Impressions by Dave:
On a “small world” – Diane and I try to eat each meal and connect in other ways with as many different people that speak English as we can. One breakfast we chose to sit next to two ladies from the ‘far north.’ They always seemed to be smiling. After figuring out how to pronounce their last names, I mentioned that I pray daily for a different classroom of kids whose names sound very similar to theirs and they also are from the ‘far north’ and I gave them the name of the town the kids were from. They both looked shocked and asked me where I had gotten those names. I told them that a young, committed girl from another mission organization had gone though a cross cultural training school with our family 25 years ago and we had bonded and she began supporting us, both financially and with prayer. We only see each other every five years at the Inter Mission Cooperative Outreach gathering in Canada. She does some translating work on the Bible, but mainly she works in the schools. She sends me a new list of kids by class and grade with the teacher’s name each year to pray for. They said, “What is her name?” I said, “Ruth…” One of them said, “My daughter works with her!” Needless to say we wept and rejoiced in our sovereign, personal, loving Creator.
On “attitude” – As mentioned in earlier “Impressions” there is spiritual warfare going on constantly at these types of Christian Gatherings. A recent one was a bus strike that affected our visit to Bethlehem. A number of creative problem solving strategies took place. Very few of the participants were aware of it, even though they knew they had to wait extra long to get on the bus to go to Bethlehem. However, it became very apparent when we returned to the busses after our tour of the Church of the Holy Nativity. People couldn’t find their bus or their belongings. Unbeknown to us, the busses had been changed and our belongings transferred into new busses with new drivers. Needless to say this caused considerable tension and confusion. Once on the bus and headed back to Jerusalem, one of the ladies from Australia felt led to share. She asked us to focus on times in the past when others felt tension and confusion in Bethlehem.
How did Jacob feel when he lost his wife, Rachel, at the birth of their last son, Benjamin?
How did Naomi feel when she returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth, empty handed?
How did Joseph and Mary feel when they arrived for the census and she was due to deliver a baby and there was no place to stay and it was crowded and she was tired and dirty from a long journey?
Needless to say it was a gentle reminder once again on the choices we make every day to grumble and whine like the Israelites did in the wilderness or to “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”
Keep “looking unto Jesus,”
Dave
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
September 10-16
How can I capture even a glimpse of what we have experienced during this world gathering of indigenous believers in Jesus? There has been incredible variety in dance and worship forms:
From youth to elders in all shapes and sizes and colors
From the quiet, serene synchronized movements of the Okinawans to the exuberant, joyful, spontaneous jumping and shouting of the Papua New Guineans
From the single man who removed his shoes because he was on holy ground and then sat cross legged on the ground, singing in his own language as tears rolled down his cheeks to the energetic, colorful and wildly entertaining Moluccans
The only commonality has been the consistent worship of Jesus, the One who values each culture and takes pleasure in the creative expression of each group or individual. It’s not the drum; it’s the heart of the drummer. It’s not the dance; it’s the heart of the dancer.
Many times I was brought to tears and humbled by the deep devotion of the indigenous peoples.
One time I was standing on the shore of the Galilee at sunrise. An elderly Navajo man was leading us in worship. All of his songs are directly from Scripture, put to the music of his people. Near the end of our time he just broke down and cried with the freedom he was experiencing to worship Creator in his ‘heart language.’
At that same service, just as the sun was rising, we watched a Native woman in her beautiful coastal regalia fall to her knees next to her canoe as she worshipped. A few minutes later she was on her face before the Lord. This woman was in the very first NAIM Trails camp that Dave led almost 20 years ago. Later during the conference she shared with David how significant his counsel had been to her as a young woman seeking her identity at that camp. Today she is married to the hereditary chief of his tribe and they both are spiritual leaders.
Still another time we witnessed 50+ people being baptized in the Jordan River – Native believers from all over the world being baptized by other Native leaders, some quietly with tears and others exuberantly with a victory cry.
The ‘God ordained’ connections have been astounding:
Mona, an aboriginal from Australia, whose story parallels the movie “Rabbit Proof Fence.” If you haven’t seen that movie, it is worth your time.
Elizabeth, a Dutch lady from WA that went to Bethany Fellowship and knows our good friends the Haases. She is interested in reconciliation. Where this connection will lead I am not sure, but I suspect it will have long-term implications.
Mary and Louise from the far north who know and work with our good friend, Ruth, a missionary with NCEM. Dave shares more about this in his impressions.
A medical doctor from the Six Nations Reserve that we just happened to have breakfast with. She looked at my eye and said she thinks I have shingles. The red, itchy patches and swelling are following the nerve path around my eye. That was not good news to me, but never-the-less it was good to know what I have and what to expect.
Pio and Sonja, leaders of the 6th World Christian Gathering. These people have become very special friends and are planning a trip to WA to promote their work in the Philippines.
One of the highlights was at the Garden Tomb where all 400 delegates met and held a worship service. Although this is my first World Gathering, apparently at each of the others a cross has been set up and participants were given an opportunity to leave their hurts and their losses and their pain, etc. at the foot of the cross. At this service the aboriginals from Australia did a dance without any words, all to the music of the didgeridoo, which depicted them picking up the things that had been taken from them and reclaiming them and using them to bring honor and glory to their Creator. How appropriate that at the place where Jesus was crucified and buried and rose again, that these people, who have suffered so much and lost so much, should resurrect their culture and their language and their dignity and use it to honor the One who created them in the first place.
I wish each one of you that is reading this blog could experience what we have been privileged to witness. Thank you for sharing with us and allowing us to serve Creator in this holy place. Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your encouragement. Let me close with the words from a song by Debbie Graafsma and Don Moen.
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Verse 1
“Lord I stand in the midst of a multitude
Of those from every tribe and tongue
We are Your people
Redeemed by Your blood
Purchased from death by Your love
There are no words
Good enough to thank You
There are no words to express my praise
But I will lift up my voice
And sing from my heart
With all of my strength”
Chorus 1
“Hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallellujah hallelujah
By the blood of Christ we stand
Every tongue every tribe
Every people every land
Giving glory giving honor
Giving praise unto the Lamb of God”
Verse 2
“Lord we stand by grace in Your presence
Cleansed by the blood of the Lamb
We are Your children
Called by Your name
Humbly we bow and we pray
Release Your power
To work in us and through us
‘Til we are changed to be more like You
Then all the nations will see
Your glory revealed
And worship You”
Standing by grace in His presence,
Dave and Diane
From youth to elders in all shapes and sizes and colors
From the quiet, serene synchronized movements of the Okinawans to the exuberant, joyful, spontaneous jumping and shouting of the Papua New Guineans
From the single man who removed his shoes because he was on holy ground and then sat cross legged on the ground, singing in his own language as tears rolled down his cheeks to the energetic, colorful and wildly entertaining Moluccans
The only commonality has been the consistent worship of Jesus, the One who values each culture and takes pleasure in the creative expression of each group or individual. It’s not the drum; it’s the heart of the drummer. It’s not the dance; it’s the heart of the dancer.
Many times I was brought to tears and humbled by the deep devotion of the indigenous peoples.
One time I was standing on the shore of the Galilee at sunrise. An elderly Navajo man was leading us in worship. All of his songs are directly from Scripture, put to the music of his people. Near the end of our time he just broke down and cried with the freedom he was experiencing to worship Creator in his ‘heart language.’
At that same service, just as the sun was rising, we watched a Native woman in her beautiful coastal regalia fall to her knees next to her canoe as she worshipped. A few minutes later she was on her face before the Lord. This woman was in the very first NAIM Trails camp that Dave led almost 20 years ago. Later during the conference she shared with David how significant his counsel had been to her as a young woman seeking her identity at that camp. Today she is married to the hereditary chief of his tribe and they both are spiritual leaders.
Still another time we witnessed 50+ people being baptized in the Jordan River – Native believers from all over the world being baptized by other Native leaders, some quietly with tears and others exuberantly with a victory cry.
The ‘God ordained’ connections have been astounding:
Mona, an aboriginal from Australia, whose story parallels the movie “Rabbit Proof Fence.” If you haven’t seen that movie, it is worth your time.
Elizabeth, a Dutch lady from WA that went to Bethany Fellowship and knows our good friends the Haases. She is interested in reconciliation. Where this connection will lead I am not sure, but I suspect it will have long-term implications.
Mary and Louise from the far north who know and work with our good friend, Ruth, a missionary with NCEM. Dave shares more about this in his impressions.
A medical doctor from the Six Nations Reserve that we just happened to have breakfast with. She looked at my eye and said she thinks I have shingles. The red, itchy patches and swelling are following the nerve path around my eye. That was not good news to me, but never-the-less it was good to know what I have and what to expect.
Pio and Sonja, leaders of the 6th World Christian Gathering. These people have become very special friends and are planning a trip to WA to promote their work in the Philippines.
One of the highlights was at the Garden Tomb where all 400 delegates met and held a worship service. Although this is my first World Gathering, apparently at each of the others a cross has been set up and participants were given an opportunity to leave their hurts and their losses and their pain, etc. at the foot of the cross. At this service the aboriginals from Australia did a dance without any words, all to the music of the didgeridoo, which depicted them picking up the things that had been taken from them and reclaiming them and using them to bring honor and glory to their Creator. How appropriate that at the place where Jesus was crucified and buried and rose again, that these people, who have suffered so much and lost so much, should resurrect their culture and their language and their dignity and use it to honor the One who created them in the first place.
I wish each one of you that is reading this blog could experience what we have been privileged to witness. Thank you for sharing with us and allowing us to serve Creator in this holy place. Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your encouragement. Let me close with the words from a song by Debbie Graafsma and Don Moen.
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Verse 1
“Lord I stand in the midst of a multitude
Of those from every tribe and tongue
We are Your people
Redeemed by Your blood
Purchased from death by Your love
There are no words
Good enough to thank You
There are no words to express my praise
But I will lift up my voice
And sing from my heart
With all of my strength”
Chorus 1
“Hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallellujah hallelujah
By the blood of Christ we stand
Every tongue every tribe
Every people every land
Giving glory giving honor
Giving praise unto the Lamb of God”
Verse 2
“Lord we stand by grace in Your presence
Cleansed by the blood of the Lamb
We are Your children
Called by Your name
Humbly we bow and we pray
Release Your power
To work in us and through us
‘Til we are changed to be more like You
Then all the nations will see
Your glory revealed
And worship You”
Standing by grace in His presence,
Dave and Diane
September 9 - Tuedsay
I had a poor night of rest. I’m getting bit by either mosquitoes or spiders near my eye and it itches like crazy and it is swelling. I don’t like it much at all. We did some internet time in the morning and then headed to Tel Aviv for a memorial service for Monte Ohia, the founder of the World Christian Gathering. He passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack in June. It was a meaningful time of remembering the legacy he has passed on. One of the highlights was when the son of one of the other ‘Vision Keepers’ got up and committed to carrying on into the next generation what Monte began. We got home late that night.
September 8 - Monday
This was another fun day. We took four of the Gathering participants (two from Hawaii and two from the Philippines) to the Old City again. Our newest role is ‘tour guide.’ Moani danced in one of the Christian believer’s shops, which was fun. We met several other early arrivals in the Old City and we all went down to the Mamilla Mall for lunch, about 15 of us – from the US, Canada, the Philippines, Israel, Hawaii, Australia. I just love the various cultures and the camaraderie there is among these indigenous believers. After several hours of just fellowshipping together we headed to Zedekiah’s Cave which is in the Muslin section of town. That was another incredible experience as the two Hawaiian delegates chanted and sang in their Native language, songs of honor and praise to Creator Jesus, followed by prayer from the Philippine delegates in their tribal language. There were three Arab young men smoking in the cave at the same time and they had their cell phone cameras going the entire time. It was obvious that we were worshipping Jesus and praying in Jesus name, yet they wanted pictures of all of us. We chatted as best we could with the language barrier and then they wanted to take us to see a painting they had discovered in the farthest recesses of the cave. It was a picture of Jesus that had been painted onto the ceiling of the cave. Interesting! One of Moani’s friends had told Moani that she felt strongly that Moani would have an opportunity to share with Muslim Arabs while she was in Israel. Neat experience.
We had a brief rest before it was time to leave for the 24/7 service where several of the early delegates were sharing their testimonies, song, and dance before a Jewish congregation. That was another rich, inspiring time.
We had a brief rest before it was time to leave for the 24/7 service where several of the early delegates were sharing their testimonies, song, and dance before a Jewish congregation. That was another rich, inspiring time.
September 7 - Sunday
All the volunteers met at our hosts place this morning and we finished up as much as we could do on the mailing. There were about 15 of us all together. When we finished one of our new friends from Hawaii wanted to go to the Old City so Dave and I headed over there with her. We got as far as the Windmill and Dave got a call saying he was needed to go to the airport for a pick up so Moani and I went by ourselves into the market. By the time we got there some of the shops were closing up, but it was nice because it was not so crowded. Moani is such an outgoing, guileless young woman that everyone just loves her. We spent our time between four shops, both of us buying souveniors and making relationships with the shop owners. We took lots of pictures and made some fun memories!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
September 6 - Dave's Impressions
Impressions from Dave:
On Family: Jerusalem has lots of very beautiful parks of all different sizes. Every night, except Shabbat (Friday night to Saturday night), the parks are filled with individual and extended families cooking over grills, eating, playing family games, talking, and just ‘hanging out.’ They start arriving about 5:00 p.m. and many stay until 10:00 p.m. No TV. No radio. Just verbal and physical interaction with all ages. Most also have a large number of children and consider each one a blessing. Somehow in the US we have become so busy with our own age groups that we hardly have time left for total family activities. I can still remember as a little boy, playing softball and having an adult drop the ball so I could be safe and keep playing instead of being out. We may have some things to learn from the Israeli people.
On Politics: After reading the various Jerusalem newspapers that are translated into English for the last few months and comparing it to politics in the United States, I have to agree with this Israeli evaluation for both countries: “When God created man, he wanted to make him perfect. He searched for the highest virtues on earth and found three: man must be wise, honest, and a politician. When Satan heard what God was planning, he hurried to him and tried to persuade him not to make man perfect so that Satan could perform the role God had intended him for. God was convinced and agreed to compromise. He gave each man only two of the highest qualities. Ever since, if a person is honest and a politician, he isn’t wise; if he is wise and a politician, he isn’t honest, and if he is both honest and wise, he isn’t a politician.” Reuven Barkat
On Indian Time: Last Monday our leader was asked to come and share his story about the upcoming Gathering at a local Messianic Fellowship. The meeting was to last two hours. After about 45 minutes of worshipful singing, our leader was given the microphone. He shared his story and the history of the Gathering and then asked Mark, our new Navajo friend, to share his story. He opened with the best explanation of Indian time I’ve ever heard and then told his story. Then one of the Moluccans shared his story. Each presentation received applause. By the time they finished, they had talked for about 2 hours. No one fell asleep or left. The audience was totally with them the entire time. There were no power points or overheads. It was just simple story telling. When they finished, the church had a time where people could come up and share with or pray for them. That lasted another half hour. Then people were dismissed and still they stayed and talked for another half hour. All in all, we were there for about 4 hours. People’s needs were met in ways we just can’t do in our one hour time slots back home. It was a rich experience. It was an example of ‘Indian Time.’ Americans consider it rude to come late to an event. Time is the issue. Natives consider it rude to leave an event before needs are met. Relationship is the issue. This Israeli congregation listened to Mark and demonstrated their understanding of Indian Time.
