July 21 - 05

Hi Everybody!
Today my world will drastically change, yet again! I leave the familiarity of North America today and will arrive in Israel Friday, 14:55h local time. Before going to my new apartment, I will spend upwards of a week in East Jerusalem, getting my in-country orientation. I am nervous, excited and find that I can barely concentrate on my book to read. In fact, last night, when I was reading before bed (trying to calm myself down), I found I had to constantly re-read sentences, because my mind kept wandering.
And, funny enough, do you know what I was reading? The "Peace in the MIddle East" section of that GOD'S POLITICS book by Jim Wallis. And, as the chapter would have it, it contained a blow-by-blow account of all the violence and struggle, on both sides of the Palestine / Israel conflict. At one point, I closed the book, put my hands over my face and moaned, "I'm gonna die there!" Sorry, Mom, don't mean to freak you out; but truth be told, I'm a little freaked out. It's ONE volatile situation over there. Wallis was even telling stories about North American peacemakers being killed, whether run over by tanks, or shot in the head. Gulp. I find it particularly comforting that Psalm 23 has been in my head for about 20 years now!
Right after sending you guys this e-mail I am off to the doctor. Yes, the doctor. Last night, while reading, I was listening to music and during Canned Heat's "Harley Davidson Blues" I heard a distinct buzzing in my left ear. I figured it was just typical downloaded music buzzing but heard it again in Canned Heat's "Woodstock Boogy," right at the beginning of the song. I rewound it and played it again, with no buzz at the same spot. I took off my earphones and heard the distinct insect buzz in my ear. Obviously I freaked! I pulled on my ear and shook my head around, panicking and having my life flash before my eyes! It was after midnight, but I had to wake up my friend Matt. He was more freaked out than I was. In my panic, I shoved a Q-tip in there and apparently killed the bug because there was no more buzzing. We talked about what to do and agreed that waking up anyone would be too much. He looked in my ear with a light but couldn't see anything; so the plan was to flush it out with the telephone shower. I had at 'er; but nothing came out, still.
I slept with my left ear to the pillow as much as possible, to attempt to drain it. This morning I woke up with built-up pressure in my left ear, deep in, too. It hurts a little bit but the fear of the unknown seems to hurt more. I sought some counsel and will be going to hospital this morning, before my flight, to try to remedy the situation. I certainly don't want to fly with this already annoying pressure in my ear and I don't want to have some maggots suddenly crawl out of my ear in a week or so! Yeah, I'm a little freaked out!
Enough of that.
Last night I went to the Lancastor Barnstormers baseball game with the other two men who are going the the Middle East. Their wives didn't come; I suppose it was male bonding time. Ken is going to Jordan and Mark to the Westbank. Both are to teach english. We find it amazing that even though we will be so close to each other, geographically, with the various checkpoints and borders, it will make it several hours apart from each other. Those of you who know me can have a laugh that I was at a baseball game; but I had such a good time. The three of us chatted the whole time and really bonded. I am really glad that the two dudes are going to be my Middle East compatriots; they're awesome guys and we have a lot in harmony. I say harmony over common because even though we are all rather different personality-wise, in my opinion we mesh really well together, complimentary-like, you know. I respect them both and am very grateful to God that I can get along so well with the people who I'll be retreating with and seeking local support from, while we serve our terms. I'll be the first one there; Ken and his family (wife and three great kids) come in the middle of August; Mark and his wife come at the beginning of September. We will definitely see each other in October, at our first bi-annual retreat. I'm looking forward to the ping-pong championship of the MIddle East. Mark Leaman is going down hard!! Ken will topple, too! (watch me not even win a match)...
Orientation is over, now, and people are moving out to their various projects. We had over fifty participants and I'd say close to twenty different countries of destination. I will value this time very much as I look back on it; although I can unequivocably say that I am glad to have the sessions over with!
I should get going. Please pray for my safety, or burn some incense, whatever kind of incense that may be!
Much love and with some (hopefully healthy) fear and trembling,
D BLOCK OUT