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A letter from Elizabeth and Marthame
Sanders in Palestine |
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April 20, 2003
Hosanna
Dear Friends,
Easter greetings to those of you who are celebrating this morning.
Today is Palm Sunday here in Zababdeh, as the three families of
the church—Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant—celebrate
the major feasts together. In the past, busses would leave from
the village for Jerusalem to take part in the grand procession
following Christ’s footsteps from the Mount of Olives into
the Old City. For the last three years, the closures and travel
restrictions have made that tradition impossible. So the ecumenical
procession around the village would have to represent the walk
to Jerusalem.
The scouts took the lead, with drums and bugles, closely followed
by the children in their best outfits carrying elaborately decorated
palms, some taller than their bearers. The rest of us followed
behind, singing hymns and reading Scripture as we stopped at each
of the churches, at which the congregations parted ways and continued
their worship inside.
It was particularly wonderful for us to be here this year, since
it will be our last Easter season in Zababdeh. This was also true
because we weren’t sure if we’d be able to share in
it at all. |
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Zababdeh children on Palm Sunday. |
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On the night of March 19, with war on Iraq
an imminent reality, our superiors sent instructions for us to
leave. With heavy hearts, we packed our bags and made our plans
for our — hopefully — temporary departure to Cyprus.
The next morning, we went to the school assembly to say our farewells.
Elizabeth promised not to cry, because it would upset the children
too much. Marthame said a few words about why we were leaving,
while Elizabeth told each of her classes individually how much
she would miss them. It was Marthame who had to remember not to
cry at that point. |
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We told everyone that we hoped
our absence would be brief, and we’d see them again very
soon. Most were interpreting our departure as permanent, however,
assuming we were simply trying to soften the blow.
After assembly, Elizabeth was mobbed by weeping and distressed
seventh and eighth graders, asking her to write a message in their
autograph books, trading emails, giving her farewell gifts (hastily
purchased at nearby shops). The whole thing was a whirlwind—it
was moving, sweet, overwhelming. We, too, hoped that this wasn’t
the final goodbye, and wondered how much harder that one will
be. After trying to get our schoolwork in order and saying farewell
to teachers and staff, we went home to await our taxi. |
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While in Cyprus, we felt like teething
babies. The gnawing pain of our absence from Zababdeh was constant,
numbing. We distracted ourselves with the beautiful scenery, the
fascinating history, the variety of restaurants, all like bright
shiny objects in front of our eyes. It worked, but as soon as there
was nothing to divert, our minds came back here. Daily text messages
and emails with the village allowed us to encourage and be encouraged
by our friends. This ZNN (Zababdeh News Network) kept us updated.
School was closed one day in anticipation of war-related problems,
the Jenin students’ attendance was spotty from day to day
due to closures—all in all, things were “normal,”
except for the dusting of snow. Two weeks after leaving, we received
clearance to return. We were elated. |
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Zababdeh children on Palm Sunday. |
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Our welcome back was as warm
as our departure. As we went around to visit with friends, everyone
we saw along the street greeted us with the traditional greeting,
“Thank God for your safety!” It was good to be home.
And as we processed through the streets of the village today,
singing hymns with all of Zababdeh's churches, we were grateful
to be back. Hosanna indeed!
Salaam al-Masiih (Peace of Christ),
Elizabeth and Marthame
P.S. Please see Easter greetings from the Zababdeh Latin Parish
and School:
http://www.fpc-wilmette.org/sanders/parish/lpseaster2003.html
P.P.S. If you are interested in seeing more of our Cyprus trip,
please visit our journal:
http://www.fpc-wilmette.org/sanders/journal.html
Visit our Web site at: http://come.to/zababdeh
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
156
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