Amos 9:15

"I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God. Amos 9:15

Friday, April 3, 2015

A walk to remember


As we have said many times, we realize how very blessed and honored we are to live in the Holy Land of God.  We know it is such a privilege to be here, to walk the streets, to see the history, to witness and walk out the present prophesies coming to pass, and prayerfully be a part of God's future plan for Israel and the Jewish people.

To all who encourage and support us, we'd like to take you on a walk with us.  A walk from a Sunday to a Sunday, and beyond.... As you read your Bibles, listen to teachings, and watch dramas of the story of the last week of Yeshua's (Jesus) life on earth, we'd like to provide a few pictures of the places mentioned to go along with what we are all remembering.  Israel is a real place, with real people.  Sometimes when we read the stories, it can almost feel like a fairy tale.  For those who haven't yet been able to come and see these places themselves, we'd like to show a small portion through pictures.  We chose to use the Complete Jewish Bible version as our text so it would reflect the true Jewishness of the times - for all the disciples were Jewish, as was their Rabbi/teacher (John 20:16) - Yeshua.  We have translated Hebrew words to English in brackets.  


Come ~ take a walk where Yeshua walked....




John Chapters 12-21 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

12 Six days before Pesach (Passover), Yeshua (Jesus) came to Beit-Anyah (Bethany), where El‘azar (Lazarus) lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; so they gave a dinner there in his honor. 






Inside


A large crowd of Judeans (Jews) learned that he was there; and they came not only because of Yeshua, but also so that they could see El‘azar, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 The head cohanim (priests) then decided to do away with El‘azar too, 11 since it was because of him that large numbers of the Judeans were leaving their leaders and putting their trust in Yeshua.
12 The next day, the large crowd that had come for the festival (Passover) heard that Yeshua was on his way into Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
Deliver us!” (Hosanna)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai (the Lord), the King of Isra’el!”
14 After finding a donkey colt, Yeshua mounted it, just as the Tanakh (Old Testament) says —
15 Daughter of Tziyon (Zion), don’t be afraid!
Look! your King is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt.



On the Old City Wall 


Palms set up along the Old City

16 His talmidim (disciples) did not understand this at first; but after Yeshua had been glorified, then they remembered that the Tanakh said this about him, and that they had done this for him. 17 The group that had been with him when he called El‘azar out of the tomb and raised him from the dead had been telling about it. 18 It was because of this too that the crowd came out to meet him — they had heard that he had performed this miracle. 19 The P’rushim (Pharisees) said to each other, “Look, you’re getting nowhere! Why, the whole world has gone after him!”


34 The crowd answered, “We have learned from the Torah (law, five books of Moses) that the Messiah remains forever. How is it that you say the Son of Man has to be ‘lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Yeshua said to them, “The light will be with you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, put your trust in the light, so that you may become people of light.” Yeshua said these things, then went off and kept himself hidden from them.
37 Even though he had performed so many miracles in their presence, they still did not put their trust in him, 38 in order that what Yesha‘yahu (Isaiah) the prophet had said might be fulfilled,
Adonai, who has believed our report?
To whom has the arm of Adonai been revealed?”
39 The reason they could not believe was — as Yesha‘yahu said elsewhere —
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so that they do not see with their eyes,
understand with their hearts,
and do t’shuvah (turn),
so that I could heal them.”
41 (Yesha‘yahu said these things because he saw the Sh’khinah (glory) of Yeshua and spoke about him.) 42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders did trust in him; but because of the P’rushim (Pharisees) they did not say so openly, out of fear of being banned from the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from other people more than praise from God.


13 It was just before the festival of Pesach (Passover), and Yeshua knew that the time had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. Having loved his own people in the world, he loved them to the end. They were at (the last) supper...




Mt. Zion area where the Last Supper (Passover Seder) could have likely have taken place.



This may or may not be the room where it took place, however, it's a great place to remember what happened in this area.


Inside











14 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also. Furthermore, you know where I’m going; and you know the way there.”


15 “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.
“I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
“If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim (disciples).



Vineyards in Israel



As an indigenous species, vineyards are a growing crop.





























17 After Yeshua had said these things, he looked up toward heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you — just as you gave him authority over all mankind, so that he might give eternal life to all those whom you have given him. And eternal life is this: to know you, the one true God, and him whom you sent, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).


