideology was the forcible removal of the indigenous population, a strategy that continues to the present day. Dr. Pappe’s vivid and timely account sheds new light on the origins and development of the Palestine-Israel conflict, and is indispensable for anyone wanting to understand the situation in the Middle East.<br /><br />Dr. Pappe, formerly of the University of Haifa, and no longer welcome in his country as a result of his research, holds the Chair in History at the University of Exeter, and is the author of a number of influential books on the Middle East, including <em>A History of Modern Palestine</em>, <em>The Modern Middle East</em> and <em>The Israel/Palestine Question</em>. </div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-17705808760918142802008-03-05T05:52:00.000-08:002008-03-05T06:40:17.352-08:00GAZA: LET'S STOP THE CARNAGE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86iFIzo1ua2IKp1uQhp-qWBPHPln1nJWMeTHCPYnA6lYmiws0U8fM91emHcQIO8UoZ_xIwtjM0ZJfBjxW7d-MUrPUYebnThY5FSFQykKYxQ_Dxc6H-jPtoNVwIx7pdf2neRkcrq4onwo/s1600-h/IMG_0927.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174266898280634258" style="FLOAT: right; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz0NlyQQO9CV4qSejeGswa-fFzNTnVZGWVq29l0xeDjgzgdo9-Z4X_61db9C-sMvGnMvJWYTCeEOSnJHNhx1B9J4SsT1vwdmTPjKldbC4D_QOCx8uBScPtrpwxwhmt2C00xNOYjcPwUs/s320/IMG_0949.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKQnk7RE0E6RkjEdIXNwbk5QeGMoziZYj4FbRZraeSqy4WocvqX138AgoZlaT6RfJw_KdtyVRMqDKeROeTzapqqdM27MD_pk8XnF0qmtREqyr8J2GnqkAlpaxLeXjtQSRg1YFH34hCMo/s1600-h/IMG_0952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174259845944334034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKQnk7RE0E6RkjEdIXNwbk5QeGMoziZYj4FbRZraeSqy4WocvqX138AgoZlaT6RfJw_KdtyVRMqDKeROeTzapqqdM27MD_pk8XnF0qmtREqyr8J2GnqkAlpaxLeXjtQSRg1YFH34hCMo/s320/IMG_0952.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnYBLBnMvz6NI9q0lWjct8UJhEnIHX3753yF78i_m6XUjTPfvFhuZRC0KrvzoWXKNFJqG9H8RE_JXoKD6C5COoBiEdX1rF7SLA8DWIRqq27WvzSFfR7GjIfGUtm8pxX51auvO_ckL7w/s1600-h/IMG_0954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174259300483487426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnYBLBnMvz6NI9q0lWjct8UJhEnIHX3753yF78i_m6XUjTPfvFhuZRC0KrvzoWXKNFJqG9H8RE_JXoKD6C5COoBiEdX1rF7SLA8DWIRqq27WvzSFfR7GjIfGUtm8pxX51auvO_ckL7w/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy6crIW1gHDwqmIvBhdbDEAapMbcfq_rdaduTfRhrFIxy69abKV10GfXY0ErvJH4wKhODAq2VNE4BZLnrpcU27c-Im2ymjTF-kf0683A4cgyCm436_sZV_h9UTE1R0FifgJZvv-HEmAE/s1600-h/IMG_0955.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174258913936430770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy6crIW1gHDwqmIvBhdbDEAapMbcfq_rdaduTfRhrFIxy69abKV10GfXY0ErvJH4wKhODAq2VNE4BZLnrpcU27c-Im2ymjTF-kf0683A4cgyCm436_sZV_h9UTE1R0FifgJZvv-HEmAE/s320/IMG_0955.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIMHhCkrhkDq3Z5mhtQ_KAOo3j1AXXeyR-xiU33dbZ1c6yUsvCNIsxiH_updMdrUn1XqIg5EgXe7m7TdfPFTt5yIbu_5lckzR3CTDPa6im3xj6fPSsBTp4tKdMPhVKLbNUXRDDlqWeLc/s1600-h/IMG_0956.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174258510209504930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIMHhCkrhkDq3Z5mhtQ_KAOo3j1AXXeyR-xiU33dbZ1c6yUsvCNIsxiH_updMdrUn1XqIg5EgXe7m7TdfPFTt5yIbu_5lckzR3CTDPa6im3xj6fPSsBTp4tKdMPhVKLbNUXRDDlqWeLc/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkW7wMqx9V8rVOeclYvcXpkK9os4lAmONA8fwkwF4CyTZkYNUOHnlk_jJgaNxRt5oj5O3npVF3_OBXAeBLpY4Xca1RHdoW5HsqZqdSBSpsJ3eoRvkaI17ohiAZxjho24kVD71hJvQ2-Q/s1600-h/IMG_0957.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174257981928527506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkW7wMqx9V8rVOeclYvcXpkK9os4lAmONA8fwkwF4CyTZkYNUOHnlk_jJgaNxRt5oj5O3npVF3_OBXAeBLpY4Xca1RHdoW5HsqZqdSBSpsJ3eoRvkaI17ohiAZxjho24kVD71hJvQ2-Q/s320/IMG_0957.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD905EoORZzfjX4IU4IjYoQ5Da-kvR2hvoFrjEDb06nZAl-ofEnwjEWQSCaGfVwAwYMv_fer89qDicSe5lFdQ87hriHWDKOoyNY8S1ZzST12FUq9S_GDxFhHedL14YoXQJQQuwXSRM4eg/s1600-h/IMG_0959.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174257526661994114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD905EoORZzfjX4IU4IjYoQ5Da-kvR2hvoFrjEDb06nZAl-ofEnwjEWQSCaGfVwAwYMv_fer89qDicSe5lFdQ87hriHWDKOoyNY8S1ZzST12FUq9S_GDxFhHedL14YoXQJQQuwXSRM4eg/s320/IMG_0959.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Dale took part in a protest on March 3 against Israeli aggression in Gaza. Unrest is growing in East Jerusalem. There were demonstrations on Sunday at the Ramallah and Bethlehem checkpoints. Green Palestinian flags are appearing here and there in the city, and there was a tire-burning on the main street of At Tur just down the hill from AVH. There are reports of a Palestinian teen having been shot near Ramallah by an Israeli settler, and skirmishes and shooting at the Bethlehem checkpoint.<br /><br />On March 3 mounted Israeli policemen patrolled Sultan Suleiman Street at the Herod and Damascus Gates, and Salhadin St. was blocked by soldiers. Unrest continues to grow as the number of deaths among civilians continues to mount in Gaza. Tragically children have been among the almost 100 victims.<br /><br />Israeli ground forces have withdrawn from northern Gaza without being able to stop the firing of Kassam and a few Katusha rockets into the Israeli towns of Sderot and Ashkelon. Of course, Hamas is claiming victory, but what price glory with all the Palestinian dead! The Hamas rockets are homemade and inaccurate but the can be deadly, and cause panic among the Israeli population. The Israeli response was, and is, egregiously disproportionate, but Israel had to respond to the single Israeli civilian death in Sderot this past week for internal political reasons.<br /><br />Israeli claims that the bombardment will stop if the Hamas rockets stop. Why doesn’t Hamas stop and call Israel’s bluff in order to save innocent lives? But, even if the latter were to happen, Gaza is still a big concentration camp for Palestinians living in Gaza; Israel would still control exit and entry of people and goods, air space, and access to the Mediterranean. It wouldn’t take long for Palestinian frustration to reach a violent level again.<br /><br />The March 3 demonstration took place on the steps leading from Sultan Suleiman St. down to the Damascus gate. The demonstrators were mostly Palestinian women with a few of us expats mixed in. They shouted slogans and sang songs. We held up signs in Arabic and English that criticized Israeli aggression. Armed Israeli soldiers and police were present on the periphery of the constantly growing crowd, and toward the end of the demonstration a reinforcement of soldiers arrived with tear-gas masks in hand, but thankfully the Israelis kept their distance. The demonstrators made their point and went home.<br /><br />Canadians and Americans and Europeans need to get the message. The Palestinians are the victims here. Israel continues to flaunt international law and UN decisions as the land-grab and displacement of the Palestinian population continue. Only pressure from the West will make the Israelis “sit up and take notice”! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-87978623709895276142008-03-04T06:19:00.000-08:002008-03-04T07:25:30.420-08:00IMAD'S & SALIBA'S ORDINATION: AN HISTORIC OCCASION<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj272GdHh9-Kuqu0Zngf_gYIOIIz1EwFB5Gen1b7XVI-aI4gs687b2wEk4BCJPhGPDou6N2hVl-JYemXisNkuF9-M_DK1H900AvegoiPuMplqtYjxYX78g281mJlDj4kteNPRURmQ2R-QU/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173903431959155618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj272GdHh9-Kuqu0Zngf_gYIOIIz1EwFB5Gen1b7XVI-aI4gs687b2wEk4BCJPhGPDou6N2hVl-JYemXisNkuF9-M_DK1H900AvegoiPuMplqtYjxYX78g281mJlDj4kteNPRURmQ2R-QU/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" /></a> GETTING READY<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiYgz838z6iSw17BMG5d5BjQLVWcn2izhNCuDfgM3tZXvKat1J-6ksULGGQqOPxKp_KAMZKWOO4Z7Rtlq60DtEeMWKiCnWL7YpMr0LXFvoLI8ugiJn2eXjGCpqazY_H7qg5hb2H3c0rQ/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173902796303995794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiYgz838z6iSw17BMG5d5BjQLVWcn2izhNCuDfgM3tZXvKat1J-6ksULGGQqOPxKp_KAMZKWOO4Z7Rtlq60DtEeMWKiCnWL7YpMr0LXFvoLI8ugiJn2eXjGCpqazY_H7qg5hb2H3c0rQ/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewrJiHnP55K6kTqF164oifZBDET3SVUKQEgyFBx7bW73bSU-xF5FxVU4CjKl30cvWpyMLbjO9BNtdZBza5BnSrQ4yl7ZAfhGUub9CR6pM8xNU9UkuFxVkpgMc-mOnxwS36Y_LkQNV0M8/s1600-h/DSC_0041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173902195008574338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewrJiHnP55K6kTqF164oifZBDET3SVUKQEgyFBx7bW73bSU-xF5FxVU4CjKl30cvWpyMLbjO9BNtdZBza5BnSrQ4yl7ZAfhGUub9CR6pM8xNU9UkuFxVkpgMc-mOnxwS36Y_LkQNV0M8/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mark Holman, Mark Brown, Dale & Sr. Sylvia<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnBojmLQxeT_GmXssj813IyClbCuj_y6imYeD6aOOklOdyycMbn62-UMC7mkIvlXH_66QqKYeUBafzGU9qDUz055yOErMLT3QmI3jGaXBrULGiVZDP5i9QBDqtBbozWu0Mq9S2InegRg/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173901323130213234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnBojmLQxeT_GmXssj813IyClbCuj_y6imYeD6aOOklOdyycMbn62-UMC7mkIvlXH_66QqKYeUBafzGU9qDUz055yOErMLT3QmI3jGaXBrULGiVZDP5i9QBDqtBbozWu0Mq9S2InegRg/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnx8Z6Q-9H34Il3O8tscwHLvFf3cdlWuSilRzrCEsvdOSov3te6IO14600IsOzIrJn5i6AJ8CNH_u5nWPhD7zVSh8E-xcTF0hY4jCYlg7P3wu36av4EEZVNpYRLJTEnzcL1Haz4vTBks/s1600-h/DSC_0053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173900807734137698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnx8Z6Q-9H34Il3O8tscwHLvFf3cdlWuSilRzrCEsvdOSov3te6IO14600IsOzIrJn5i6AJ8CNH_u5nWPhD7zVSh8E-xcTF0hY4jCYlg7P3wu36av4EEZVNpYRLJTEnzcL1Haz4vTBks/s320/DSC_0053.