Thanks to the Singapore Pilgrim Group for their generosity in donating cash, medicines and daily essentials to the poor Christians in the Holyland. See http://holylandassist.blogspot.com/
Thanks also to Roger and Theresa, Mrs Fok and all others whom I do not mention by name. Received everything.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Day that never was
Today is Naksa Day - the Palestinian response to the Israeli unification of Jerusalem (beginning of 6 Day War). But nothing happened. We expected riots and protests but everyone went about their usual business. There is less passion here than from outside the Territories, such as the Syrian Border. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/syrian-protesters-amass-by-israel-border-ahead-of-naksa-day-rallies-1.366042 Nevertheless the Old City Gates are all closed today. Extremely tight security.
Yesterday there was a loud explosion nearby. Within minutes ambulances, fire engines and police rushed into the Old City through our street. My first thought was a terrorist bomb. An hour later I asked around and people told me the Austrian Hospice (Catholic hospice for German/Swiss pilgrims) was on fire. Someone left the gas on in the kitchen and when it ignited, there was an explosion. 2 people were hurt.
Went to meet my new friend Mohand this morning. Actually yesterday I was at his shop in the afternoon to buy a T-shirt. That's the 2nd time I bought things there. But I decided to pop by again this morning and he offered Turkish coffee. A good wake-me-up. We chatted for some 20 mins and he was expounding his philosophy of life. One phrase caught me - "We must use our own hands and feet to make our lives. It's God's gift. No one else will think about us." He's living proof. At 24 he left his job as General Manager of a huge chain of garment retailers to start his own tiny shop in the Old City. By the sweat of his brow he earns his own living and just got married last year. That's a big message for kids who sell their kidneys in order to buy iPads.
Yesterday there was a loud explosion nearby. Within minutes ambulances, fire engines and police rushed into the Old City through our street. My first thought was a terrorist bomb. An hour later I asked around and people told me the Austrian Hospice (Catholic hospice for German/Swiss pilgrims) was on fire. Someone left the gas on in the kitchen and when it ignited, there was an explosion. 2 people were hurt.
Went to meet my new friend Mohand this morning. Actually yesterday I was at his shop in the afternoon to buy a T-shirt. That's the 2nd time I bought things there. But I decided to pop by again this morning and he offered Turkish coffee. A good wake-me-up. We chatted for some 20 mins and he was expounding his philosophy of life. One phrase caught me - "We must use our own hands and feet to make our lives. It's God's gift. No one else will think about us." He's living proof. At 24 he left his job as General Manager of a huge chain of garment retailers to start his own tiny shop in the Old City. By the sweat of his brow he earns his own living and just got married last year. That's a big message for kids who sell their kidneys in order to buy iPads.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
A kidney for an iPad
Friday - yesterday was tense in the Old City as arabs prepare for Naksa Day. The City Gates were closed to muslim men again and tensions rose. Cavalry were used to maintain order ... huge horses.
Meantime the E.Coli outbreak is spreading throughout Europe - 9 countries in all. And it's known as "super toxic". No cure known. No one wants to eat raw salad now even though it's summer and is a favourite dish.
Native Israeli who became a Catholic priest is named member of the Vatican's Law Court. he's the first ever Israeli to become a priest, and a franciscan at that. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-jew-turned-catholic-priest-named-head-of-papal-court-1.365615
And to show you what extremes modern youths will do to get money and materialism, here's a chinese boy who sold his kidney in order to buy an iPad, and iPhone and a laptop. They would stop at nothing to get what they want - even selling off their own body parts. How much more will they sell others off to get money? A frightening thought that reminds us never to trust everyone - there's always a hidden agenda behind and money is the idol that demands human sacrifices. http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_675703.html
Meantime the E.Coli outbreak is spreading throughout Europe - 9 countries in all. And it's known as "super toxic". No cure known. No one wants to eat raw salad now even though it's summer and is a favourite dish.
