One pleasant surprise was that one of Elizabeth's students read a note - in English - singing Elizabeth's praises. A nice lift.

The English Club is slowly taking shape. We've scrapped several approaches to the Club, and have now ended up with a simplified newspaper. Abuna Aktham had asked that the students be interviewed about their hopes, wishes, dreams. The Club took to this with great excitement, and spread out around the school to conduct the interviews.

Thanksgiving is always a little harder to be away from home, but it was a wonderful celebration and a good time to stop and reflect and be thankful. Especially in the midst of the turmoil here, such moments are welcome respite and sanctuary.

here were broken bottles on the ground, old candles had been burned and scarred up the walls, furniture had been torn, windows had been broken.