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyX304gdWgsmYUIRe2JTZQsz4Z5SihcI4SjsVQCa6-h_upeXwcxPYZhWOn9DbumgdWUqnsOFcHxXBk7iWcNSV6SvzPnJLky4erXJ72yvhrJ8fr61Ny-2ckcszXanZmqFHO7VnFAr9O34/s1600-h/DSC_0068.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173900292338062162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyX304gdWgsmYUIRe2JTZQsz4Z5SihcI4SjsVQCa6-h_upeXwcxPYZhWOn9DbumgdWUqnsOFcHxXBk7iWcNSV6SvzPnJLky4erXJ72yvhrJ8fr61Ny-2ckcszXanZmqFHO7VnFAr9O34/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ordinands Saliba & Imad<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI4pdqQ3XchL2_6GUvfUe1K8NvvZgIBa9XkucRpQH6v8dr4sIDU_iZGyPBRJtMtCkCr6kzct4JYOGoqMeUoGruqG66UpyGE5jbFqEWMt-C_8qbFL0bp9hH4l0pwZrG3LYGehIV9_LBkA/s1600-h/DSC_0071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173900021755122498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwI4pdqQ3XchL2_6GUvfUe1K8NvvZgIBa9XkucRpQH6v8dr4sIDU_iZGyPBRJtMtCkCr6kzct4JYOGoqMeUoGruqG66UpyGE5jbFqEWMt-C_8qbFL0bp9hH4l0pwZrG3LYGehIV9_LBkA/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSHsjkDNrKETjnApZbV55RVuGGln09e_4W7B87_NLRi-M02toDmFxkaLs26l3YFq9Xs2lafNvXAFBLMsQqXmmL5P1ESaQy33WnpZcI08xVmchsshQsn-7EjJzPbQMdqVw2Vn6R4wNCB8/s1600-h/DSC_0078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173899480589243186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSHsjkDNrKETjnApZbV55RVuGGln09e_4W7B87_NLRi-M02toDmFxkaLs26l3YFq9Xs2lafNvXAFBLMsQqXmmL5P1ESaQy33WnpZcI08xVmchsshQsn-7EjJzPbQMdqVw2Vn6R4wNCB8/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Grandma who almost missed it<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OwBpHsFFbc-R7S3RA13zAAlV-2q4CxZ15FOe_NXr4D_eeaZMreuYhB9ev7b8OUr-QdWhSgIw3G2vgNylZnryKdWHvy3z84SRPGZHosxDOTpkPO9MJsDmi7mZuD1gBOATAu6MebKy04M/s1600-h/DSC_0090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173899283020747554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OwBpHsFFbc-R7S3RA13zAAlV-2q4CxZ15FOe_NXr4D_eeaZMreuYhB9ev7b8OUr-QdWhSgIw3G2vgNylZnryKdWHvy3z84SRPGZHosxDOTpkPO9MJsDmi7mZuD1gBOATAu6MebKy04M/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Celebrating their 1st Communion<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVocz-9CiArjKne_MtVod3h-M9Cd1dUrDz0YRUpOnXGG6dcm44VNvFXgQFaHNZlcz07Sf6dA6UgKOZSUivIWKwDbx13DS1SXZ2dq1tRhwG1aRb9KgmXd_Lnzdlb5bdUAiCA3gm7XLYpWA/s1600-h/DSC_0093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173898196394021650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVocz-9CiArjKne_MtVod3h-M9Cd1dUrDz0YRUpOnXGG6dcm44VNvFXgQFaHNZlcz07Sf6dA6UgKOZSUivIWKwDbx13DS1SXZ2dq1tRhwG1aRb9KgmXd_Lnzdlb5bdUAiCA3gm7XLYpWA/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH4DTXQNxcCdi-WRc5oQrAAtBCVrKaaKwVSNJxDZy_BBF7OorfigMcgf36wEbWJBdb49oaE8MjHj7mnncs5C-oEIUr-Z5oE2n6idyLThFN4Oil9RKAx0F2BbAzIU25VAqzL93xbybsyA/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173897543558992642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOH4DTXQNxcCdi-WRc5oQrAAtBCVrKaaKwVSNJxDZy_BBF7OorfigMcgf36wEbWJBdb49oaE8MjHj7mnncs5C-oEIUr-Z5oE2n6idyLThFN4Oil9RKAx0F2BbAzIU25VAqzL93xbybsyA/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A contemplative crucifer<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALOGfbdYo6yLRiy1DyVOqmhAYBoWFQrnKrcNoCR_CgmSLrpXI6NakyQ5ifh8IqNcKr7jrAVqn0tyXX69OSgCjlbzp6JoJ5Q-lxm_ZUB1sgGMuFXf-pxO4_gAupxmk6Q_KaLg6s54pjU0/s1600-h/IMG_0919.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173896972328342258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALOGfbdYo6yLRiy1DyVOqmhAYBoWFQrnKrcNoCR_CgmSLrpXI6NakyQ5ifh8IqNcKr7jrAVqn0tyXX69OSgCjlbzp6JoJ5Q-lxm_ZUB1sgGMuFXf-pxO4_gAupxmk6Q_KaLg6s54pjU0/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />About to cut the Ordination cake<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGJzLgzD_5GrcHXbVZdMGgd4G3MggELCian9sn8amrcde2wQ1ySwD4Fof9k9bGfpwxDoALbMRL2Mh_iL9HGe8vEbyqbCWIx2iE9ugTqORm7Ib7XE3oVZpu7eOsb-Fpy7_eRdLCAjizr8/s1600-h/DSC_0105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173896298018476770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGJzLgzD_5GrcHXbVZdMGgd4G3MggELCian9sn8amrcde2wQ1ySwD4Fof9k9bGfpwxDoALbMRL2Mh_iL9HGe8vEbyqbCWIx2iE9ugTqORm7Ib7XE3oVZpu7eOsb-Fpy7_eRdLCAjizr8/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGyFhNL7Iy-HhjeXGrVtqcnb586Fh22jRgjXvVZQaeuRnuz2S_8ruxguJIJHr4lfK9JN-GUe-FhQbzyh2Ou15T_5-e5D1fNmso5Q-x2tm0RY-nDitpdqDEP5L7bD-_UrQOe09ebtF1Y/s1600-h/DSC_0106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173895731082793682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGyFhNL7Iy-HhjeXGrVtqcnb586Fh22jRgjXvVZQaeuRnuz2S_8ruxguJIJHr4lfK9JN-GUe-FhQbzyh2Ou15T_5-e5D1fNmso5Q-x2tm0RY-nDitpdqDEP5L7bD-_UrQOe09ebtF1Y/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Proud parishoners<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNdYu5nLkPg_sY28nRHHs-ixaBJOhxqIR4K2BavqvJ9x2afRYBRaEkH6Y2GGMskEO6b7w4Ff2NmjaCqce9n_pZ9JRVoaVJGkihLv61OZ9dYhy4GcFOu1uizhn8cD0layxXtH5CMcLgY8/s1600-h/DSC_0108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173895305881031362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNdYu5nLkPg_sY28nRHHs-ixaBJOhxqIR4K2BavqvJ9x2afRYBRaEkH6Y2GGMskEO6b7w4Ff2NmjaCqce9n_pZ9JRVoaVJGkihLv61OZ9dYhy4GcFOu1uizhn8cD0layxXtH5CMcLgY8/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Pastors Imad & Saliba<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenWTuv3ZEmGHtB60DtznN8r8leECzN3or8y-sNO1nMlNQSCqiJMm5gkEosdxS_dKFMwKhDNIXqPw5kgAipcac-fRY-DdtYXxB0MOCdvGkqVmHsCIHOLyi_ET17I2CZ-Hy0otbAfTbRcs/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173894786189988530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenWTuv3ZEmGHtB60DtznN8r8leECzN3or8y-sNO1nMlNQSCqiJMm5gkEosdxS_dKFMwKhDNIXqPw5kgAipcac-fRY-DdtYXxB0MOCdvGkqVmHsCIHOLyi_ET17I2CZ-Hy0otbAfTbRcs/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More proud parishoners<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>March 2 was Imad Haddad’s and Saliba Rishmawi’s big day. At worship earlier that same day rumour had it that their ordination might have to be postponed because of what could be the beginning of a 3rd intifada in the West Bank. On Sunday, March 2, most Palestinian businesses in East Jerusalem were closed in protest against the worsening situation in Gaza, and, in the past, occasions such as ordinations have had to be cancelled because the Israelis often close checkpoints and restrict movement in the Old City when there is trouble. Imad’s and Saliba’s congregations are on the Bethlehem side of the segregation wall, and so family, friends, fellow pastors, children’s choirs, and congregants would have to go through Israeli security.<br /><br />Well, they almost all made it. When we heard that the mother and grandmother of one of the ordinands had not been granted travel permits to come from the Bethlehem side to Jerusalem, we pulled some strings and got them through. The Israelis wouldn’t let the Beit Sahour children’s choir into Jerusalem, but the Beit Jala choir and band were there to sing and play. Why did the Israelis refuse permits to Mom and Grandma? Why one choir and not the other? Who knows?<br /><br />And so it happened in spite of all the stumbling blocks! Bishop Younan ordained Imad and Saliba into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Redeemer Lutheran in Old Jerusalem. Imad will be serving as assistant pastor in Beit Sahour, and Saliba as assistant pastor in Beit Jala. It was an historic occasion because it’s the first time in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) that two pastors have been ordained at the same time. The ELCJHL doesn’t have many placements for pastors with only six churches: Redeemer in Jerusalem, Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem, Reformation Lutheran in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour Lutheran Church, Hope Lutheran in Ramallah, and Good Shepherd Lutheran in Amman, Jordan. Less than 2% of the Palestinian population is Christian, and most of the Christians are Greek Orthodox. So, there aren’t many Lutherans, and as Christians emigrate from Palestine because of political tension and an uncertain future, there are fewer Christians (and Lutherans) each year.