18 After Yeshua had said all this, he went out with his talmidim (disciples) across the stream that flows in winter through the Vadi (brook) Kidron, to a spot where there was a grove of trees; and he and his talmidim went into it. 



Kidron Valley between the Old City and the Mt. of Olives


View of the Kidron Valley from the Mt. of Olives







Mt. of Olives as seen from Succat Hallel - a 24/7 prayer & praise center.











Church at Gethsemane - garden to the left of the building.



Mt. of Olives behind the south-east side of the Old City/Temple Mount.

Now Y’hudah (Judas), who was betraying him, also knew the place; because Yeshua had often met there with his talmidimSo Y’hudah went there, taking with him a detachment of Roman soldiers and some Temple guards provided by the head cohanim (priests) and the P’rushim (pharisees); they carried weapons, lanterns and torches. Yeshua, who knew everything that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Whom do you want?” “Yeshua from Natzeret (Nazareth),” they answered. He said to them, “I AM.” Also standing with them was Y’hudah, the one who was betraying him. When he said, “I AM,” they went backward from him and fell to the ground. So he inquired of them once more, “Whom do you want?” and they said, “Yeshua from Natzeret.” “I told you, ‘I AM,’” answered Yeshua, “so if I’m the one you want, let these others go.” This happened so that what he had said might be fulfilled, “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
10 Then Shim‘on Kefa (Simon Peter), who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the cohen hagadol (High Priest), cutting off his right ear; the slave’s name was Melekh. 11 Yeshua said to Kefa, “Put your sword back in its scabbard! This is the cup the Father has given me; am I not to drink it?”















Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.











Some of these trees are VERY old.


12 So the detachment of Roman soldiers and their captain, together with the Temple Guard of the Judeans (Jews), arrested Yeshua, tied him up, 13 and took him first to ‘Anan (Annas), the father-in-law of Kayafa (Caiaphas), who was cohen gadol (High Priest) that fateful year. 14 (It was Kayafa (Caiaphas) who had advised the Judeans (Jews) that it would be good for one man to die on behalf of the people.) 




Caiaphas House in the distance - view from Mt. of Olives to give perspective of how far the walk was to there.  Also, the tall churches on the right on the ridge are in the area of the Upper Room.  This means they walked down to the Mt. of Olives, then Yeshua was taken back up to Caiaphas House.  Then across to the far side of the Old City to Pilate.


Caiaphas House with green roof.




This is a church built over the original site.


Due to the archeology, it is believed that this is certain to have been the original site of the house of Caiaphas.



These steps date back 2,000 years and are very possibly ones Yeshua would have used climbing to see Caiaphas.














15 Shim‘on Kefa (Simon Peter) and another talmid (disciple) followed Yeshua. The second talmid was known to the cohen hagadol (High Priest), and he went with Yeshua into the courtyard of the cohen hagadol16 but Kefa (Peter) stood outside by the gate. So the other talmid, the one known to the cohen hagadol, went back out and spoke to the woman on duty at the gate, then brought Kefa inside. 17 The woman at the gate said to Kefa, “Aren’t you another of that man’s talmidim (disciples)?” He said, “No, I’m not.” 18 Now the slaves and guards had lit a fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it warming themselves; Kefa joined them and stood warming himself too.
19 The cohen hagadol questioned Yeshua about his talmidim and about what he
 taught. 20 Yeshua answered, “I have spoken quite openly to everyone; I have always taught in a synagogue or in the Temple where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret; 




2,000 year old synagogue in Caesarea Philippi where Yeshua would have taught (Matthew 16:13-19).










An ancient synagogue built over the original synagogue from 2,000 years ago that Yeshua would have taught.








Three main entrances to the Temple Mount on the southern entrance that Yeshua would have entered.


This area on the Temple Mount is the location where "Solomon's colonnade" would have been (John 10:23).
Today the Al Aksa Mosque stands there.
The Temple Mount is a very large platform.


View of Mt. of Olives from the Temple Mount.


Eastern Gate as seen from on the Temple Mount.  One day Yeshua will enter this gate again!



