Challenges & Faith

While the "awe" of where we are will always be evident, the reality of living here is different than simply coming for a visit.  And we're sure that we're not the only ones who have felt the transition when faced with the daily challenges of living in a country like Israel and the sustaining faith needed.  As we mentioned in the last blog, Jerusalem is the Epicenter of the world - you simply need to read the Bible or watch the news to see that.  Well, what comes with that fact are challenges that may not be found in other parts of the world, certainly not in the West.  We've shared a few of the challenges that were unfamiliar ground for us, and thought we'd share a few more.

View from Kidron Valley towards Temple Mount

Path down to Kidron Valley leading to Mount of Olives.

Last Friday (a week ago) we decided to go on a walk around the Old City with another couple.  We began on Mount Zion near the Upper Room and King David's Tomb, and made our way down through the Kidron Valley and then toward the base of the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was a beautiful day, and our walk was purposed.  There was a group meeting in a nearby garden, and we could hear their leader pleasantly talking in a language unknown to us.  After walking a little farther we began to hear another person very loudly speaking in an angry voice, also in a language unfamiliar to us.  We all stopped and listened for a bit to see what direction it was coming from.  We realized it was coming from the Temple Mount, which we were not far from.  But this was not the "normal" prayers that are heard all over the Old City coming from the very loud speakers atop the Temple Mount.  This was someone speaking something in an angry tone, that was also coming from the very loud speakers atop the Temple Mount.  Not knowing what was being said, but hearing the tone behind it,  we stopped to pray against any negative things that may be spoken.  If you have heard about the proclamations being made against Israel in conjunction with May 15th, please continue to pray against these forces - that they will come to nothing, and that the God of Israel will again protect His people and Land.  There will be a city-wide group gathering this Thursday to pray about current events in Israel and the region.

After spending some time at the Mount of Olives and the surrounding gardens, we travelled back through the Kidron Valley the way we had come, to travel back up towards the Mount Zion area and the House of Caiaphas.  As we approached Absalom's Pillar (King David's son) there were about 5-6 young Arab boys.  We didn't think anything about them being there until after we had just passed and they began throwing stones at us and yelling who knows what!  Imagine that - these young boys having no fear to throw stones at Jim and another tall man - they knew there was nothing we could do about it to stop them.  And because we were in "East Jerusalem" we would probably be told we just shouldn't go there. If the Palestinian Authority (who has now made another "peace" agreement with Hamas) were to have their way, and split Jerusalem to be their capital as well, the Old City and all the Holy sites would be Palestine.

A few days later, on Sunday morning, we were with a small group of people.  After meeting together earlier that day at the Garden Tomb, we were on our way to get coffee at the Coffee Bean on Jaffa Road.  While passing Ben Yehuda Street - the very popular walking mall - we noticed it was closed off and police not letting anyone in.  Within eyesight there was a "suspicious" bag that the police were dealing with.  We stopped to watch the process as they continued.  At one point they announced something in Hebrew over the loud speaker, but none of us knew enough Hebrew to understand... If we'd only known what they had said we would have gotten our camera out, because within a minute or two of the announcement, the bag blew up with a loud bang - quite unexpected to us non-Hebrew speakers!  What they had done, was detonate the bag to cause a controlled explosion - not knowing if the bag contained a bomb.  In less than 5 minutes they had the bag in custody, the mess cleaned up, and opened the walking street for the many pedestrians waiting to cross.  Ah...life in Israel.....

In the midst of turbulent times, we are here in Israel for a purpose, and there is much to be done.  We knew that before we came.  One of our early blogs shared our personal story of when God spoke the word "Bo" to us.  Bo in Hebrew means go, and also means come, depending on the context of the sentence.  For us it was both.  He was telling us it was time to go, to step out in faith and do what He had placed so strongly in us to do.  He was also encouraging us to come to Him, to trust Him as we took that step out into the unknown.  What we realize, now that we have stepped out in faith, trusting Him as we do what He has placed in our hearts (to show His love in a practical way and to support the people of Israel), is the sustaining faith that is necessary to stay walking on the water with Him, because the water is deep, and it's sink or walk :) The comforts and familiarities of our life before coming here are gone.  Don't get us wrong, we aren't wanting them back, it's just a more narrow road to travel.  We choose this road, and wouldn't trade this gift He's given us to serve Him in His Land for any bit of past "normal" life.  

A road less traveled in Jerusalem

Faith.  We hear this word used somewhat flippantly sometimes.  We heard a Rabbi say recently that faith is an experience.  We couldn't agree more.  We've also heard it defined as trust.  You never really understand faith (or trust) until you experience it, which means you have to take that step into the unknown trusting that God has His best in store for you, and will keep you from falling on your face -  or sinking.  We'd like to share a faith story we heard recently from a fellow volunteer.

Although we'd like to think we are unique in our call to Israel with the miracles God provided to get us here, each one who comes has a similar (yet different) story to share.  We'll begin in the middle of the story.  This certain young lady felt she was to read the book of Ruth in the Bible.  Each time she finished it, she felt impressed to read it again.  About 5 times she read it, until she finally realized what had been dropped in her heart - a desire to serve the people in Israel.  She then inquired about volunteering in Israel on the Internet.  She researched the organization we volunteer with, contacted them, and started the process.  In the meantime, she had no money, and no one to support this desire she had to go to Israel.  She let her need be known to some friends, family and acquaintances, but she had not received any interest for this endeavor, although she had set up an account for people to give.  She really felt she needed to step out in faith and set a date to fulfill the commitment she had made to God and to the organization, so she picked an arrival date.  She only had less than $100 as the day was approaching for her to have to pay for her airline ticket.  The morning the ticket needed to be purchased, she checked her account to find that a large deposit had been made!  Although she didn't know who it was from, she said, "Thank you, God", and booked her flight.  Soon thereafter, the sponsor contacted her to confirm she had received the deposit.  She barely knew this person, and asked why they chose to support what she was doing. They told her that God had told them that they needed to make the deposit, and that they had to do it by Friday.  Not only that, but they told her it was only a portion of what God had instructed them to give her, and that amount would support her for the next year!  

What an encouragement of experiencing faith!  She knew God told her to go to Israel.  She trusted Him to make it happen, and He did, as she took each step necessary.  She picked a date when she had no money.  He provided the money.  She bought the ticket not knowing how she would be supported to live in Israel.  He provided the supporter.  Amazing.  It sounds so simple, but to walk it out, and to actually experience faith, you have to have the courage to take the steps necessary for God to move.  It's definitely not the easy road, it can be very difficult - we can attest to that - but we know the testimony He creates is worth it.  We hope that this story from this young lady has encouraged you to press on, as it has us.  We are continuing to believe for our house in the States to sell, if you'll please agree in prayer with us for that to take place quickly.

Challenges & Faith ~ What an Adventure!