Thoughts

St. Vincent de Paul sisters and
donations

The bombings in Syria have intensified for 9 consecutive days and more and more syrian refugees are flocking to the Israeli and Jordanian border in search for safety. The situation is very bad. And the choice to open or close the borders is a moral dilemma that cuts the heart. Israel has allowed several emergency cases to enter its borders ... a very humanitarian act. But no country can possibly allow all the refugees to enter when there is no infrastructure to maintain them. Israel's "Save a Child's Heart" program has been recognised by the UN for its work ... 3 israeli doctors were honoured. The program disregards race and religion ... helping children with diseased hearts from all over the world, but especially here in the warring Middle East.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5299926,00.html

Thanks to your kindness and generosity, donations were made to the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul who work in Damascus among the refugees. The sisters had come to Jerusalem for their annual retreat and took the opportunity to call on me for help as their hospital is under great strain from the overload of refugees seeking medical aid, food and shelter. Donations were also given to M. Teresa's sisters working in Syria and Iraq. Please continue your help.

I have listened to so many dreadful stories of the wars from these sisters ... there are times when I feel I have lost hope in humanity, in world leaders ... and then these nameless little people: these nuns who go about the bombed out streets feeding and healing the wounded remind me that there are still good brave people who risk their lives for others.

Empty open market last night

But the pain hits when you see haughty arrogant tourists who flaunt their wealth and taunt the locals ... who have the gall to say "Why make yourself miserable by looking at these negative things? Look at the happy news and have a good day", when it is these very people's govt who started the war and misery around us. There is a God who sees and judges. I guess what I saw last night at Damascus Gate's open market speaks for itself: the usual busy crowded open market was empty of people .... everyone at home watching the World Cup. It's better to ignore that suffering at the border and within the border, by watching TV than to go through the helpless cycle of pain and agony of others.