苦路善工 ( 广东话)

Thanks

Ruins of Ss. Cosmas & Damian
7th century church

 Thank you very much for your prayers and concern. I'm much better than last week, thanks to your prayers. The cardiologist and the dentist are collaborating to adjust my medication so as to avoid a heart attack but while also controlling the pain. So far there has been no serious complications. The first 72 hours were crucial but I managed to pull through that. Now I am preparing for the minor surgery which hopefully will go ahead.

Ss. Cosmas & Damian

When I was feeling better on the 5th day, I walked slowly to the ancient ruins of the chapel of Ss. Cosmas and Damian, two Syrian saints who were doctors and healed the poor without asking for money (in Greek "anargyrii" or "penniless"). I went to pray that these 2 doctor saints would intercede for me. They must have heard my prayer ... well until Wednesday I hope.

....

Dentists who
can't help

 Things get from bad to worse ... healthwise. While my heart problem is hardly solved, I now broke a molar ... the entire crown just crumbled, leaving the roots in the gums. The pain is excruciating. I couldn't sleep for the past few nights ... nor tolerate the days. The dentists dare not do anything because I'm under strong blood thinners. I need the cardiologist to advise me ... but he only starts work tomorrow and I'm not sure at which hospital. No pharmacist dares to sell me any painkillers. So I'm in terrible agony these few days. My head hurts and I cannot think or eat or sleep. This Lent is unlike any other Lent.

With these unbearable pain, I hardly follow what's happening in the country. All I know is there were even larger protests countrywide. Military and police reservists refuse to show up for work. Financial leaders are warning of collapse. Companies are pulling out of the country. School students boycott school in order to protest. There's been clashes between palestinians and israeli soldiers. The country is no better than I am.

Hail storm

Hailstorm yesterday

Temp dropped by over 10 degrees yesterday. The sky was dark and winds were very strong and cold. And a hailstorm pummeled the country for most of the day. It was of biblical epic proportions. Everyone was running for shelter and shops were moving their outdoor displays before they got destroyed. Children played outdoors as they rarely see hail storms here. Indoors we could hear the hail pelting the windows. This made up for the lack of rain during winter. Apparently the hail and rain hit as far south as the farthest southern city of Eilat. Today the weather remains the same though the hail have stopped. The weekend will see another bout of storms. I am glad we're getting this rain ... despite the inconvenience.

Engineers at work

Our engineers have been inspecting many buildings in our Aleppo parish area. It's a difficult job as there are simply too many buildings to be inspected, and the roads are almost non-existent as collapsed buildings have blocked them. Let's hope at least some families will be able to return home to live. There's still no electricity and water though. It's very difficult on everyone but no one has lost hope. 

My cardiologist told me that taking the medicines are useless if I am still stressed and overworked. So I'll start giving up some work soon. Stay tune to see what they'll be.

Aid

Our engineers head for Syria

 I'm feeling worse than the past days. Bad chest pains. I can hardly walk 500m. And I lost my voice ... with a fever and dizziness. It's all going bad. Thanks to everyone around me, encouraging me, helping me walk about or getting me things. I really feel like an invalid now.

Last week our team of Italian engineers have gone to Syria to study the stability of houses in our parishes .... which can be occupied with no danger, which must be pulled down and rebuilt. Then the need to rebuilt begins and we need to fund raise for the building materials. Meantime food and medicines continue to be in need. Please continue to help. We assure you of our prayers.

Meantime protests took place in Washington and London against the govt's judicial overhaul. Locals have pulled 8.5 billion shekels from local mutual funds in fear of an economic collapse due to the govt's move. The powerful labour union has threatened to take action. The sacking of the Tel Aviv police chief who apparently did not do enough to stop the protesters is a bad omen, so says the newspapers. But still the govt has bulldozed ahead it's bill to render toothless the judicial courts, and make the govt above the law. Right-wingers may be pleased now ... but sometime in the future the same law will work against them. They are too short-sighted.

Earthquake ruins in Aleppo

Food aid

Distributing food in Aleppo

 Been having a fever the past 2 days. The diuretic that the hospital gave is making me dizzy and weak. The hands are still swollen though the feet have reduced alot. By reducing my antibodies, I've now caught a virus ... sore throat and fever. Will get tested later today for Covid. Everyone is telling me to stay in bed and rest. Heart problems must not be taken lightly ... so said our doctor-priest. I'm trying my best. And sleep is catching up on me.

Last weekend's protests are picking up heat and there're calls for more protesters to join in. Last week saw over 300,000 in the streets. Former AG has warned the legal shakeup will have gave consequences. Other business and bank heads are all warning the same thing. But the ministers will bulldoze ahead to make the govt more powerful than the courts, can override its decisions and even appoint its own partisan judges.

Meantime our mission in northern Syria affected by the earthquake continues. Everyday the friars and volunteers cook for over 3,000 people to eat. Food is brought out into the streets for those not sheltering in our schools or church halls. As Spring rolls in, the cold isn't the problem anymore. But hunger and disease are. Please help. The Custody continues to collect donations to feed and heal the victims there.

