We had a very exciting outreach day recently, and would like to take you along with us as we remember what an honor and a true blessing it was to be a part of restoring and solidifying Jewish and Christian relations in Israel. Thanks to you - your love, support, encouragement and prayers - we are able to be the hands and feet and arms of Jesus. As we smile and hug and speak words of encouragement, you are right there with us - because you help to support and keep us here, and because your prayers empower us to do His will and to keep us safe. Thank you! - for helping us to stay in this Land and be the face of Jesus that the Jewish people have not seen in the past 2,000 years. We represent not only Jesus, but you - the Christians in the world who choose to unconditionally share God's love with those in need of receiving it.
Before we begin our day together, here are a couple of pictures from a recent evening we spent with some locals. We actually got to see a one day old lamb! It was born early that morning....
This adorable little girl wouldn't let Linda go once she picked her up. It was one of those "I'm NOT going to let you put me down" situations....the kind where they cling to you with all their might and scoop their legs up when you try to set them on the ground...good thing she was so small. :) We jokingly asked to take her home to live with us, and she said yes! :)
Dinner had amazing flavors. What a pleasure this evening was for us.
Okay, so now for our travels together. We were privileged to make deliveries for two of CFI's project outreaches recently. Because it was a Sunday (one of our days off) that the items were to be delivered (Sunday is a work day in Israel, as Saturday is the Sabbath), we were able to go together. We were very excited to get to spend the day together on outreach projects. Our normal administrative duties don't normally allow the time for us to do this together. Linda, being in accounting, is very busy, and doesn't have the flexibility to come and go without planning ahead. We hope to do a blog on her exciting position (yes, accounting can be exciting if God has called you to it!) and the opportunities she has in this important role.
First on our agenda that day was to facilitate a much needed delivery to an IDF (Israel Defense Force) unit. We chose to drive just to the north of Jerusalem, and take Highway 443 west toward Tel Aviv instead of the more common route of Highway 1. It is a much more enjoyable road to drive (unless you want to see the sights on Hwy 1) with less curves and hills. Many people choose this route, however, this road does drive temporarily though "the territories" on the other side of the green line known as Area C. Here is a clear definition of the "West Bank" divisions per Wikipedia and a map:
Area A (full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority): This area includes all Palestinian cities and their surrounding areas, with no Israeli settlements. Entry into this area is forbidden by Israeli law to all Israeli citizens. The Israel Defense Forces maintain no presence.
Area B (Palestinian civil control and joint Israeli-Palestinian security control): Includes areas of many Palestinian towns and villages and areas, with no Israeli settlements.
Area C (full Israeli civil and security control, except over Palestinian civilians): These areas include all Israeli settlements (cities, towns, and villages), nearby land, most roadways that connected the settlements (and which are exclusively for Israeli use).
Needless to say, the Garmin GPS did not encourage us to go this route, but we could override that decision.
For this short stretch, there is barbed wire along the road to protect cars. Only during hostile times would it be dangerous to travel on here, and Israel would then close it to traffic.
We then need to go through a check point as we head back into "Israel proper".
Our first stop for the day is very exciting! There is a IDF unit in the north that is in great need of 4-men tents for their unit. The exercises were to begin the very next day, and this pickup was crucial to their unit. They had requested assistance in acquiring these tents from several organizations, but because their unit is not one of the more "glamorous" and well known battalions, they were having a difficult time procuring them.
You can imagine their excitement when they learned that CFI would provide these much needed tents for them. We received such a warm welcome with sincere handshakes and gratitude from these soldiers. They would be using these tents beginning immediately the next day, and invited us to come to the training later this month to see the tents in use and meet the soldiers using them so they could thank us (on behalf of CFI) directly. We very much look forward to that visit!
While we there, the commander of the unit called to personally express his thankfulness. He said he was so excited that he couldn't sleep the night before. He thought his men were going to have to sleep outside, that no other organization could/would provide these tents - but that the Christians did! He also had this plaque made that Jim received on behalf of CFI stating:
"To Christian Friends of Israel, With tremendous gratitude for your commitment and dedication to our care, and for your continued generosity and willingness to provide our needs and essential equipment."