Stay “flexible,”
Dave
On Family: Jerusalem has lots of very beautiful parks of all different sizes. Every night, except Shabbat (Friday night to Saturday night), the parks are filled with individual and extended families cooking over grills, eating, playing family games, talking, and just ‘hanging out.’ They start arriving about 5:00 p.m. and many stay until 10:00 p.m. No TV. No radio. Just verbal and physical interaction with all ages. Most also have a large number of children and consider each one a blessing. Somehow in the US we have become so busy with our own age groups that we hardly have time left for total family activities. I can still remember as a little boy, playing softball and having an adult drop the ball so I could be safe and keep playing instead of being out. We may have some things to learn from the Israeli people.
On Politics: After reading the various Jerusalem newspapers that are translated into English for the last few months and comparing it to politics in the United States, I have to agree with this Israeli evaluation for both countries: “When God created man, he wanted to make him perfect. He searched for the highest virtues on earth and found three: man must be wise, honest, and a politician. When Satan heard what God was planning, he hurried to him and tried to persuade him not to make man perfect so that Satan could perform the role God had intended him for. God was convinced and agreed to compromise. He gave each man only two of the highest qualities. Ever since, if a person is honest and a politician, he isn’t wise; if he is wise and a politician, he isn’t honest, and if he is both honest and wise, he isn’t a politician.” Reuven Barkat
On Indian Time: Last Monday our leader was asked to come and share his story about the upcoming Gathering at a local Messianic Fellowship. The meeting was to last two hours. After about 45 minutes of worshipful singing, our leader was given the microphone. He shared his story and the history of the Gathering and then asked Mark, our new Navajo friend, to share his story. He opened with the best explanation of Indian time I’ve ever heard and then told his story. Then one of the Moluccans shared his story. Each presentation received applause. By the time they finished, they had talked for about 2 hours. No one fell asleep or left. The audience was totally with them the entire time. There were no power points or overheads. It was just simple story telling. When they finished, the church had a time where people could come up and share with or pray for them. That lasted another half hour. Then people were dismissed and still they stayed and talked for another half hour. All in all, we were there for about 4 hours. People’s needs were met in ways we just can’t do in our one hour time slots back home. It was a rich experience. It was an example of ‘Indian Time.’ Americans consider it rude to come late to an event. Time is the issue. Natives consider it rude to leave an event before needs are met. Relationship is the issue. This Israeli congregation listened to Mark and demonstrated their understanding of Indian Time.
Stay “flexible,”
Dave
September 6 - Saturday (Shabbat)
Decided this was our last chance to see the Tower of David Museum before the Gathering started, so we hiked to the Old City in the morning and spent several hours at the old fortress, enjoying the interesting portrayal of Jerusalem’s long and eventful history. It included spectacular panoramic views of the city from the citadel towers. We learned that the citadel that everyone refers to as David’s Citadel is actually a Minaret, or Muslim tower, that was mistakenly identified as part of David’s City when it was first rediscovered. David’s City is actually quite a bit farther south, but the name of the tower stuck.
In the evening we went back for the light show in the same place which was fantastic. This is a definite ‘must see’ for anyone coming to Israel. The entire history of Jerusalem is projected onto the rock walls via lights and music.
In the evening we went back for the light show in the same place which was fantastic. This is a definite ‘must see’ for anyone coming to Israel. The entire history of Jerusalem is projected onto the rock walls via lights and music.
September 5 - Friday
We did a few hours on the internet this morning and then went to help our host prepare for the Shabbat meal in the evening. There were 22 adults and 2 youngsters for the meal; 3 Aborigines from Australia, 1 Hawaiian, 1 Navajo, 5 Moluccans, 9 Israeli Jews, and 5 Americans. The mix of cultures makes for such interesting conversation. The other Americans, a young couple and their year old son, are from Seattle. Small world.
September 2-4 - Tuesday - Thursday
These days were spent working on the mailing. I did finish another small book called “The 4:8 Principle,” about focusing our thoughts on whatever is positive, based on Philippians 4:8. We also booked our train tickets from Amsterdam to Vienna. It proved to be more of a problem than I had anticipated, the details of which I will not bore you with, but thankfully our new Moluccan friends that live in the Netherlands were able to use a Dutch website to book the exact train that we wanted, for less than we would have paid otherwise. So the problem turned into a blessing. Thank you, Lord.
September 1 - Monday
While all of you were home from work on Labor Day, we were busy working on a 4000 piece mailing that will go out shortly after the World Christian Gathering. We are not complaining, we enjoy the interaction with the other volunteers.
We spent the evening at a Messianic congregational meeting where our host and two of the volunteers (a Navajo and a Moluccan) shared about the upcoming Gathering. It was an excellent presentation and it was so exciting to hear testimonies of how God is at work around the world among indigenous peoples.
We spent the evening at a Messianic congregational meeting where our host and two of the volunteers (a Navajo and a Moluccan) shared about the upcoming Gathering. It was an excellent presentation and it was so exciting to hear testimonies of how God is at work around the world among indigenous peoples.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
August 31 - Sunday
Impressions from Dave:
On ingenuity: We have the main Jerusalem Theater and Performance Complex about a block from our apartment. One night this week we heard some very loud music so we strolled over. It was a packed house. I have never seen so many cars packed into one small area – on sidewalks and even in the center of the street on the white center lines, with barely enough room for cars to pass on either side. I’m assuming the police don’t enforce parking laws in this type of situation.?!
More on cultural differences: We met one of the employees of the tour company that the Gathering is using. He’s an Israeli now, but lived most of his life in California and New York City. I mentioned all the horn honking that goes on over here and asked him how long he thought those taxi drivers and regular drivers would last in Los Angeles or New York City. He smiled and said, “One day at the most.” Israel is a noisy culture. The United States is a violent culture.
On humor: How can you tell an American parrot from an Israeli parrot? The American parrot has to sign a ‘photo release’ before you can take his picture; the Israeli parrot charges a fee to take it. (I know, I’m still a rookie at this humor thing!)
On fruit bearing: A couple of weeks ago we visited our leader’s mom who has a beautiful garden for her entire yard. I noticed the pomegranate tree fruit was mostly burst open and most of it on the ground, long before it should have been ripe. I asked about it and his mom said that on a recent trip to Africa, the timer on her sprinkling system malfunctioned and they got way too much water. Two applications came to mind (there are probably many more). The first is our need to be channels of Creator’s love and grace, not just repositories. As the old saying goes, “We can be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” The second is that Creator sometimes takes longer to mature us or others than we think He should, but when we try to push ahead of His schedule, usually something negative happens. (This is dedicated to you, Mom.)
Keep running your race with endurance,
Dave
On ingenuity: We have the main Jerusalem Theater and Performance Complex about a block from our apartment. One night this week we heard some very loud music so we strolled over. It was a packed house. I have never seen so many cars packed into one small area – on sidewalks and even in the center of the street on the white center lines, with barely enough room for cars to pass on either side. I’m assuming the police don’t enforce parking laws in this type of situation.?!
More on cultural differences: We met one of the employees of the tour company that the Gathering is using. He’s an Israeli now, but lived most of his life in California and New York City. I mentioned all the horn honking that goes on over here and asked him how long he thought those taxi drivers and regular drivers would last in Los Angeles or New York City. He smiled and said, “One day at the most.” Israel is a noisy culture. The United States is a violent culture.
On humor: How can you tell an American parrot from an Israeli parrot? The American parrot has to sign a ‘photo release’ before you can take his picture; the Israeli parrot charges a fee to take it. (I know, I’m still a rookie at this humor thing!)
On fruit bearing: A couple of weeks ago we visited our leader’s mom who has a beautiful garden for her entire yard. I noticed the pomegranate tree fruit was mostly burst open and most of it on the ground, long before it should have been ripe. I asked about it and his mom said that on a recent trip to Africa, the timer on her sprinkling system malfunctioned and they got way too much water. Two applications came to mind (there are probably many more). The first is our need to be channels of Creator’s love and grace, not just repositories. As the old saying goes, “We can be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” The second is that Creator sometimes takes longer to mature us or others than we think He should, but when we try to push ahead of His schedule, usually something negative happens. (This is dedicated to you, Mom.)
Keep running your race with endurance,
Dave
August 30 - Saturday
We went to a new congregation for worship today. We had met this pastor earlier in the week when we stopped in his book/gift shop. We felt an almost immediate kindred spirit then and knew we wanted to fellowship with them. He is a Romanian Jew and his wife is Dutch. She translated for us as the whole service was in Hebrew and very Jewish. We got there at 10:00 a.m. and didn’t leave until 2:00 p.m. We felt the most at home in this service of any we’ve visited yet – very much like Indian time, and very relationally oriented. I hope we get to go back again before we leave.
August 29 - Friday
All the volunteers met at Nona’s Chocolate Factory this morning for treats (this is really hard work) before the guys headed to the Hassidic part of town to run some errands and I went back to our friends’ place to help with Shabbat preparations. In the afternoon we came back to our apartment and I read for a while before going back down for dinner. I finished another short book called “Our Hands are Stained with Blood,” by Michael Brown. It’s an older book, but it gives insight into why the Jews are so resistant to the Gospel. They faced the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, and the Holocaust all while Christians, for the most part, actively participated or else stood by and did nothing to stop it. My biggest shock came from anti-Semitic quotes from people I would not expect. Let me share just one. When Martin Luther, the great reformer, was asked, “What shall we Christians do with this damned, rejected race of Jews?” His answer was decisive: “First, their synagogues should be set on fire…Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed…Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer-books and Talmuds… Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more… Fifthly, passport and traveling privileges should be absolutely forbidden to the Jews.. Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury (charging interest on loans)… Seventhly, let the young and strong Jews and Jewesses be given the flail, the ax, the hoe, the spade, the distaff, and spindle, and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses… We ought to drive the rascally lazy bones out of our system… Therefore away with them… To sum up, dear princes and nobles who have Jews in your domains, if this advice of mine does not suit you, then find a better one so that you and we may all be free of this insufferable devilish burden – the Jews. (Martin Luther, Concerning the Jews and Their Lies, reprinted in Talmage, Disputation and Dialogue, pp. 34-36) The book is a tragic story of the “Church” and the Jewish people, one which parallels in many ways, the “Church” and the First Nations people of North America. We have much to weep for.
We celebrated the Friday night Shabbat with 16 of us (the group is growing) on the rooftop of our friends’ home again. I’d love to take a picture and show you all what it’s like, but that’s not proper protocol in Jewish homes. No photos on Shabbat.
We celebrated the Friday night Shabbat with 16 of us (the group is growing) on the rooftop of our friends’ home again. I’d love to take a picture and show you all what it’s like, but that’s not proper protocol in Jewish homes. No photos on Shabbat.
August 28 - Thursday
Both of us met Mark for coffee this morning. We really like this guy and hope he and his family comes to visit us in Tacoma sometime. All the Gathering volunteers met at our friend’s place for an informational meeting at 10:00 a.m. Excellent time. I was given more typing to do so I took it home and completed it before we went back down for dinner that night. Mark made Navajo tacos for everyone. Yummm.
August 27 - Wednesday
The only noteworthy item today was a walk to the Theater complex just a few blocks from our place. We were both thinking it was about bedtime when we heard loud music outside so Dave went to check it out. He came back and said I should get dressed and come and see the outdoor performance that was going on. We saw about a half hour of the Cinco Flamenco Dance presentation. Any speaking was in Hebrew, but it appeared to be a Spanish form of dance…a most interesting finale to a rather uneventful day.
August 26 - Tuesday
Dave met Mark, our Navajo friend, for coffee in the morning and then we walked to Zedekiah’s Cave, also known as King Solomon’s Quarry. It is located between the Damascus Gate and Herod’s Gate beneath the Muslim section of the old city. It is believed that Solomon used this site to quarry stones for the first temple (I Kings 6:7). The cave is 9000 square meters of caverns, 230 feet in length with an average height of a 4 story building. Zedekiah was the last Judean King (he did evil in the sight of the Lord) and he was captured by the Chaldeans and made to watch the execution of his sons before his eyes were put out and he was brought to Babylon to die (II Kings 25:7). There is a small pool at the far end of the cave that collects the seeping water from the cave’s rocks known as Zedekiah’s tears.
We walked home via Jaffa Square and several bookstores. At the first bookstore we met a wonderful Messianic Jew who pastors a congregation that we hope to visit next Sabbath. At the second bookstore we met another excited believer that moved to Israel from Montana several years ago. He is a friend of someone we met on our first tour of Israel in 2003. Small world.
We walked home via Jaffa Square and several bookstores. At the first bookstore we met a wonderful Messianic Jew who pastors a congregation that we hope to visit next Sabbath. At the second bookstore we met another excited believer that moved to Israel from Montana several years ago. He is a friend of someone we met on our first tour of Israel in 2003. Small world.
August 25 - Monday
Had a quiet day. We read, did our Bible studies, shopped and did a few hours of internet time. We still cannot get internet access at our own place so we must either take our laptop to our friend’s place or buy internet time.
In the morning Dave visited with a gentleman he had met previously at the Jaffa gate. He is a unique character with some different interpretations of the Bible. Although he wears the black and has long side curls, he is not accepted by the orthodox Jews, even though he regularly worships at the synagogue with them. He believes Jesus was the Messiah, but he does not call himself a Christian. (That, in and of itself, doesn’t surprise us because many Native believers don’t want to identify with the term Christian either. They want only to be called followers of Jesus.) This gentleman believes in Replacement Theology. Dave is more patient than I am in spending time with those that are of a different theological persuasion. He hopes to win them over through relationship. I think it’s more like trying to win over a Mormon. They know what they believe and in most cases they are not going to be convinced to change, no matter how much time you spend with them. Guess that’s why opposites attract, eh?
I finished an autobiography of Ayaan Hirshi Ali called The Infidel. This young lady was born in Somalia, was raised Muslim, and spent her childhood and young adulthood in Africa and Saudi Arabia. In 1992 she fled to the Netherlands as a refugee, escaping a forced marriage to a distant cousin she’d never met. She learned Dutch and worked as an interpreter while she earned her college degree in political science. After the September 11 terrorist attacks she renounced Islam. It’s the story of how she moved from the world of her Islamic faith to the world of reason, from religion to atheism. She now fights for the rights of Muslim women and as a result is a target for terrorists. I enjoyed learning more of what being a Muslim is like for a woman, but the book left me feeling like the story was only half over. She recognized the error of Islam, but has not found relationship with Jesus to replace the spiritual void in her life. I’d love to see a sequel someday that tells the story of how she was introduced to Jesus, the true loving Creator God that values women and would never approve of excision, honor killings, or wife beatings.
In the morning Dave visited with a gentleman he had met previously at the Jaffa gate. He is a unique character with some different interpretations of the Bible. Although he wears the black and has long side curls, he is not accepted by the orthodox Jews, even though he regularly worships at the synagogue with them. He believes Jesus was the Messiah, but he does not call himself a Christian. (That, in and of itself, doesn’t surprise us because many Native believers don’t want to identify with the term Christian either. They want only to be called followers of Jesus.) This gentleman believes in Replacement Theology. Dave is more patient than I am in spending time with those that are of a different theological persuasion. He hopes to win them over through relationship. I think it’s more like trying to win over a Mormon. They know what they believe and in most cases they are not going to be convinced to change, no matter how much time you spend with them. Guess that’s why opposites attract, eh?