Weekend

Damascus Gate at dusk

 Yesterday's protests ended in clashes among israeli public and the police ... and an arab terrorist attack, all in Tel Aviv. The extremist hardline minister of security immediately sacked the Tel Aviv police chief ... creating a security crisis. The Supreme Court blocked the move but we're not sure if the court has any power since these radical ministers are pushing the new law for the courts to come under the minister' powers. 

Jerusalem was a lot calmer, but the police presence was huge. Ramadan will start in 2 weeks and already the lights are set up in the streets and City Gates. Huge crowds come into the City during the weekend, and the police are keeping a suspicious eye on everyone. The Purim festivities are almost over so it won't be so provocative. For the apst nights, extremist jewish groups sing, chant, play very loud music and bang on drums to wake up as they march at undisclosed hours down our streets. Police accompany them and everyone must stay indoors or blocked off in alleys till these groups pass.

I've spent most of today in hospital ... again. Lots of tests. The cardiologist checked on me after the tests. More medicines are added. I must relax more ... no more tensions. Less work. More sleep. Anything to stop exacerbating the cardio problem. Impossible dreams. 

Thursday

Sheltering in our school hall

 It's protest time today throughout the country. It hasn't hit us yet in the City ... but later today it will arrive. It started 60km away in Tel Aviv and clashes broke out when protesters blocked the north-south highway. Commercial pilots refused to fly the PM to Rome today, as protesters try to block access to the airport. Apparently a compromise is being worked out but protesters say how can you compromise with justice and democracy? It's giving in to the criminals who want to protect themselves from jail time by changing the law, by making the parliament more powerful than the courts.

The new medicine, as I was warned, is making me dizzy and nauseous all the time. I feel terribly sick. A doctor I met told me I should be in bed ... a problem with the heart is serious. Now if only I can convince those people who like to poke their noses around and complain if I take a day off. They actually write nasty letters to complain about me, so I am forced to work. And these people have nothing to do with the library at all. It's jealousy and malice.

Our work in Syria continues. I think soon we need to rebuild houses and infrastructure. Pray for our mission.

Tours are back

 It's the jewish feast of Purim today. Lots of fun activities throughout the City. Also lots of anti-Christian marches down our street by Jews who use this feast to attack non-Jews. There's no shortage of hatred in this country. I wonder what God taught in the Torah.

Donations of medicine, food 
and solar lamps for the poor

There're so many tourist and pilgrim groups from Singapore and Indonesian. Each day over 500 come to visit our chapel of the 1st Station of the Cross. It's coming back with a vengeance after 2 years of lockdowns. There're not enough tour buses for all the groups and hotels are spilling over. And this will be the situation for the rest of the year. However everything is expensive ... very expensive ... so groups opt to stay in Palestine where it's a fraction cheaper, eat there as well. Also groups opt to visit non-pay sites to reduce cost. And choose walking tours over using the tour bus because the cost of tour buses have tripled. It's unbelievable but people still continue to come. Then they complain.

Thanks to the many groups that have donated many things to the poor and the earthquake victims. Be assured of our prayers and gratitude.

Tomorrow there's a call for massive nationwide protests against the govt again. People are afraid of road closures, no public transport ... but then again many will be joining in the protests. And the govt is pushing through the last reading of the bill so all these protests will be useless. Major companies are pulling out for fear the new law will lead to lawlessness. I just read in the newspaper that one major startup is pulling half a billion dollars and returning to Portugal. Experts are warning of a economic meltdown. But the govt won't care less. Here they will cut off the nose to spite the face.

Full moon

Full moon over the city wall

 The moon is full and shining brightly tonight ... but it's chilly. Yesterday was a hot 28 degrees and suddenly today it dropped to below 15 degrees. Everyone is getting sick because of the strange weather fluctuations. If this keeps up, I'll have to go for my flu shot. 

Israel raided the palestinian village of Jenin this morning, killing 6 arabs. The US backed this violence by supporting Israel's right to kill. That's american democracy. Then Israel ups its defense all around the city in fear of revenge attacks ... today being the feast of Purim. And Ramadan is in 2 weeks time so lots of muslims are coming into the city to pray. It's tense. Very tense. Meantime clashes between jewish settlers and arabs in the town of Hawara where settlers burned 30 houses last week. 

I was back at the hospital today. The results are not optimistic. I was given more medication. My hands and feet still swell and my chest pains are not going away.

Monday

Fr, Khukaz comforts a sick,
elderly refugee in Aleppo

 The country is really at a crisis point with very dangerous consequences because of the govt's insistence on overriding the judiciary's powers. The fighter pilots have refused to go into practice. Military ground officers and troops are refusing to show up on service. Hardline ministers continue to forge ahead with their new law to subjugate the Courts, not heeding the national security at stake. In fact they're calling for the sacking of all military and security officers who oppose the govt. That's how near-sighted these ministers are ... risking the collapse of the military and national security for their own political interest. Where has all the common sense and basic decency gone to?

