The 4th quarter of 2014 saw us quite busy as we traveled around Israel serving the Israel Defense Forces while enjoying the beauty as well. We hope to post more in detail about some of the visits, but for now, here's a snapshot of some of what we were privileged to experience.
There's just something about camels that everybody loves, especially when you can see them in the wild.
Camels on the run!
There are many of these beautiful animals around Israel.
Many in the National Parks are use to people and don't scare easily.
The desert in southern Israel is truly majestic.
While this may look like a postcard, we actually took this one.
Jim was honored to be invited to a special gathering of the elite Golani Brigade. The army arranged a night for the entire brigade to be together for a time of relaxation, refreshing and encouragement. The men and women were able to let their guard down after a long summer's war against Hamas. Golani is an infantry brigade, and had lost the most soldiers during the war, making it very difficult for them. This night they also spent a time honoring those fallen. The video below shows them enjoying themselves, even while needing to continue to be in uniform and carry their weapons.
Another gathering Jim was requested to attend was a surprise party for a commander in the North. We traveled 2 ½ hours each way to attend this joyous event honoring this great man.
He was happy to see Jim had traveled so far for the party.
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One of the newest visits this year was to the Israeli Navy.
New relationships being formed.
The commander was happy to see what CFI and Project David's Shield was providing for his crew.
Just in the past several weeks, everything is getting really, really GREEN!!!
Through CFI and Project David's Shield, Jim has been working very hard in providing warm fleece jackets for soldiers for this upcoming cold winter months (we're expecting snow in a few days!). One unit given jackets was stationed near Nahal Oz, about 1 kilometer from the Gaza border.
Gaza in the not so far away distance. We were actually able to view it much closer.
Some of the soldiers to receive the jackets. They are very grateful, the deserts nights get really cold.
Oh, Chanukah!!!! Yummmmmm - doughnuts!!
The streets in Jerusalem were lined with these beautiful lights.
Being our 6th Chanukah in a row in Jerusalem, we kept our tradition of walking through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to look at the lights.
Our Chanukiah on the 7th night. The big one, filled with olive oil, our daughter gave us many, many years ago. She had it shipped from Israel to the US as a gift for us. The smaller one we bought in Jerusalem in 2009 - our first Chanukah in Israel.
The 6th night of Chanukah, Jim was asked to join the Oketz special forces canine unit for their candle lighting ceremony. CFI and Project David's Shield had provided fleece jackets for them. What he didn't know, was they were to honor him by being the one to say the blessings and light the Chanukiah! These brave warriors and their dogs are stationed near Modi'in, where the original Chanukah story began with the Maccabees. We thanked them for continuing to protect Israel and fight for what is right, just like their predecessors.
North of Jerusalem, right in the very heart of Israel, are several army bases. This is another that received fleece jackets to keep them warm. By the time we had shared our hearts with the commander and a few of the soldiers, they were asking us to please come visit again. They even sent text messages and requested pictures after we left saying they'd like to keep in touch. This is actually more common than not. The relationships that are formed are genuine when they realize you truly are friends, and want to support them not only in the equipment you can provide, but even more so with encouragement and prayers.
The beautiful mountains in Samaria - the "Mountains of Israel" Ezekiel 36:1-15
A great view of Ma'ale Adumim - this is one of the Jewish "settlements" in the "west bank" just outside of Jerusalem that the world is up in arms about. Our good friend lives here, along with 45,000 other people.
A few months ago, Israel came out with a new 50 Shekel bill. The old one was purple, and this new one makes things quite confusing since the 20 Shekel bill is also green....for now. Over the next few years, they are changing all the bills.
A project Linda participated in was a clean-up day at an Israel Air Force base. It was a lot of hard work pulling these "weeds" - some almost taller then her! They even let them wear their flight suits.
As the rainy season has begun, the streams and rivers are filling up again.
On Christmas day, we were given tickets to attend a special Israel Air Force pilots graduation ceremony and air show that only occurs once each year. It was an amazingly sunny and warm day.
Many dignitaries were present, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - speaking at the podium.
Here's a short video of a bit of the air show, with a live band singing.
Thank you for all your love, support - in so many ways - and prayers for us as we begin our 5th year serving in Israel. We pray that in this next year that we can be even more effective for God's kingdom than we have in the four years combined. As Israel reached a 10 year record in 2014 in the number of Jews moving to Israel, and are expecting an even larger number in 2015 due to antisemitism in the world, we have much to do in sharing our encouragement, love and solidarity with the Jewish people. We will do our best to convey the true, sincere friendship of Christians in the world, so they will know this time they are not alone. Thank you for standing with us and them.
Please take a minute to watch this music video - it's time to take a stand.
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
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