Storm

Heavy rain

Freezing weather the past days ... and almost non-stop drizzle. On Friday last the storm was so heavy in the Shaar Haggai valley where I was traveling to Jaffa for Mass that visibility was only 3 meters. It was frightening as you can hardly see the car ahead or behind or even the road itself. And the noise of rain hitting the roof and windshield was thunderous. Never in 30 years have I seen such a tempest. And it was good for the dry parched land which last year saw a drought. The land needed this soaking. But the poor people in the war zone without shelter or heating must have been a dreadful experience. 

Today the drizzle has stopped. A good respite for us to dry clothes, clean up the streets and terraces covered with leaves and debris from the storm. But the wind is still very cold. It's hovering around 6 degrees but forecast is 1 degree on Thursday. Everyone hopes for some snow but it's unlikely it will.

Clearing debris and mud

It's exam time for students and the storm is a good means to keep them at home and study. No chance of going out to play. 

I saw the roadworks at Damascus Gate washed away by the storm and a bulldozer had to come and clear the roundabout from sand and mud. Well the municipality could have finished that work last autumn and avoided this catastrophe. In stead the whole area down to Herod's Gate is like after a bombardment ... potholes everywhere, no asphalt, sand and mud; even the walkways are incomplete with some parts with paving stones and other parts sand and mud.

Full moon

Dark cold alleys

The rains have stopped but it's still very cold. This morning was 8 degrees. All my workers and volunteers are sick from this weather. They didn't come to work, and they won't come this whole week. They got sick-leave from the doctor. So I've been at work every day this week, going very early to work at 7am and returning home sometime around 6pm. 

The sun sets at 4.30pm so it's usually a cold dark walk back home. Police are everywhere. There's a palpable tension in the air. I don't look up. I focus on the slippery stone pavement and steps. My greatest fear is to fall and hurt myself. That's a typical fear of the elderly.

Full moon

Last night the full moon was peeking in and out of the rain clouds. It was rather beautiful, with the drizzle in the foreground. I stopped several times to photograph the moon. It's not allowed to stop or sit at Damascus Gate; 2 weeks back a soldier aimed his machine-gun laser on my chest to warn to me move on as I sat on the bench to catch my breath. I was having difficulty in breathing but he'd have shot me if I didn't move on. Now I walk slowly so as not to provoke an asthma attack and need to sit down. 

Rain

Rainy day

Just when we thought the weather was getting fine and warm, it plummeted down to 7 degrees with constant drizzle. And that's the forecast for the rest of this week. In a way it's nice as it's winter and everyone is saying it might snow if the rain/drizzle continues. We just feel sorry for those in Gaza who have no shelter and heating. 

It's exam time in the schools. Students are jamming and crashing to study for this mid-year exams. The library is full ... not just because it has the books and is a quiet environment for studies ... but it also has heating! When the temp is 6-7 degrees, the library is the best place to be.

Cloudy and gloomy

Rainy season is also the main cause for accidents and injuries. Right now outside my window there is an ambulance flashing red and blue lights, parked and attendants are busy doing something. Not sure if it's taking someone away or bringing someone back. People slip and fall on the slippery limestone pavements, especially the old folks. I wonder why the Municipality continues to pave pedestrian walkways with these limestones.

Tourists are back

Indonesian group yesterday

The weather went up to 12 degrees yesterday. It was lovely and sunny. I had a slow walk in the west with another student ... I've not been to the west side fo the City since the war started. I went to say hi to friends who run shops and restaurants. I've not seen them for 3 months now.

Life is almost normal here ... despite the war in the south. Tourist groups are back. The Indonesians are the largest visitors ... one group a day arrives. Then there are small family groups from Brazil, France, Germany and America. It's a good sign. I believe european airlines will resume flights by Easter.

We're expecting alot of rain this weekend and hopefully even snow. It's winter after all.

Violence

The weather continues to be cold, hovering around 8 degrees both day and night. But during the day the sun is shining and bright. It would have brought our families and children this weekend to enjoy the lovely weather. But it's Friday. All the City Gates were under security surveillance. The Gates in the Muslim Quarter are closed. It's very tense. People avoid trouble by not going out.