<br /><br />As the ordination ended, the grandmother who almost didn’t make it shouted out congratulations and was joined by other female family members in a sustained ululation, a high pitched sound Arab women emit in celebration of events such as graduations and ordinations. It was also a sound of grieving for the almost 100 Palestinian children, women and men who had been killed during the past week in Gaza.</div><div><br /></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>The reception was a joyous event with a piece of cake for everyone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-88020197525293498542008-03-03T11:20:00.000-08:002008-03-03T12:13:03.288-08:00A TOUR OF THE JERUSALEM AREA, YOU SAY!Hebron Suq<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy87TxkbXO9iftMZu-b-TsYOBlecO0Lm5xdAP_pVETeyGTHwcuptIHFhtb8y_ifZFmdrOG1jEcicgvFvn73XXxigJeAsliuy_gYzvQBuvmTsegR9ssuRVDJktCuZ6zRhlUgMLfaTrdsUA/s1600-h/IMG_3957.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173605647704631602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy87TxkbXO9iftMZu-b-TsYOBlecO0Lm5xdAP_pVETeyGTHwcuptIHFhtb8y_ifZFmdrOG1jEcicgvFvn73XXxigJeAsliuy_gYzvQBuvmTsegR9ssuRVDJktCuZ6zRhlUgMLfaTrdsUA/s320/IMG_3957.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaVm6QWN_KCQ4MYwE98mV3KF0ek_iHweyjll3LiV-FzWnnSnyzvTt5X1YsosZKA9PGc9d-5kZBlweZYsZ0uX6UcFSoDJShELw7Ao95SPxY79dDEUAK9_mtXJ83nMecMq88vfLLujvClI/s1600-h/IMG_0827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173604848840714530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaVm6QWN_KCQ4MYwE98mV3KF0ek_iHweyjll3LiV-FzWnnSnyzvTt5X1YsosZKA9PGc9d-5kZBlweZYsZ0uX6UcFSoDJShELw7Ao95SPxY79dDEUAK9_mtXJ83nMecMq88vfLLujvClI/s320/IMG_0827.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mesh-enclosed balcony<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcii1O3DbiYvGF94ZfEKnkmigKPDK1wmZh0QZCL-WypvwNN9vPGivJWc1WTbUFdmpfYcOJMQYZp7Kg_dCQCCOUv-uWJQ3Om5xLa7yrq6KnQMdNtWlY2fyhno0dsJ1unMt_DapSIZcwBo/s1600-h/IMG_0829.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173604380689279250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcii1O3DbiYvGF94ZfEKnkmigKPDK1wmZh0QZCL-WypvwNN9vPGivJWc1WTbUFdmpfYcOJMQYZp7Kg_dCQCCOUv-uWJQ3Om5xLa7yrq6KnQMdNtWlY2fyhno0dsJ1unMt_DapSIZcwBo/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Abraham's Mosque<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe40R9k9e2JOlQPh4JQ1XYBiQ3XkK2dSqxf_A8GoIX7CHKYXNDypP5TCfDZgMgj3a1aBTp1JTKoLqJ5FId_g5Oyl4sh13OOwvajh5p9pYgNTSfsfH6DVFodq6w6pvHCn8GTshUt6Nz_E/s1600-h/IMG_0845.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173603710674381058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe40R9k9e2JOlQPh4JQ1XYBiQ3XkK2dSqxf_A8GoIX7CHKYXNDypP5TCfDZgMgj3a1aBTp1JTKoLqJ5FId_g5Oyl4sh13OOwvajh5p9pYgNTSfsfH6DVFodq6w6pvHCn8GTshUt6Nz_E/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Hebron Glass Factory<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSzYRyykyGvw-laIMf9yW8-Xk_9bNFoo1WgeRAu8sHDbWQ6Qw-MAjztaDxXmzmUgQRiQGAWSLrLfmL5o9EYBasMoeu-iEYJNCeInm8fnyxU6wTGinllI9ht5WDmS11FbfxFLw97lVTxM/s1600-h/IMG_3981.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173602928990333170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSzYRyykyGvw-laIMf9yW8-Xk_9bNFoo1WgeRAu8sHDbWQ6Qw-MAjztaDxXmzmUgQRiQGAWSLrLfmL5o9EYBasMoeu-iEYJNCeInm8fnyxU6wTGinllI9ht5WDmS11FbfxFLw97lVTxM/s320/IMG_3981.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tent of Nations<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oPCU6fNSLfsvMHChHHbLEMdW_wDjg7MlmZFRQJ6MxiNbLnGr_dQf64BftoN49eBAfqPVx8Fg8LfQ1zNGnkKpWaHxylOntLBV51cmUWy6PBjFhZ_h9ChCq6nq1j2QfIPOM7CKfDy3s4A/s1600-h/IMG_3992.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173602194550925538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oPCU6fNSLfsvMHChHHbLEMdW_wDjg7MlmZFRQJ6MxiNbLnGr_dQf64BftoN49eBAfqPVx8Fg8LfQ1zNGnkKpWaHxylOntLBV51cmUWy6PBjFhZ_h9ChCq6nq1j2QfIPOM7CKfDy3s4A/s320/IMG_3992.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Shepherds' Field<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JUL0VL2IFF7jwYFrKBdXllR_P26BAxZJxIQaFVc0J8r6VSLJQAf3tDGGhmuaUVZFSxVdTH61zMIscSsyytx72uX6u895lxlwsofmy0ib9eBrzbHBgkm9oHrLQVvJYe3O0VUD1jTBlko/s1600-h/IMG_4017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173600562463353026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JUL0VL2IFF7jwYFrKBdXllR_P26BAxZJxIQaFVc0J8r6VSLJQAf3tDGGhmuaUVZFSxVdTH61zMIscSsyytx72uX6u895lxlwsofmy0ib9eBrzbHBgkm9oHrLQVvJYe3O0VUD1jTBlko/s320/IMG_4017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRBmPicQFomcyLfxzCZMgQRvWuVE7vo_WcOWP09OEIktcTv0LvStkFdLEKTDtXZwxKGylSd8IJLeqv-cRh-GQa3rYmR5WaCWaBJTqUlWAHA6PI-T8CxWnCZc2i5U_Ztnv3VHZGMmvzXU/s1600-h/IMG_4050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173599591800744114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRBmPicQFomcyLfxzCZMgQRvWuVE7vo_WcOWP09OEIktcTv0LvStkFdLEKTDtXZwxKGylSd8IJLeqv-cRh-GQa3rYmR5WaCWaBJTqUlWAHA6PI-T8CxWnCZc2i5U_Ztnv3VHZGMmvzXU/s320/IMG_4050.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Church of the Nativity - Manger Square, Bethlehem<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgQtrCnA9TruZe82vJdrIPSB3WAXKSmQ0T5P0UaocxCewk5CAQ5zMGXa77VcQTrCdjhyphenhyphenr0KsQKvNSB5mNrJEgOGCUgMfCV38NM6r2usMVZ17Q3SzEhGVY1GFZL_x5F-EBsyHrJleCFlg/s1600-h/IMG_4052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173599016275126434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgQtrCnA9TruZe82vJdrIPSB3WAXKSmQ0T5P0UaocxCewk5CAQ5zMGXa77VcQTrCdjhyphenhyphenr0KsQKvNSB5mNrJEgOGCUgMfCV38NM6r2usMVZ17Q3SzEhGVY1GFZL_x5F-EBsyHrJleCFlg/s320/IMG_4052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Azzahra's Restaurant, Jerusalem<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>On February 16, were delighted to meet visitors from home, Anne Banks Pidduck and her daughter Sharon. We’d arranged for a friend who has been practising medicine in the Palestinian territories for some time and who has a vast knowledge of conditions here to take us on a non-traditional excursion south of Jerusalem.<br /><br />We visited Hebron which is in the West Bank and therefore supposedly Palestinian territory. However, here the militant Israeli settlers have forced vendors in the old marketplace to suspend nets above the sidewalk to prevent garbage being dumped out of the settlers’ windows onto the shoppers below. (Unfortunately that doesn’t protect them from dirty water and urine that is occasionally part of the “garbage”). Fortunately we weren’t party to any rubbish being thrown down while we were in the area.<br /><br />In Hebron, we also visited the headquarters of the Christian Peacemakers organization which provides for the Palestinians a peaceful witness and therefore protection from harassment and assault by the militant Israeli settlers. We were invited onto an upstairs balcony which overlooks the street that formerly provided entrance to the flat. However, this street has been closed to Palestinians and they now have to enter via a back entrance. Now the Israeli settlers are the only ones allowed to use this street. On top of that, the balconies along the street have had to be covered by heavy mesh to protect the residents from rocks and stones being hurled from the street as the settlers go by.<br /><br />From the roof we were able to look over the city at the changes and restrictions for the Palestinians that have been made since the settlers have moved in. Some families have access to their homes only by climbing ladders from a neighbour’s roof. The presence is most obvious and one is not allowed to take photos in the direction of the various military towers.<br /><br />While in Hebron, we visited the Hebron Glass Factory where they make the bottles that the Lutheran World Federation uses for selling their olive oil. We were also able to get into Abraham’s mosque which had been closed to us on a previous visit. We were intrigued by having to wear hooded robes to enter the mosque—we looked like characters out of a Harry Potter novel; of the many mosques we’ve visited, this was the only one that required this. Out of respect, usually only one’s head and arms are covered; this therefore was an efficient way of ensuring that.<br /><br />Our tour continued to the Tent of Nations located on a peak nearly 950 meters above sea level on 100 acres of land, nine kilometers southwest of Bethelehm. This is the only hill left in the whole area that has not been taken over by illegal Israeli settlements. (Keep in mind, this is in the West Bank which is supposed to be Palestinian territory.)