Easter deferred

Christian Century, April 10, 2002 by Elizabeth Sanders, Marthame Sanders

Around suppertime, after the mosque's loudspeaker announced the closure of schools, we discovered that Zababdeh's telephone service had been cut; we could call within the village but nowhere else. The only link to the outside was through cell phones. Late that night, the Israeli army began reentering Jenin. The sounds of scores of tanks and shooting resonated across Zababdeh.

On April 3, after much prayer and heartache, we made the difficult decision to leave. We left because we feared for our lives and well-being in the face of the Israeli military offensive. We might have felt called to stay in spite of (or even because of) this threat if we still had e-mail or even telephone access. Like the internationals staying in Ramallah, Bethlehem and other places, we might have stayed to offer support and to share on-the-ground news with the outside world.

We might have. Instead, we left our dear friends behind, and we feel awful for doing so. We are terribly sad and worried about them. Since we left, we have spoken to as many of our friends in the West Bank as we could, including those we could reach in Zababdeh. As yet, the village is quiet, but shortly there will be no electricity except during a few hours at night because there is very little petrol left. People are afraid of what is to come.

We are now staying with friends in largely Palestinian Nazareth, Jesus' hometown in the north of Israel. Although sad, we also feel the relief and calm of being in a safe place. However, we hope and pray to be able to return to Zababdeh soon. Our hearts and our prayers (as well as all our stuff) remain there.

In this Lenten time of suicide bombs and of tanks, we see talking heads regurgitating political spin while human beings die; we see cities and towns sealed off from the world; we see archenemies Sharon and Arafat conducting a personal showdown, whatever the effects on their people may be. The world stands back and watches. This land is in need of hope--hope for peace and resurrection. We try to stay awake; that we may see the dawn of the morning star together.

Elizabeth and Marthame Sanders are Presbyterian missionaries living in the West Bank.