I finished an autobiography of Ayaan Hirshi Ali called The Infidel. This young lady was born in Somalia, was raised Muslim, and spent her childhood and young adulthood in Africa and Saudi Arabia. In 1992 she fled to the Netherlands as a refugee, escaping a forced marriage to a distant cousin she’d never met. She learned Dutch and worked as an interpreter while she earned her college degree in political science. After the September 11 terrorist attacks she renounced Islam. It’s the story of how she moved from the world of her Islamic faith to the world of reason, from religion to atheism. She now fights for the rights of Muslim women and as a result is a target for terrorists. I enjoyed learning more of what being a Muslim is like for a woman, but the book left me feeling like the story was only half over. She recognized the error of Islam, but has not found relationship with Jesus to replace the spiritual void in her life. I’d love to see a sequel someday that tells the story of how she was introduced to Jesus, the true loving Creator God that values women and would never approve of excision, honor killings, or wife beatings.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
August 24 - Sunday
Impressions from Dave:
On Grace: It is still alive and well in Israel. While going through the entrance to the International Arts and Crafts Festival, security discovered I was carrying my little Swiss Army pocket knife. They quickly brought over several of the armed guards and informed me that it was illegal to carry any kind of knife in Israel. Then he smiled at me and said, “But since you are an American, we will not put you in jail for 24 hours...but don’t let it happen again.” Now I hide it somewhere outside before I go into places (when I forget to leave it at home).
On Terrorism: We were made aware again of how serious the problems are over here. We were at our friend’s home when we heard a loudspeaker ordering everybody to clear the road and area just below their apartment building. No traffic moved for 15 minutes, as we watched from the third story window. It was discovered that the bag that was left was not a bomb, but simply a package somebody had misplaced and come back for.
On Humor: I’ve discovered that the Jewish culture tells jokes and laughs at themselves even more than the First Nations culture does. We also discovered that the Dutch culture seldom tells jokes on themselves. (Diane, Mark, and the two newest members of our Gathering team all have Dutch heritage, although only Diane indentifies with that heritage.)
On Eating: Every Friday evening, we have the Shabbat meal at our leader’s home. It lasts about four hours and his wonderful Swedish wife is an incredibly good cook. She’s a lot like my mother-in-law. You never go away hungry. And she always has dessert…several options…and I never refuse any of the options.
On Differences: Our leader has shared that because of the holocaust (Hitler was strictly organized), the Israelis are uncomfortable and nervous when something seems too organized. Needless to say, I feel real comfortable in this culture. I’ve also noticed that in most discussions here, people tend to interrupt and start to give their input before the other person has finished sharing (even more so than in the United States culture). Makes me appreciate the Indian Talking Circles.
On Prophecy: There is a super highway (toll road) being built right now. It is partially completed and we have driven on it. It is Highway #6. The plans now are to have it go from Egypt, through Israel, and into Syria. Check out Isaiah 19:23-25. Are we getting close to His return?
Keep looking up,
Dave
On Grace: It is still alive and well in Israel. While going through the entrance to the International Arts and Crafts Festival, security discovered I was carrying my little Swiss Army pocket knife. They quickly brought over several of the armed guards and informed me that it was illegal to carry any kind of knife in Israel. Then he smiled at me and said, “But since you are an American, we will not put you in jail for 24 hours...but don’t let it happen again.” Now I hide it somewhere outside before I go into places (when I forget to leave it at home).
On Terrorism: We were made aware again of how serious the problems are over here. We were at our friend’s home when we heard a loudspeaker ordering everybody to clear the road and area just below their apartment building. No traffic moved for 15 minutes, as we watched from the third story window. It was discovered that the bag that was left was not a bomb, but simply a package somebody had misplaced and come back for.
On Humor: I’ve discovered that the Jewish culture tells jokes and laughs at themselves even more than the First Nations culture does. We also discovered that the Dutch culture seldom tells jokes on themselves. (Diane, Mark, and the two newest members of our Gathering team all have Dutch heritage, although only Diane indentifies with that heritage.)
On Eating: Every Friday evening, we have the Shabbat meal at our leader’s home. It lasts about four hours and his wonderful Swedish wife is an incredibly good cook. She’s a lot like my mother-in-law. You never go away hungry. And she always has dessert…several options…and I never refuse any of the options.
On Differences: Our leader has shared that because of the holocaust (Hitler was strictly organized), the Israelis are uncomfortable and nervous when something seems too organized. Needless to say, I feel real comfortable in this culture. I’ve also noticed that in most discussions here, people tend to interrupt and start to give their input before the other person has finished sharing (even more so than in the United States culture). Makes me appreciate the Indian Talking Circles.
On Prophecy: There is a super highway (toll road) being built right now. It is partially completed and we have driven on it. It is Highway #6. The plans now are to have it go from Egypt, through Israel, and into Syria. Check out Isaiah 19:23-25. Are we getting close to His return?
Keep looking up,
Dave
August 23 - Saturday
Spent the morning with Mark, another one of the volunteers, just getting to know each other better. We love hearing his Native perspective and learning from him. At lunch time we headed back down to our host's place for a birthday celebration for one of the Moluccan volunteers. I don't think I have ever heard so many renditions of Happy Birthday: Indonesian, Dutch, Hebrew, Puyallup, Swedish, and several other American versions thrown in for fun.
When we walked home the streets were completely empty...so different than other days. Here everything shuts down for Shabbat. Usually the streets are bustling with activity.
The streets during Shabbat
The streets on a normal dayAugust 22 - Friday
Spent most of the day at our hosts. They had some furniture from Ikea being delivered and wanted help putting it together before Shabbat began. I helped prepare food and Dave helped with furniture. We went home in the afternoon for a brief rest and to freshen up before heading back down to their place for the special Shabbat meal. We look forward to our time every Friday evening sitting on their roof with the gentle, cool breeze and the warm fellowship. After the meal we got to telling jokes. We laughed lots. They even got me telling some Ole and Lena jokes. They loved the accent. It was a fun, fun evening.
August 21 - Thursday
Met the newest volunteers from Holland today. They arrived late last night. What a delightful couple with their two year old son! They are Moluccan (from Indonesia originally, but living in Holland now). I worked on the computer all afternoon, but in the evening we were to meet our hosts and the rest of the volunteers at the International Arts and Crafts Festival. It was so packed (over 7000 people) that we did not find them. They turned people away because it was so full. We enjoyed the evening, never-the-less. We saw a dance group from Japan that was very interesting. I had decided not to carry my camera with me since we had already been to the festival once and it gets heavy to carry around all the time…but of course I regretted my decision.
August 20 - Wednesday
Spent a good portion of the day at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem. Mark, David, and Nili joined us. It is a beautiful zoo and I went crazy with my camera. You’ll have to check out the pictures I posted. It was a long day with lots of walking and my body was rebelling by the time we got home.
Tuesday - August 19
The three men went to the Galilee area again today to settle some arrangements for the Gathering and I stayed home and did computer work. In the evening we went to our friends place for their daughter’s 12th birthday. She just got home from a trip to Sweden.
August 18 - Monday
Spent the day typing and doing internet work. That evening we took our friends to a falafel place for dinner, just around the corner from their place.
I finished another book when I got home that night, “The Chosen.” It is another of Chaim Potok’s books. This is required reading for all Israeli students in school and focuses on a story of two Jewish boys that become friends – one from a religious Jewish family and the other from an ultra orthodox Hasidic family. Mr. Potok does an incredible job of capturing the inner turmoil that goes on when one does not wish to follow in the footsteps of their father. I find all the cultural insights captivating.
I finished another book when I got home that night, “The Chosen.” It is another of Chaim Potok’s books. This is required reading for all Israeli students in school and focuses on a story of two Jewish boys that become friends – one from a religious Jewish family and the other from an ultra orthodox Hasidic family. Mr. Potok does an incredible job of capturing the inner turmoil that goes on when one does not wish to follow in the footsteps of their father. I find all the cultural insights captivating.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
August 17 – Sunday
Overlooking the Galilee
Impressions from Dave:
On Directions: This week when we returned from Lake Galilee (Kinneret in Hebrew), I said to our leader’s 18 year old son how nice it was to get back down to Jerusalem (where it is cooler). He corrected me and said, “You mean back up to Jerusalem.” I said, “When I come from the north on a map and go south I always say down.” He said, “But in Israel, everything, from all directions is coming up to Jerusalem because of the altitude. I stand corrected!
On wisdom: In a previous blog I mentioned some wisdom from Israel such as ‘drink more water’ and ‘honk your horn.’ Now I would like to add a couple of Israeli ‘blessings’ to that wisdom. If you are going somewhere by car, you would say, “May all our parking places be in the shade.” If they are going swimming in Lake Galilee or being baptized in the Jordon River, you would say, “May you not be bitten by a giant catfish.” “Word on the streets” is that there is a super giant one in the deepest part of Lake Galilee, kind of like the Loch Ness monster in Scotland and the Ogopogo of the Okanogan.
On Flora and Fauna: I was told the wily African chameleon, one of my absolute favorite creations of Creator was native to some parts of Israel and had actually been seen in the garden of the people we stayed with while visiting the Galilee area. I hunted diligently (and any of you who know me well, know that I’m serious when I say that), but much to my wife’s relief (as she knows I would have brought it back to our apartment to keep and feed for the next 5 weeks) I failed in my search - so we are still living together.
On Creator’s Love Taps: Because Creator loves variety, I believe He has unique, personal intimate ways He relates and communicates His love to each of us. With me, it has always been through His creation (storms, sunrises, sunsets, and all his amazing and varied creatures). It happened again this week even though I struck out on the African chameleon. Yesterday, Diane and I were walking back to our apartment going through a park, when I noticed what appeared to be a weird looking mourning dove down on the ground taking a ‘bath’ in the dust. I know that sounds different, but many birds do that to get rid of ticks, lice, mites, etc. It had a strange looking head that turned out to be a beautiful crest when it got excited and expanded it. Diane got some pictures of it and when it finally flew away, we saw the beautiful black and white tail feathers. We were told later by our leader’s son that it was a type of woodpecker that he believed was the state bird of Israel. Then early this morning I was stretching in a nearby park after running and two green parrots came down to ‘talk’ to me. I mentioned it to our leader’s son again and he said that they are not native to Israel, but occasionally they escape from people that keep them as pets. Unlike in the northern United States or Canada, where they would die in our winters, these do just fine here in the wild. This pair had located each other (not unusual as they have a LOUD screech) and will probably produce many generations of parrots here in Jerusalem. Now I know you are thinking these experiences I have are just coincidence, but those of you who know me well, know it happens way too often in my life and has since I was a little boy (just ask my mom). It’s just Creator’s way of showing me (and now Diane as my helpmate) how much He loves us and that He sill has “the whole world in His hands,” as the old Spiritual goes. Just wondering in what ‘love language’ Creator speaks to you?
Keep on peddling,
Dave
Impressions from Dave:
On Directions: This week when we returned from Lake Galilee (Kinneret in Hebrew), I said to our leader’s 18 year old son how nice it was to get back down to Jerusalem (where it is cooler). He corrected me and said, “You mean back up to Jerusalem.” I said, “When I come from the north on a map and go south I always say down.” He said, “But in Israel, everything, from all directions is coming up to Jerusalem because of the altitude. I stand corrected!
On wisdom: In a previous blog I mentioned some wisdom from Israel such as ‘drink more water’ and ‘honk your horn.’ Now I would like to add a couple of Israeli ‘blessings’ to that wisdom. If you are going somewhere by car, you would say, “May all our parking places be in the shade.” If they are going swimming in Lake Galilee or being baptized in the Jordon River, you would say, “May you not be bitten by a giant catfish.” “Word on the streets” is that there is a super giant one in the deepest part of Lake Galilee, kind of like the Loch Ness monster in Scotland and the Ogopogo of the Okanogan.
On Flora and Fauna: I was told the wily African chameleon, one of my absolute favorite creations of Creator was native to some parts of Israel and had actually been seen in the garden of the people we stayed with while visiting the Galilee area. I hunted diligently (and any of you who know me well, know that I’m serious when I say that), but much to my wife’s relief (as she knows I would have brought it back to our apartment to keep and feed for the next 5 weeks) I failed in my search - so we are still living together.
On Creator’s Love Taps: Because Creator loves variety, I believe He has unique, personal intimate ways He relates and communicates His love to each of us. With me, it has always been through His creation (storms, sunrises, sunsets, and all his amazing and varied creatures). It happened again this week even though I struck out on the African chameleon. Yesterday, Diane and I were walking back to our apartment going through a park, when I noticed what appeared to be a weird looking mourning dove down on the ground taking a ‘bath’ in the dust. I know that sounds different, but many birds do that to get rid of ticks, lice, mites, etc. It had a strange looking head that turned out to be a beautiful crest when it got excited and expanded it. Diane got some pictures of it and when it finally flew away, we saw the beautiful black and white tail feathers. We were told later by our leader’s son that it was a type of woodpecker that he believed was the state bird of Israel. Then early this morning I was stretching in a nearby park after running and two green parrots came down to ‘talk’ to me. I mentioned it to our leader’s son again and he said that they are not native to Israel, but occasionally they escape from people that keep them as pets. Unlike in the northern United States or Canada, where they would die in our winters, these do just fine here in the wild. This pair had located each other (not unusual as they have a LOUD screech) and will probably produce many generations of parrots here in Jerusalem. Now I know you are thinking these experiences I have are just coincidence, but those of you who know me well, know it happens way too often in my life and has since I was a little boy (just ask my mom). It’s just Creator’s way of showing me (and now Diane as my helpmate) how much He loves us and that He sill has “the whole world in His hands,” as the old Spiritual goes. Just wondering in what ‘love language’ Creator speaks to you?
Keep on peddling,
Dave
August 16 – Saturday
Got up and went to a different Messianic Congregation for service this morning. It was a contextualized service – all in Hebrew. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The men, all in tallits, sat on the left and the women on the right. There was a special section for English speakers and a section for Russian speakers, both of which had interpreters. At one point in the service the Torah scroll was carried around the room and everyone touched their prayer book to the scroll and then to their lips.
The people were very friendly and outgoing. They have a Bible study on Sunday evenings and at some point we hope to join one of those.
We attended the Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Festival in the evening. We thought it started at 7:00 p.m. so we were there at that time, but it actually didn't start until 9:00. All the signs are in Hebrew so we are always trying to figure out what is happening. For instance, there were several lines to stand in to get your tickets. Dave made a good guess and got in the 'cash' line. We had no idea what all the different lines were for. Not being able to read the signs is quite a disadvantage. It was a fun evening, though, and we enjoyed all the various cultures represented.
There was a beautiful full moon and on the walk home we watched a partial eclipse.
The people were very friendly and outgoing. They have a Bible study on Sunday evenings and at some point we hope to join one of those.
We attended the Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Festival in the evening. We thought it started at 7:00 p.m. so we were there at that time, but it actually didn't start until 9:00. All the signs are in Hebrew so we are always trying to figure out what is happening. For instance, there were several lines to stand in to get your tickets. Dave made a good guess and got in the 'cash' line. We had no idea what all the different lines were for. Not being able to read the signs is quite a disadvantage. It was a fun evening, though, and we enjoyed all the various cultures represented.
There was a beautiful full moon and on the walk home we watched a partial eclipse.
August 15 – Friday
Dave got up and ran five miles this morning and then met Mark, another volunteer, for coffee. Mark seems to be a morning person like Dave. We really like him. He is staying at the G’s home right now, but he will be staying with us for at least one week. He left his wife and two children back home on the Navajo Reservation.
I cleaned and ironed and worked on miscellaneous tasks all morning.
Spent the afternoon and evening with our friends. They are so gracious to host us each Shabbat.
I cleaned and ironed and worked on miscellaneous tasks all morning.
Spent the afternoon and evening with our friends. They are so gracious to host us each Shabbat.
August 14 – Thursday
Had a relatively quiet day. Did several hours on the internet, catching up on emails. In the evening we walked to the Jaffa Gate of the Old City to try and get some tour information for friends that our extending their stay after the Gathering. We hiked over to the International Arts and Crafts Festival which is going on (similar to our state fair minus the rides) just to see what was going on. We wanted to get a schedule of the events, but did not find one. Hiked home via the Artists Colony and watched a young art student painting a scene of the old city. Got a picture of him and will email it to him. He said his mom would really like that. He was from Baltimore, but lives in Jerusalem now.