<br /><br />Daoud Nassar, the director of Tent of Nations explained the history and work of his organisation. His grandfather, Daher Nassar, purchased the land in 1924 and since that time, family members have lived there and worked the land, producing olives, grapes, wheat, etc. Daoud’s father, Bishara, devoted his life to protecting his land and used it to network and provide youth projects in the Bethlehem region. However, in 1991, the Israeli government declared the whole area to be an Israeli state property in spite of the fact that the Nassar family has all the original land papers tracing rights of ownership back to the Ottoman Empire, thus contradicting any claims by the Israeli government. In 2001 and 2002, the local council of Israeli settlements decided to open roads through the east and west sides of the Nassars’ land. Although they were able to stop both road projects through the Israeli court, after 13 years in the high court, the land ownership is still under debate, and the court keeps postponing the case.<br /><br />Daoud is carrying on his father’s vision. The Tent of Nations is devoted to addressing cultural conflicts around the world, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, by facilitating positive encounters between young people from different cultures. (You can read more on their website: <a href="http://www.tentofnations.org/">http://www.tentofnations.org/</a> ).<br /><br />After an interesting tour of the property, we returned to Jerusalem. Our overwhelming day concluded by dining early at the Jerusalem Hotel, after which we sent our exhausted, jet-lagged visitors off to bed.<br />The next day provided a more relaxing traditional tour. We met in late morning at the Jaffa Gate of the Old City, wandered through parts of the city, visiting the Wailing or Western Wall, the Church of the Redeemer, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After a late lunch at Samara’s Restaurant, we went by bus to the Bethlehem checkpoint where my taxi driver, Musa, met us on the other side and took us to the R.C. Shepherds’ Field (of course, as with other “holy sites”, there are two Shepherds’ Fields—Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox), the Milk Grotto, and the Church of the Nativity. We returned by the same route and finished off our day of touring at Azzarah’s Restaurant for their delicious thin-crust pizza. What a way to begin a week</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-7325800286254803992008-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:002008-03-03T12:22:53.439-08:00GOOD FOOD, GOOD….<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZNC2Kow31y9XaWORYONDfKzhNcbJ8xfJiExv3I1v5LVF-xXD6OqqBRzTR_Qfi12E5WqKECaEPCHhK-TuxQsHgX_58tzsy8PV6-7vYXVSRhRcjQtcRad4UnEGcUt-iJcI0OPCxhsfKMI/s1600-h/IMG_3954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173596654043113618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZNC2Kow31y9XaWORYONDfKzhNcbJ8xfJiExv3I1v5LVF-xXD6OqqBRzTR_Qfi12E5WqKECaEPCHhK-TuxQsHgX_58tzsy8PV6-7vYXVSRhRcjQtcRad4UnEGcUt-iJcI0OPCxhsfKMI/s320/IMG_3954.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK2Rue9okk-IClDN7G4Kh8mLmixD35G7CH3HGKRrmqA2l6MgbF6-HZmnv5eN6BSZJ6U6PPF9SEdPlYKGZRyye0XdDpA6-O1o3emL8c-ck5t65KNE3AZyAZqhpnph99ArghQeNQJk0E6g/s1600-h/IMG_3951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173595790754687106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK2Rue9okk-IClDN7G4Kh8mLmixD35G7CH3HGKRrmqA2l6MgbF6-HZmnv5eN6BSZJ6U6PPF9SEdPlYKGZRyye0XdDpA6-O1o3emL8c-ck5t65KNE3AZyAZqhpnph99ArghQeNQJk0E6g/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsjnug5OACQT8VsSErGYyyLhHQjvTeZ3_P4-wGZXd-0vVnFrl3x-xEDBod2-zYWyEkj0cffYFYXmu4iZuyRHdv6Wr76WxBkbThe4spKBPXh99akPN8Z7DlK087Wg0NJT7ch2xgJmzxg8/s1600-h/IMG_3913.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173595052020312178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsjnug5OACQT8VsSErGYyyLhHQjvTeZ3_P4-wGZXd-0vVnFrl3x-xEDBod2-zYWyEkj0cffYFYXmu4iZuyRHdv6Wr76WxBkbThe4spKBPXh99akPN8Z7DlK087Wg0NJT7ch2xgJmzxg8/s320/IMG_3913.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6zI6ahGT5XlXsdhZG8cRLvl8TKUuY_xENgw198T8-3hUAHVM8o2BThkDvYUkDVcZsIzO6aleE2bMebZRYkhG2-3XP0Xwr0ds0Z63Wu2jYq9E1s_b2tcZjmn8lseJz3-kFrONqzQYYyY/s1600-h/IMG_3912.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173594270336264290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6zI6ahGT5XlXsdhZG8cRLvl8TKUuY_xENgw198T8-3hUAHVM8o2BThkDvYUkDVcZsIzO6aleE2bMebZRYkhG2-3XP0Xwr0ds0Z63Wu2jYq9E1s_b2tcZjmn8lseJz3-kFrONqzQYYyY/s320/IMG_3912.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HwCYqR3Al6PLLK8EYOD8gtTfghHQ-DTOp_NilQNgkzWBm5hqK2jaXk9rYnCRf918mvgiHdMqGunGp2gk1t_RjDMZQj_d2JfLLyfngCQ3Z5Bih_sKoOBSstFeTCJqiBLNInG1bsjzqwA/s1600-h/IMG_3919.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173593454292478034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HwCYqR3Al6PLLK8EYOD8gtTfghHQ-DTOp_NilQNgkzWBm5hqK2jaXk9rYnCRf918mvgiHdMqGunGp2gk1t_RjDMZQj_d2JfLLyfngCQ3Z5Bih_sKoOBSstFeTCJqiBLNInG1bsjzqwA/s320/IMG_3919.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>One Friday, we made a reservation for twelve of us from the Guest House at the Jerusalem Hotel for a delicious meal and an evening of Palestinian music. I had the best mussakhan ever: pita is placed in a baking dish and covered with a mixture of onion slices that have been sautéed in olive oil and ground sumac. This is topped with chunks of lightly spiced chicken, covered with the rest of the onion mixture, baked and garnished with pine nuts. Delicious!! Dale enjoyed a mixed grill: skewers of chicken, lamb, and beef served with the best French fries! The food, interesting conversation, excellent music, and the narghile (the traditional Middle Eastern water pipe)—enjoyed by some—, all combined for a delightful evening.<br /><br />The following week, we actually did some entertaining at the Guest House. We had got to know Diana (pronounced Deeana) and Jakob, a young German couple, shortly after we arrived, as Diana was a member of the Ecumenical Accompaniers who lived at the Guest House for her three-month term. Her husband, Jakob, is employed by the Arabic congregation of the ELCJHL. They had initiated a number of enjoyable joint meals while living here, and so we invited them back for dinner. We ended up being a group of 12.<br /><br />Our menu consisted of a version of Tex-Mex Chili served over sweet potatoes, and a green salad with fresh strawberries, tangerines, green grapes, red peppers, green onions, raisins, and slivered almonds. It was topped off with a version of Ada’s layered dessert of graham wafers—imagine being able to buy them in East Jerusalem!—, pudding, and bananas. The food and the wine set the stage for some interesting, if not at times, heated discussions about the situation here.<br /><br />A visit to the American Colony Hotel once in awhile for their Saturday Buffet provides a treat for the pallet. Although it’s expensive ($35 U.S.), you can eat yourself into oblivion if you wish, or opt for only the soup, salad, and dessert bars ($15). We’re told that they usually serve bacon! However, neither of the times we’ve been there has it been on the menu, although they served ham on our first visit. It was a pleasant way to celebrate a friend’s birthday.<br /><br />Our eating extravaganza continued when we joined my former colleague from Cameron Heights, Vern Allemang, at his hotel for dinner. He and his group were just finishing a tour to Cairo, the Sinai, Jordan, and Israel. Unfortunately there was no time in his itinerary or ours to do any sightseeing together, but they were fortunate to have a Palestinian tour guide to give balance to the visit. We had a wonderful evening with Vern and his friend Dale whose wives had opted out of the trip.<br /><br />A couple of days later, when my taxi driver, Musa, picked me up to take me back to the checkpoint, he informed me that another couple we knew from church were at his house for “tea”; Musa had taken them sightseeing on a previous occasion, and they were back to finish off the missed sites. He asked me if I’d like to come back for tea with him and meet his family. As he’d made this offer on a previous occasion when I was in a rush, I decided this might be a good time to take him up on it as Jolene and Michael were already there, and also save a separate trip to the checkpoint. “Tea” turned out to be a full meal of Mansaff—rice, lamb, yogurt, and pita—complete with coke, and then coffee poured over cardamom seeds, followed by fresh fruit! We had the wonderful opportunity to meet his wife and 5 of the 6 kids (the missing boy was at school as they have two shifts—morning and afternoon).