Spring 04 Reports: Barb

Spring 04 Reports: Barb

It's around 11:15 a.m. here and I'm counting my misshapful blessings. We thought we'd be traveling to the West Bank to see the Wall today. However, travel impediments (from our escourt here) are giving us a free day. A Franciscan priest from the midwest popped in for a visit and gave us some valuable tips, such as recommended reading. He is studying Palestinian society/culture/politics/language here. The heady analysis resources include: Dishonest Broker by Nasaar Aruri which is about U. S. policy through the years; Broken Pillars by ___Jeffrey (sp?) identifies the 6 pillars of negotiation issues for the pAL. conflict.

For lighter and moving reading, he recommends Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour, whom we will meet at Sabeel in a few days. Also, I am planning to order a number of copies of that book to se1l out of the Palestine office. We will have copies available at the Sat., May 15 reporting the 3 of us plan to do locally. (Details tocome). The Franciscan's analysis (name withheld till later) is that the U. S. policy of siding with the conservative Israeli Likuud is hurting Israel as well as Americans...Americans dying in Iraq for Likkud's policies... He feels that Christians here have a definite and unique role with both Jews and Muslims--"they need us"--for the Gospel messages of loving one's enemies, live by the sword/die by the sword, beatitudes, etc. Lest anyone think that those of us who travel here have some sort of special qualities, I want to share some funny mishaps that say to me- -ANYONE can do this better than I!!

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--Arriving in a strange city needing to make contacts with people and not knowing/remembering your own cell phone number..

--Having a partner to meet up with later in the week and not having his telephone number....

--Calling for his wife's phone number (to get his here) and getting his cell number back in the States. Leaving a message anyway.

--Receiving a phone call and not being able to find your cell phone (seated in the bathroom....)

--Same place; having retrieved the phone and not having access to your pen to write down the other party's phone no.

--Walking to the internet cafe an hour before it opens. (And returning to the hostel you've just signed out of).

--Packing for a one-day trip and misplacing, in succession: your wallet, your passport, your prescription medication, your fanny pack.

Despite all of that (and more!), we are managing to meet very helpful people and having valuable conversations and getting new leads on where to find great teaching resources (maps, etc.).

Today I wear my Celtic bard shirt with "Truth against the world" in Gaelic. But of course, I don't read Gaelic.... :) I will talk to that wall soon...maybe in Gaelic as well.... The wall will get it.

I thank you again for your good energy which keeps us smiling at our many missteps and occasional tears.

Happy Easter to all, Barb