Bo

A few of you have heard at least a portion of our "Bo" story.  I encourage those who have, to still continue reading today's blog, because as Paul Harvey used to say, "And now the rest of the story...".  For those who haven't heard it, or only know part, we shall tell it from the beginning - because one of the ways we overcome is by our testimony :)

As you know, we came to Israel last year to seek opportunities to serve the people here.  But this past year was a long year of preparation and waiting for logistics to pan out.  It finally got to where the only thing keeping us from coming was the sale of our home.  In our hearts, we were ready to leave, but didn't want to get ahead of God.

As God began to speak to us about His timing, we learned a new Hebrew word - BO.  It means GO in English.   That same weekend, we were on our way to speak at a congregation when we saw a sign at Bojangles :)  We weren't looking for a "sign", but a real one was given to us.  It said "It's BO time!" - you may have seen this as well.  We knew as silly as it may seem, He was speaking to us, because if we had seen the sign only a few days prior, it would have meant nothing to us.

Just a few days later, we found out that even though Bo means go, it also means come.  Several words in Hebrew have more than one meaning, you understand by the context of the sentence or situation.

When praying about the enormity of the possible decision to go to Israel before we sold our house, we were directed to the story about walking on the water.  When the question was asked if it was Him, He said, "Come" - Bo.  When looking this up in Hebrew, it is spelled the exact same way as bo / go.  Again, if we had read this just days prior it wouldn't have meant anything different to us, but He place all this together to speak clearly to us in a way that we did not or could not manipulate.

It was then that it was settled within us that we were to leave by the end of the year whether our house sold before we left or not.  As soon as we made this declaration of faith and trust, things moved very quickly.  Before we knew it we were here in the Land!!

While at the US airport, waiting at the gate for our departure to Tel Aviv, we finally started to feel like we were on our way.  There were many Jewish and Hebrew speaking people around since it was a direct flight.  During our final minutes in the US we were making last minute phone calls and "people watching."  Knowing only limited Hebrew among fluent speakers, it is always very exciting to hear a word or phrase that we understand.  There was a mother with her small daughter running around.  The mom was wanting to head in another direction than the child was going, so she called to her daughter, "Bo!"  Here, once again, He spoke to us as this parent bid her child to come...

We'd like to be telling you that the "rest of the story" is that we have sold our house.  No, that is not it - it's something bigger, more eternal.  BUT, we will take this opportunity to request prayer from you all for it to sell quickly.  As you can imagine, it was a big step out of the boat to be obedient to His call.  We would really like to be done with our obligations back in the States so we can fully give ourselves to the work here that we've been called to.  We covet your prayers, and if you or anyone you know is looking for a home in the NC mountains to buy (for themselves or an investment) please contact us via email.

So.....onto "the rest of the story"........

This past weekend we able to attend our first congregational meeting in the Land.  We're not sure where we're going to attend, so we'll visit a few to see where we should be.  It felt good to worship with other people, and the teaching was thought provoking.  But it was near the end of the meeting, that we knew why we felt to attend this particular meeting on this particular day.  We were asked to sing a song...very simple...just 3 words, first in English, then in Hebrew.  We were asking Him to Come, asking Him to Bo...

Like a beautiful tapestry, He brought it all together for us.  First He bid us to come, and we did.  Now He is asking us to bid Him to come.  We are home, His home.  Never has such a little word spoken so much to us.

BO - May He come quickly....

Sea of Galilee

Dare to walk on the water - dare to live your dreams.
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

A SABBATH'S DAY JOURNEY

Our neighborhood

We have now experienced 2 Sabbaths (Saturdays) in the Land on this Adventure.  We have chosen each time to take a long walk from where we live to the Old City of Jerusalem. This way get to know the neighborhoods and the people.  Each was a beautiful day (yom yafe), in the mid 60's with "Israeli" blue skies.  Many of you in the States are experiencing very cold weather right now, and we do feel for you :)  Now we must say, you may covet our weather here, but WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF RAIN.  So even though we are enjoying the beautiful weather, we would rather it be raining.  There are many more important things than our physical creature comforts, and if it must be cold & rainy for Israel to get it's much needed water supply increased to the necessary level, then so be it - LET IT RAIN!

Pathway through a local park

Families at park on Sabbath

View from walking bridge

Children playing on Sabbath

While both days seemed similar (Dec 18 & 25), there were a few differences.  The first walk we were a little apprehensive, since we've "never been this way before".  Second time around, we recognized land marks and such, and didn't need the map or directions.

