Farewell Middle East

Hey guys! We've spent 2 weeks in Nazareth and are flying back to Belfast tomorrow night after 5 weeks in the Palestinian Territories and Israel. It's been a wild ride! There's been a lot happening - much more than we can fit in this blog, let alone process at this point - but here's a quick glimpse of what we've been up to recently. Since we last updated, we've done some work and painting in a missionaries' house, have spoken and done worship in schools and other youth events in Nazareth, worked in a replication of a first-century village, and visited the Nazareth House of Prayer.

 We have been praying for one of Joey's extended family, Huwaida Arraf - a Christian Palestinian - who was on-board and organizing the aid flotilla to Gaza that I'm sure most of you have heard about this week. We are relieved to know that she has recently been released from prison. All of Nazareth was on strike yesterday as an act of solidarity. Please keep this situation with the blockade of Gaza, those seeking to bring aid to the impoverished 1.5 million living there, and for a just peace in this land in your prayers. 

On a (much) lighter note, the other day our contact and friend here, Salim, organized a day off our work schedule to check out some of the "must-see's."

 Here we are on the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee - It was something else to see the place where 5000 men and many more women and children gathered to hear Jesus speak and partake of some serious fish and bread - 

We also went to the Jordan River and Joey got to take a quick dip - made his day! :)

 We got to go to Capernaum - Peter's home town - which

still has first century ruins - including the old synagogue and Peter's and Jesus' house. 

One of the students on our Discipleship Training School, Rajaa, is from Nazareth, and we have been spending time with her family over here while she's been in S. Africa. This is her mom and sister in their families' orchard. It has been a joy to get to know them. 

Last night, Christy got bit by a huge centipede while she was sleeping and woke up with a start, to say the least. We weren't sure whether to go to the ER or not, but after help from locals and some willing team-mates at 2 a.m., we decided to ice it and wait out the storm. 

Her hand is still swollen like a balloon and hurts pretty bad, but there are no other ill affects - she could use your prayers for a speedy recovery

 - we appreciate it! 

We are thankful to God and our family and friends for the time we've been able to spend here - for the opportunity to share with others and receive exponentially more from some of the most hospitable people we've met. We've made some incredible new friends and will miss them and look forward to being able to bless them and their ministries here some time in the future - as the Arab's say - 

Enshallah (God-willing!) :)

With Love and Thanksgiving,

Joey and Christy