<br /><br />The older son, Ahmad, is a student at Bethlehem University studying Business Administration. He’d really wanted to study Engineering and had actually started his studies at Al Quds (Jerusalem) University. However, in order to get to and from the university, he needed to cross the Bethlehem checkpoint twice a day, and travel by bus into Jerusalem. This ended up being a 12-hour day at least. As he’s only a ten-minute walk from Bethlehem University, the family decided it was in his best interests to switch universities, even though he couldn’t get the programme he preferred. If it weren’t for the Wall surrounding Bethlehem, this wouldn’t be a problem as he’d only be going from one part of the West Bank to another. (If the Wall followed the Green Line as, if there must be a wall, it should, he’d have free access from Bethlehem to East Jerusalem.)<br /><br />Even a pleasant meal with a lovely family ends up with another example of how the Israeli incursion into the West Bank affects the lives of Palestinians! </div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-79042044281305090882008-03-03T08:45:00.000-08:002008-03-04T02:19:33.953-08:00IT'S GOOD TO BE A CANADIAN, EH?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjplB5znE6e01yDRuwuBJ_8bQN-LPAxR7Q1kNjztmbPfiLkP7u1DqZBPVeSeXj7v0AsVkTSWmj9CO8lC9YXKo4htexVtUMxfDR_tXl-GjAeoolGPsgYq0vVe4ej5mvTIiWODswRKPntk/s1600-h/IMG_2134.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNh9MuVr65pTQYWMtJi-jE6_X1rvol6rKPuVcaUCNqTMdXrRmNFkdjL6YAguUjH5aScXigmxU4QdJxx_GgU4BjYPw1q3OQm30wzHqdrupG_XrWkn2JP9iE13d7GlStzmQcUy6RnNkkyo/s1600-h/IMG_3780.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173564978659305538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNh9MuVr65pTQYWMtJi-jE6_X1rvol6rKPuVcaUCNqTMdXrRmNFkdjL6YAguUjH5aScXigmxU4QdJxx_GgU4BjYPw1q3OQm30wzHqdrupG_XrWkn2JP9iE13d7GlStzmQcUy6RnNkkyo/s320/IMG_3780.JPG" border="0" /></a>Since I’ve arrived here, I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am to be a Canadian. Even when I experience frustrations with what I see and hear, I know that I still get better treatment and can always go back home whenever I want. I keep wondering how I would feel and react had I and my family, going back decades, experienced what Palestinians have and continue to experience daily.<br /><br />As we all know, there are many inequalities in Canada; not all Canadians think and feel the same about issues. We have too much poverty, considering the wealth of our country, and many other inequities that we should be ashamed of. However, even those things do not take away our freedom of movement.<br /><br />Let me give a few examples of situations we don’t have to face:<br /><br />I can walk, drive, or take a bus from Kitchener to Cambridge for any reason any time I want regardless of my age, race, creed, or colour. Both places are in my country and so I don’t need a passport, or visa, or any document (other than my driver’s license if I’m driving my car). Compare this with 2 situations I know of personally here:<br /><br />1) A teacher is required by her school board to attend a workshop. She lives in Ramallah; the workshop is in Bethlehem. Both Ramallah and Bethlehem are in the West Bank, Palestinian territory. She, a Palestinian who was born and lives in Ramallah; however, she has Israeli papers due to her parents’ designation when Arabs were allowed to have Israeli citizenship—even though they don’t have the same rights as Jewish citizens, although that’s another issue. She is not allowed to cross the Bethlehem checkpoint to get to her workshop because Israeli citizens are not allowed to cross into the West Bank. (However, Palestinian land is grabbed for illegal settlements in the West Bank, and Israelis can live there and travel through Palestinian land on special roads built only for Israelis; Palestinians are not allowed on these roads.) The only way she can attend her workshop is to be smuggled in illegally, running the risk of repercussions.<br /><br />2) A grandmother and mother who live in Bethlehem wish to attend a graduation ceremony for their son in East Jerusalem. They, for reasons unknown to them, have been refused the permits they need to cross the Bethlehem checkpoint. The only way they can do that is if someone smuggles them in illegally, running the risk of repercussions.<br /><br />I live in Kitchener and have a job in Guelph. I can take a bus, taxi, or drive my own car regardless of my age, race, creed, or colour, any time I want in order to get to work on time. Weather, accidents, car or bus breakdowns could make me late, but I can usually make the trip in well under an hour. Compare this with 2 situations I know of personally here:<br /><br />1) I live in Bethlehem and work in East Jerusalem where I’ve worked for years before the Wall was built. Every singe day that I go to work, in order to get through the checkpoint, I have to be there by 3:00 a.m. and wait hours to be inspected. I have to take off my belt, shoes, coat and anything else that I’m often unceremoniously screamed at by young 18/19-year-old soldiers to do. If I’m carrying anything else, it also goes through the scanner. I have to renew my papers every three months but sometimes something shows up on my papers of which I’m not told, and I’m not allowed through the checkpoint. When I return from work, I go through the checkpoint again to get back home. If nothing else, it’s frustrating, exhausting and humiliating.<br /><br />2) I live in a village south of Bethlehem and work at Augusta Victoria Hospital. I have a university degree and a very responsible job. Although I’m less than an hour away by car or bus if there were no checkpoint, I have to live in a residence at the hospital because it would be impossible for me to get through the checkpoint each day to get to work on time and still have time to sleep at night or have any quality of life. I go home to visit my family on weekends. My work permit must be renewed every three months; however, I have just been refused a renewal. I don’t know why. No one will tell me. I’ve done nothing that I’m aware of that could have caused my permit not to be renewed. Now, if I go home to visit my family, I will not be allowed back through the checkpoint and therefore will no longer be able to work at the hospital.<br /><br />These situations are not fictional or hypothetical. They are representative of hundreds of identical or similar situations.<br /><br />The Israeli will say, “We have to do this to protect ourselves!” “Since we put up the Wall, there have been fewer suicide bombers!”<br /><br />First of all, as the Wall is not yet completed, there are many spots where a determined suicide bomber could easily get through if he/she wanted. The decline has been due to policy by the extremists to give peace efforts a chance. Have negotiations done anything at all to change things that affect the daily lives of Palestinians? Absolutely not!<br /><br />If the Palestinians were given equal rights, if instead of Israel’s doing its best to keep its citizens from getting to know Palestinians personally, if the Israelis stopped their land grab—enclosing the best fertile land and water sources within their side of the Wall and then turning around and restricting the amount of water they control back to the Palestinians, if these and all the other inequities were rectified, would there be any appeal for young folks to give up their lives for a cause?<br /><br />Walking through the Bethlehem checkpoint four times a week, makes my blood boil when I see what humiliations some people face, and the equally infuriating way I and other internationals are allowed to jump the queue or are told to “have a nice day” after a Palestinian has just been humiliated and screamed at. (Although I have been screamed once or twice!) If I were young and had to look forward to facing this, in addition to all the other inequities, every day of my life, how would I feel? What would I do?<br /><br />BUT I, OR MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS, DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I’M A CANADIAN, EH?</div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-7487395860945450942008-02-28T03:34:00.000-08:002008-02-28T03:40:22.645-08:00MUSLIM WOMEN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvyCnGRK6YktIXHKeSaYNWsi6nntUynxyehLTmwF7imDNDCOsNbe540xgd-dWWaXfP6V1gxSJ35hKcNAb5OgruVKgHrWTVEYsuCyJnibspCQ9fwqUn_R1hfEkxS7BzAoR4BoTg7GmYtY/s1600-h/DSC00157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171994311069256850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvyCnGRK6YktIXHKeSaYNWsi6nntUynxyehLTmwF7imDNDCOsNbe540xgd-dWWaXfP6V1gxSJ35hKcNAb5OgruVKgHrWTVEYsuCyJnibspCQ9fwqUn_R1hfEkxS7BzAoR4BoTg7GmYtY/s320/DSC00157.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>In Canada we identify Muslim women by what they wear. If we see a young woman wearing a hijab, a kind of shawl, we know that she is Muslim. Below the hijab she may be wearing an abaya, a plain but attractive ankle-length dress that is supposed to hide the female form but often doesn’t quite do the job, or she may be wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but she is definitely Muslim. And, of course, if she is wearing a burqa, sometimes called a “veil”, that covers her whole body except for a slit across the eyes, she is ultra-Muslim. So, what do hijabs and burqas say about Muslim women?