August 11 -13 – Monday-Wednesday
We left for the Galilee area about noon. Our friends rented a car and I rode with them. Dave, along with Mark, another volunteer, and David, our host’s eldest son, took a bus to Tiberius where we met up with them. We drove through the Jordan Valley and saw several Bedouin camps and quite a few camels. The most interesting part of the trip, though, was the stories that were shared; stories about living in Israel during the intifada, living in fear and distrust of anyone that looked Arab, hearing explosions, exiting a bus before the scheduled stop because someone looked suspicious, etc. All of this is so foreign to me. At one point in the trip when we were near Jericho I saw what looked like several groves of trees that had been cut down. When I inquired, I found out that they were cut because Palestinian snipers would hide in the trees and shoot at Israeli cars. It’s such a sad situation.
Saw lots of orchards; mainly date palms, mangos, and bananas. It is the Schmitah year - the 7th year when all observant Jews give the land a rest. They do not till, plant, prune or harvest their orchards.
We stayed at G’s mom’s place. It was ideal. She has a bed and breakfast, with plenty of space and a large pool in the backyard. We all got in right away to cool off. Four more friends joined us for dinner and the evening. This couple and their children had been missionaries to Muslims for years, but now the husband is a professor. They have been instrumental in trying to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between Muslim and Christian leaders. This guy speaks 11 languages. He’s brilliant and God is opening all kinds of doors for him among world Muslim leaders.
I chatted mainly with his wife and G’s mom. All three of us were nurses, had home schooled our children, and loved to garden. Fun evening!
The next day we traveled around the Galilee and saw the places where the Gathering guests will be staying while in this area. We also visited the ‘Talmudic Experience’ at Katzrim and a factory in the Golan Heights. While we were there the Gefen family met some friends and chatted briefly. We were introduced just as we were heading back out to the car. After we parted, G’s mom told me that they were a missionary family that had a daughter that was killed in a terrorist attack on a bus about five years earlier. I told her about our experience in 2003 when our tour bus was about 200 yards behind an incident in Haifa where a bus was blown up and that there was a missionary girl on that bus. We prayed for that family numerous times and we have all the newspaper articles about it in our photo album. She confirmed that that was the family we just met. What a ‘God thing!’ I wish I had known before we parted ways. I feel honored to have met that family.
We got back to G’s mom’s place about 7 p.m. and all the kids and guys swam while the ladies got dinner on the table. Seven year old Nili taught us a new card game called ‘Knock, Knock’ that night. We love their kids. They are helping us cope with our feelings of lonesomeness for our own grandkids.
The next day we all traveled together again. I especially enjoyed getting to know G’s mom. Her husband was killed about ten years ago in a plane crash in Africa. She has her PhD and travels to both Africa and India on ministry trips several times each year. She fellowships at a Messianic congregation in Tiberius that is made up of Israeli Jews, Russian Jews, and some Druze. It is a diverse group of about 300.
We walked the promenade in Tiberius and just enjoyed each others company before heading to a small restaurant in town for Shwarma, pita bread filled with roasted turkey and your choice of veggies. It was excellent.
Several of us were feeling a bit under the weather that day. Dave got it the worst and had to make numerous trips to the restroom. It’s the first time either of us has been sick while we’ve been here. Praise the Lord it was minor and didn’t last long.
We took the three guys to the bus station for their return trip home and the rest of us headed back to G’s mom’s place to pick up suitcases (and a quick dip in the pool to cool off).
The trip home was quiet and uneventful.
Saw lots of orchards; mainly date palms, mangos, and bananas. It is the Schmitah year - the 7th year when all observant Jews give the land a rest. They do not till, plant, prune or harvest their orchards.
We stayed at G’s mom’s place. It was ideal. She has a bed and breakfast, with plenty of space and a large pool in the backyard. We all got in right away to cool off. Four more friends joined us for dinner and the evening. This couple and their children had been missionaries to Muslims for years, but now the husband is a professor. They have been instrumental in trying to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation between Muslim and Christian leaders. This guy speaks 11 languages. He’s brilliant and God is opening all kinds of doors for him among world Muslim leaders.
I chatted mainly with his wife and G’s mom. All three of us were nurses, had home schooled our children, and loved to garden. Fun evening!
The next day we traveled around the Galilee and saw the places where the Gathering guests will be staying while in this area. We also visited the ‘Talmudic Experience’ at Katzrim and a factory in the Golan Heights. While we were there the Gefen family met some friends and chatted briefly. We were introduced just as we were heading back out to the car. After we parted, G’s mom told me that they were a missionary family that had a daughter that was killed in a terrorist attack on a bus about five years earlier. I told her about our experience in 2003 when our tour bus was about 200 yards behind an incident in Haifa where a bus was blown up and that there was a missionary girl on that bus. We prayed for that family numerous times and we have all the newspaper articles about it in our photo album. She confirmed that that was the family we just met. What a ‘God thing!’ I wish I had known before we parted ways. I feel honored to have met that family.
We got back to G’s mom’s place about 7 p.m. and all the kids and guys swam while the ladies got dinner on the table. Seven year old Nili taught us a new card game called ‘Knock, Knock’ that night. We love their kids. They are helping us cope with our feelings of lonesomeness for our own grandkids.
The next day we all traveled together again. I especially enjoyed getting to know G’s mom. Her husband was killed about ten years ago in a plane crash in Africa. She has her PhD and travels to both Africa and India on ministry trips several times each year. She fellowships at a Messianic congregation in Tiberius that is made up of Israeli Jews, Russian Jews, and some Druze. It is a diverse group of about 300.
We walked the promenade in Tiberius and just enjoyed each others company before heading to a small restaurant in town for Shwarma, pita bread filled with roasted turkey and your choice of veggies. It was excellent.
Several of us were feeling a bit under the weather that day. Dave got it the worst and had to make numerous trips to the restroom. It’s the first time either of us has been sick while we’ve been here. Praise the Lord it was minor and didn’t last long.
We took the three guys to the bus station for their return trip home and the rest of us headed back to G’s mom’s place to pick up suitcases (and a quick dip in the pool to cool off).
The trip home was quiet and uneventful.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday, August 10.
Impressions from Dave:
1. Last night our local Israeli leader took Mark, a Navajo man and most recent addition to the volunteer team for the Gathering, and me to the Western Wall in the Old City. The Western Wall is the nearest point to the original holy of holies that the Jewish people are allowed to come to. It is sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall by outsiders. Last night was the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. At two different points in its history Jerusalem was destroyed on that date. We found a group of ten Orthodox Jews to pray with. (You must have at least ten men in order to pray.) It reminds me of the importance of community in the First nations culture and I believe Biblically in the church – “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
We read and prayed Scripture together in Hebrew for several hours. Mark and I followed along in an English translation as best we could. We stayed a couple of hours alternating standing and sitting on the cobblestone floor and lamenting the destruction of the Temple. When we came it was packed, men on one side and women on the other. When we left there were more people flooding in than were going out. Our local leader said this would go on for most of the night and for the real devout it would go into the next day. I could not help but ask myself if I have that kind of commitment to the things I believe in.
2. On negotiating: Many things in Israel don’t have a set price. There is the market, or asking, price and then the selling price. The selling price is different for each customer and depends on a number of things such as; how well you are dressed, whether you look like a European or American, whether you can speak their language (Hebrew or Arabic), how emotionally attached to the item(s) you appear to be (they read body language really well), when they had their last sale or what kind of day financially it has been for them, your and their ability to act, the total amount of the shekels (dollars) involved in the sale, your sense of humor, and your love of both the people and this whole process. I wish I had my son, A.J. along to do this for me. A brief example recently was the price for one small folder of postcards that went from 5 shekels to 1 shekel in about two minutes. Lesson: Keep working outside your comfort zone for Jesus.
Until next time, Yom Tov (Have a good day),
Dave and Diane
1. Last night our local Israeli leader took Mark, a Navajo man and most recent addition to the volunteer team for the Gathering, and me to the Western Wall in the Old City. The Western Wall is the nearest point to the original holy of holies that the Jewish people are allowed to come to. It is sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall by outsiders. Last night was the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. At two different points in its history Jerusalem was destroyed on that date. We found a group of ten Orthodox Jews to pray with. (You must have at least ten men in order to pray.) It reminds me of the importance of community in the First nations culture and I believe Biblically in the church – “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
We read and prayed Scripture together in Hebrew for several hours. Mark and I followed along in an English translation as best we could. We stayed a couple of hours alternating standing and sitting on the cobblestone floor and lamenting the destruction of the Temple. When we came it was packed, men on one side and women on the other. When we left there were more people flooding in than were going out. Our local leader said this would go on for most of the night and for the real devout it would go into the next day. I could not help but ask myself if I have that kind of commitment to the things I believe in.
2. On negotiating: Many things in Israel don’t have a set price. There is the market, or asking, price and then the selling price. The selling price is different for each customer and depends on a number of things such as; how well you are dressed, whether you look like a European or American, whether you can speak their language (Hebrew or Arabic), how emotionally attached to the item(s) you appear to be (they read body language really well), when they had their last sale or what kind of day financially it has been for them, your and their ability to act, the total amount of the shekels (dollars) involved in the sale, your sense of humor, and your love of both the people and this whole process. I wish I had my son, A.J. along to do this for me. A brief example recently was the price for one small folder of postcards that went from 5 shekels to 1 shekel in about two minutes. Lesson: Keep working outside your comfort zone for Jesus.
Until next time, Yom Tov (Have a good day),
Dave and Diane
Saturday, August 9
Today was one of our ‘risk’ days. Our Arab friends from Bethlehem had invited us to come and spend the day with them…so we took a bus to Bethlehem. When we were here in 2003 we were not allowed to go to Bethlehem. And even now we were told it was dangerous. Jews are not allowed to enter there at all. Since no Israeli buses run on Shabbat, we had to take an Arab bus. We walked to the bus stop and waited for bus #21. We watched the first two #21 buses pass by without stopping. If there had not been another Arab lady and her son waiting there I think we might have given up thinking they would not pick us up, but she told us to wait and the third bus stopped. It didn’t look like there was any room left on the bus, but we squeezed in, joining the others standing in the middle aisle. At future stops about 12 more people squeezed in after us. Had we stopped suddenly there was no worry of falling – we were packed in so tightly that would have been an impossibility.
All the ladies had their heads covered. I felt so ‘touristy.’ Several stared at me openly.
Ours was the last stop so when we exited the bus we text messaged our friends that we had arrived. Issa was soon there to meet us. We walked back to his relative’s place, but stopped on the way to tour the House of Hope, a home established for the blind and mentally challenged. Some of Issa’s relatives have worked there.
We met up with the rest of the family and then headed to the main Bethlehem market. It is much like the Old City of Jerusalem, with crowded streets and lots of small stores. We had lunch at a delightful restaurant that was originally a cave. We devoured the pita bread, hummus, and falafels.
Next stop was the Church of the Nativity. Our tour guide, Yoseph, was a Christian man who teaches at the Bible school in Bethlehem. The church is very ornate and has been built on top of the cave where Jesus is believed to have been born. After viewing the different parts of the church we went down to three adjoining caves. The first is where Jesus was born and where he was laid in the manger.
The second cave is where the 2000+ baby boys were buried after Herod slaughtered the innocents in the hopes of killing baby Jesus. The sight of all those graves and bones invoked a deep sense of pain and brought the reality of Matthew 2:17-18 into sharp focus, “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying; ‘ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.’”
The third cave houses the burial spot of Jerome and his two helpers. Jerome was a blind man that dedicated over 30 years to translating the Bible.
After our tour we took a taxi to Issa’s home place where we ate fresh figs off the tree and fresh grapes off the vine. Delicious! Then we walked to his grandma’s place. She had one of the most beautiful countenances that we’ve ever seen. In spite of recently breaking her hip and being confined to bed, she radiated the love of Jesus in her beautiful smile. After introductions, we were served Turkish coffee and a delightful homemade dessert. Those of you that know me well know I don’t drink coffee, but I am proud to say that I did finish my small cup of very strong Turkish coffee.
For feeling a bit apprehensive about going to Bethlehem and taking a bus to an unknown area by ourselves, we can honestly say we had a wonderful time and were treated royally There were no problems at the checkpoint and even the taxi driver back to the bus station was extra friendly - showing us pictures of his adorable children. The day ended up being no risk at all. I’m so glad we got to experience Bethlehem and to meet Issa’s family. We felt a great camaraderie with them. They are a delightful family that deeply love Jesus and serve Him wholeheartedly.
We got home about 6:30 p.m. and by 8:30 Dave headed down to meet Gavriel and Mark to go to the Western Wall in the Old City. He’ll share about that in his impressions.
All the ladies had their heads covered. I felt so ‘touristy.’ Several stared at me openly.
Ours was the last stop so when we exited the bus we text messaged our friends that we had arrived. Issa was soon there to meet us. We walked back to his relative’s place, but stopped on the way to tour the House of Hope, a home established for the blind and mentally challenged. Some of Issa’s relatives have worked there.
We met up with the rest of the family and then headed to the main Bethlehem market. It is much like the Old City of Jerusalem, with crowded streets and lots of small stores. We had lunch at a delightful restaurant that was originally a cave. We devoured the pita bread, hummus, and falafels.
Next stop was the Church of the Nativity. Our tour guide, Yoseph, was a Christian man who teaches at the Bible school in Bethlehem. The church is very ornate and has been built on top of the cave where Jesus is believed to have been born. After viewing the different parts of the church we went down to three adjoining caves. The first is where Jesus was born and where he was laid in the manger.
The second cave is where the 2000+ baby boys were buried after Herod slaughtered the innocents in the hopes of killing baby Jesus. The sight of all those graves and bones invoked a deep sense of pain and brought the reality of Matthew 2:17-18 into sharp focus, “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying; ‘ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.’”
The third cave houses the burial spot of Jerome and his two helpers. Jerome was a blind man that dedicated over 30 years to translating the Bible.
After our tour we took a taxi to Issa’s home place where we ate fresh figs off the tree and fresh grapes off the vine. Delicious! Then we walked to his grandma’s place. She had one of the most beautiful countenances that we’ve ever seen. In spite of recently breaking her hip and being confined to bed, she radiated the love of Jesus in her beautiful smile. After introductions, we were served Turkish coffee and a delightful homemade dessert. Those of you that know me well know I don’t drink coffee, but I am proud to say that I did finish my small cup of very strong Turkish coffee.
For feeling a bit apprehensive about going to Bethlehem and taking a bus to an unknown area by ourselves, we can honestly say we had a wonderful time and were treated royally There were no problems at the checkpoint and even the taxi driver back to the bus station was extra friendly - showing us pictures of his adorable children. The day ended up being no risk at all. I’m so glad we got to experience Bethlehem and to meet Issa’s family. We felt a great camaraderie with them. They are a delightful family that deeply love Jesus and serve Him wholeheartedly.
We got home about 6:30 p.m. and by 8:30 Dave headed down to meet Gavriel and Mark to go to the Western Wall in the Old City. He’ll share about that in his impressions.
Friday, August 8
Today is our granddaughter Kaya’s 5th birthday so we are missing her and all our grandkids. After leisurely washing clothes, doing my Bible study, and writing the blog update, we headed down to our friends for the afternoon and the Shabbat dinner. They are so gracious to host us each week. Another one of the volunteers arrived today so we got to meet him. He is Navajo (and part Dutch). Great guy!