Temple Mount



Temple Mount



Olive trees on Temple Mount


21 so why are you questioning me? Question the ones who heard what I said to them; look, they know what I said.” 22 At these words, one of the guards standing by slapped Yeshua in the face and said, “This is how you talk to the cohen hagadol?” 23 Yeshua answered him, “If I said something wrong, state publicly what was wrong; but if I was right, why are you hitting me?” 24 So ‘Anan sent him, still tied up, to Kayafa the cohen hagadol.


Prisons at Caiaphas House - Yeshua could have been held in one of these.









#1 in diagram


#2 in diagram


25 Meanwhile, Shim‘on Kefa was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “Aren’t you also one of his talmidim?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” 26 One of the slaves of the cohen hagadol, a relative of the man whose ear Kefa had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the grove of trees?” 27 So again Kefa denied it, and instantly a rooster crowed.



Statue remembering Shimon Kefa's (Peter's) denial of Yeshua 3 times.


28 They led Yeshua from Kayafa (Caiaphas) to the governor’s headquarters. By now it was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters building because they didn’t want to become ritually defiled and thus unable to eat the Pesach (Passover) meal. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What charge are you bringing against this man?” 30 They answered, “If he hadn’t done something wrong, we wouldn’t have brought him to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “You take him and judge him according to your own law.” The Judeans replied, “We don’t have the legal power to put anyone to death.” 32 This was so that what Yeshua had said, about how he was going to die, might be fulfilled.




Prison at Pilate.



Prison at Pilate.



Prisoners would have sat on the bench with their hands and/or legs shackled to the stone wall.


You can see where the shackles were attached to the stone.



These prisons also date back 2,000 years.


33 So Pilate went back into the headquarters, called Yeshua and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Yeshua answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have other people told you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and head cohanim (priests) have handed you over to me; what have you done?” 36 Yeshua answered, “My kingship does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things. If it did, my men would have fought to keep me from being arrested by the Judeans. But my kingship does not come from here.” 37 “So then,” Pilate said to him, “You are a king, after all.” Yeshua answered, “You say I am a king. The reason I have been born, the reason I have come into the world, is to bear witness to the truth. Every one who belongs to the truth listens to me.” 38 Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”
Having said this, Pilate went outside again to the Judeans and told them, “I don’t find any case against him. 39 However, you have a custom that at Passover I set one prisoner free. Do you want me to set free for you the ‘king of the Jews’?” 40 But they yelled back, “No, not this man but Bar-Abba!” (Bar-Abba was a revolutionary.)


19 Pilate then took Yeshua and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted thorn-branches into a crown and placed it on his head, put a purple robe on him, and went up to him, saying over and over, “Hail, ‘king of the Jews’!” and hitting him in the face.








Pavement stones from Pilate's judgement seat.


Pilate went outside once more and said to the crowd, “Look, I’m bringing him out to you to get you to understand that I find no case against him.” So Yeshua came out, wearing the thorn-branch crown and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Look at the man!” When the head cohanim (priests) and the Temple guards saw him they shouted, “Put him to death on the stake! Put him to death on the stake!” Pilate said to them, “You take him out yourselves and put him to death on the stake, because I don’t find any case against him.” The Judeans answered him, “We have a law; according to that law, he ought to be put to death, because he made himself out to be the Son of God.” On hearing this, Pilate became even more frightened.
He went back into the headquarters and asked Yeshua, “Where are you from?” But Yeshua didn’t answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You refuse to speak to me? Don’t you understand that it is in my power either to set you free or to have you executed on the stake?” 11 Yeshua answered, “You would have no power over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above; this is why the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 On hearing this, Pilate tried to find a way to set him free; but the Judeans shouted, “If you set this man free, it means you’re not a ‘Friend of the Emperor’! Everyone who claims to be a king is opposing the Emperor!” 13 When Pilate heard what they were saying, he brought Yeshua outside and sat down on the judge’s seat in the place called The Pavement (in Aramaic, Gabta); 14 it was about noon on Preparation Day for Pesach (Passover). He said to the Judeans, “Here’s your king!” 15 They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Put him to death on the stake!” Pilate said to them, “You want me to execute your king on a stake?” The head cohanim (priests) answered, “We have no king but the Emperor.” 16 Then Pilate handed Yeshua over to them to have him put to death on the stake.