The first time we weren't able to eat our much anticipated falafel at our friend's shop, the second time we did - and it was AMAZING!!  We also spent some personal time talking with him. We had met him during last year's visit.  He encouraged us to wait until the other customers had left so he could sit and talk with us :)  This is one of the relationships forged on our adventure last year, and it blessed our heart that he remembered us, and he told us that it was good to see that we had come home :)

Later, while we walked through the Old City streets, what did we find?!?!? A jumbo jelly sufganiyah (doughnut)!  It weighed about 2 pounds (seriously), and had about 1/2 jar of jelly in it.  Not like that in the States... And oh so fresh...our mouths are watering just thinking about it.  Guess we'll have to go back again this weekend :)  For those coming to visit, we found it on the Via Delarosa.

Both evenings we went to the HaKotel (the Western Wall).  This is Israel's most Holy site.  For Jews, and Christians as well.  This is on the top of most priority lists for people coming to visit the Land.  There is a Holy presence that still resides after all these years, and it draws you to pray and seek the Face of the One who created heaven and earth, and every one and every thing.  (See picture on top right of blog).

To end our journey each day, we went to Ben Yehuda Street.  Everyone who's ever been to Israel (any many who have not) know of Ben Yehuda.  When we visited last year, we went there on a Monday afternoon.  Not so much going on, plus we were tired.  We decided to give it another chance since so many love this place.  

The first Saturday night we arrived early, Sabbath was barely over and shops and restaurants were just beginning to open up.  We got a delicious schwarma pita sandwich (lamb) filled with all kinds of salads & good stuff.  "Street food" is the cheapest (and yummiest) way to eat in the city. The 2nd time we weren't hungry since we ate falafels earlier (also street food).  Also it was around 8-8:30 pm, and boy was this section of town alive & kickin'!!  All good of course, nothing anyone wouldn't take their family walking through - and they were :)

As we continued to stroll amongst the tourists and locals, we came upon a choral group set up right in the middle of the "street" with guitars and voices singing loud and strong with passion (in a foreign language - not Hebrew).  We asked around and found out they were from Korea.  Oh what a blessing to witness these young adults singing and sharing about Who has filled them deep within!! And they had many people stopping to listen.  

Just a little further up the street (this is a walking street), we found a small group of young men - seemed to be locals, singing as well!  Their song was just as beautiful and from the heart - and one we were well familiar with ourselves.  There was even an off duty IDF soldier that is part of this group...

We hope you enjoyed traveling on a Sabbath's day journey with us.  To live in this Land is an honor and a privilege that we do not take for granted.  To walk where those long ago walked in Biblical times is beyond comprehension.  To be given the opportunity to share the Love, Joy, Peace and Light that is within us to the people of this nation is a responsibility we do not take lightly.  

We put our trust in that still, small voice that wants to lead us all each day, each moment, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."  

MIRACLES!

As you may have guessed, we still have not been able to post daily at first like we had anticipated.  This being very difficult for us, as we strive to be people who keep our word ("let your yes be yes, and your no be no").  What we are learning in this new Land are phrases that are most common:  whenever you cannot explain why something is or isn't happening the way you expect - "This is Israel!", and from a time stand point - "Savlanut" (patience), and "Raga-raga!" (wait-wait).

We have not had internet opportunities from early Friday afternoon until Sunday morning.  Until we can get our own internet installed in our apartment (the process is more complicated than we expected), we are temporarily using an available wireless connection from a neighbor.  This is why we haven't been able to be consistent with our posts (other than exhaustion and busyness in the beginning...).  What we think we've figured out, is that the person from whom we are being blessed to receive a connection, turns off the connection for the Sabbath - early Friday until Sunday morning (the seventh day that God rested would be Friday night until Saturday night).  Makes sense, yes?  The Sabbath is meant to be set apart and different from all the other days of the week and made Holy.  It's as if we were being taught this, since we could not go on our computer and do "business as usual".

Soldiers at Western Wall - Israel's Most Holy sight.

So, to the title of this blog - Miracles.  This - Israel - is a Land of miracles.  Although the eyes of the people have been blinded temporarily until the fullness of the gentiles has come in, God has kept a remnant.  Also, Israel & the Jewish people have been and always will be the Apple of His Eye.






Some of you have been keeping up with another blog from "The Two Spies", but many who read our blog have not, so we would like to include a video we saw from this blog that we felt important enough to be forwarded to more readers.  If you really want to know how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is working in the Land of Israel today, please watch this video.  We pray it opens your hearts and minds as it did ours to a God bigger than we sometimes realize.  He cares for and keeps His people.