Burnt Mass center

Meantime our Catholic Mass center in the Jewish city of Rehovot was burnt to the ground. Everything was destroyed ... altar, liturgical objects, sound system ... everything. Investigations are going on to find out the cause of this fire. But the migrant communities who use this center for Sunday Masses say neighbors and passersby curse and throw stones at them during the liturgy before.

Fr Justinus and
the burnt gate

The Church of Jacob's Well in Samaria was again attacked, and the very old priest Fr Justinus there was again also attacked. He was badly injured the last time arab youths entered the compound and attacked him last year. He had spent over 60 years in this church, cleaning and building and painting it from scratch. 50 years ago the bishop and a priest of the same church were killed by jewish extremist youths. If only more police security was given to this church that lies in the middle of a conflict zone.

It's been a sad week with all these violence. Let's pray things will get more settled as the year rolls on.

Cold

Very cold and rainy

The rains finally stopped after 2 days. But it's still very cold. Mornings are about 6 degrees and the highest at daytime is 15 degrees or so. This morning I had to go to Jaffa for the Chinese Mass and the difference in weather and temperature is very significant between the 2 cities. From cold, wet Jerusalem we reached a sunny 20 degree seaside weather. All the thick waterproof jackets were taken off ... only a woollen sweater was sufficient. That's how extreme the wether can be from one city to another.

My right knee is much better now. I'm able to walk without pain. And climbing stairs is also better though it still hurts after a dozen steps up or down. The cataract in my left eye is very bothersome as it's obstructing my vision. I really need to go to the Eye Hospital on the Mt of Olives to get an assessment as to whether it can be removed.

Dar al Majus

Our orange tree

As the new year starts, we thanks all the donors for their prayers, concern and gifts to the poor, needy and suffering here in the Holy Land. Be assured that every month a Mass is celebrated for you here in the Holy Sepulchre. 

As tourism has grounded to an almost halt, our churches are tranquil and peaceful, with our flowers and famous orange tree not vandalized for the 3rd year running ... the first 2 years of Covid lockdown and this year the war. The tree has grown robust and produced huge bitter oranges good for making marmalade. All our little Spring flowers are not only blossoming without being plucked and trampled, but new seedlings have also sprouted everywhere especially the gazanias.

But the serenity we experience is offset by the closure of shops and hotels that depend on tourism. Many families are suffering financially and psychologically as they stay at home with no work to do.  Our italian fundraising association has organised an online shop to sell the products of our Christian artisans in Bethlehem. If you wish to help them earn a little livelihood and keep their dignity, please visit https://damfairtrade.com/shop/  The association is called Dar al Majus of House of the Magi, founded by our Franciscan "Pro Terra Sancta" non-govt organization to help the under privileged. 

Ordinary time

Simple manger

With the very busy weekend over, our tempo forte comes to an end. That means the time of intense spiritual and liturgical activities ... being Christmas season. The past 2 days saw Epiphany followed by the Baptism of Christ back-to-back celebrations. It's the shortest Christmas season we've ever had. Advent week 4 was only one Sunday because immediately after that was Christmas Day. A whole week of Advent was skipped. Now the week between Epiphany and Baptism was also skipped as both feasts followed each other. 

Our simple manger and Infant Jesus was removed last night as we suddenly enter Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar. Because of the tragedy around us, all the churches in the Holy Land have decided not to celebrate Christmas with the usual festivities and mangers. Ours was simply the Infant Jesus on top of our Tabernacle. Nothing fanciful.

The weather has been very cold and damp, though not a drop of rain fell. Let's hope we won't face another drought year. This time of weather affects my joints ... like all old people. My right knee that was swollen for the past 4 days is much better now. I am able to walk without the stick. But climbing stairs is still difficult. What a way to start the new year.

New Year

Sunrise on the New Year

We're into the 3rd day of the New Year ... the war is still on. People are still suffering. And we out here are helpless. A general sadness is palpable in the streets. Our Christian Quarter has not been celebrating the New Year. Nobody wants to say "Happy" New Year. 

My right knee is swollen and very painful even if I am lying down. Walking on flat land is ok ... but climbing up and down stairs is terribly painful. I walk slowly now with a walking stick. It took me one hour to walk to work this morning 1 km away. I'm not sure what's happening but I'll not waste time going to the doctor.

The weather is cold and wet. It's been hovering around 12 degrees day and night. It's winter after all. Let's hope it won't make life more difficult for our poor Christians in the war torn enclave. We continue to pray.