<br /><br />A number of years ago I attended Guelph University’s annual College Royal, and one of the information tables was sponsored by the Islamic Student Society. The young women at the table were wearing hijabs and I asked them why. They answered that they were proud to wear them “because the Qu’ran required it and it was a symbol of their freedom”. Their freedom? How so, I wondered. I had swallowed the North American line that Muslim women are an oppressed lot, and their clothes prove it.<br /><br />An historical note! Muhammad was the Prophet of a revolutionary society called Islam. Naturally, as Islam began to supplant old, tribal polytheism in Arabia, people wanted to meet Muhammad, and they came to his home in Mecca. Since his wives were there too, he and his advisors felt that the wives should remain behind a veil while male visitors were present in order to have more privacy and feel safer. The burqa has become a kind of “portable” veil. Anyway, it was never intended that all Muslim women should be “veiled”. Probably Muslim women in Mecca heard that Muhammad’s wives were veiled and thought that they should do likewise. That’s how traditions start.<br /><br />Yes, I did say “Muhammad’s wives”. I’ll refer to that a few paragraphs hence.<br /><br />Many of the medical staff who work here at AVH are Muslim women with MD degrees, nursing degrees, pharmacy degrees , just to mention a few. Are these a small minority of Muslim women? I don’t think so, at least not in this part of the Muslim world. But what about the average Muslim woman, the one who doesn’t pursue a career? First of all, as a teenager, she is protected by her family, so much so that she does not go out on dates unless chaperoned by a male family member. A western girl would say “That’s oppression”, but a Muslim girl would say “I feel safe”.<br /><br />In downtown East Jerusalem teenage Muslim girls walk in groups, whispering to each other and giggling, just like Western girls, wearing their hijabs. Teenage Muslim boys are typically macho and loud. They sneak peeks at passing girls, but the boys and girls don’t mix as they do in Canada. And it’s all for the safety of the girls, just like the hijab and the burqa. As an adult, the same rules apply until a Muslim woman is married.<br /><br />If the things I’ve said about women in Islam are true, why so? First of all, the Qu’ran doesn’t give any reasons for vilifying women. Here are the words of Allah dictated to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel and preserved in the Qu’ran: O mankind, We have created you male and female, and appointed you races and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely the noblest among you in the sight of God is the most god-fearing of you. God is All-knowing and All-wise. In the Qu’ran’s creation story man and woman are created equal, and there is no mention of “original sin”. Woman cannot be blamed for causing the fall of humankind as she has been blamed by Christians.<br /><br />After Muhammad made the move from Mecca to Medina with the Qu’ran in hand, he proceeded to establish an Islamic society in which both men and women would enjoy equality. In pre-Islamic Arabia women had few rights, but Muhammad changed that by allowing women to inherit, to keep their dowry, and to testify before a judge, just to name a few of the changes. We say in the West “So what!” but in 7th century Arabia this was revolutionary, and centuries ahead of Christianity, which had had more than six hundred years to institute women’s rights and had not even begun to do so.<br /><br />Earlier I mentioned Muhammad’s wives. Polygamy was part of pre-Islamic Arab society, and the practice continued. But Muhammad even reformed that practice. He suggested four wives, but only if the husband promised to treat each wife equally in all things and spend equal time with each. This, of course, is impossible and so monogamy became more common. Another thing about polygamy was that it provided a haven for widows who were left destitute. Muhammad had more than four wives because the widowed wives of his followers needed to survive. Did he have his favourites? You bet! But if we brush off the Islamic practice of polygamy as only as a male fantasy, then we’ve missed the point. In Islam it was a way of protecting women and making life safe for them.<br /><br />By 632 CE Muhammad had re-established himself in Mecca where he put into practice his vision of an Islamic society based on Qu’ranic principles of justice and human rights. In his farewell address at the mosque Namira near Mount Arafat in Arabia, just before his death, Muhammad told his people (the umma) “to deal justly with one another and to treat women kindly”. Are women always treated kindly in Islamic society? No! There are abuses as there are in any society. But there is no doubt about Islam’s deep and abiding respect for women and its concern for their safety and well being.<br /><br />My comments are not intended to be a definitive, sociological commentary on the place of women in Islamic society. They are only a sharing of some personal observations and a few surprises. What have I learned? Things are never as they appear.</div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-21451529071362721442008-02-18T10:16:00.000-08:002008-02-18T11:08:24.522-08:00DINNER WITH NEW FRIENDS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZv_W0yChhVSDL8vNcegIQGzZ0pL90AxT0XpNf7ro8vhjHewjCuJXtVpYGNjUywVUjIDOvokJApiVExhzNX09M2lzc_ChIMxHRjcAZcMDZhV3uJXqJz8KxWFbZEI0tMJq3GyNErKmOk0/s1600-h/IMG_3853.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168398448484928642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZv_W0yChhVSDL8vNcegIQGzZ0pL90AxT0XpNf7ro8vhjHewjCuJXtVpYGNjUywVUjIDOvokJApiVExhzNX09M2lzc_ChIMxHRjcAZcMDZhV3uJXqJz8KxWFbZEI0tMJq3GyNErKmOk0/s320/IMG_3853.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpBLPMKvZ88dJtW2gjpEhWVXlXwCHfeJVatmCB8-XoTMfegCFfBvlrFrvERCfilrO6gCIRmirJ1LxDSs3DElcssxfpE9e_QzgdSD7BolCbnXADy8rLHTbLe4fKdrinkP8KxQUuhlRrlU/s1600-h/IMG_3854.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168397920203951218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpBLPMKvZ88dJtW2gjpEhWVXlXwCHfeJVatmCB8-XoTMfegCFfBvlrFrvERCfilrO6gCIRmirJ1LxDSs3DElcssxfpE9e_QzgdSD7BolCbnXADy8rLHTbLe4fKdrinkP8KxQUuhlRrlU/s320/IMG_3854.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrdvI5z-HMdKsiL0GJxzZsvnpTFhFGy0nmrwfsDvaEXfzlD1CrpzHEfQKmHgEUu4RSRZVGj4z9jT-7PJbEhQKer5WxdR9oAndQpYOHtwZkUoOi2tCONqlrK-Y23qe837KxaejMqHNd2I/s1600-h/IMG_3857.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168397224419249250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrdvI5z-HMdKsiL0GJxzZsvnpTFhFGy0nmrwfsDvaEXfzlD1CrpzHEfQKmHgEUu4RSRZVGj4z9jT-7PJbEhQKer5WxdR9oAndQpYOHtwZkUoOi2tCONqlrK-Y23qe837KxaejMqHNd2I/s320/IMG_3857.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicat_1vWoBhjQo0qou37WMFG50eqbdZqwSn4uFimJ3S-9ejMCDk6kZhTqOXlWs7Z75CHBgxT23B-xi2Pz-Hy79pEn6jsKu13Yrba_h-M0MN1mptPVWNCnPvkmn8RlrLPSJ42KHXFrjkd8/s1600-h/IMG_0770.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168396666073500754" style="FLOAT: left; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCpY6c-_A0ygZWMq1jggsx-Ci-yebZbJXIsmD-CIKxQgsq3anvP-iA_z9AVRdWdKO40aGj6lzS0AUpOyEg5Tv3rHG05QnfkHU8wFkTGWBESZebviENlAjs5IYzj_bLwe1_jUIbNOOyYo/s320/IMG_3878.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZNtg47AsuUapK24j0kZIo_CyAhEaYjQ7p3yXhNhenSrJEn1Ntvq7SUxMOvUbbkIVy1FG46F0Sg2zlzORYv0NLiBQ9POJoFFshuYZpgoeeNtstKIOekytkI2eF1AaRgOBLG97ooiLb4Q/s1600-h/IMG_0776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168390833507912690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZNtg47AsuUapK24j0kZIo_CyAhEaYjQ7p3yXhNhenSrJEn1Ntvq7SUxMOvUbbkIVy1FG46F0Sg2zlzORYv0NLiBQ9POJoFFshuYZpgoeeNtstKIOekytkI2eF1AaRgOBLG97ooiLb4Q/s320/IMG_0776.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ad2qv9gWHZeAmlXU00bArVXW0coXqpPZHJE2yKSlJ9WYP4fQkiTxUm4cqYoFA6tjYVpmIlR0Miibuwx9dnMFUPBjtn-oKNtwxrQBiJe1LerB2mTKNJWFz89MNa7dBmoaThyphenhyphen9ETRrD9c/s1600-h/IMG_3888.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168390026054061026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ad2qv9gWHZeAmlXU00bArVXW0coXqpPZHJE2yKSlJ9WYP4fQkiTxUm4cqYoFA6tjYVpmIlR0Miibuwx9dnMFUPBjtn-oKNtwxrQBiJe1LerB2mTKNJWFz89MNa7dBmoaThyphenhyphen9ETRrD9c/s320/IMG_3888.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTyHRLMVK4_JKOPPabhNXRYPovsK5UiR9W1Nuv2iCNLdZfY-KdD3bCSsAucVHNYcNs1oJDIENkrbMOBQ4-ZZKUcThl_yFvhA4AYNCPNj6ccmyu5L2v2jw1A6V2CJ4-Aee-E2UluYexbY/s1600-h/IMG_0777.