For video click here:

http://www.sodot.tv/Site/ProDetile.asp?id=1475&CategoryID=1&SubID=431&PageView=3#player

May our eyes be opened to what He is doing in each of our lives, and those around us daily - His miracles are there, and should be acknowledged  ~ giving Him glory.

FOOD!!!

Shalom dear friends.

Okay, okay...so we know we were going to post daily until we caught up to our current adventures.  What we should have said was that we needed to get caught up, then we would post daily!! :)

What we'd like to discuss today is of utmost importance.  FOOD!!  For those of you who have been to Israel, you are very excited right now, want to see pictures, and even more so want to come here yourselves to partake of the good of the Land!!

To us, the food in Israel is just as the Bible describes:  a Land flowing with milk & honey.  And remember the story of the 12 spies - the good report showed that it took 2 men to carry one cluster of grapes!!  (See picture above on right - logo for the Israel Department of Tourism).  Well, the produce here is abundant, not just in quantity - but in size!


The shuke (farmer's market) is the most amazing place to visit.  It's so alive!  Want to live & shop like a local? You go to the shuke.  Most people speak very little English there, so we need to brush up on our numbers in Hebrew.  It doesn't do any good to ask "Ka ma?" (How much?) if we can't understand the answer!!!  The people are very helpful, though.  If they didn't have what we were looking for, they would show us what shop to go to.  Once we begin going on a regular basis for our daily/weekly shopping, we'll form relationships and get to know each other.  It is very exhilarating hearing the shop owners calling out their specials and seeing people rushing to get the latest "blue light special".  All we understood was "bananas" and "peppers", but to see the rush of people, we knew some great deal was occurring!!

Dried fruits

"Olive bar"

And for those who have been to Israel should we even say "falafel" or "shwarma"??

We've also become accustom to shopping at the grocery store.  Our first day shopping, our very kind and most helpful grocery clerk (who actually knew quite a bit of English) assisted us in filling out the paperwork for our very own store discount card!  Just like you get in the States at Lowe's Foods or Ingles, etc.  So we can now participate in the sales at the store.   That is when we can figure out what the sale signs say in Hebrew.... so far we've gotten big discounts when we spent over 200 shekels ($56) in one visit, and discounts for buying multiple items, and so on.  This also makes us feel like a local.  We've been back to this store, and had the same clerk at the checkout both times - another relationship to forge.



We have 3 stores within walking distance.  One grocery store about 10 minutes away near a kosher McDonald's and a mini strip mall, including a coffee shop with WIFI.  Then there's also a grocery store at the bus stop we use to go to work and other places too far to walk.

About 5 minutes away there's a convenience mart , which is actually quite big and packed full of items.  We went in there last week just to look around to see what they offered.  While wandering around aimlessly, the owner walked up and said it English, "You're amazed at how much we fit into this small store, aren't you?"  This was exactly what we were thinking!  We all introduced ourselves, and he was very excited to hear we were from North Carolina - his mother lives in Charlotte :) He then happily introduced us to a customer in the checkout line telling her where we were from.  We then found out she lives in our neighborhood as well, not far from us.  We were both very happy realizing these 2 people were new connections put in our path and that we will be building relationships with them in the future.

Meeting the people wherever our adventure takes us -  especially those in our neighborhoods, grocery stores and other regular places of business, is a wonderful "appointed" opportunity to make relationships and friendships.  We constantly have our eyes and ears open and are attentive to what we are to say or do that will influence those around us - remembering the impression we are leaving on them.  This all seems magnified to us here, but shouldn't it be that way for us all, no matter where the adventure He has us on?

We pray that each one who reads this post will begin to look for the many opportunities around them to shine the Goodness within them to a world that is very fast paced and turning very pessimistic. 

SHALOM!

PRAY FOR THE PEACE (SHALOM) OF JERUSALEM! (and for rain...)

For those of you checking, we wanted to do a short post...

It's late, after a long day at work - much to learn, and much to do!  Very rewarding, but our brains are full and our bodies are tired!! Please continue to pray for our sleep patterns to regulate.  We do have a 4 day weekend, and plan to get rested up, organized, and continue posting blogs.

Can't wait to share about our experiences and contact with the people of the Land.

Shalom Aleichem (Peace be unto you),

Jim & Linda

PERSPECTIVE

Okay, so here we are, day 2 of our new blog - working out the kinks :)  We're newbies at this...