So much of the Israeli budget goes to defense, as you can imagine, but there are still many items which are considered "comfort" over necessity. This is where CFI's David Shield project can step in to make life easier for those defending this nation with their lives.
Packing up the tents to head north.
Leaving that visit with another order to fill in a few weeks for a different unit in the north, we were consumed with the privilege of helping this nation and people, standing in solidarity with them and doing our part - whatever it may be, and the honor of being Christians in this day helping the Israeli army protect God's Land. There may even have been a few tears in the passenger seat of the car.....
Next, Jim began to drive south to our next destination for the day - Ashkelon. This is one of the cities that has received much of the rocket attacks from Gaza in the recent past. As you can see from the map below, it's not far at all from the Gaza border (10 KM or just over 6 miles).
Another project at CFI is Streams of Blessing. One of the organizations that this project supports is Oranim Community School located in Ashkelon. Oranim is an institution of special education for students varying from mildly retarded to those needing total care.
The school is in memory of Eitan Givati - the son of retired Brigadier-General Zvi Givati, a retired staff member of CFI.
Along with a therapeutic, state of the art swimming pool, the school offers several unique types of therapy for its students to encourage quality of life and independence.
The school has a stated belief that, "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - Thomas Jefferson.
On this particular visit, we were delivering gifts to be presented to the June 2013 graduating class on behalf of CFI and Christians around the world who love and support these very special students. The director was most grateful for CFI's encouragement and support.
With both of our visits now over, our stomachs finally realized they were hungry! We took the opportunity of being at the coast to eat our favorite - fish and chips. While sitting looking out at the marina, we reflected on God's goodness. Wow - how amazing He is - and how gracious to include us in His plan of redemption. Who would have ever thought, even just 5 years ago, that we would get to do what we are doing today? We are so very, very blessed!!!
This was spray painted on the wall near where we parked for lunch.
We thought is was sooo very appropriate!
Next, because it was still fairly early (mid afternoon), and it was our day off (none of this certainly felt like work!!!) we decided to take a walk on the beach. How could you be at the Mediterranean Sea and not go to the beach??? Here is a unique Holiday Inn in Ashkelon, kind of in the middle of no where...
What a perfectly beautiful day!!
Putting your feet in the water is a MUST!
And who goes to the beach without collecting seashells or rocks? These were very smooth and unique looking, so we will add them to our collection.
Oh boy! This was a big jellyfish washed up.
It's always hard when it's time to leave......
On our way again, we saw this restaurant :)
Dove sculpture in a round about.
Ashkelon is quite a beautiful city.
As we began to head home, we decided to take a peek at the area near the Gaza border. Neither of us have ever been to this area before. Here we are heading south from Ashkelon toward Gaza, seen in the distance.
We obviously turned around at the border crossing :)
Large sunflower fields.
We even drove to try and find this Bee & Honey Center, but inside the community, everything was in Hebrew. We think it was an agricultural kibbutz.
Sderot is one of the communities CFI supports in it's project "Communities Under Attack". Looking back at the map above, you can see it's even closer to Gaza than Ashkelon.
Nope - not heading there!
Israeli stop signs can be read in any language :)
Ashdod is another city on the coast.
As we were now heading north and east, we saw this terrible smoke. We never did find out if it was a controlled fire or not. We would guess not....
Solar panels are very common in Israel, including to heat water in residential homes.
This is how its being used on the farm.
Ahhhhh - back home to Jerusalem!!!!
Going up up to Zion!
The sign for city center (merkaz ha'ir) is interesting.
This area sure is a bull's eye for the world.
The clock as you enter the city usually has the time that Shabbat (the Sabbath) is to begin on Friday, and also the time when it will end on Saturday. Very Jerusalem-like. :)
And now to make sure we feel welcome in the "City of Peace"
we are greeted with this sign - Bruchim Habaim
Literal translation is: "blessed are those who come". Loosely - welcome!
Again - thank you for supporting us in all we do,
and we hope you enjoyed traveling
on this adventure with us!
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