On the radio

We've just been listening to the latest episode of 'From Our Own Correspondent' on the BBC world service (the programme is also broadcast on Radio 4). The first item is about the hospital in which we are working part-time in Nazareth. Here are the links for 'i player' and podcasts, where you can either download or listen online. I had to type the links so I hope they are accurate:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p005gqc2/From_Our_Own_Correspondent_26_12_2009/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/fooc

Busy

An ordained friend recently commented about the number of services he had over the Christmas period, we also have a full diary of events. This time of year is a great time to meet many new people. A few months ago we joined a Christmas choir at a local Baptist church, after many practices and extra tutorials with our Arabic teacher, we have 2 performances (one on live TV); this evening we have a carol service at the hospital , and next week we are singing carols to captive audiences on the wards, at local convents and other hospitals; we also get invitations to visit carol concerts in other churches (this started 2 weeks ago); at school we have been rehearsing English carols with the kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade classes, the school concert is on Wednesday; and of course there are the normal Christmas services at church.

The traditional Christmas tree can be found in many homes. But instead of having piles of presents under the tree there is a nativity scene in a cave (made from rock coloured paper).

We hope you have a peaceful Christmas. P

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