Today is Mother's Day in Palestine and fortunately I was invited to teacher Hanah's home for a fabulous lunch. Three kinds of barbecued meat were accompanied by tabouleh salad, filled pasties, a fresh salad, another kind of flat dough topped with a meat mixture and various vegetables. It was a traditional palestinian meal. For dessert we had a Black Forest cake which just made a perfect ending to this afternoon. It was a privilege to spend the afternoon with this family. There were several grandchildren and another baby on the way. Palestinian families in general are very close, and thank God they have each other for support.

The situation here has not improved, in fact I believe it has worsened. The checkpoints are more restricted and the settlements are growing. It takes longer for palestinians to get anywhere because they are not allowed to use the Israeli roads. Consequently a trip to Jericho, which could be a drive of less than an hour now becomes a two hour journey over a treacherous road.

Bethlehem Bible College recently organized a challenging conference called; Christ at the Checkpoint. The speakers that I heard were excellent and the main focus was to stay the course and to resist the occupation, but in a non violent way. It is time for serious peace talks and as American Christians we need to support the peace process. A just peace is desperately needed and the palestinians have suffered enough. We need to stand up and be heard.

Life is quiet here and it was a joy to attend the service today at the Chritsmas Lutheran Church I am getting to know some of the local people in the church and feel welcomed. I plan to make this my home church while I am here.

During this Lent season I wish all of you new beginnings, and hope that this time of Lent is meaningful for you.

Peace be with you,

yvonne