Native Israeli who became a Catholic priest is named member of the Vatican's Law Court. he's the first ever Israeli to become a priest, and a franciscan at that. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-jew-turned-catholic-priest-named-head-of-papal-court-1.365615
And to show you what extremes modern youths will do to get money and materialism, here's a chinese boy who sold his kidney in order to buy an iPad, and iPhone and a laptop. They would stop at nothing to get what they want - even selling off their own body parts. How much more will they sell others off to get money? A frightening thought that reminds us never to trust everyone - there's always a hidden agenda behind and money is the idol that demands human sacrifices. http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_675703.html
Friday, June 3, 2011
Trouble ahead
In response to Israel's Reunification Day, the palestinians will celebrate Naksa Day: the day when those living in East Jerusalem were forced out of their land as refugees in neighbouring countries. This should fall on Sunday. Israel is expecting trouble at its borders as Palestinians in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan will try to breach the borders to enter Israel. Also a few days later, palestinians living further abroad will stage a mass fly-in at Ben Gurion airport and hold a protest there.
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=223450 We're expecting big trouble these days.
http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=223450 We're expecting big trouble these days.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Killer veggies
The new E.Coli strain killing Germans is scaring us. Probably scaring the rest of the world as well. Watch what you eat! And cellphones give you brain cancer ...
The previous evening, the President did an informal walkabout in front of our piazza. It was unannounced and many people at the bazaar in the piazza had a nice surprise. And especially the bride-to-be who came to take some wedding photos ... ended up having a photo with the President. I didn't speak to the President but we did nod to each other.
Today I was back in hospital. The docs aren't sure what is happening. They got a specialist from Carmel to come. He thinks there are two possibilities - either a post-operation (big name that I cannot remember) syndrome or an infection in the stomach. Hope it's not the E.Coli killer because I've been eating raw veggies the past few weeks.
The previous evening, the President did an informal walkabout in front of our piazza. It was unannounced and many people at the bazaar in the piazza had a nice surprise. And especially the bride-to-be who came to take some wedding photos ... ended up having a photo with the President. I didn't speak to the President but we did nod to each other.
Today I was back in hospital. The docs aren't sure what is happening. They got a specialist from Carmel to come. He thinks there are two possibilities - either a post-operation (big name that I cannot remember) syndrome or an infection in the stomach. Hope it's not the E.Coli killer because I've been eating raw veggies the past few weeks.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Jerusalem Day
Today is Jerusalem Day - in 1967 the Israeli army took over Jordanian East Jerusalem and united it with the Israeli West. Naturally the arabs living in the East were and are not happy. Military presence was stepped up to prevent riots; 3,000 Zionist Jews are marching through the East today http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/fearing-clashes-police-boost-security-ahead-of-jerusalem-day-march-1.365316 . And not all Israelis are happy with this celebration - http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/jerusalem-day-celebrations-will-not-cover-up-the-city-s-rot-and-discrimination-1.365222
A reflection
Taken from The Word For Today (shared by a friend)
Getting Along with Each Other
If you keep bailing out of relationships every time they hit troubled waters, get used to your own company - it's the only company you'll have! The best relationship you can hope for is an imperfect one you keep working on every day. Relationships can't be based on seeing eye-to-eye on all points, but on a commitment to love each other and a willingness to work for peace. Jesus said, 'God blesses those who work for peace...' (Matthew 5:9 NLT). Notice, peacemaking is 'work', but the rewards are worth it. Relationships are always worth restoring. God wants us to value our relationships instead of discarding them every time there's a problem. Paul wrote, 'If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you... Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends...' (Philippians 2:1-2 TM). Our ability to get along with each other is a mark of spiritual maturity. God wants His family to be known for their love. Strife and bickering send the wrong message to a watching world. Paul was embarrassed when the church in Corinth started splitting into warring factions and taking each other to court. 'Shame on you!' he wrote. 'Surely there is at least one wise person... who can settle a dispute between fellow Christians' (1 Corinthians 6:5 GNT). He was shocked and disappointed that nobody was mature enough to resolve the conflict peacefully. So he wrote, 'I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other.'
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