Jericho and beyond

The Knesset

As we sit in our apartment today, not far from the Knesset (the legislature of Israel), we can't help but wonder what decisions are being weighed - and if they truly have a plan for the State of Israel.  The past few weeks have brought to this already fragile political climate a new (or should we say latest) era of doubt.  We are uncertain as to the type of government that will rise up in Egypt, and equally uncertain of the future results from the domestic upheaval in Libya, Iran, Yemen, Jordan and Bahrain.   Most of the news that's being reported around here is that it's "wishful thinking" to believe that Israel will be more secure once the 'revolutions' are over.  


We don't begin to believe ourselves as very knowledgeable regarding the details of the regional turmoil - but we're certain that when we're instructed in Psalm 122:6 to: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you", that now would be as good a time as ever.  


As we may question or wonder what political plans are being considered by the men and women of this nation, we don't question the plans that God has for His people.  Jim had an opportunity to see first hand the words of prophesy fulfilled during a recent trip through Jericho and the Dead Sea region and then north to the Galilee.   Jim was able to visit with a gentleman who assists Ethiopian Immigrants assimilate into Israel society.  They visited three Absorption Centers in Rosh Pinna and Zefat - cities just north of the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret).   


The ancient Jewish prophet Ezekiel said the Lord would find Jews from around the world and bring them into Israel during the End Times, Ezekiel 34:11-14. Another Jewish prophet, Zephaniah said there would be Jews from the African nation of Ethiopia that would come to the land of their forefathers in the Last Days, Zephaniah 3:10.  

The adventure started from Jerusalem and headed east toward Jericho and the northern edge of the Dead Sea (1,400 ft BELOW sea level) - the lowest point on earth.  We circled around Jericho to avoid the checkpoints and the potential hassle of entering the Arab controlled city and proceeded north along the Jordan River with the country of Jordan just beyond.  This area is the Judea and Samaria region mentioned in the Bible.  It's also referred to the West Bank in the newspapers - however Hwy 90 is a safe route to travel.  

An amazing sight to see were the numerous families who still lived in tents or shacks or some sort of makeshift material that resembled living quarters.  It seems to represent more of a choice they are making since some of these homesteads included vehicles, electricity, satellite dishes and external hot water heaters.  Or, it may have been that they were not willing to give up their land for some other reason - there could be many.


Once we arrived in the Galilee, we visited a hotel-turned Absorption Center for Ethiopian Immigrants who are learning how to live modern day Israel.  Many of the Ethiopian people come from a very rural and rustic culture and society.  Many lived in grass huts and basically farmed for their living.  Their Jewish faith has always reminded them that Israel was their home however.  In the Center, they would learn how to use modern appliances, cook, clean and raise families.  They would also learn the Hebrew language and computer skills.  It was a real blessing to spend a little time with the people from Ethiopia.

We also visited two other Centers (one a converted former police academy) both charged with the same mission, however each Center seems to receive people based upon the size of the family or marital status.  The most touching aspect of the adventure was learning that not all family members are able to leave Ethiopia together, so when they learn that one of their family is in fact coming (maybe many years later) then the excitement and anticipation is enormous.  It was an honor to tell them and show them that we are glad for them and that we are very blessed to be able to help them become the people God wants them to be.

Grass Hut Replica in courtyard

A short story before we close.  At the last Center we visited, many of the young men were playing an unfamiliar game of cards (it was raining outside).  Jim had taken a picture from behind one of the men and showed his "hand" to his neighbor on the camera.  He thought that was amazing and then the rest of the guys started asking Jim to show them so they could see his "hand"as well.  This made everybody laugh and we thought how amazing it is that just a few short months for some of these men, they were living in a hut, farming in the hot sun and living in deplorable conditions.  Now they were laughing with joy over a digital camera and a deck of cards - in Israel with an American!  

Yes, Linda and I are on an Adventure In Israel - but the people we met on this trip are on an Adventure Of A Lifetime.

Autobus #2

Okay , so when we said there was so much to say about the bus rides, we had no idea that these adventures would continue almost daily!  As we said before, it's the BEST place for people watching - up close and personal at that!  So much happens on the bus each and every day, we could probably write a blog each month just about things on the bus - and we may :)

We really wish we had the chutzpah (nerve, guts, etc) to take more pictures on the bus.  So instead we'll tell you a little about what we wish we could show you....

