Sunday, March 13th "O Worship the Lord"

Today was mostly a free day. I meant to go to the Arabic service at St. George's Cathedral but didn't make it. It worked out though that by going to the later English service I was able to meet a priest who was assisting at that service who used to be connected with St. Mary's in Portsmouth and lived in North Kingstown. My allergies were pretty nasty all day so I spent the rest of the day laying low and reading.
After dinner we had an Israel come in to speak with us about his view on the peace process. He is a member of the Israeli Army and also the Director of Kids4Peace (www.kids4peacejerusalem.org). He had a very interesting story, he was raised a hasidic Jew in an ultra orthodox city, where he had never spoken to women outside of immediate family or anyone that was not also ultra orthodox. When he was eighteen he left the community to join the army and then eventually started K4P. He struggles with his army service but says that ultimately he wants to be there because he is able to do his service as the Director of K4P, he is able to bring dignity and his desire for peace to the work he does for the service (he serves in a unit that collects body parts after explosions).
I really enjoyed hearing from him, both his story and about the progress K4P is making. I think, however, it would have been interesting to hear a more pro-zionist voice. I don't know how well that would have worked there though, it may not be received too well at all. Still, it was nice to have a fairly moderate view.
I was very impressed with the K4P program. The way they bring the kids together and the fellowship and learning that happens was very inspiring. It has me wondering about possibility of interfaith youth events back home. Not that we have problems like here, but the mutual learning that could happen would be great.