Below is a rough translation of a voice message we got recently from our nephew Musa, after way too many days of silence. That silence was especially frightening for us since we knew the family were in Khan Younis, which had suddenly become the epicenter of the fighting and bombardment. Of course, nothing can compare to the fear they felt during those days. (If you’re not familiar with the circumstances of this story, you can catch up in a few... Read more
I struggle to find time to write for Grace-Colored Glasses these days. I spend almost every waking hour reading and researching, fact-checking and reporting about the situation in Gaza. In between, I stay in touch (when possible) with family living there. When I do manage to get away from the grind and sit down to write for this blog, I find that my soul is in tatters. I’m truly at a loss for where to even begin. I’ve started dozens... Read more
We are all about babies today. Babies and toddlers. Because what’s not to love about children. They are innocent and energetic, joyful, and loaded with potential. With some exceptions. Israeli leaders have declared, “it is an entire nation that is responsible,” and “all of Gaza should be erased” and “there is no such thing as uninvolved civilians in Gaza” and “Now we all have one common goal—erasing the Gaza Strip from the face of the earth.” Below are the names of just some of the... Read more
In my last post, I mentioned the concept that the massacre in Gaza might not be a political issue, and indicated that we would explore that possibility today. That will have to wait, so that I can update you on our family. Folks, I realize that probably very few, if any, of my readers are supporters of Israel. I know I’m most likely preaching to the choir. But you, the choir, have audiences that I could never reach. It’s up... Read more
Gaza has been under a near total communications blackout for over a week. Can you imagine going eight days without the smart part of your cell phone? No Siri, no weather app, no texting, no WhatsApping…all of those things that connect us to the world around us. Occasionally, someone will find a faint signal – I don’t understand how that works. Maybe it’s a miracle. In Gaza lately, people have been using their phones mostly as flashlights. When there is... Read more
As people of faith living in a land of relative prosperity, it’s hard for most of us to imagine what it’s like to be living in unrelenting crisis. Here, in conversation with Michael Camp at Spiritual Brewpub, I do my best to describe the indescribable: the situation in Gaza, and what my husband’s family is experiencing as they simply try to escape bombing and get something to eat. The people of Gaza now face the possibility of death by bombing... Read more
This is very hard to write about. I can’t even believe it’s happening. I will try to express some of what I’m feeling, and I hope it comes out coherent. I hope it will help us see better the horror of what is happening right before our eyes. This weekend marked 100 days since the start of Israel’s war against the captive the people of Gaza. Our president, Joe Biden, made a solemn statement to mark the horrific milestone. In... Read more
Musa sent me part of his diary that he started keeping when the war began. He gave me permission to share excerpts with you, in hopes that, if he doesn’t survive, he won’t be forgotten. He is grateful for your concern. Musa thinks about his own demise, although he is only about 25. This in itself is a tragedy. Why should a healthy young man expect that any day might be his last? All of the young men of Gaza... Read more
Palestinian cuisine is fabulous and bounteous. My mother-in-law, God rest her soul, was a first-rate cook, and I had the privilege of eating her home cooked meals for several years. This is a culture that appreciates good olive oil, fresh herbs, and well-seasoned dishes. But what to do when you live under constant bombardment, the shops are empty, the fresh produce markets have been reduced to rubble, and there’s no money anyway to buy food if it was available? Human... Read more
(If you are new to this chronicle of my family’s struggle in Gaza, you can get caught up easily by starting here and then here. If you want to learn more of the background of Palestine and Israel, go here.) The family is holed up in one room of a relative’s house in Khan Younis. It’s better than a tent or a cardboard box, and they are grateful. They hope this will not turn into another evacuation zone – but... Read more
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