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168389287319686098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTyHRLMVK4_JKOPPabhNXRYPovsK5UiR9W1Nuv2iCNLdZfY-KdD3bCSsAucVHNYcNs1oJDIENkrbMOBQ4-ZZKUcThl_yFvhA4AYNCPNj6ccmyu5L2v2jw1A6V2CJ4-Aee-E2UluYexbY/s320/IMG_0777.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jN9Yo-ETHW518Pd2ahTtGhePJvWTtEEJdtkNSEoZiv_pCCFKZqoBVO7Fw48wYfDTR_W1IfFEfEAfWEwz72WvqyQf2YPMnSVEtKF0fv8HSBu4NJrbs4C-jPiS3wehwFjDUksknFfCRF4/s1600-h/IMG_0787.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168388247937600450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jN9Yo-ETHW518Pd2ahTtGhePJvWTtEEJdtkNSEoZiv_pCCFKZqoBVO7Fw48wYfDTR_W1IfFEfEAfWEwz72WvqyQf2YPMnSVEtKF0fv8HSBu4NJrbs4C-jPiS3wehwFjDUksknFfCRF4/s320/IMG_0787.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The village museum and curator<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEo6Ogkst4uX8-5NxzIn-ybn7yDIHvGSLTkwmYMmoCb7x4zvFE21ECT1ke-GsU0advPqn7xUgwfIQKIS9ErO75rjZ4fPo8wH_nQ1MzyMd9NxCUQHg1qf3b48A3JTiwHtI4swAvjG5fG8/s1600-h/IMG_0790.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168387479138454450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEo6Ogkst4uX8-5NxzIn-ybn7yDIHvGSLTkwmYMmoCb7x4zvFE21ECT1ke-GsU0advPqn7xUgwfIQKIS9ErO75rjZ4fPo8wH_nQ1MzyMd9NxCUQHg1qf3b48A3JTiwHtI4swAvjG5fG8/s320/IMG_0790.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Muhammad is an x-ray technician who works in nuclear medicine at Augusta Victoria Hospital. He prepares patients for radiation therapy and wheels them into the room housing the linear accelerator. The original patient load was intended to be about 25 patients a day, but often 40 patients are treated. It’s the only linear accelerator in the Palestinian territories, and AVH is presently looking for donors to fund a 2nd.<br /><br />Muhammad is an out-going young man who likes to talk to foreigners, especially English-speaking foreigners. He wants to learn English so that he can immigrate to Canada and practise his profession there. He often has lunch and supper with Donna and me and tries out his English, which is moderately functional and getting better. I practise my minimal Arabic on him. We have become quite good friends and Muhammad invited us to his home.<br /><br />He lives in village close to Hebron. In a perfect world he could commute to the hospital daily because his village is only about an hour away by car, but Muhammad’s world isn’t perfect. A trip to and from his village would require passing through Israeli check-points and roadblocks forcing him to go kilometres out of his way and take 2 to 3 times longer to get home. So Muhammad stays in the hospital dorm and goes home once a week on his day off.<br /><br />Donna and I accepted Muhammad’s invitation and, on a Saturday in February, we went with him to his village. We started with bus 75 that took us to the terminal in East Jerusalem. We transferred to bus 21 which took us to a point just outside of Beit Jala where Muhammad thought it would be better to switch to a van for the rest of the trip to Hebron.<br /><br />If Muhammad’s world were normal, we could have taken a main highway directly to his village, but just outside an illegal Israeli settlement all Palestinians have to take a special back road into Hebron. The main road is only for Israelis and tourists. There are many “settler” roads like that in the West Bank and some of them slice through farms that Palestinians have owned for generations.<br /><br />In downtown Hebron we changed buses once again for the last lap to the village. We’ve all heard the Zionist propaganda about how the land was empty when Jews began to come from Europe to Palestine. The centuries-old hillside terraces where generations of Palestinians have cultivated olives, grapes, dates and vegetables belie the Israeli tales told to us in the West that the land was empty before the arrival of the Zionists.<br /><br />As we drove through the countryside, Muhammad pointed out illegal hill-top settlements from which untreated sewage runs down into the valleys polluting Palestinians farms. He showed us how the Israeli settlements surround Palestinian villages and spoke of the harassment the settlers use to force Palestinians to leave their land. Israeli settlers can harass Palestinians with impunity. Even with all the forced detours to get to the village, our bus had to do some fancy wheeling between strategically placed boulders forcing the van onto a narrow, almost impassable road that led into the village.<br /><br />Muhammad’s youngest sister met us at the gate of their home, greeting him with a big hug and us with a big smile. She led us into an attached parlour while Muhammad went into the main house to tell his mother that we were there. Soon she and an older sister appeared and welcomed us with cups of sweetened sage tea. Then an aunt and uncle arrived with their son and daughter, and soon the room was resounding in Arabic, English, good conversation and laughter.<br /><br />Soon Muhammad’s father, who had been at the mosque for mid-morning prayer, arrived home. He is a history teacher in the village secondary school that Muhammad, his sisters, father and several generations of the family attended. He teaches history and specializes in Palestinian and Arab history. Our conversation about Palestinians and Israelis, with Muhammad translating, was interesting. His father held out some hope for a just resolution eventually. Muhammad’s uncle was more pessimistic about the future.<br /><br />Dinner was Arab style. Traditionally the women eat separately from the men, but Donna was invited to eat with us guys. Muhammad’s youngest sister sat with us too so that Donna wouldn’t be the only female. The meal was the traditional maklouba (which means upside down). It’s made of rice, cooked with carrots, cauliflower, and saffron, and then flipped over and topped with chicken pieces, pine nuts and almonds. We squatted or sat in a circle on rugs with the platter in the center. Each of us had one large spoon and a bowl of laban (a kind of yogurt) which we spooned on to the mixture in front of us as we all ate from the common platter. Truly an agape meal!<br /><br />After dinner, more conversation, Arabic coffee, and tea! Muhammad had to be back in Jerusalem for a 2nd job in an x-ray lab, and so in mid afternoon we said multiple good-byes. They were surprised by our custom of bringing them a gift and intrigued by the inclusion of Canadian maple syrup. The family told us that we are welcome any time.<br /><br />Muhammad’s uncle gave us a quick tour of the village, including the museum and the cultural centre, and then drove us to Hebron to catch the bus back to Jerusalem. It was a memorable Saturday.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851377309996434830.post-71906347968142771902008-02-13T02:19:00.000-08:002008-02-13T11:56:01.155-08:00LENT ALREADY! TEMPUS FUGIT!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tsxrpqWACXfUYwUJRmnVM1BIyO_spCmchbfiVgHcpx-yveWIHTq1wrG67gq9tULowH-bdXg1I43wCYaTni9edttiMi3yCI4RQX8K8q8Svv_RJwkSKlUxAAz1bEwBicUjdeDIuLfPPLM/s1600-h/IMG_3794.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166476394785393570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9tsxrpqWACXfUYwUJRmnVM1BIyO_spCmchbfiVgHcpx-yveWIHTq1wrG67gq9tULowH-bdXg1I43wCYaTni9edttiMi3yCI4RQX8K8q8Svv_RJwkSKlUxAAz1bEwBicUjdeDIuLfPPLM/s320/IMG_3794.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pastor Michael & David<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvWSwGVVfHt_1bGXHmqYK4hHeH1Acc-tk1MC-WKq2AuFkZytxjF3YyZALD7Lj18ityQ_CfqLsM1Xsz62M0H5O-qlIzeLgK7K35SmV5FGM9c_VD_5cvZzwIH9v2Tla-wvhdkaOf780ZIg/s1600-h/IMG_3785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166475780605070226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvWSwGVVfHt_1bGXHmqYK4hHeH1Acc-tk1MC-WKq2AuFkZytxjF3YyZALD7Lj18ityQ_CfqLsM1Xsz62M0H5O-qlIzeLgK7K35SmV5FGM9c_VD_5cvZzwIH9v2Tla-wvhdkaOf780ZIg/s320/IMG_3785.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Dale dancing with Gillian<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMwuC0rdRTPanDBr-Kav1EsldIDC6Zjnd0nZZBh79KSr0QcEwmh9BASkFN7ospJazUOeg4QJyuhhAVplzThprZhK9y9gi8XOFGBW7ImcK2rBop1N-1lsg5J4iOWexXw1MobmrEO6a-2Q/s1600-h/DSC_0091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166474517884685170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMwuC0rdRTPanDBr-Kav1EsldIDC6Zjnd0nZZBh79KSr0QcEwmh9BASkFN7ospJazUOeg4QJyuhhAVplzThprZhK9y9gi8XOFGBW7ImcK2rBop1N-1lsg5J4iOWexXw1MobmrEO6a-2Q/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Canadian Tourists sampling the<br />Grog<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe3dfi7KWgqBRYLjii0vriAHcesC6tBj97WlSjEqm5AjaSk93SSlTpn5FHlxjpbh_r2i25LWFJZesct64zWynq_dn0DbWACvnt-PImRMNi_Zr1n-tTRRxexvIqCOX8ybCNaSJXgSVjno/s1600-h/IMG_3784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166472559379598178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZe3dfi7KWgqBRYLjii0vriAHcesC6tBj97WlSjEqm5AjaSk93SSlTpn5FHlxjpbh_r2i25LWFJZesct64zWynq_dn0DbWACvnt-PImRMNi_Zr1n-tTRRxexvIqCOX8ybCNaSJXgSVjno/s320/IMG_3784.