Anyway tonight the jewish feast of Purim starts. And Israel is closing all the borders with Palestine to prevent terrorists from coming through. I think it's a desperate measure now that the military is divided over the govt's heist. 

Our friars continue to work hard in our earthquake struck towns and cities. It's a tiring mission as there are thousands to be fed, sheltered and comforted. Please pray for them.

News

Ramadan lights are up

Yesterday night saw another massive nationwide protest against the govt ... and they're calling for a "Day of Disruption" on Thursday. The extremist hardline govt is urging heavy tactics against the protesters whom they consider no better than arabs. The country is not only polarized, it's imploding. It's what happened 2000 years ago when the Temple was destroyed ... the rabbis say it's due to the sin of Sinat Hinam or baseless hatred for each other. It brought the destruction of the country ... and it will do the same again today. Read the report on this newspaper:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-thousands-protest-government-new-disruption-day-called-for-thursday/

My hands and feet are not getting better. I might go back to the clinic again to get results and do more tests. It'll depend if I can walk that far. I'm really feeling sick. 

The other day we received news that our friars succeeded in bringing aid to our earthquake struck - ISIS controlled village of Latakia. It's a big risk but they succeeded. We're praying hard for them. And we continue to ask for your help for spiritual and material assistance.

Protests

Ethiopians protesting today

The weekend has started and tensions are everywhere. Protests everywhere for every reason. Violent clashes everywhere. This afternoon there was a group of ethiopians waving flags and chanting at Tsahal Square just outside New Gate of the Old City. No idea why.

Meantime soldiers clashed with leftwing activists trying to enter the pillaged town of Hawara to show solidarity. The soldiers tried to stop the activists and scuffles broke out. Rightwing settlers on the other hand were allowed to go in and out of the town that they burned and killed some arabs last week. Today these rightwing extremists were throwing stones at passing Arab cars. No one was arrested. If it were arabs throwing stones, they'd be arrested immediately.

Burnt arab cars in Hawara
(photo from newspaper)

This Spring of discontent is pervading all sectors of social and political life. There's no lack of reasons not to be unhappy. I wonder if it'll drag through summer as well. It'll depend if the govt coalition holds up.

My hands and feet continue to be swollen ... and the chest pains persists. It's getting scary. Because it's the weekend, everything stops. So I'll have to go back to the clinic on Sunday ... if I live through this Sabbath.

Stromata

 I was back at my medical insurance clinic early this morning. My hands and feet are more swollen than yesterday. The doc sent me to do an ECG and blood test. Will wait for the result on Sunday. Meantime I can't make a fist or curl my toes as the hands and feet and quite swollen. And the chest hurts. And yesterday I was terribly nauseous.

The weather is warm now ... 20 degrees again today. Spring disappeared and we jumped from winter to summer. It's going to be a hot, dry summer for sure.

The repercussions from yesterday's massive protests against the govt's move to subdue the judiciary under parliamentary powers has drawn warnings of economic meltdown by world's leading economists. The world has lost confidence in the political and judicial stability if the govt claims power above the law. As proof, newspapers are saying the israeli shekel  was the world's 3rd worst currency in February due to this judiciary overhaul. It's a sad state of affairs but an economic meltdown, in the face of an already rampant inflation, will teach the far right and ultra-orthodox they cannot rule the country with impunity, like gangsters. One MK had officially called an arab town to be "wiped out" by the military even after 200 extremist jewish settlers rampaged through it, burning 30 houses and injuring hundreds. Without a judiciary to curb such speech and actions, the country has become a wild west with kangaroo courts. Is this what God really wants? Is this a biblical injunction?

Meantime don't forget our refugees in Syria. We're still working hard for them and offering as much help as we can.

Families huddle for shelter in our parish 
hall

Sick 2

Almond blossoms

 Today saw the largest general protest against the govt's judicial overhaul plans. Police employed aggressive tactics and 11 were injured, 50 arrested in Tel Aviv alone. Water cannons and stun grenades were used ... in Tel Aviv!!! I think right now there's an even larger demonstration here in Jerusalem at the PM's residence. With the judicial system subdued, the military and police systems under threat from govt takeover, the country is shaky and many foreign powers are warning of lawlessness and vulnerability. Now for the left to organise protests is too little too late ... why didn't the left come out to come en masse during the last elections? Why did the left allow the right to win hands down? And those center and center-right who are also protesting ... why regret your vote choice now? Too late for regrets. The country implodes. Watch the videos here:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-protests-sweep-nation-police-use-aggressive-means-to-clear-tel-aviv-rally/

Meantime Mother Nature is enjoying herself. Warm balmy weather with many plants blossoming ... especially the almonds and Judas trees. It's 20 degrees today and very warm. If this persists, we'll have a drought year and water shortage.

Today my feet and hands were swollen again. Quite badly. I couldn't wear my shoes. I am having chest pains all day. I went to the Clinic but the family doctor was not in - this is required by my medical insurance. But they made an appointment for me tomorrow morning so I'll have to go there (3km away up on Mt. Scopus) at 7am. Hope it's not something serious.