Valetine's

Valentine's Day was fun. It passed without the enormous fanfare that we see, but the flower shop was busy and as a florist I was intrigued by the arrangements that were made and some of them were so beautiful. They looked like small flat baskets on which they arranged lovely roses and greenery. Of course I had to get some flowers too, and two cute Valentine teddy bears for Carlos and George, Laila's children.WEll, when all was totalled I did not have enough shekels to pay, but did have dollars which I had not been able to change yet. So, I decided to do like the Palestinians do, I asked if I could bring the rest of the money the next day, to which I was given the answer, "just as you like". The owner knows me and he graduated from Hope School, so the next day I was able to bring the rest of the money. I just laughed to myself because I could just see myself telling the clerks in our small, local grocery store, Holiday Market, that I would pay the rest of my bill the next day!! This is whay I love about this culture, once you are a friend, you are trusted.
I also decided to visit the Lutheran Church on Sunday and of course did not understand anything, but was warmly greeted. It was communion Sunday, and lo and behold we were all given a chunk of bread which you were supposed to hold in your hand until the goblet with wine came around. As I was contemplating having to drink out of the same goblet as everyone else, which really did not appeal to me, I accidentally dropped a crumb of bread. Within seconds a small child and a man quickly came over and picked up the dropped treasure. A rather embarrassing moment, but later I found out that the bread is considered to be holy and you can't leave it on the ground. It was a moment I won't forget, and I bravely drank out of the goblet, but found out later you may also dip the bread in the wine. It was another one of those wonderfully amazing experiences that challenge all of your senses and your comfort zone.
The Israeli elections did not go well for Palestine, lines have hardened and I feel disheartened by the results. Israel sees no need to back down at this point. The suffering of Gaza is beyond words and it was a cruel attack. Even if you think Israel has the right to defend itself, as I do, the death of 13 Iraelis does not warrant the killing of more than a thousand people and the wounding of several thousands and that does not take into consideration the destruction it caused and the lack of medical supplies. Please keep praying for the people of Israel and Palestine. I am glad the peace lamp at Sierra Pines still burns. Love, yvonne

The country side of Bethlehem and Beit Jala is slowly showing signs of Spring. The almond trees are in bloom and various wildflowers are showing up. It also is a bit warmer which is a welcome change. I never tire of the views of the hills surrounding us. Life at Hope School is a constant blur of activity and I have started teaching. It is quite a challenge, especially the boys who feel they need to run the class. I would like to tell you about one of the boys who lives here and who I have gotten to know very well. His names is Salam and he lives at home with his older brothers who work. His father was a christian but became a Muslim and married a Muslim woman. There was no room for a christian in their family, and Salam's Mother also abandoned him. He is 16 and the kindest person you would ever want to meet. He makes tea for me with fresh mint and it is aboslutely perfect. He is not the best of students but is a wonderful artist. He decorated the walls outside of the school with very colorful images and is not one of the louder boys we have here. We have dinner together in the evening with Mohammed, the other boy who lives here, in the kitchen downstairs and I quite miss them when they are gone on the week ends. Salam's story is not so unusual here. Many children live under very difficult circumstances and you just want God to touch them all. I have made very nice friends but you are aware of their circumstances, which for most are difficult. I attended an English speaking church yesterday in Jerusalem and met some nice people, but I realized I am becoming very comfortable in the palestinian culture and plan to attend church in this community too. Please keep the people of Gaza and the West Bank in your prayers and we hope that the Israeli elections will bring a much needed change. Love you, yvonne

Jan 25th update from Yvonne to family. Posting on her behalf because of technical difficulties on her end:

The first days of the excitement of the "new ness" has worn off and I am being confronted by the reality of real life here. I have heard many heartbreaking stories from children as well as adults. People have no hope left. They are tired of war and checkpoints, and restrictions. Here in the Bethlehem region people are not allowed to leave this limited area without permission, so can't even go to Jerusalem, a half an hour away because most of the time they don't get the permission. So there is no hope to get jobs, to visit family, to just shop or do other things. After living here I say to you: you are so lucky to have a lovely home and a good job.

And then there is Hope School, where I am, where they struggle to keep body and soul and finances together. Recently the school bought fuel for the central heating on credit because they could not aford it. Fortunately the dealer delivered on credit. The school is intensely cold: it is built of stone and heaters are kept low, when on. I was given an electric heater for my room and feel extremely priviledged, but I wear 4 layers (silk underwear is a blessing) and have not taken my wintercoat off yet, it is my refuge. The prinicpal and his daughter have shown great concern for me and I am in good hands. The teachers are more than dedicated and I live here with two boys. They are very helpful and a few days ago we fixed the table tennis table and have been playing, much to their delight. The net is held up by two sticks and the paddles are less than staifactory, but life goes on and no one complains.

Candy, soap, toothpaste and the rest of the toiletries can all be bought at a little supermarket across the street from the school. The owner has been to the states and carries a CA driver's license. We have become good friends and yesterday he helped me choose a box of candy for a family where I am having dinner (lunch) today. Small things like that are such a blessing, because I really don't know all the cultural do's and don't's. My experience at the hairdresser, well, the color of my hair is interesting, to say the least.

I was able to watch the inauguration here and was so excited. I had pangs of homesickness and wanted to be part of the celebration. Everyone watched it here too and is happy with Obama. They hope he can bring some change. I have been reading online some of the things he has done already and it is a breath of fresh air. I can't get anything [in print] in English here, for that you have to go to Jerusalem.