Foreigners

Not many internationals learn Arabic and it is presumed that we don't understand the locals when they start talking about the 'ajaaneb' (the foreigners). By recognizing some key words we can now join in their conversations. As well as getting to know the locals we have the benefit of working and mixing with a rich mixture of other foreigners from Australia, Germany, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Vietnam, Switzerland, Finland and many, many others. We are very grateful that English is the common international language. We have also benefited from the building skills of Dirk (van Wendel de Joode), from Holland, and his willing assistant Bruno (Costa), from Brazil, who have helped with some of our home improvements. P

Hiking with Hinke

Our Arabic is probably progressing quicker than our North Americanese. Jane recently asked Hinke, a Canadian friend living in Nazareth, if she would be able to show us one the walks that she knows. Jane was thinking along the lines of the beginning of the Jesus trail, which starts in Nazareth (http://www.jesustrail.com/) and finishes at Galilee, but was unaware that 'walk' in North Americanese means a stroll around the town. Hinke could see the disappointment in Jane's face when she suggested a walk to the market. Eventually we were able to communicate what we actually wanted to do. This was our first taste of walking in countryside around Nazareth - we have been waiting for the weather to cool down before hiking/walking the Jesus Trail, and Hinke has kindly guided us on the first few miles. We may walk/hike the next section tomorrow - weather permitting. P

Marmite, Times, BBC & Book of Common Prayer

Last week we were really disappointed that our friends from Nailsea, John & Sally, had to cancel their holiday in Israel, but we still managed to spend some time with other Brits. We had a tour of Galilee and the Jordan Valley with John & Janet (friends from the UK), before finally ending up in Bethlehem where we had arranged to meet some people from churches near Bristol. The group included Tilly and Maria who had kindly bought us gifts from the UK. Our church here in Nazareth follows the Book of Common Prayer (in Arabic) so copies of English version will come in very useful. We will now be able to enjoy our breakfast toast because we have a 500g jar of Marmite, and what could be more British than watching the classic BBC comedy 'Yes Minister' and reading a copy of the Times. Another reason for our trip south was to say farewell to our friends, Jason & Sarah, who welcomed us into their circle of friends when we first arrived here, over 2 years ago; and to Ruth who is also leaving. P

Nights In (& odd one out)

Summer has come to a dramatic end. We have had a weekend of thunder storms and 6" of rain. This has meant that evenings at home, none this week (meetings and services) are spent indoors with shutters closed rather that doors and windows wide open. No TV has meant that we had found new hobbies. Jane has become an indoor plant fanatic, with cuttings spread through our home. I am developing my artistic skills, which are basic to say the least. With my mathematical mind I am using a ruler, set square and compass. My pictures are very much appreciated and are displayed in prominent positions in the bathroom and toilet. P

PS The answer to the puzzle published a couple of weeks ago is 'D'. 'A' is an odd one out because it is a 'y'; 'B' is an odd one out because it is a square; 'C' is an odd one out because it is yellow; so 'D' is the odd one out because it isn't an odd one out.

Grow, go and Recycle

Since moving to Nazareth I have developed a real interest in plant propagation, our home environment is slowly beginning to bloom and grow with exotic plants. My new interest is a great relaxant and is also teaching me patience. I think it is also bring out my English eccentricities. I can regularly be found in the Hospital chapel with a can of leaf shine or a water sprayer, trying to create the right conditions for my newest cacti or palm tree, or new leaf cuttings that I am nurturing.
Another great thing about plants is that they are ‘presents for free’. Newly grown and divided plants can then able be passed on to friends. When I have run out of pots then I can recycle food containers, a prune box makes an excellent plant holder for a newly grown palm. Our environments are crucial places for our ministries. Plants can make a room seem calm and tranquil and can relax those who inhabit and come to our dwelling places.
Somebody at church has just offered me a 2 metre cactus, I wonder how I can get that home on the bus? J

Juggling

The number of balls we that are juggling has hopefully reached its peak. The variety of our work means that we are entering into both the Christian and wider community faster than most newcomers. We are getting to know people at the Anglican church, mid-week bible study (many attendees don’t go to church), school (English and music classes), Galilee Bible College, Nazareth hospital (children’s ward, 3 x chapel services, working in the grounds, helping the chaplain) Baptist Christmas choir, after-school children’s club, Taize service at local convent, English language Bible study, we are also attending a course, ‘Living in a Pluralistic Society’, at the Nazareth Seminary; and of course, how could we forget our Arabic lessons and more importantly, running a fantasy football team (currently top in the Devon & Nazareth Premier League). We are also regularly visiting other churches (Brethren, Orthodox, Baptist, Catholic etc) often at the invitation of friends and colleagues, this is one of the advantages of belonging to a middle of the road, Protestant-Episcopalian church (not sure what that means, but it sounds good). And all of this during a prolonged summer - 97⁰F today. P

The odd one out

Today we had our first day in school – with parents weeping at the school gate (not ours!). We are helping the students with their English lessons. It is a small school with one class for each year, and the ages range from 4 to 16. The school is located in the centre of the old town of Nazareth and is squeezed into the densely populated market (souq) area. The children obviously see many tourists in Nazareth, but it is very rare for them to interact with foreigners. The younger children found it very strange to have people with blue eyes, pale skin and fair hair sitting in their classes; at the start of each class we had 30 pairs of brown eyes continually staring at us. It is quite uncomfortable being the ‘odd one out’, but after we had started helping them with their work 'Mr Peter' and 'Mrs Jane' didn’t seem so strange. In the picture, which is the odd one? P