At the Latin school, where we
taught, a new generator keeps electricity going during increasingly
frequent power outages. A new program provides meals and health
tests for 170 children in the nursery, preschool, kindergarten,
and first grades. Generous donations have made possible the addition
of a language lab, strengthening the English and French programs.
The school is also now connected to the Internet, networking students
and teachers to online resources and opportunities. A family center,
a safe public space to relax, is being built, and will continue
pending further funding.
The Anglican Church, without pastoral leadership for most of
our time there, now has a pastor, Fr. Fadi, who tells us that
the flock has been gathering, thankful to be able to worship in
their tradition again. Fr. Firas, the Melkite priest, has completed
much of the work on the Melkite Church, which had been closed
for seventeen years. His flock is also re-gathering in the re-opened
worship space, and he and his family have moved into the church
manse where his grandfather lived as priest. Fr. Firas and his
wife Doris celebrated the birth of a new son, Elias (Fr. Hosam,
Anglican priest in Nablus, and his wife Rafa' have also welcomed
baby Wadi’ into their home). Fr. Toma of the Orthodox Church
is learning how to use his new computer, which he hopes can keep
him connected with supporting churches and with those whom he
met during his visit to the States.
Indeed, the word from Zababdeh is not one of resignation or surrender.
Despite the exhaustion, the fear, the uncertainty, the word from
Zababdeh is hope. And from this hope springs faith anew, reborn
this Christmas season. May we all share in that hope.
Salaam al-Masiih (Peace of Christ)
Marthame and Elizabeth
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
260
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