Not one of the children's backpacks,
 but still very large!

One of the things that amazes us, is how safe Jerusalem really is.  There are children all the time riding the bus by themselves.  Now if the city was unsafe, you know parents wouldn't be able to allow this.  So we often see children using the public bus system.  The backpacks they wear are many times bigger than they are! We must try to get a picture of this...



Many times there are soldiers, both young men and women, traveling with not only ginormous (we looked this word up - it's actually in the dictionary!) backpacks that sometimes cover from above their heads to almost to their knees, but also slinging an M-16, something new for us being in Israel, but actually brings comfort and peace - not insecurity.  The picture we would have loved to provide was of a female Israeli soldier - very petite - standing at a bus stop with her weapon slung over her shoulder.  She was so tiny that the gun hung below her knees...

Another mental picture was of two men in seats facing each other - toe to toe, knee to knee - in some great discussion.  Talking, analyzing what each was saying, in great depth of thought and discussion...

Many times the bus is so full we don't know how they will fit another person on!  And yet they do... One day recently we wondered how in the world we were going to make it from our seats (amazingly we had a seat) to the exit of the bus when our stop arrived?? Well, you "slicha" (excuse me) your way all the way through the very tight quarters until you can get off and breathe again!  But this is common, and people are very tolerant, not thinking anything of it.  We haven't really been able to determine the timing of the busses to avoid this phenomenon.  We do know that Friday morning the bus is very empty and traffic is light because Friday in Israel is becoming more and more like the Saturday of the States, it's a day off for many, so there isn't the normal "rush hour traffic" in the morning - that is on Monday morning, though, just like we are used to.

There is, however, a mad dash to get home on Friday afternoon by everyone in the city.  Shabbat is coming!! The most holy and sacred part of the week! You must get a bus by 3:00 - 3:30 pm or you'll be walking home (or taking an Arab taxi).  Shabbat (Sabbath) in Israel is like no other place in the world.  We will do a blog in the future dedicated entirely to Shabbat.  Baruch HaShem Adonai - Bless the Name of the Lord!

Again, another picture worth sharing from our memories - standing in the open area where there's room for strollers and such, was an older man with a beard facing the window with his eyes closed in fervent prayer - not aloud, but with much passion to the Heavenly Father.  Not caring who was on the bus, his lips moved with petitions to Heaven as his head rested on the glass of the moving bus.  What would cause this man to interrupt his prayers? Well, at the next stop a woman was trying to get on the bus with her baby stroller, so this gentleman stopped praying to help her pull the stroller on board, then watched the newborn baby for her while she went to pay the bus driver up front. A mitzvah, a good deed.  The Hebrew word actually means "commandment", but when one is said to "do a mitzvah" it's usually referring to a good deed, which is a command, yes? Love your neighbor as yourself? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Yes, this man, with a willing heart interrupted his prayers to do a mitzvah.  May he be blessed for his caring heart.

Recently we were riding the bus one morning, in seats that were facing the other two people across from us.  A young girl, probably in her early twenties had gotten on the bus sitting directly across from Linda.    In her heart, Linda felt that Father God was wanting this young woman to know that He thought she was beautiful - that it was something she needed to hear, to know He (her Heavenly Father) had these thoughts toward her.  Now it took the entire bus ride for Linda to get the chutzpah to say anything to this girl, actually all the way to our bus stop!  But knowing the alternative - not obeying what she was being asked to do, was far worse than fear or embarrassment.

So right before we got off the bus, Linda got the girl's attention (she was listening to an Ipod with earplugs), and spoke to her in Hebrew (the best she could come up with).  Not knowing if she would understand, but wanting to do what God said, she pointed up to the sky, and said, "HaShem - at yaffa." HaShem means "the Name", and is how many Jewish people refer to God - not wanting to in any way disrespect His Holy name.  At yaffa is "you beautiful".  Immediately the young girl gave a huge smile and said, "Really???  You just made my day!!!" - IN ENGLISH!

HAAA!!! Now isn't that funny!!  Dumbfounded that God would have Linda speak Hebrew to encourage a young lady on the bus who knew English, she made her way off the bus before it pulled away again to the next destination.  So we wonder if at lunch that day this young lady told her friends of a woman who spoke Hebrew to her on the bus an encouragement from her Father.....

SMILES....PRAYERS....MITZVAH....OBEDIENCE

....ALL ON A PUBLIC BUS.....