Spoke too soon - last night the harassment began. Muslim youths lined our church wall with fire-crackers (real large explosives) and exploded them one after another at 11pm when we were asleep. The first explosion woke us up and I thought they must have blown up our metal gates. Went out to check, then a series of other explosions all along our church wall went off.
Wonder what they're going to do next. It's going to be a long month of sleepless nights. Been told that muslims have similarly been harassing Christian families throughout the territory.
And if you think I'm paranoid, check this out http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1220526718100&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull There are literally thousands of soldiers in the Old City to prevent riots, as usually occurs on Friday Ramadan prayers.
You just have to be here to understand the situation.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Feast of Mother Teresa
Feastday of Mother Teresa today. Celebrated Mass at the convent of the Missionaries of Charity. It's feels so at home to be with these sisters. They work so hard and sacrifice so much - it's awesome.
Today is also the first Friday of Ramadan. Last night the firing of the sunset canon gave me a fright - forgot about it and the boom rattled all the windows of our house (as usual). Then as the night wore on by 8pm, fireworks everywhere were fired. Knowing how jumpy I am, I had a terrible time surviving the blasts that went on the whole night. They sound like gunshots. I'll have to be psyched for Ramadan especially with these fireworks - last time when there was fireworks, someone took the opportunity to shoot and kill 2 police near my place. It sounds the same. And that was less than 2 months ago.
Youths are whistling throughout the streets and houses are lighted up for the feast of the night. Kids play outdoors and womenfolk are busy with the cooking. This is the time of year when they make maashi warra-a`innab ( rice and lamb wrapped in grape leaves - also called dolmades in greek) which I happen to like very very much! After dinner they sit in their courtyards or streets to enjoy the 18 degree breeze, dancing singing with the ubiquituous arab drum - which can be terrible with its booming sound especially at midnight when you're trying to sleep!!!!
Anyway it's our normal "Ramadan" mode - meaning we try not to go out on Fridays to avoid the crowd and unnecessary / unpredictable trouble. Also the Way of the Cross is cancelled during Ramadan so as not to provoke hostilities.
My ankle still hurts so I stayed in bed the whole afternoon to rest it. In fact i slept throughout the afternoon - which is awefully rare (4 hours in all). Missed breakfast and dinner but I don't feel hungry at all. Ulisse said I look much better having lost weight - less bloated was the way he put it. He still remembers me as the skinny guy back in 1992 - "like a matchstick" he says. Strangely my asthma came back for the last 2 days - something that hasn't happen for some time. I might be allergic to the bed linen, I think.
Ana Paula (Brasilian friend/colleague) sent me a beautiful photo she took of a Bible and a candle beside it. She's a very good photographer and a web genius. I have to contact her to followup on some projects we're doing together.
But back to the Feast of Mother Teresa: in a private revelation, Jesus said to Mother "My little one, come, come, carry me into the bodies of the poor. Come be my light, I cannot go alone. They don't know me so they don't want me. You come, go among them. Carry me with you into them. How I long to enter their bodies; their dark, unhappy homes."
Today is also the first Friday of Ramadan. Last night the firing of the sunset canon gave me a fright - forgot about it and the boom rattled all the windows of our house (as usual). Then as the night wore on by 8pm, fireworks everywhere were fired. Knowing how jumpy I am, I had a terrible time surviving the blasts that went on the whole night. They sound like gunshots. I'll have to be psyched for Ramadan especially with these fireworks - last time when there was fireworks, someone took the opportunity to shoot and kill 2 police near my place. It sounds the same. And that was less than 2 months ago.
Youths are whistling throughout the streets and houses are lighted up for the feast of the night. Kids play outdoors and womenfolk are busy with the cooking. This is the time of year when they make maashi warra-a`innab ( rice and lamb wrapped in grape leaves - also called dolmades in greek) which I happen to like very very much! After dinner they sit in their courtyards or streets to enjoy the 18 degree breeze, dancing singing with the ubiquituous arab drum - which can be terrible with its booming sound especially at midnight when you're trying to sleep!!!!
Anyway it's our normal "Ramadan" mode - meaning we try not to go out on Fridays to avoid the crowd and unnecessary / unpredictable trouble. Also the Way of the Cross is cancelled during Ramadan so as not to provoke hostilities.
My ankle still hurts so I stayed in bed the whole afternoon to rest it. In fact i slept throughout the afternoon - which is awefully rare (4 hours in all). Missed breakfast and dinner but I don't feel hungry at all. Ulisse said I look much better having lost weight - less bloated was the way he put it. He still remembers me as the skinny guy back in 1992 - "like a matchstick" he says. Strangely my asthma came back for the last 2 days - something that hasn't happen for some time. I might be allergic to the bed linen, I think.
Ana Paula (Brasilian friend/colleague) sent me a beautiful photo she took of a Bible and a candle beside it. She's a very good photographer and a web genius. I have to contact her to followup on some projects we're doing together.