Thursday, August 7
What a fun morning we had! We met some friends from the states. Actually they are friends of our children, Mike and Kirsten, but we had met them before. Issa is Arab and grew up in Bethlehem and he and Mike became friends when Mike’s parents were in Israel doing mission work. Issa, his wife, Susie, and their two children now live in Michigan, but they were back here visiting relatives. They met us at the Jaffa Gate in the Old City and then we hiked to Hezekiah’s Tunnel and all waded through the spring water. Susie lost a shoe when she nearly slipped and fell early on. Thankfully it floated on ahead and hit me in the leg so it was retrieved J. The two children, aged 7 and 5, were not sure they wanted to go. It gets pretty deep at the beginning and when Susie slipped they got scared. In the end they made the brave decision to go for it and they finished strong! Issa’s uncle and a niece were along, too. They are just delightful people.
Following the tunnel we walked to the Western Wall and then back through the Old City. The Western Wall has changed since we were there in 2003. Now there is a barrier in front of it and you can only enter through a gate where each person must show ID and all bags are inspected. Women go through one gate and men another. At first Issa’s niece was refused since she was not with her parents, but in the end Issa’s uncle was able to talk them into letting her through.
We split ways when they headed to the bus station for their ride home.
We ate at a new restaurant, The Olive and Fish, on our way home. We’ve walked by it several times and decided to try it this time. It was very good - comes with top recommendations from us. When we got home, I rested a bit and iced my back. It’s acting up, causing pain in my hip and knee again.
Then we hiked down to the internet store for some catch up on emails. Came home and typed the evening away.
Following the tunnel we walked to the Western Wall and then back through the Old City. The Western Wall has changed since we were there in 2003. Now there is a barrier in front of it and you can only enter through a gate where each person must show ID and all bags are inspected. Women go through one gate and men another. At first Issa’s niece was refused since she was not with her parents, but in the end Issa’s uncle was able to talk them into letting her through.
We split ways when they headed to the bus station for their ride home.
We ate at a new restaurant, The Olive and Fish, on our way home. We’ve walked by it several times and decided to try it this time. It was very good - comes with top recommendations from us. When we got home, I rested a bit and iced my back. It’s acting up, causing pain in my hip and knee again.
Then we hiked down to the internet store for some catch up on emails. Came home and typed the evening away.
Wednesday, August 6
Went to our friends in the morning to turn in what I had typed and pick up some more. They took us to lunch at a burger place and then we headed home to type and read. I can tell Dave is feeling like family with our hosts. He finished their daughter’s half eaten burger before we left.
I finished another novel about a group of Russians that were part of the second aliyah to Israel and set up a kibbutz here. I’m the type of person that has to finish what I start so I finished the book, but it was not one I’d read again or recommend, although it did give me some insights into communal living.
I finished another novel about a group of Russians that were part of the second aliyah to Israel and set up a kibbutz here. I’m the type of person that has to finish what I start so I finished the book, but it was not one I’d read again or recommend, although it did give me some insights into communal living.
Tuesday, August 5
As I type each day, I am reminded that we are leading up to the Gathering and then once again there will be some more exciting info to pass along.
We went for a walk this evening and ended up at a big theater complex. We had walked by it several times before, but decided to go in and just see what it was. There were several displays of art, a restaurant, a bookstore, several theaters and just a general gathering place to hang out. Most interesting.
We went for a walk this evening and ended up at a big theater complex. We had walked by it several times before, but decided to go in and just see what it was. There were several displays of art, a restaurant, a bookstore, several theaters and just a general gathering place to hang out. Most interesting.
Monday, August 4
Not too exciting to read about – spent the day typing for Gavriel and updating our blog…
Dave went running and ended up at the King David Museum again. That’s where he’d had a most interesting conversation with the docent earlier. He mentioned it in his last ‘Impressions.’ Once again they had a good visit. Dave had brought him a DVD that our Jewish Bible Study leader had prepared on “Linking Lunar Eclipses to the Second Coming of Messiah.” Just a few days earlier someone had come into his museum and given him the very same DVD. Must be a ‘God thing,’ eh? Much of their conversation this time revolved around the ‘American holocaust,’ our treatment of First Nations people. Both the docent and the other co-worker and also an orthodox Jew that just happened to be in the museum at the time, were fascinated and kept pumping Dave for more information. I’m sure there will be more times Dave just happens to end up there on his runs J.
Dave went running and ended up at the King David Museum again. That’s where he’d had a most interesting conversation with the docent earlier. He mentioned it in his last ‘Impressions.’ Once again they had a good visit. Dave had brought him a DVD that our Jewish Bible Study leader had prepared on “Linking Lunar Eclipses to the Second Coming of Messiah.” Just a few days earlier someone had come into his museum and given him the very same DVD. Must be a ‘God thing,’ eh? Much of their conversation this time revolved around the ‘American holocaust,’ our treatment of First Nations people. Both the docent and the other co-worker and also an orthodox Jew that just happened to be in the museum at the time, were fascinated and kept pumping Dave for more information. I’m sure there will be more times Dave just happens to end up there on his runs J.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, August 3
Spent most of the day with our friends, me typing addresses and contact info (which by the way is not the easiest when each country has their own system/order of writing and I am not familiar with the names and format, especially of phone numbers). I feel very SLOW.
We attended King of Kings Community Church in downtown Jerusalem in the evening. We took a bus since we did not have time to walk. It reminded us very much of Lighthouse Christian Church in Puyallup with a Hebrew flare. It was large, vibrant, and filled with people that love Yeshua. The thing that really impacted us, though, was a visiting pastor from Uganda who was asked to pray. He got up on the platform, a tall dark man dressed in a full suit and tie, and when he began praying he immediately dropped to his knees and besought God in the most powerful way I have ever heard. It was one of those prayers that shakes the throne of God. Soon the pastor of King of Kings was on his knees, too, hands clasped with his co-laborer. I couldn't stop the flow of tears that dripped onto my shirt as I heard him plead with God to bring all the nations together and to bring peace to the city of Jerusalem. It was unforgettable.
Impressions from Dave:
1. Last week we ate at a restaurant in Eilat called Sabrest. We thought the name was a shortened form of 'Sabbath Rest,' but upon sitting down and reading our placemats, we discovered the name really means 'native Israeli.' The main picture on the placemat was of a prickly pear cactus, which grow well in Israel. It then proceeded to describe in both Hebrew and English all the characteristics of that cactus, including nutritional value, medicinal value, and its ability to survive in harsh environments and to protect itself. It then said that the prickly pear cactus pretty well describes the Israeli people. They have an outer protective shell to keep strangers (which have usually turned out to be enemies) away, but if treated kindly (watered) they can become a tremendous blessing to the person (or country) that nurtures that relationship.
2. We visited the Yad VaShem Memorial, a tribute to those that lost their lives in the holocaust, this week. Diane shares in a fuller way in the July 28 post, but for those of you who are wondering how this can happen, I would recommend a powerful book, "Ordinary Men." Every living person that could be located, that had been involved in any way in the holocaust, was interviewed. It's one of those 'need to read' books if you want to understand yourself better.
3. Last week we visited the new King David Museum in the middle of the Old City. The docent was dressed in traditional Orthodox garb and hair style, but he still allowed us to take a picture of him. He spoke extremely good English (which was one of the reasons he was hired) and it turned out he had lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area for the 20 years prior to his 'aliyah' to Israel. Needless to say, we hit it off really well. Diane felt we should give him an Indian name of 'Talks-a-Lot, the Second.' We agreed on almost everything except who the Messiah is (usually a stumbling block with Israeli people). He believes there needs to be a huge 'aliyah' (Jewish people moving back to Israel) to usher in the Messiah's return. I have to agree wtih him, however he thinks it will be the first return of Messiah and I think it will be the second. We exchanged calling cards and I hope our paths cross again.
4. Lastly, I feel compelled to share about the 'horn honking' in Israel. Again, it describes their 'prickly pear' culture. We had a Brazilian Jewish Christian college student join us at the Shabbot meal on Friday evening and he had us all in 'stitches' as he described it. He said his Brazilian culture is pretty assertive, but the Israeli culture is a whole new level. If you even look like you might be thinking of trying to cross the road in front of an Israeli driver they honk. If you are just innocently walking down the street, a taxi will honk at you, just in case you might want a ride. The only time they don't honk at you is if you are passing them (which is highly unlikely because everybody speeds in Israel). If there is a long line at a red light, everyone honks. Our local Israeli leader summed it up when he said, "If your horn breaks down, you park your car."
Until next time, "Keep your stick on the ice."
Dave
We attended King of Kings Community Church in downtown Jerusalem in the evening. We took a bus since we did not have time to walk. It reminded us very much of Lighthouse Christian Church in Puyallup with a Hebrew flare. It was large, vibrant, and filled with people that love Yeshua. The thing that really impacted us, though, was a visiting pastor from Uganda who was asked to pray. He got up on the platform, a tall dark man dressed in a full suit and tie, and when he began praying he immediately dropped to his knees and besought God in the most powerful way I have ever heard. It was one of those prayers that shakes the throne of God. Soon the pastor of King of Kings was on his knees, too, hands clasped with his co-laborer. I couldn't stop the flow of tears that dripped onto my shirt as I heard him plead with God to bring all the nations together and to bring peace to the city of Jerusalem. It was unforgettable.
Impressions from Dave:
1. Last week we ate at a restaurant in Eilat called Sabrest. We thought the name was a shortened form of 'Sabbath Rest,' but upon sitting down and reading our placemats, we discovered the name really means 'native Israeli.' The main picture on the placemat was of a prickly pear cactus, which grow well in Israel. It then proceeded to describe in both Hebrew and English all the characteristics of that cactus, including nutritional value, medicinal value, and its ability to survive in harsh environments and to protect itself. It then said that the prickly pear cactus pretty well describes the Israeli people. They have an outer protective shell to keep strangers (which have usually turned out to be enemies) away, but if treated kindly (watered) they can become a tremendous blessing to the person (or country) that nurtures that relationship.
2. We visited the Yad VaShem Memorial, a tribute to those that lost their lives in the holocaust, this week. Diane shares in a fuller way in the July 28 post, but for those of you who are wondering how this can happen, I would recommend a powerful book, "Ordinary Men." Every living person that could be located, that had been involved in any way in the holocaust, was interviewed. It's one of those 'need to read' books if you want to understand yourself better.
3. Last week we visited the new King David Museum in the middle of the Old City. The docent was dressed in traditional Orthodox garb and hair style, but he still allowed us to take a picture of him. He spoke extremely good English (which was one of the reasons he was hired) and it turned out he had lived in the Seattle/Tacoma area for the 20 years prior to his 'aliyah' to Israel. Needless to say, we hit it off really well. Diane felt we should give him an Indian name of 'Talks-a-Lot, the Second.' We agreed on almost everything except who the Messiah is (usually a stumbling block with Israeli people). He believes there needs to be a huge 'aliyah' (Jewish people moving back to Israel) to usher in the Messiah's return. I have to agree wtih him, however he thinks it will be the first return of Messiah and I think it will be the second. We exchanged calling cards and I hope our paths cross again.
4. Lastly, I feel compelled to share about the 'horn honking' in Israel. Again, it describes their 'prickly pear' culture. We had a Brazilian Jewish Christian college student join us at the Shabbot meal on Friday evening and he had us all in 'stitches' as he described it. He said his Brazilian culture is pretty assertive, but the Israeli culture is a whole new level. If you even look like you might be thinking of trying to cross the road in front of an Israeli driver they honk. If you are just innocently walking down the street, a taxi will honk at you, just in case you might want a ride. The only time they don't honk at you is if you are passing them (which is highly unlikely because everybody speeds in Israel). If there is a long line at a red light, everyone honks. Our local Israeli leader summed it up when he said, "If your horn breaks down, you park your car."
Until next time, "Keep your stick on the ice."
Dave
Saturday, August 2
It's the Sabbath so everything is shut down and closed. We relaxed and took a day of rest, mostly reading. How delightful! Dave did go for a run. He headed to the old part of town and once there he realized it was all orthodox Jews out for a Sabboth stroll with their families and he just couldn't bring himself to run since that would be work and would be offensive to them, so he walked. He's getting pretty good at finding his way around the city.
Friday, August 1
Our 38th Wedding Anniversary!
I did some typing in the morning and then we went to the market for some copies, envelopes, groceries, and misc. stuff. We found a flea market and bought an original pottery pomegranate as our anniversary souvenir. Just as we were leaving to go home we saw Amanda, one of Gavriel's daughters. We had wanted to get some flowers for the Shabbot table that evening, but were afraid they would wilt before we got them home so when we saw her, we went with her to the flower shop and picked out a bouquet and sent it home with her. We were elated that it had worked out. Only later that evening did we find out that most of the family is allergic to flowers - so much for our 'great' idea! How often does that happen in our missionary outreach? We try and sincerely reach out, but blunder our way along for lack of knowledge.
We did have a wonderful evening again, sharing the Shabbot meal with our friends. There was another Brazilian Jewish young man that joined us, too. Got home about midnight.
I did some typing in the morning and then we went to the market for some copies, envelopes, groceries, and misc. stuff. We found a flea market and bought an original pottery pomegranate as our anniversary souvenir. Just as we were leaving to go home we saw Amanda, one of Gavriel's daughters. We had wanted to get some flowers for the Shabbot table that evening, but were afraid they would wilt before we got them home so when we saw her, we went with her to the flower shop and picked out a bouquet and sent it home with her. We were elated that it had worked out. Only later that evening did we find out that most of the family is allergic to flowers - so much for our 'great' idea! How often does that happen in our missionary outreach? We try and sincerely reach out, but blunder our way along for lack of knowledge.
We did have a wonderful evening again, sharing the Shabbot meal with our friends. There was another Brazilian Jewish young man that joined us, too. Got home about midnight.
Thursday, July 31
We spent much of the day at our friends' place. Gavriel got me started on some typing. Ahhh- comfort zone for me, sitting at a keyboard :-).
Wednesday, July 30
Gavriel had to be gone all day so we decided to visit Yad VaShem, the museum dedicated to the 6,000,000 victims of the holocaust. We had been there in 2003 so were not planning on going again, but Gavriel said it had all changed and this was one place that all the participants of the Gathering would visit. He thought we should see it again. It was by far the longest hike we have taken since we arrived in Jerusalem. It took two hours to walk there and two hours back home again, plus the four hours we walked the grounds of the museum. The museum was almost overwhelming. The testimonies of survivors were riveting. It is incomprehensible to me what man can do to man. How could whole armies be recruited to participate in such despicable behavior? How could those people possibly live with themselves after that?
When we got home I collapsed on the bed and my thoughts were on how my feet hurt and my back ached. I was hot, tired, and sweaty. And then I was brought up short; all those Jewish people walked for days on end in death marches with no beds at the end of the day to collapse on, and no warm bath to relax in. They were separated from their families and communities, humiliated, deprived, and starved. How could I even think of complaining? Lord help me never to forget!
When we got home I collapsed on the bed and my thoughts were on how my feet hurt and my back ached. I was hot, tired, and sweaty. And then I was brought up short; all those Jewish people walked for days on end in death marches with no beds at the end of the day to collapse on, and no warm bath to relax in. They were separated from their families and communities, humiliated, deprived, and starved. How could I even think of complaining? Lord help me never to forget!
Tuesday, July 29
We went to the internet store so we could do a few emails and then met our friends for lunch at their place. Tzofia taught me quite a bit about a kosher kitshen as we prepared the lunch. Dairy and meat products cannot be eaten in the same meal. She has two sets of dishes, silverware, and cookware; one for dairy and one for meat. Basically her kitchen is divided into two parts. Everything on one side is dairy and on the other side meat. We had a dairy lunch so all preparation was done on the dairy side and we ate off the dairy dishes. Since they only have one table, they use a tablecloth if they are having a meat meal. It is based on the Scripture that says you are not to cook the meat of an animal in the milk of its mother (Deut. 14:21).