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz51fTr6ShRz34eNc4w-5T5_coQJrrTTn73Exw-sUquByESvB0k-kbYYgT4EcxvPnr-V9Ioyy7BrAW5thAgQ1gX8e9dbTFj2LlR1-HVaM3Y-6AUJpOHyK9ermHHr9C8Dis-wONq6OKab4/s1600-h/DSC_0128.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fasching Celebration<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy-cNE3dkic4hk40xkBjDET8FDFeWVzzDPT0TCZLcPZzNSDOxt4gu4YBGOx7JtBH931IlpDTuY8XDzsIcSRMRY4frCk1s7tYhnB_oNbPXXihaPp_A_3ZJ6WcX19l-MWbGR2-YPjTjtFE/s1600-h/IMG_0741.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166465635892316994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVy-cNE3dkic4hk40xkBjDET8FDFeWVzzDPT0TCZLcPZzNSDOxt4gu4YBGOx7JtBH931IlpDTuY8XDzsIcSRMRY4frCk1s7tYhnB_oNbPXXihaPp_A_3ZJ6WcX19l-MWbGR2-YPjTjtFE/s320/IMG_0741.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br />Shrove Tuesday<br />at the Guest House<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq0U-wM84ZlNG-3VWCrCMd6h42zshT-DLsSA2boa88QRajR0nWSQLnRud-5vNepHQGJ71lh9OJGzRTPu6TS7xtahcQef5GMbtFDqx3R0fem7rSvX0gHMN1L2YdZzV8zCrcgRnay8u4W4/s1600-h/IMG_0816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166464751129054002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq0U-wM84ZlNG-3VWCrCMd6h42zshT-DLsSA2boa88QRajR0nWSQLnRud-5vNepHQGJ71lh9OJGzRTPu6TS7xtahcQef5GMbtFDqx3R0fem7rSvX0gHMN1L2YdZzV8zCrcgRnay8u4W4/s320/IMG_0816.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>"Jesus' footprint" (to the right) in the Chapel of the Ascension<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8UqZ77kaSZN4MWgw1_DPY4HMHfFmfuCZrzZYxEsDCW7TvBJdMzN8K7AWfyQ4NS9dONQcr2_dUHtFPPKlgHv-XerCinyvLTP1PK4UvfMddJoOxEweFDik83tUtq0ORj-DCqE9hPqADY0/s1600-h/IMG_0817.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166463960855071522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8UqZ77kaSZN4MWgw1_DPY4HMHfFmfuCZrzZYxEsDCW7TvBJdMzN8K7AWfyQ4NS9dONQcr2_dUHtFPPKlgHv-XerCinyvLTP1PK4UvfMddJoOxEweFDik83tUtq0ORj-DCqE9hPqADY0/s320/IMG_0817.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifKOvZ6RjOWbPfLPzkgoRGGsvq2-wZckqrRiIiQNbRDAcZUN3FbFRmjXmpDk__u1h4LLhYSXEAW4GRtGmzqiMO1pj3D71z1misiiLIjW3j_G8u9UpqdW_qfA9X-3FaeEsksY_AYWxYkU/s1600-h/IMG_0813.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166463209235794706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifKOvZ6RjOWbPfLPzkgoRGGsvq2-wZckqrRiIiQNbRDAcZUN3FbFRmjXmpDk__u1h4LLhYSXEAW4GRtGmzqiMO1pj3D71z1misiiLIjW3j_G8u9UpqdW_qfA9X-3FaeEsksY_AYWxYkU/s320/IMG_0813.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Stairway at Dominus Flevit with a view from same<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEh6sND09r42x-66GyWtmE6SkoIGDMASUDNdbV7nrjsyrnGTToNoJ46y7Qw-d2MvVXuxxPmDVuA9pWbMNwwy8iiwa06NZt6kGEmyhnHvfaR0-9vRie1TviuVy2tja8NmsPiLZXwBmacw/s1600-h/IMG_0812.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166417841496247042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEh6sND09r42x-66GyWtmE6SkoIGDMASUDNdbV7nrjsyrnGTToNoJ46y7Qw-d2MvVXuxxPmDVuA9pWbMNwwy8iiwa06NZt6kGEmyhnHvfaR0-9vRie1TviuVy2tja8NmsPiLZXwBmacw/s320/IMG_0812.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Yg_ESqXoa3aHH5jkV4UIPKEI_Anoehd6GpzRsj9pCMazTUUgojhx0aO0ApFbtGBcRy4bXOz1gMu4nVLZ9t7GQd_sRzjelcl5azq5mB9HvMI3PDT85DGKLIQjUPGEdaXBMX94lYlFJg/s1600-h/IMG_0806.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166416333962726114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Yg_ESqXoa3aHH5jkV4UIPKEI_Anoehd6GpzRsj9pCMazTUUgojhx0aO0ApFbtGBcRy4bXOz1gMu4nVLZ9t7GQd_sRzjelcl5azq5mB9HvMI3PDT85DGKLIQjUPGEdaXBMX94lYlFJg/s320/IMG_0806.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpsNn9fj27ijXygsJQ26Kz-nykZ9HgGt3uIYK2SP2gy29flnSKyTocy-veAGiq5JIWuwdgoQzjGe3KIdbh7k8zmbPcNlsmYzIp1c8OlpnQlXOEhdMZBqaNQMsC6V7V9D_6AbC1JS38RU/s1600-h/IMG_0809.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166415809976715986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpsNn9fj27ijXygsJQ26Kz-nykZ9HgGt3uIYK2SP2gy29flnSKyTocy-veAGiq5JIWuwdgoQzjGe3KIdbh7k8zmbPcNlsmYzIp1c8OlpnQlXOEhdMZBqaNQMsC6V7V9D_6AbC1JS38RU/s320/IMG_0809.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To the right looking down into the Kiddron Valley through an olive grove<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqVgf-inywXtQSpqCs3SvYGJQc9j4WIwc7BRQLUYqazv7fmKAGp9QD_vNCXmNFLAMhsPOPJXjxVb-U3HnZZgQ3JLCsZOXaN-2AI4rdUrUo8s-0GZ7z_89jiX_JcTXqrFHil2whfvlrN8/s1600-h/IMG_0819.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166414869378878146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqVgf-inywXtQSpqCs3SvYGJQc9j4WIwc7BRQLUYqazv7fmKAGp9QD_vNCXmNFLAMhsPOPJXjxVb-U3HnZZgQ3JLCsZOXaN-2AI4rdUrUo8s-0GZ7z_89jiX_JcTXqrFHil2whfvlrN8/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Shopping at the At Tur greengrocer<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><div>The German expats helped us get ready for Ash Wednesday. On the last Saturday of the Epiphany season they organized a Fasching costume party with a “Stunksitzung, Musik, Tanz und Grog.” Donna and I put on our Tilley clothes and went as “Canadian tourists”, complete with name badges and Canadian pins! Viel Spass!<br /><br />On Shrove Tuesday, Donna and Suzanne Wagner, a pastor from the U.S on sabbatical, made pancakes for the guest house folk. Pancake Day with Canadian-style pancakes and maple syrup from St. Jacob’s was a new experience for the Europeans and the Australians.<br /><br />We observed Ash Wednesday at Pastor Holman’s flat with the Ash Wednesday liturgy, including the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion. After worship we all partook of a potluck meal. It seems contradictory, doesn’t it? One of the four disciplines of Lent is fasting and we had a feast on the 1st day of Lent. For Lutherans it’s more like “fating” than fasting. I guess it’s just that profound Lutheran sense that we don’t do things like fasting to win God’s love. Jesus has done that for us! Maybe fasting for Lutherans is giving up a part of one’s self out of love for others in response to God’s unconditional grace. Whoops! I’m starting to write a sermon. This Wednesday the Brown’s have invited us to the Stone House for midweek devotions, and potluck, of course!<br /><br />On the 1st Sunday in Lent Donna and I walked down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane where the Greek Orthodox Church seems to be in control. We looked at the rock where tradition holds that Jesus was praying just before his arrest, and descended into the grotto where the Greeks think Mary was placed in a state of dormition (deep sleep) and where her assumption (being taken up bodily into heaven without dying) took place.<br /><br />We crossed the street to visit St. Stephen’s Greek Orthodox Church and got a rather unfriendly welcome from the woman caretaker. She was suspicious of us when we entered the church, and we were barked at when we tried to go into a small room that was apparently out-of-bounds. “That’s the church out there! And no pictures!” she snarled. And as we left, I said something to her in Arabic. That was the last straw. “Why did you speak to me in Arabic? Didn’t you see the Greek flag on the roof? I’m Greek.” I replied that I spoke Arabic because this is Palestine, and she was insulted that I had taken her for a Palestinian. As far as she was concerned, in a Greek church under a Greek flag, she was in Greece. So much for Christian love and interfaith dialogue! </div><div></div><div><br />On the way back home, we walked through our village of At Tur and stopped at the Chapel of the Ascension. Inside is a roped-off rock with an indentation that looks a bit like a footprint. It is supposed to be the place where Jesus ascended. I guess the footprint was left when he “pushed off”. The Chapel is really part of a mosque, but remember that the Qu’ran treats Jesus as a prophet and proclaims that Jesus will play a role in the end-of-days, and so it’s appropriate that a mosque should house the place where Jesus ascended into heaven.<br /><br />As Lent begins, spring seems to have sprung. We had our snow days 10 days ago, but when Donna and I took our 1st-Sunday-in-Lent walk, the temperature was close to+20C, and the sun was shining. The anemones are blossoming in guest house garden, yellow daisies are looking bright-eyed, the lemon trees are in blossom, and I’m told that the poppies are about to put on their red dresses. The almond trees won’t be far behind. We could get used to this.</div><br /><div>On the way back to Augusta Victoria, we stopped for some fruit at the neighbourhood greengrocer in At Tur.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Donna & Dale Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166766237690291933noreply@blogger.com0