Wrapping Things Up and Shipping Out

Wrapping Things Up and Shipping Out
February 26, 2002


Hi everyone,

Well, I'm shipping out on Thursday and getting things wrapped up here for the next three months.

If you know how to tune into WORT-FM from Madison, WI, I'll be doing a live, hour-long call-in program starting at noon on Thursday. This means that we'll pull over on the way up to the airport, do the interview, and get back on the road to catch my flight, I guess. I'm anticipating that this will
finally get some of the kooky hecklers I've been wondering would ever show up at one of my talks. I'm not looking forward to that but know it will happen sometime. But at least I've gotten a lot of speaking practice in after this month. I decided to learn how to speak by cramming a bunch of
invitations all into a two-week span and diving in head first. For the most part, it's been good. Here's a summary of what I did:

TV interview on KIMT in Mason City
Feature article for Globe Gazette in Mason City
West Branch Quaker Meeting, IA (sermon and adult Sunday School)
Wartburg College (Chapel, three classes, recruiting table, interview for
paper, discussion with Students for Peace and Justice)
Luther College (Chapel, six classes, recruiting table, public evening forum,
couple lunch discussions)
English Lutheran, La Crosse, WI (adult forum, three Temple Talks, evening
group discussion, lunch with future Middle East travelers)
First Baptist Church, Osage, IA (geography lesson on Holy Land for Ladies'
Aid--ended up as discussion of CPT work and the Occupation)
Trinity Lutheran, Mason City (adult forum)
NIACC, Mason City (two classes)
Francis Lauer Youth Shelter, Mason City, afternoon program.

So, I guess it's been busy. I learned pretty quickly that even if people stared at you slack-jawed (I thought only college students did that), they can be completely absorbed in what you're saying anyway. The best part though, was having so many enthusiastic recruits at both Luther and
Wartburg. One from Luther I'm positive will be on a project by August, I'm so excited! And now, with many thanks to the Baptist Ladies calling up and wanting a geography lesson (I dared to laugh before I went), I brainstormed a list of topics I'm willing to speak on. Hopefully tomorrow I'll send you another letter detailing brilliant ways you can support my CPT work (and not involving outlays of cash although that's always delightful, too). But anyway, feel free to forward the following topics to any group you think may like to know:

*overview of CPT's history and work (worldwide and/or Hebron)
*overview of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and current Intifada (with pictures)
*introduction to CPT's Campaign for Secure Dwellings (advocacy program to protect Palestinian homes from Israeli military demolition)
*introduction to CPT's Violence Is Not Child's Play Campaign (a realistic churchs' approach to opposing violent toys)
*role of Palestinian/Arab women in society
*high school Sunday School/college/young adult discussion on global service opportunities, including practical planning for spending a year in service organizations.
*K-8 Sunday School program on life/culture of Holy Land (with props)
*adult program on life/culture of Holy Land/Middle Eastern customs
*Simulated Occupation of church or school with follow-up discussion
*understanding Palestinian violence/terrorism
*philosophy of peacemaking/theological and Biblical backgrounds for active nonviolence and/or civil disobedience
*afternoon workshop on Palestinian embroidery/cross-stitch technique
(examples to show and hand out patterns for do-it-yourself)
*afternoon workshop on Palestinian cooking, can be coupled with congregational dinner to test the results (I'll bring the spices and you supply the ingredients).


And other things similar to that. The workshops and things that sound like they'll need a good bit of prep work I'd need to know about 1-2 months in advance (so I can bring home ingredients, etc.)

Well, it's nearly 2 a.m. and I should get to bed. I only have three days left in which to cram some quality naptime!

Peace,
Le Anne

Home Again in Mason City

Home Again in Mason City
February 11, 2003

Hi everyone,

I am back in Mason City, apparently just in time for 'the first winter weather we've had all year!' Ugh. But it is good to be home. This time, I packed all of my stuff home, just in case our team is forced out of our apartment in the coming weeks. Things are very difficult in Hebron right now. I don't think the Israeli military would force us out, I do think the settlers may begin to make life tough for us though. Half the team is certain we'll have to evacuate and the other thinks this is all nonsense. For me, it depends on the day. It is good, though, to have all my things in one place. For example, I can now say that my cumulative 17 pairs of socks are more than enough and I shall no longer worry about running out, on one continent or the other!

Setting priorities for my time home is going to be difficult. I probably should be most concerned about resting up for what I know will be three very difficult months when I get back to Palestine will be most important. At the same time, it seems like speaking is more important now than ever. I will probably have to delay any long-distance speaking requests until summer or next fall, just for my own well-being. Hopefully, I can find more places nearer to home that are willing to have me come midweek, which means I can attend my own church for a change also. But anyone who is interested in me
coming, please do ask, so I can see what is possible. I probably won't do too much traveling to visit this time either, but anyone is welcome to come visit me! I guess otherwise I will do my catching up over the phone.

Sounds like I've got lots of interviews coming up, and these are always easier. I am putting together my photos and mementos of Iraq for giving presentations, and hopefully can use them for interviews too.

Looking forward to hearing from you all soon, and catching up on replies to
the letters in my inbox!

-Le Anne