With each passing day we are learning more of all that is involved in the preparations for the World Gathering to be held in September. Gavriel is exceptionally well-organized. We are awed each day as he receives calls and people into his home from all over the world - Korea, Brazil, Rwanda, Ethiopia...and Tzofia is a most gracious hostess, kindly welcoming everyone and making them feel at home.
That evening I read a book, "My Name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok, about a young Hasidic Jew who was born with an artistic gift which was not valued in his orthodox culture. It captured the tremendous turmoil it caused him, his family and the whole Hasidic community. I couldn't put the book down once I started so went to bed at 4:00 a.m.
With each passing day we are learning more of all that is involved in the preparations for the World Gathering to be held in September. Gavriel is exceptionally well-organized. We are awed each day as he receives calls and people into his home from all over the world - Korea, Brazil, Rwanda, Ethiopia...and Tzofia is a most gracious hostess, kindly welcoming everyone and making them feel at home.
That evening I read a book, "My Name is Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok, about a young Hasidic Jew who was born with an artistic gift which was not valued in his orthodox culture. It captured the tremendous turmoil it caused him, his family and the whole Hasidic community. I couldn't put the book down once I started so went to bed at 4:00 a.m.
Monday, July 28
Met with our friends today and just visited and caught up with them. Gavriel's computer had crashed so he had been up all night trying to retrieve info. We took the family out to dinner at an Italian kosher dairy restaurant just down the street from their house in the evening. It was very good.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 27
We planned to visit the little chapel at the Garden Tomb today, but when we got there it was closed. We had read somewhere, and put it in our calendar, that there was a 9:00 a.m. service. Since we were in the Old city again, we decided to find the newly opened King David Museum in the Jewish quarter. The museum is small, but the employee there was so fun. He had lived in Seattle for 20 years. He talked as much, or more, than David. We learned a lot from him.
Remember, to see more pictures you can click on the picture to the right.
Until next week, Shalom from Jerusalem,
Dave and Diane
Saturday, July 26
Today was a quiet day. Dave prepared the next "...But God" article for our NAIM staff. We both read and studied. It's the Sabbath here and everything is shut down so one is forced to rest. We love a true Sabbath. We realize we have really failed in keeping a rest day in our normal busy schedule. We hope to change that when we get back home.
Friday, July 25
We got up and walked to Beit Shumuel...probably about 2 miles. They offer a 4 hour tour of Jerusalem on Fridays in English that explores the three major religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Only one other older Jewish lady, Hannah, joined us. She was from NY. Rachel was the guide and she was exceptionally well educated and enthusiastic. It was a delightful time of discovering why Jerusalem is so holy to these three different religions and visiting key sights. Hannah gave us all kisses on the forehead when we parted. We all enjoyed it immensely.
On our journey we saw the only hummingbird species that inhabits Israel. It has a long curved beak and the male is a beautiful purple color.
Since we were already in the Old City, we decided to stay and do the Via Dolorosa walk with the Franciscan Monks at 4:00 p.m. We had about 2 hours so we just shopped the numerous stores and were lost most of the time. Those of you that have been to the Old City know how crowded and narrow those streets are. Since we didn't intend on staying after the tour we did not bring our map with us. We asked lots of times for directions and mostly everyone was helpful. The city is divided into four quarters; the Armenian, the Jewish, the Muslim, and the Christian, but they are not marked by signs ( at least not signs that we can read).
We had an interesting experience. One gentleman that we asked directions of insisted that we come to his store and relax a bit before going to the Lions Gate where we would join the Via Dolorosa walk. He said it was too early to get there, the Muslims were just getting out of prayer, it was too crowded, and he would serve us tea and we could sit in air conditioning for a bit. We were cautious, but decided to follow him. The owner of the store was a master salesman and he wanted us to buy some of his Persian rugs. In the process of visiting with him and drinking some of their delicious tea we learned much about his culture. He was from a Bedouin family originally. His culture holds many of the same values as the FN people of America. They are very giving, live simply, love the land, and believe in God. The Bedouins become the trackers in the Israeli army. Fun experience. For our NAIM readers, Dave will have more of this in his next "...But God" article.
The Via Dolorosa - well, there were so many people that you could hardly navigate the narrow roads. There were four monks that led it and at each station they would share in four different languages the significance of that station. There were 14 stations - all a part of Jesus' journey to the cross. We were far enough back that we could not hear the monks and neither Dave nor I like the claustrophobic feeling of that many people pressed together. We probalby would not do it again.
When we got back to the Jaffa gate we picked up an ear of corn at a little shop and sat on the curb and ate it. We hadn't had anything since breakfast so we were hungry. Thought of our Ogilvie family and friends while we ate corn on the curb in the Old City of Jerusalem.
By the time we got home we were exhausted. We read for awhile, but kept falling asleep so went to bed early.
On our journey we saw the only hummingbird species that inhabits Israel. It has a long curved beak and the male is a beautiful purple color.
Since we were already in the Old City, we decided to stay and do the Via Dolorosa walk with the Franciscan Monks at 4:00 p.m. We had about 2 hours so we just shopped the numerous stores and were lost most of the time. Those of you that have been to the Old City know how crowded and narrow those streets are. Since we didn't intend on staying after the tour we did not bring our map with us. We asked lots of times for directions and mostly everyone was helpful. The city is divided into four quarters; the Armenian, the Jewish, the Muslim, and the Christian, but they are not marked by signs ( at least not signs that we can read).
We had an interesting experience. One gentleman that we asked directions of insisted that we come to his store and relax a bit before going to the Lions Gate where we would join the Via Dolorosa walk. He said it was too early to get there, the Muslims were just getting out of prayer, it was too crowded, and he would serve us tea and we could sit in air conditioning for a bit. We were cautious, but decided to follow him. The owner of the store was a master salesman and he wanted us to buy some of his Persian rugs. In the process of visiting with him and drinking some of their delicious tea we learned much about his culture. He was from a Bedouin family originally. His culture holds many of the same values as the FN people of America. They are very giving, live simply, love the land, and believe in God. The Bedouins become the trackers in the Israeli army. Fun experience. For our NAIM readers, Dave will have more of this in his next "...But God" article.
The Via Dolorosa - well, there were so many people that you could hardly navigate the narrow roads. There were four monks that led it and at each station they would share in four different languages the significance of that station. There were 14 stations - all a part of Jesus' journey to the cross. We were far enough back that we could not hear the monks and neither Dave nor I like the claustrophobic feeling of that many people pressed together. We probalby would not do it again.
When we got back to the Jaffa gate we picked up an ear of corn at a little shop and sat on the curb and ate it. We hadn't had anything since breakfast so we were hungry. Thought of our Ogilvie family and friends while we ate corn on the curb in the Old City of Jerusalem.
By the time we got home we were exhausted. We read for awhile, but kept falling asleep so went to bed early.
Thursday, July 24
Dave went running this morning and got lost. He planned to run for about 15 minutes, but when he'd been gone for 1 hour and 15 minutes and he saw a sign for Tel Aviv, he knew he HAD to ask for directions. You know how men are about asking for help! I washed clothes by hand and hung them to dry and then mended my purse (which broke from the weight of the rocks that we picked up between Mitzpeh and Shen). Dave mended the plug for the fan. As scared as he is of electricity and trying to fix anything, the thought of being without a fan drove him to try it and he succeeded. Yeah!
Wednesday, July 23
We were on the road by 8:00 a.m., but we missed a turn and ended up at the Egypt border. Yikes. We had to head back, but the mistake allowed us to notice a 'camel ranch' sign. We just wanted to go and see the camels, but we ended up joining a group that was going out for an hour long ride. It was a Bedouin ranch and they were so friendly and hospitable. Our guide's name was David.
Prior to leaving on our trip to Israel, some friends gave us a book called the "Survivor's Travel Guide." I read it on the flight over and it had some great tips. Some of the sections were rather humorous and one of them was "How to Survive a Run-Away Camel." While we were out on our jaunt, my cell phone started ringing. It's the only time it has rung on our entire trip and I didn't dare let go of the horn on the saddle to answer it for fear I would fall off the camel or that I would startle her and she would take off and I wouldn't remember those techniques I had read in the survival book. The phone went unanswered and I stayed safely on the camel.
When we got back from our ride we were treated to fresh hot mint tea and pita bread in one of the Bedouin tents. The guide, David, made the pita bread over the open fire while we all had opportunity to ask questions. It was very much like Native bannock. Another delightful experience.
We traveled home along the western border of Israel and Egypt. It's very hot, dry, and desolate. One of our travel activities became finding unique signs along the road. Check out the pictures to see some of them.
Our purpose in taking another route home was so we could travel between Mitzpeh and Shen. The passage in I Samuel 7 has always been special to us. When we were first leaving for ministry back in 1984 my Mom told us that her mother's (my grandmother's) favorite verse was I Sam. 7:12. "And Samuel took a stone and set it between Mitzpeh and Shen and named the place Ebenezer meaning thus far hath the Lord helped us." Mom handed us a stone from the driveway and said, "This can be a reminder that God has helped you this far too and He will not fail you now." It was our Ebenezer stone, our reminder that God is our helper.
It was our desire to pick up a stone from between Mitzpeh and Shen and bring it back to Mom. We picked up a few. We were startled at the geography when we got there. Mitzpeh is on a very high table area, with steep cliffs. Coming from Shen it must have been formidable.
One of the highlights along this section was seeing several gazelle on the side of the road - another native Israeli animal. Animals and birds seem to find David!
When we got back to Jerusalem we stopped at our friend's place to let her know that we had returned home safely. No trips through Hebron and no stone-throwing!
Prior to leaving on our trip to Israel, some friends gave us a book called the "Survivor's Travel Guide." I read it on the flight over and it had some great tips. Some of the sections were rather humorous and one of them was "How to Survive a Run-Away Camel." While we were out on our jaunt, my cell phone started ringing. It's the only time it has rung on our entire trip and I didn't dare let go of the horn on the saddle to answer it for fear I would fall off the camel or that I would startle her and she would take off and I wouldn't remember those techniques I had read in the survival book. The phone went unanswered and I stayed safely on the camel.
When we got back from our ride we were treated to fresh hot mint tea and pita bread in one of the Bedouin tents. The guide, David, made the pita bread over the open fire while we all had opportunity to ask questions. It was very much like Native bannock. Another delightful experience.
We traveled home along the western border of Israel and Egypt. It's very hot, dry, and desolate. One of our travel activities became finding unique signs along the road. Check out the pictures to see some of them.
Our purpose in taking another route home was so we could travel between Mitzpeh and Shen. The passage in I Samuel 7 has always been special to us. When we were first leaving for ministry back in 1984 my Mom told us that her mother's (my grandmother's) favorite verse was I Sam. 7:12. "And Samuel took a stone and set it between Mitzpeh and Shen and named the place Ebenezer meaning thus far hath the Lord helped us." Mom handed us a stone from the driveway and said, "This can be a reminder that God has helped you this far too and He will not fail you now." It was our Ebenezer stone, our reminder that God is our helper.
It was our desire to pick up a stone from between Mitzpeh and Shen and bring it back to Mom. We picked up a few. We were startled at the geography when we got there. Mitzpeh is on a very high table area, with steep cliffs. Coming from Shen it must have been formidable.
One of the highlights along this section was seeing several gazelle on the side of the road - another native Israeli animal. Animals and birds seem to find David!
When we got back to Jerusalem we stopped at our friend's place to let her know that we had returned home safely. No trips through Hebron and no stone-throwing!
Tuesday, July 22
There is an 11:00 a.m. Bible study every day at the hostel so we decided to walk the Promenade in town in the morning, look for a few souvenir gifts, and be back for the Bible study. We found a good parking place, paid our fee, and went shopping. It was so hot we ended up heading back to the hostel earlier than we planned, but when we got to the car there was a parking ticket on it. Of course it was all in Hebrew so we couldn't read it, other than we knew we owed $100 NIS. So - off to the hostel for help. Clearly it was a mistake because we had paid and had the ticket in the window of the car, but we still needed to go to the Municipal building to clear it. Of course we got lost. Many questions and directions later we THINK we got it cleared. I guess we will wait to see if it shows up on our Visa or not. We were informed that often tourists are targeted because they don't know what to do. When you sign up for a rental car you have to sign that if you get a ticket and you don't pay it, it will automatically be deducted from your credit card.
Afte all that, we were late for the Bible study, but we showed up anyway and enjoyed the time. What a diverse group we were; Dutch, Sudanese, Israeli, American and I'm not sure what all else! The study was on Acts 12 and very interesting.
We headed to the beach to do some snorkeling along the reef. This has been a dream of David's for many years. He always thought he would go to Australia, but it seems doubtful that we will ever get there so it seemed to make sense to see the reef while we were in Israel. This is supposed to be the second nicest place in the world for observing fish. We are such novices I'm sure many of the locals were laughing at our clumsiness with the gear, but it was a delightful time and the fish were absolutely awesome. I purchased a one-time underwater camera in the hopes of capturing some of the beauty on film. I must have looked quite the sight trying to operate it. I couldn't get my mask to stay tight so water kept getting into my face and eyes, so I needed to hold my nose with one hand and try and operate the camera with the other and still stay afloat, all while trying to follow those fish around and keep them in the viewfinder. They just didn't pose very well for me! I hope I get at least a few pictures. I stayed in for over two hours before I started shaking so much from the cold that I couldn't operate the camera anymore. We saw an octopus plus myriads of tangs, parrot fish, wrasses, angels, groupers, butterfly fish, damsels, sergeant majors, long-spined sea urchins, anemones...all in reds, yellows, greens, purples, blacks, spotted, striped...what an incredible display of color and variety. Dave had sold all of these different varieties in his pet stores previously so it was a highlight for him to swim with them. He forgot to put sun-tan lotion on his bald spot though and now he's suffering the consequences.
When we got back to the car after snorkeling we had a flat tire. It was so hot that we couldn't hold the wrenches to get the lug nuts off without using our towel as a hot pad holder. My hero husband got it replaced with the little spare and we headed back to the hostel. They directed us to a tire place so we could get the original fixed. It turned out there was nothing wrong with the tire; someone had just let the air out. Again, we were reminded that tourists are not always welcome. The Jewish gentleman at the tire place was very nice and didn't even charge us to fill the original with air and put it back on.
One of the nice things in Eilat was all the 'turnarounds' or as we call them in WA the 'roundabouts.' They allow the traffic to flow smoothly without all the stoplights. Dave is hooked on them and thinks we should make them standard in the US cities.
We had dinner at a nice Israeli restaurant called Sabrest. Sabrest in Hebrew means 'indigenous or born in the land.' We were the only ones there and we were treated so kindly. Dave had St. Peter's fish (the kind that had the coin in its mouth when Jesus sent Peter to render tribute. See Matt. 17:24-27).
We got back to the hostel in time for a free Jewish concert by Kol Simcha - Sound of Joy. They have been singing together for 32 years and have traveled the world. What a treat! We just happened to be there when they were there. A God-thing for sure.
Afte all that, we were late for the Bible study, but we showed up anyway and enjoyed the time. What a diverse group we were; Dutch, Sudanese, Israeli, American and I'm not sure what all else! The study was on Acts 12 and very interesting.