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Well, we arrived safe and sound to our new home. (By the way, for all wondering about our airport security experience, we did not have to endure the full body scanner nor the "pat down". YEA!!!)

After praying to hook up with the designated drivers picking us up (with hundreds of people at the gate holding signs!!) we were taken directly to our lovely apartment to begin adjusting to life in Israel.  We received a quick overview of how things "may" work in the apartment - there's no real standard...  :)  They informed us that a dust storm rolled through Jerusalem recently, so the apartment was quite dusty.  We've got a lot of cleaning to do.

Here's a few things that are different than life in the States...

So far from what we can figure out, the heat comes on only from 5-10 pm.  Whether you need it or not.  This may make for a cold winter....we'll find out.  But - right now it is 60 degrees, so we have the heat on, and the windows open, and an occasional fan running to cool things off :) There is no control over the heat...

To have hot water for showers, there is a choice, a solar panel on the roof for the water heater, or an electric button on the wall outside the bathroom.  It needs to be turned on 1-2 hours prior to the shower and turned off when you're done.  Sounds like an early morning (considering we have a 15 minute walk uphill to our bus stop & a 30 minute bus ride through morning traffic to get to work).  So - we have decided to become "night" shower takers!! Besides...that is when the heat is also running :)

We live on the second floor, and walk up 3 short flights of stairs to reach our door.  When you enter the building, there is a button for the light that is on a timer as an energy saver.  So - if you time yourself just right, you can get up all 3 flights, unlock your door, and get inside before it all goes dark :)

So we ask you - does it sound as if we are complaining??  If so, then you are seeing our comments from the wrong perspective.  We've come to realize so much in our lives depends on our perspective of how we view things.  We choose to see things from God's perspective, and we can honestly tell you, it is truly amazing to be in this Land, the Apple of His eye.  We are living as everyone else in the Land, and getting acclimated to doing things Israeli style.  It's actually liberating not having all the creature comforts we've all come to take for granted, and to learn to trust in Him for everything throughout our daily walk.

............AND WHAT AN ADVENTURE!!

ARRIVED!!

Well...we've been here for several days now, and are just now finding the time (and mental alertness) to sit down and begin the journaling we have been compiling in our thoughts.  So much has already happened, we don't want to put everyone on overload in our first post :)  Therefore, we have decided to post every day (well, most every day...) until we have caught up with sharing the current adventures.  After that, we will plan to post weekly.  Hope you find our insights exciting enough to follow along with us on this journey :)

To make sure that NOTHING would keep us from beginning our adventure on time ~ not rain, nor sleet, nor snow ~ we had to leave our home 3 days early to get off the mountain before a winter storm came!  Thanks to good friends, we had God-appointed places to stay (thanks Mike & Karen and Sam & Jackie).  After arriving safely & securely at the airport, everything went off without a hitch...except Jim's carry on bag setting off the curiosity of the TSA agents due to Linda's big bag of various spices she couldn't leave behind....

As anyone who has been on a L-O-N-G flight knows, it is somewhat important who sits next to you for 10-11 hours.  With Jim on the isle, and Linda in the middle of a set of 3 seats, you wonder what it will be like sitting next to a total stranger in such close proximity. As we arrived to row 43 on our Boeing 777, we were enthusiastically welcomed by an Orthodox Jewish young man in his early twenties.  He had just left his mom & dad and was on his way back to Israel (as a student) and was recently engaged and due to be married in 5 short weeks.  Along with this bit of information, we learned all the details of his courtship and proposal to this young girl and how it is done in the Jewish community.

What a blessing to have an opportunity so quickly before we even arrived!  He was missing his family already (as he will stay in Israel after he marries) and Linda felt he needed to be mothered, and so she did....She helped him with his pillow and getting settled, with his meals (now understand he was not just receiving this assistance, but initiating it), and we laughed & talked for hours.  When it came time for morning prayers, he put on phylacteries and opened his Prayer Book.  Since he had not slept yet, and it was in the middle of the night, he dozed off - boy did we want a picture!  This sweet young man praying to God until he had peace to finally fall asleep - just inches from Linda's shoulder :)

Later, after he awoke (Linda saved his breakfast for him as they brought it by) we shared what we were to be doing in Israel, and a little about Linda's background.  He also let us look at his Prayer Book, and we just "happened" to open it to the morning prayers where the Shema was written - and we could actually read it in Hebrew!  Before we disembarked, he gave us his phone number in Israel and said he'd like to keep in touch. Praise God for His appointments!

Well, guess we'll continue with more adventures tomorrow....