"I'm what the world considers to be a phenomenally successful man. And I've failed much more than I've succeeded. And each time I fail, I get my people together, and I say, "Where are we going?" And it starts to get better." - Calvin Trager
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 Abbie Coburn's Palestine Journal -- Part III The third installment of Abbie Coburn's Palestine Journal -- emails sent back from her trip this month. Re-printed with permission.
Am I boring anyone with my emails yet? Have they made their way to your trash box? I suppose there's enough of you worrying that i find it necessary to let you know that I'm alive and well. There was an invasion by the Israeli army into Ramallah yesterday. People were killed, nobidy here seems all that worried. So, I won't worry. And I won't be in Ramallah for a couple more days. Plenty of time for peace to come to the region.
I am totally spent though. Awake since 1 a.m. due to jetlag. Met the Birthright Unplugged group today. All come from Jewish backgrounds. I wasn't expecting that. It's hard not to feel like an 'other' within this group. they're all good folks though. Lots of them being shaken at the core. I'm being patient. I feel like I've done this group thing before once or twice, though.
Met with Israeli anarchists today. Also met a few people who are part of the World Council of Churches. Picked their brains. Think I'll join them in their merrymaking next week. They join Machsom Watch (check them out!) at checkpoints to make sure people aren't being messed with (although they still are). They also pick up Palestinian cancer patients (kids) who can't make it to the hospital. Good stuff.
Okay. gonna keep this short cause we're headed to Bethlehem in the morn. Just in time to meet the three wise men as they finally get there. I'm sure there'll be some kind of celebration. Although, as I said, I'm with Jews so who knows if I'll get any gold or frankincense. I'll let you know if I meet them along the way.
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"Christ's example is being
demeaned by the church if they ignore the new leprosy,
which is AIDS. The church is the sleeping giant here.
If it wakes up to what's really going on in the rest
of the world, it has a real role to play. If it doesn't,
it will be irrelevant."
- Bono
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