We headed to the beach to do some snorkeling along the reef. This has been a dream of David's for many years. He always thought he would go to Australia, but it seems doubtful that we will ever get there so it seemed to make sense to see the reef while we were in Israel. This is supposed to be the second nicest place in the world for observing fish. We are such novices I'm sure many of the locals were laughing at our clumsiness with the gear, but it was a delightful time and the fish were absolutely awesome. I purchased a one-time underwater camera in the hopes of capturing some of the beauty on film. I must have looked quite the sight trying to operate it. I couldn't get my mask to stay tight so water kept getting into my face and eyes, so I needed to hold my nose with one hand and try and operate the camera with the other and still stay afloat, all while trying to follow those fish around and keep them in the viewfinder. They just didn't pose very well for me! I hope I get at least a few pictures. I stayed in for over two hours before I started shaking so much from the cold that I couldn't operate the camera anymore. We saw an octopus plus myriads of tangs, parrot fish, wrasses, angels, groupers, butterfly fish, damsels, sergeant majors, long-spined sea urchins, anemones...all in reds, yellows, greens, purples, blacks, spotted, striped...what an incredible display of color and variety. Dave had sold all of these different varieties in his pet stores previously so it was a highlight for him to swim with them. He forgot to put sun-tan lotion on his bald spot though and now he's suffering the consequences.
When we got back to the car after snorkeling we had a flat tire. It was so hot that we couldn't hold the wrenches to get the lug nuts off without using our towel as a hot pad holder. My hero husband got it replaced with the little spare and we headed back to the hostel. They directed us to a tire place so we could get the original fixed. It turned out there was nothing wrong with the tire; someone had just let the air out. Again, we were reminded that tourists are not always welcome. The Jewish gentleman at the tire place was very nice and didn't even charge us to fill the original with air and put it back on.
One of the nice things in Eilat was all the 'turnarounds' or as we call them in WA the 'roundabouts.' They allow the traffic to flow smoothly without all the stoplights. Dave is hooked on them and thinks we should make them standard in the US cities.
We had dinner at a nice Israeli restaurant called Sabrest. Sabrest in Hebrew means 'indigenous or born in the land.' We were the only ones there and we were treated so kindly. Dave had St. Peter's fish (the kind that had the coin in its mouth when Jesus sent Peter to render tribute. See Matt. 17:24-27).
We got back to the hostel in time for a free Jewish concert by Kol Simcha - Sound of Joy. They have been singing together for 32 years and have traveled the world. What a treat! We just happened to be there when they were there. A God-thing for sure.
Monday, July 21
Dave picked up a rental car and we left for Eilat after briefly stopping at our friend's place for some directions. We are so glad we got her insight. We had planned to come back through Hebron and she let us know that would not be wise. We might get stoned if we tried it. She also suggested a couple of places to stay down in Eilat.
Eilat is on the southernmost tip of Israel. We traveled down on the eastern side of Israel along the Dead Sea. It was a delightful journey with gorgeous scenery. Since we had visited Ein Gei, Masada, and swam in the Dead Sea on our trip to Israel in 2003 we did not take time to do those things. Rather we stopped at an Ahava shop where they make products from the salt of the Dead Sea. The best part of that stop was the herd of Ibex that we got to watch. We had prayed that we would be able to see some of the Israeli wildlife and we felt this was a direct answer to prayer.
We had no set time we had to be in Eilat so we took our time and leisurely drove the route, stopping at whatever seemed of interest (so much the way we like to travel). Points of interest included Sodom and the spot where Lots wife was turned to a pillar of salt. We saw some other wildlife, white deer-like animals with long horns and also some ostrich in the distance. We later realized they were part of a game preserve, not necessarily native to Israel.
We ended up staying at at hostel named "The Shelter" in Eilat. What a delightful place! It was started about 25 years ago by a Dutchman named John. There were wooden shoes in several places. I met a young lady, Maria, from Holland who was staying there. We just clicked and she has agreed to help me try and locate a place in Holland where I can get a traditional Freisland costume.
It was VERY hot in Eilat (never saw a thermometer, but it was much hotter than Jerusalem). Thankfully the hostel was air condidtioned.
Eilat is on the southernmost tip of Israel. We traveled down on the eastern side of Israel along the Dead Sea. It was a delightful journey with gorgeous scenery. Since we had visited Ein Gei, Masada, and swam in the Dead Sea on our trip to Israel in 2003 we did not take time to do those things. Rather we stopped at an Ahava shop where they make products from the salt of the Dead Sea. The best part of that stop was the herd of Ibex that we got to watch. We had prayed that we would be able to see some of the Israeli wildlife and we felt this was a direct answer to prayer.
We had no set time we had to be in Eilat so we took our time and leisurely drove the route, stopping at whatever seemed of interest (so much the way we like to travel). Points of interest included Sodom and the spot where Lots wife was turned to a pillar of salt. We saw some other wildlife, white deer-like animals with long horns and also some ostrich in the distance. We later realized they were part of a game preserve, not necessarily native to Israel.
We ended up staying at at hostel named "The Shelter" in Eilat. What a delightful place! It was started about 25 years ago by a Dutchman named John. There were wooden shoes in several places. I met a young lady, Maria, from Holland who was staying there. We just clicked and she has agreed to help me try and locate a place in Holland where I can get a traditional Freisland costume.
It was VERY hot in Eilat (never saw a thermometer, but it was much hotter than Jerusalem). Thankfully the hostel was air condidtioned.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday, July 20
This was taken in the little Presbyterian Chapel in the YMCA. We attended service here today. It was led by a Scottish pastor. There were only seven of us present, but it was a delightful time of fellowship.
Remember, if you click on the picture to the right you will be able to view many more pictures of our time in Israel so far.
Shalom from Israel,
Dave and Diane
Saturday, July 19
Impressions from Dave:
The bad news is that it is hotter than I prefer. The good news is that it is drying out my chronic sinus congestion and I am getting my senses of smell and taste back for the first time in a couple of years.
I love analyzing cultures and have noticed that most people here move to the left when meeting someone on the street, but still drive on the right side of the street. In the States we normally move to the right when meeting someone. I've also noticed that there is virtually no eye contact or greeting when meeting someone on the street. Very occasionally an older couple will say 'Shalom.'
We have learned to not use the word "Christian" when referring to ourselves or even the World...Gathering... unless we know they are Christians already. If we do, it instantly shuts down the conversation. The Jewish people have suffered as much, or more, under the name of 'Christian' than Native Americans have.
I've had some time to do some reading since I've been here (a blessing I don't normally get time to do) and have been challenged again in my ways of thinking of missions. Things like 'living' our lives as servants before people and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives until they ask what makes the difference in the way we live and are. I need to let my life do the talking rather than 'words' all the time. I need to wait, humbly, for the relationship to grow and share Jesus as another special friend when the 'fruit' of my life stimulates their curiosity.
I love getting enough sleep! My college mentor, Dr. Bob Smith, was right when he told us as freshmen that getting enough sleep was the most important thing we could do as we embarked on our journey through college and life. It affects you in all areas of your life, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's like Diane has shared, "we feel like we are on our second honeymoon."
The bad news is that it is hotter than I prefer. The good news is that it is drying out my chronic sinus congestion and I am getting my senses of smell and taste back for the first time in a couple of years.
I love analyzing cultures and have noticed that most people here move to the left when meeting someone on the street, but still drive on the right side of the street. In the States we normally move to the right when meeting someone. I've also noticed that there is virtually no eye contact or greeting when meeting someone on the street. Very occasionally an older couple will say 'Shalom.'
We have learned to not use the word "Christian" when referring to ourselves or even the World...Gathering... unless we know they are Christians already. If we do, it instantly shuts down the conversation. The Jewish people have suffered as much, or more, under the name of 'Christian' than Native Americans have.
I've had some time to do some reading since I've been here (a blessing I don't normally get time to do) and have been challenged again in my ways of thinking of missions. Things like 'living' our lives as servants before people and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives until they ask what makes the difference in the way we live and are. I need to let my life do the talking rather than 'words' all the time. I need to wait, humbly, for the relationship to grow and share Jesus as another special friend when the 'fruit' of my life stimulates their curiosity.
I love getting enough sleep! My college mentor, Dr. Bob Smith, was right when he told us as freshmen that getting enough sleep was the most important thing we could do as we embarked on our journey through college and life. It affects you in all areas of your life, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's like Diane has shared, "we feel like we are on our second honeymoon."
Friday, July 18
Got up and washed a few clothes - like I do every morning - and hung them out to dry. Dave has to wring them out for me as I am not strong enough to get out most of the moisture. We don't want them dripping down onto the people's clothes in the apartment below us. One of my fears is dropping something while I am leaning out the 'balcony' to hang them and having them land on the lines below me :-).
We headed to the internet store to do a few emails and do some grocery shopping before noon and then went to another of the Jerusalem film festival movies called "Recycle." This was a documentary from an Islamic point of view. The main character points out that their role model was Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi who headed Al-Queda in Iraq until he was killed two years ago by the American military. Probably the most significant statement he made was that Osama Bin Ladin did not consult any theologians before he attacked America on 9/11. If he had, he would have been warned of the consequences of his actions and he never would have done it. All of the movies we've watched have made us think at deeper levels than we normally do.
We were back at our comfortable apartment by early afternoon to read and relax and enjoy Shabbot. There must be a concert pianist in our apartment because every evening we are treated to at least an hour long practice session of classical music. We love it.
Dave has been reading some of Gavriel's articles and I've just finished reading "Living in Color" by Randy Woodley, one of the recognized Native leaders of our day. It is an excellent book about living in unity while embracing diversity. One of the new concepts for me was how the Tri-unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit demonstrates the Creator's desire for unity and community. Only one would have represented a dictatorship, two would have demonstrated a partnership, but three is necessary to have community and the Three demonstrate complete unity, a model we should emulate. Satan tries hard to divide and then produce a false sense of unity by causing conformity and uniformity rather than true unity by embracing diversity. That's what Tacoma First Nations Gathering is all about - experiencing and demonstrating unity with all the various tribes and cultures that come together on a monthly basis. An effective multicultural gathering is not easy, as we've learned. Satan tries to divide and separate, but we are committed to seeing people from every tribe and tongue and people group celebrating Jesus together. That's what the World Gathering of Indigenous People is all about also...and that's why we are here, to , in some small way, foster unity within diversity.
We did not expect to have this much fee time when we got here, but it has been a pleasant expereience and we trust that Creator will use what we are learning to make us more effective in ministering both here and back in Tacoma when we return.
We headed to the internet store to do a few emails and do some grocery shopping before noon and then went to another of the Jerusalem film festival movies called "Recycle." This was a documentary from an Islamic point of view. The main character points out that their role model was Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi who headed Al-Queda in Iraq until he was killed two years ago by the American military. Probably the most significant statement he made was that Osama Bin Ladin did not consult any theologians before he attacked America on 9/11. If he had, he would have been warned of the consequences of his actions and he never would have done it. All of the movies we've watched have made us think at deeper levels than we normally do.
We were back at our comfortable apartment by early afternoon to read and relax and enjoy Shabbot. There must be a concert pianist in our apartment because every evening we are treated to at least an hour long practice session of classical music. We love it.
Dave has been reading some of Gavriel's articles and I've just finished reading "Living in Color" by Randy Woodley, one of the recognized Native leaders of our day. It is an excellent book about living in unity while embracing diversity. One of the new concepts for me was how the Tri-unity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit demonstrates the Creator's desire for unity and community. Only one would have represented a dictatorship, two would have demonstrated a partnership, but three is necessary to have community and the Three demonstrate complete unity, a model we should emulate. Satan tries hard to divide and then produce a false sense of unity by causing conformity and uniformity rather than true unity by embracing diversity. That's what Tacoma First Nations Gathering is all about - experiencing and demonstrating unity with all the various tribes and cultures that come together on a monthly basis. An effective multicultural gathering is not easy, as we've learned. Satan tries to divide and separate, but we are committed to seeing people from every tribe and tongue and people group celebrating Jesus together. That's what the World Gathering of Indigenous People is all about also...and that's why we are here, to , in some small way, foster unity within diversity.
We did not expect to have this much fee time when we got here, but it has been a pleasant expereience and we trust that Creator will use what we are learning to make us more effective in ministering both here and back in Tacoma when we return.
Thursday, July 17
We slept later today since we did not get home until well after midnight last night. Dave went running and I opted to stay home and rest my weary legs and back. I read, paid some bills, and wrote a few cards. Actually Dave ended up at Tzofia's place and just chatted with them about cultural protocol, etc. He learned that the apartment we are staying in would sell for about $2,000,000. We are guessing it is about 300 square feet; small entry way, small kitchen, small bedroom, small living room, and small bathroom. That just demonstrates how expensive housing is here. We are living in a very nice part of town. This section was the first settlement outside the city walls, so it is very old. The President's home is just about two blocks from us. In Israel the President of the State is elected by the Knesset in a secret vote for a single seven year term. My understanding is that he is like an ambassador for Israel.
After lunch we headed to the Knesset and Supreme Court Buildings. They offer free tours on Thursdays in English. The walk was long and hot, but the buildings were beautiful and air conditioned. The architecture was gorgeous. It was interesting to note that the members of the Knesset sit in an arrangement that resembles a menorah.
We relaxed and went to bed early. The heat and walking just drain us.
After lunch we headed to the Knesset and Supreme Court Buildings. They offer free tours on Thursdays in English. The walk was long and hot, but the buildings were beautiful and air conditioned. The architecture was gorgeous. It was interesting to note that the members of the Knesset sit in an arrangement that resembles a menorah.
We relaxed and went to bed early. The heat and walking just drain us.
Wednesday, July 16
Up at 500 a.m. again. It's so comfortable at night here - just a perfect temperature.
We visited the Nature Museum not far from our apartment in the morning. It was okay, but I wouldn't list it as a 'must see.' After lunch we hiked all the way to King David City. It was a very long walk down a very steep hill and then a very long walk up a very steep road to the entrance, but it was worth it. There were lots of IDF (Israeli Defense Force) soldiers and I got a cute picture of three of them at the entrance.
We toured Hezekiah's Tunnel and we kept wishing our three older grandsons could enjoy it with us. They would have loved it. This is a definite 'must see' for anyone coming to Jerusalem, that is unless you are claustrophobic. At times we were in water up to our waist, hiking through a tunnel of sheer rock not more than 2 feet wide and ranging from 4-8 feet high. It took us 40 minutes to navigate it with a flashlight. This was excavated in 701 BC. You can read about it in II Chron. 32:30. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, had laid siege to Jerusalem and in order to fortify the city, Hezekiah surrounded its new quarters with a wall and diverted the waters from the Gihon and brought them straight down to the west side of the City of David. It was an extraordinary feat of engineering...and water still flows through the tunnel today. It ends at the pool of Siloam.
Then we had to hike all the way back up that long, long steep hill to home. Thankfully I have a patient husband who allowed me to sit and rest numerous times. We rested only a short time after we got home, then got a bite to eat of crackers, cheese, apples and grapes and then headed to the Menachem Begin Center to see the 4-hour movie, Exodus. I was tired, but I am SO glad we went. Actually it was a "God thing" that we even got in. It was sold out when we got there, but we waited around in the hopes that someone might not show up and at the very last second we were told there were seats for us. When Dave got out his wallet to pay, they said, "No, no, just go in." This is an old movie that was based on the historical novel by Leon Uris. It's the story of a ship load of illegal immigrants seeking to reach Palestine, but are captured by the British who plan to transfer the passengers to camps in Cyprus. The Jewish refugees do all in their power to avoid this fate and reach their new homeland. It was enlightening and riveting from a historical perspective. The place was packed out. Several of the original passengers on the Exodus ship were in attendance as well as several of those that had been a part of the original screening. The VP of MGM was there. The daughter of the now deceased film producer was there. The 96 year old lady that had done most of the documentation flew in from NY for the showing and shared some of her thoughts and remembrances. We sat in the third row directly behind her. It was an incredible experience. The Exodus is called the "Ship that Launched a Nation."
