I left Jerusalem this afternoon for Haifa where I am staying with Fakhira's family, It is time like these when I wish I knew more Arabic. The conference ended on a high note with some distinguished speakers from U.S, UK and Europe, all with powerful messages on either biblical interpretation, international law, or the impact of Sabeel on the world. We began the morning with a beautiful service at the Lutheran Church of Mt. of OLives, and then to Jericho and the a gathering by the Jordan river, to reconsider our own baptisms, and then to Sabeel celebrations for their 25th anniversary. A highlight was the children's choir from Ramallah and a string quartet of master musicians.
We then returned to Jerusalem for another amazing meal, of which I passed, and the final evening\program.
My overall high's were: the worship experiences, the faces of the young musicians , and the time at TENT IF NATION with friends who were attending for the first time. The conversation in the village of Maiser with the former head of the council, and the Secretary of the Kibbutz Metzer with regards to their reported co-existence as neighbors was also a highlight. More in that through a draft article that I'll attach.
I did begin to feel the effects of several weeks of continuous travel, and the physical demands of such a trip and wonder if this might not be last visit to Palestine.
There was also a lot of opportunities to talk about FOTONNA< TON<>IPMN and the work of the church with folks.
Stories to develop are: time with Daoud on the land and the excitement of those who heard/saw and wanted to bring us to speak to their communities in the States; visits with friends/families, promotion of the letter to the Hague's International Court, a variation of the "Puppeteer" with stories of the impending doom, and the report on the kibbutz. BP
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