St Anthony the Abbot

10 degrees with grey skies. Feels terribly cold but no sign of rain. Miserable. Got another "hot air fan" to warm up my room just now.

Crisis in the government coalition as Defense Minister quits his party as chairman to start a new party - 4 other ministers follow suit. Meanwhile Foreign Ministry's workers continue their strike ... meaning people no longer are getting their visas approved. Groups are therefore fewer. Jean Paul's friends - Michel and Simone - from Cameroun have cancelled their visit this morning because they cannot get their visa - but canceling their lodging booking is a problem ... the hostel refuses to give even a 50% refund.

Don't know what's happening in the house for the past week as I have not been down to eat with the community - actually not been down for anything. Khalil the cook continues to keep food in the oven for me during each meal but I actually only ate it once - last night. Sr. Veronica caught me last night and made me eat it. Actually some people here think I've left the country because they haven't seen me for a week. Fr Vincenzo contacted from Cairo to scold me to get out of my room. Benoit, who's sponsored by the Holy Spirit Sem. College pilgrims in his studies, calls me every other day to see if I'm ok. I should go over to his little pizzeria and have a cup of coffee. It'll make him happy. Actually he's so grateful for your sponsorship in giving him a chance to study, he calls me after every lesson to tell me what he studied and thanks and thanks and thanks. No exaggeration. He's so very thankful.

Today we celebrate the feast of St Anthony the Abbot - founder of monasticism some 1700 years ago. He was egyptian and there're many tales regarding his amazing life in the egyptian desert. During Mass we prayed for Fr Testa who died last week in Assisi. And tomorrow my best friend returns to Italy. I guess not everyone has that resilience to survive this land. It's gonna suck tomorrow when I have to say goodbye.