We visited the Nature Museum not far from our apartment in the morning. It was okay, but I wouldn't list it as a 'must see.' After lunch we hiked all the way to King David City. It was a very long walk down a very steep hill and then a very long walk up a very steep road to the entrance, but it was worth it. There were lots of IDF (Israeli Defense Force) soldiers and I got a cute picture of three of them at the entrance.
We toured Hezekiah's Tunnel and we kept wishing our three older grandsons could enjoy it with us. They would have loved it. This is a definite 'must see' for anyone coming to Jerusalem, that is unless you are claustrophobic. At times we were in water up to our waist, hiking through a tunnel of sheer rock not more than 2 feet wide and ranging from 4-8 feet high. It took us 40 minutes to navigate it with a flashlight. This was excavated in 701 BC. You can read about it in II Chron. 32:30. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, had laid siege to Jerusalem and in order to fortify the city, Hezekiah surrounded its new quarters with a wall and diverted the waters from the Gihon and brought them straight down to the west side of the City of David. It was an extraordinary feat of engineering...and water still flows through the tunnel today. It ends at the pool of Siloam.
Then we had to hike all the way back up that long, long steep hill to home. Thankfully I have a patient husband who allowed me to sit and rest numerous times. We rested only a short time after we got home, then got a bite to eat of crackers, cheese, apples and grapes and then headed to the Menachem Begin Center to see the 4-hour movie, Exodus. I was tired, but I am SO glad we went. Actually it was a "God thing" that we even got in. It was sold out when we got there, but we waited around in the hopes that someone might not show up and at the very last second we were told there were seats for us. When Dave got out his wallet to pay, they said, "No, no, just go in." This is an old movie that was based on the historical novel by Leon Uris. It's the story of a ship load of illegal immigrants seeking to reach Palestine, but are captured by the British who plan to transfer the passengers to camps in Cyprus. The Jewish refugees do all in their power to avoid this fate and reach their new homeland. It was enlightening and riveting from a historical perspective. The place was packed out. Several of the original passengers on the Exodus ship were in attendance as well as several of those that had been a part of the original screening. The VP of MGM was there. The daughter of the now deceased film producer was there. The 96 year old lady that had done most of the documentation flew in from NY for the showing and shared some of her thoughts and remembrances. We sat in the third row directly behind her. It was an incredible experience. The Exodus is called the "Ship that Launched a Nation."
Tuesday, July 15
I feel like we are on our honeymoon again...no set schedule and exploring all kinds of new thing together. I love it.
We worked on emails at the little internet store about a mile from our apartment all morning and then went to another of the Jerusalem film festival movies - a documentary on an Iraqi young man, Muthana, that idolized the Hollywood movie industry and wanted to become a film director. He was taken under the wing of one of the famous directors here when his school in Iraq was bombed. It was supposed to parallel the patronizing gaze that the West often casts on the Third World. Neither Dave nor I were impressed with this one. Oh well, it gave us some interesting insight into how an Iraqi young man thinks.
We toured Liberty Park on our way home since we were walking almost past it anyway. It is not nearly as nice as some of the other parks around here. Before we leave here, we almost might be able to lead a tour of the places that are a 'must see' in Jerusalem.
We worked on emails at the little internet store about a mile from our apartment all morning and then went to another of the Jerusalem film festival movies - a documentary on an Iraqi young man, Muthana, that idolized the Hollywood movie industry and wanted to become a film director. He was taken under the wing of one of the famous directors here when his school in Iraq was bombed. It was supposed to parallel the patronizing gaze that the West often casts on the Third World. Neither Dave nor I were impressed with this one. Oh well, it gave us some interesting insight into how an Iraqi young man thinks.
We toured Liberty Park on our way home since we were walking almost past it anyway. It is not nearly as nice as some of the other parks around here. Before we leave here, we almost might be able to lead a tour of the places that are a 'must see' in Jerusalem.
Monday, July 14
We were awake by 4:30 a.m. so we spent a couple of hours just praying together before rising at 6:30. Gavriel left for his final trip prior to the Gathering so we are on our own to navigate and familiarize ourselves wth the city for a few days. We are gradually getting a few of our bazillion questions answered. Where do we grocery shop, where can we get a copy, where is the ATM machine, where is the post office, what is the value of all these coins, when are garbage days, what gets recycled, how do we rent a car when the yellow pages are all in Hebrew...even updating the blog is interesting because the page to make changes comes up in Hebrew andI have to guess 'what to enter where' and to remember that they read from right to left so my entries have to be backwards from my way of doing things. Everything takes longer than I'm used to at home. BUT we are enjoying every bit of the learning experience.
We went to the YMCA in down town Jerusalem this afternoon and toured the tower. We walked up 207 steps to the top. What an incredible view of the entire city! Just as we began the long climb to the top a gentleman asked us if we were from Tacoma. "Yes," we said, "How did you know?" Well, Dave had on his Tacoma First Nations T-shirt from the Sobriety Pow Wow. They were from Seattle. Small world.
We also walked to the Agron Building to see the "Time Elevator Jerusalem." It was a journey through the 3000 year history of Jerusalem. The leading character was Chaim Topol from "Fiddler of the Roof." There were lots of special effects, i.e. moving seats, lighting and sound, splashing water, etc. all of which produced the feeling of being on a roller coaster.
We walked through a large cemetery and then Wilf Park on the way home. By days end by legs were so tired from all the walking that when we got to our apartment I laid down to rest and did not get up again until 6:30 the next morning.
We went to the YMCA in down town Jerusalem this afternoon and toured the tower. We walked up 207 steps to the top. What an incredible view of the entire city! Just as we began the long climb to the top a gentleman asked us if we were from Tacoma. "Yes," we said, "How did you know?" Well, Dave had on his Tacoma First Nations T-shirt from the Sobriety Pow Wow. They were from Seattle. Small world.
We also walked to the Agron Building to see the "Time Elevator Jerusalem." It was a journey through the 3000 year history of Jerusalem. The leading character was Chaim Topol from "Fiddler of the Roof." There were lots of special effects, i.e. moving seats, lighting and sound, splashing water, etc. all of which produced the feeling of being on a roller coaster.
We walked through a large cemetery and then Wilf Park on the way home. By days end by legs were so tired from all the walking that when we got to our apartment I laid down to rest and did not get up again until 6:30 the next morning.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
July 12 - The Sabboth
Today was a quiet day. Everything is closed so we slept in, did some Bible study and then explored the area, hiking in a beautiful park that runs between King David highway and the old city. There is even a windmill in this park.
From July 10-19 Jerusalem is hosting a film festival so there are many exceptional movies being shown every day. In the early evening we chose to attend a movie called "Under the Bombs." It was about the Israeli-Lebonan war in 2006. Heavy, but enlightening.
From July 10-19 Jerusalem is hosting a film festival so there are many exceptional movies being shown every day. In the early evening we chose to attend a movie called "Under the Bombs." It was about the Israeli-Lebonan war in 2006. Heavy, but enlightening.
July 11 - Impressions of Israel
The hot water here is cool at best so I boiled a couple of pans of water to add to my morning bath today. There is a real water shortage in Israel so everyone tries to conserve as much as possible.
We have not even seen any neighbors in this apartment complex yet. It is very quiet. There is one dove that coos in the early morning and a few birds that we have not seen before. We haven't seen much wildlife, but the flowers are gorgeous here.
The temperatures are much to my liking. They are too hot for Dave, but since I have lived the majority of my life being too cold, I don't have too much sympathy for his whining about the heat. I'm loving it. My arthritis seems to be liking it too, for which I'm thankful. Most buildings are made of limestone so if you close up the blinds during the heat of the day and then open them at night to let in the cooler air and add a fan, it is very comfortable.
We hiked down to the market today to do some grocery shopping. Since it is Friday everything closes by about 2:00 p.m. and everyone gets ready for Shabbot. Nothing will open again until Saturday evening.
We experienced our first Shabbot in the home of a traditional Jewish family tonight. Gavriel and Tzofia (who is Swedish born) invited us for dinner. It was a delightful evening on the roof of their home. Gavriel and Dave went to the synagogue meeting first, while I visited with Tzofia and their children. Dave borrowed a yarmulke for the occasion. I failed to get a picture, but I'm sure I'll get one before our stay here has ended.
Dinner began with Gavriel going to each of his children and praying a blessing over each one in Hebrew. As he ended he gave each one a kiss on the forehead. Then he sang, in Hebrew, the last 22 verses of Provers 31 to his wife. More singing ensued. Before the bread was broken we all got up and washed our hands, ritually pouring water over each hand three times. There were two loaves of bread, one for the Shabbot meal and one for the next day. (Remember how the Israelites had to gather enough manna in the wilderness for two days on the sixth day?) Gavriel broke off pieces for each of us and dipped them in salt before handing them to us. The salt has to do with preservation. They were very gracious in explaining each step as they went through the dinner. Since they have a kosher kitshen, no meat or dairy products are mixed. We had a meat meal. It was delicious; chicken, Swedish meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, and lettuce salad. There was lots of laughing and talking during dinner. Dave shared the story about when he, the city slicker, brought his dog along to meet my family on the farm. That was the beginning of our cross-cultural experience together as a couple! About 10:30 we went downstairs for dessert which consisted of two kinds of homemake cookies, grapes, watermelon, honeydew, and a non-dairy coconut sorbet. Yummm...
We got home about 11:30 and relaxed and read for awhile before heading to bed.
We have not even seen any neighbors in this apartment complex yet. It is very quiet. There is one dove that coos in the early morning and a few birds that we have not seen before. We haven't seen much wildlife, but the flowers are gorgeous here.
The temperatures are much to my liking. They are too hot for Dave, but since I have lived the majority of my life being too cold, I don't have too much sympathy for his whining about the heat. I'm loving it. My arthritis seems to be liking it too, for which I'm thankful. Most buildings are made of limestone so if you close up the blinds during the heat of the day and then open them at night to let in the cooler air and add a fan, it is very comfortable.
We hiked down to the market today to do some grocery shopping. Since it is Friday everything closes by about 2:00 p.m. and everyone gets ready for Shabbot. Nothing will open again until Saturday evening.
We experienced our first Shabbot in the home of a traditional Jewish family tonight. Gavriel and Tzofia (who is Swedish born) invited us for dinner. It was a delightful evening on the roof of their home. Gavriel and Dave went to the synagogue meeting first, while I visited with Tzofia and their children. Dave borrowed a yarmulke for the occasion. I failed to get a picture, but I'm sure I'll get one before our stay here has ended.
Dinner began with Gavriel going to each of his children and praying a blessing over each one in Hebrew. As he ended he gave each one a kiss on the forehead. Then he sang, in Hebrew, the last 22 verses of Provers 31 to his wife. More singing ensued. Before the bread was broken we all got up and washed our hands, ritually pouring water over each hand three times. There were two loaves of bread, one for the Shabbot meal and one for the next day. (Remember how the Israelites had to gather enough manna in the wilderness for two days on the sixth day?) Gavriel broke off pieces for each of us and dipped them in salt before handing them to us. The salt has to do with preservation. They were very gracious in explaining each step as they went through the dinner. Since they have a kosher kitshen, no meat or dairy products are mixed. We had a meat meal. It was delicious; chicken, Swedish meatballs, potatoes, vegetables, and lettuce salad. There was lots of laughing and talking during dinner. Dave shared the story about when he, the city slicker, brought his dog along to meet my family on the farm. That was the beginning of our cross-cultural experience together as a couple! About 10:30 we went downstairs for dessert which consisted of two kinds of homemake cookies, grapes, watermelon, honeydew, and a non-dairy coconut sorbet. Yummm...
We got home about 11:30 and relaxed and read for awhile before heading to bed.
July 10 - ISRAEL
We arrived on time in Tel Aviv and Gavriel was there to meet us. But first, both Dave and I had great conversations with those sitting next to us on the plane. Dave sat next to an orthodox Jew that could not get over the fact that Dave was a Christian. He kept saying he had never met a Christian that talked like him - that honored the Jewish culture and loved the people. We walked down the ramp with him after we exited the plane. I hope our paths cross again.
I sat next to a phenomenal woman. She is a former 'National Business Woman of the Year in Holland.' She is about my age and had never married until about 15 years ago. She married an Israeli widow and now has started a business to bless the people of Israel. She is a believer and loves Yeshua. I hope our paths also cross again.
Once we got all our bags we took a taxi with Gavriel to Jerusalem. We did not realize that Gavriel does not own a car. They find it too expensive to own one. It is cheaper to take a taxi or bus when they cannot walk to their destination. the taxi ride home cost us $300 NIS (New Israeli Shekels). That translates to about $100 Us dollars. Gas is about $10.00/gallon. Food is expensive. Housing is expensive. It just costs a lot to live in Israel.
Gavriel got us settled in our apartment and then he walked home - about a mile. The apartment belongs to a friend of Gavriel's that is in Switzerland for a few months. By the time Gavriel left it was about 4:30 a.m. and we were really tired. There was only one single bed so Dave slept there and I slept on the little 4 foot loveseat for a few hours. At 9:00 a.m. Gavriel returned with a double bed. Yeah!
We spent the morning with Gavriel. He showed us the market area, his home, and then we took a bus into the center of Jerusalem. We changed money into shekels, got a local cell phone, ate lunch and took a taxi back to the apartment. We napped all afternoon. That evening we walked back down to the market. We were amazed how many people were out at midnight. There were security guards at every entrance. I learned later from Tzofia that the main street in this Talbiya neighborhood is the second highest target for terrorists. The first is the city center of Jerusalem. We do not feel afraid, though.
Actually I have been amazed at how smoothly we have been able to handle ALL the changes here. You must be praying for us lots. We are gradually getting acclimated to the time change. However it was 4:30 am. when I got up. I was wide awake and my mind was going. I could tell I would not go back to sleep.
I sat next to a phenomenal woman. She is a former 'National Business Woman of the Year in Holland.' She is about my age and had never married until about 15 years ago. She married an Israeli widow and now has started a business to bless the people of Israel. She is a believer and loves Yeshua. I hope our paths also cross again.
Once we got all our bags we took a taxi with Gavriel to Jerusalem. We did not realize that Gavriel does not own a car. They find it too expensive to own one. It is cheaper to take a taxi or bus when they cannot walk to their destination. the taxi ride home cost us $300 NIS (New Israeli Shekels). That translates to about $100 Us dollars. Gas is about $10.00/gallon. Food is expensive. Housing is expensive. It just costs a lot to live in Israel.
Gavriel got us settled in our apartment and then he walked home - about a mile. The apartment belongs to a friend of Gavriel's that is in Switzerland for a few months. By the time Gavriel left it was about 4:30 a.m. and we were really tired. There was only one single bed so Dave slept there and I slept on the little 4 foot loveseat for a few hours. At 9:00 a.m. Gavriel returned with a double bed. Yeah!
We spent the morning with Gavriel. He showed us the market area, his home, and then we took a bus into the center of Jerusalem. We changed money into shekels, got a local cell phone, ate lunch and took a taxi back to the apartment. We napped all afternoon. That evening we walked back down to the market. We were amazed how many people were out at midnight. There were security guards at every entrance. I learned later from Tzofia that the main street in this Talbiya neighborhood is the second highest target for terrorists. The first is the city center of Jerusalem. We do not feel afraid, though.
Actually I have been amazed at how smoothly we have been able to handle ALL the changes here. You must be praying for us lots. We are gradually getting acclimated to the time change. However it was 4:30 am. when I got up. I was wide awake and my mind was going. I could tell I would not go back to sleep.
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