But back to the Feast of Mother Teresa: in a private revelation, Jesus said to Mother "My little one, come, come, carry me into the bodies of the poor. Come be my light, I cannot go alone. They don't know me so they don't want me. You come, go among them. Carry me with you into them. How I long to enter their bodies; their dark, unhappy homes."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
School starts
Thanks to Jacqueline Wong (Rome) for her gift to the Gaza Catholics, as well as a few other friends who remain anonymous. Also the donation to help the Musky kids. Fr Vincenzo is coming to Israel in November and I shall see him about the progress of this project.
School has started here in Israel and suddenly it struck me how silent it was the past 3 months - no school bells ringing every hour and kids screaming and teachers yelling - believe me it is really loud from where I'm situated next to the Omariyya School.
At 4am the watchers walk through the streets of the Muslim Quarter (where I live) beating on a drum, calling people to wake up. They go to the mosque to pray and eat before the sun rises. The muezzin begins singing at about 4.30am for 20 minutes of so. Then as the sun sets each evening, a canon is fired from the Dome of the Rock mosque to signal the end of the daily fast, so muslims go home to eat with their families. The streets in our street is very pretty - lit up with lots of colourful lights. Its very festive.
And the weather has changed very much - humid and chilly every morning. It's spelling the beginning of autumn - and the jewish feast of Tabernacles will come round soon.
School has started here in Israel and suddenly it struck me how silent it was the past 3 months - no school bells ringing every hour and kids screaming and teachers yelling - believe me it is really loud from where I'm situated next to the Omariyya School.
At 4am the watchers walk through the streets of the Muslim Quarter (where I live) beating on a drum, calling people to wake up. They go to the mosque to pray and eat before the sun rises. The muezzin begins singing at about 4.30am for 20 minutes of so. Then as the sun sets each evening, a canon is fired from the Dome of the Rock mosque to signal the end of the daily fast, so muslims go home to eat with their families. The streets in our street is very pretty - lit up with lots of colourful lights. Its very festive.
And the weather has changed very much - humid and chilly every morning. It's spelling the beginning of autumn - and the jewish feast of Tabernacles will come round soon.
Thought for the day
Mother Teresa said "Holiness is not a luxury of the few, but a simple duty for you and for me."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
friends
Met my friend and italian teacher Ulisse today. It was good to see him again. He taught me italian back in 1992. And boy has he grown old - well he said the same thing about me. Anyway we chatted for an hour and he had lots of good advice for me. He's pretty sharp and gets right to the point.
And talk about good advice - Thiago (from Cancao Nova Jerusalem) had some very wise words for me yesterday too. Got me reflecting the whole day....and night. Result - I got diarrhea. Hahaha ... but today it's his turn getting diarrhea. So I'm getting the last laugh now ... but honest, he hit the nail on the spot yesterday with a very acute observation about faith and prayer.
My left ankle is giving me problems again. I'll have to see Dr. Ben Daniel soon for that. Will keep you updated.
And talk about good advice - Thiago (from Cancao Nova Jerusalem) had some very wise words for me yesterday too. Got me reflecting the whole day....and night. Result - I got diarrhea. Hahaha ... but today it's his turn getting diarrhea. So I'm getting the last laugh now ... but honest, he hit the nail on the spot yesterday with a very acute observation about faith and prayer.
My left ankle is giving me problems again. I'll have to see Dr. Ben Daniel soon for that. Will keep you updated.
Monday, September 1, 2008
flying time
Mother Teresa said "Our works of Charity are nothing but the overflow of our love of God from within. Therefore the one who is most united to Him loves her neighbour most."
It was good to read that the Gaza check-point was opened for medical supplies to be brought in. Some of our Christians desperately need medicine. It is truly a work of charity if these medicine can reach the Christians.
Just saw a very enlightening documentary by Nat. Geo. on the Koran and Islam. Hope you guys will get to see it. Ramadan begins this week - and the best muezzin are at hand to sing their best during this month.
I noticed the squills flowering in the cemetaries - it's a type of autumn lily that has one long white flower spike. It's the sign that the rains will soon come, which is usually during the Jewish feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles / Tents).
All these point to one fact - the year is coming to its end and 2009 will be soon upon us. How time flies.
It was good to read that the Gaza check-point was opened for medical supplies to be brought in. Some of our Christians desperately need medicine. It is truly a work of charity if these medicine can reach the Christians.
Just saw a very enlightening documentary by Nat. Geo. on the Koran and Islam. Hope you guys will get to see it. Ramadan begins this week - and the best muezzin are at hand to sing their best during this month.
I noticed the squills flowering in the cemetaries - it's a type of autumn lily that has one long white flower spike. It's the sign that the rains will soon come, which is usually during the Jewish feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles / Tents).
All these point to one fact - the year is coming to its end and 2009 will be soon upon us. How time flies.
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