Heading out the current Damascus Gate - the way leading from Pilate to the Garden Tomb.



Outside Damascus Gate - The original gate is the one seen below.
 Jerusalem is a city built layer upon layer of history.


A close look.


So they took charge of Yeshua. 17 Carrying the stake himself he went out to the place called Skull (in Aramaic, Gulgolta). 






Picture of hill from in the past.







Current. 

18 There they nailed him to the stake along with two others, one on either side, with Yeshua in the middle. 19 Pilate also had a notice written and posted on the stake; it read,

YESHUA FROM NATZERET
THE KING OF THE JEWS

20 Many of the Judeans read this notice, because the place where Yeshua was put on the stake was close to the city; and it had been written in Hebrew, in Latin and in Greek. 21 The Judeans’ head cohanim (priests) therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but ‘He said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had nailed Yeshua to the stake, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier, with the under-robe left over. Now the under-robe was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom; 24 so they said to one another, “We shouldn’t tear it in pieces; let’s draw for it.” This happened in order to fulfill the words from the Tanakh (Old Testament),
“They divided my clothes among themselves
and gambled for my robe.”
This is why the soldiers did these things.
25 Nearby Yeshua’s execution stake stood his mother, his mother’s sister Miryam (Mary) the wife of K’lofah, and Miryam (Mary) from Magdala. 26 When Yeshua saw his mother and the talmid (disciple) whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Mother, this is your son.” 27 Then he said to the talmid, “This is your mother.” And from that time on, the talmid took her into his own home.
28 After this, knowing that all things had accomplished their purpose, Yeshua, in order to fulfill the words of the Tanakh, said, “I’m thirsty.” 29 A jar full of cheap sour wine was there; so they soaked a sponge in the wine, coated it with oregano leaves and held it up to his mouth. 30 After Yeshua had taken the wine, he said, “It is accomplished!” And, letting his head droop, he delivered up his spirit.
31 It was Preparation Day (for Passover), and the Judeans did not want the bodies to remain on the stake on Shabbat (Sabbath), since it was an especially important Shabbat. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. 32 The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been put on a stake beside Yeshua, then the legs of the other one; 33 but when they got to Yeshua and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34 However, one of the soldiers stabbed his side with a spear, and at once blood and water flowed out. 35 The man who saw it has testified about it, and his testimony is true. And he knows that he tells the truth, so you too can trust. 36 For these things happened in order to fulfill this passage of the Tanakh:
“Not one of his bones will be broken.”
37 And again, another passage says,
“They will look at him whom they have pierced.”
38 After this, Yosef (Joseph) of Ramatayim (Arimathaea), who was a talmid of Yeshua, but a secret one out of fear of the Judeans, asked Pilate if he could have Yeshua’s body. Pilate gave his consent, so Yosef came and took the body away. 39 Also Nakdimon (Nicodemus), who at first had gone to see Yeshua by night, came with some seventy pounds of spices — a mixture of myrrh and aloes. 40 They took Yeshua’s body and wrapped it up in linen sheets with the spices, in keeping with Judean burial practice. 41 In the vicinity of where he had been executed was a garden, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been buried. 42 So, because it was Preparation Day for the Judeans, and because the tomb was close by, that is where they buried Yeshua.




Many people believe this is the site of Yeshua's death, burial and resurrection.
Once again, if it is not, it's certainly a wonderful place to reflect on what took place in this area.








Inside the tomb.



Amen!


20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Miryam (Mary) from Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she came running to Shim‘on Kefa (Simon Peter) and the other talmid (disciple), the one Yeshua loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”
Then Kefa (Peter) and the other talmid started for the tomb. They both ran, but the other talmid outran Kefa and reached the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen burial-sheets lying there but did not go in. Then, following him, Shim‘on Kefa arrived, entered the tomb and saw the burial-sheets lying there, also the cloth that had been around his head, lying not with the sheets but in a separate place and still folded up. Then the other talmid, who had arrived at the tomb first, also went in; he saw, and he trusted. (They had not yet come to understand that the Tanakh (Old Testament) teaches that the Messiah has to rise from the dead.)
10 So the talmidim returned home, 11 but Miryam stood outside crying. As she cried, she bent down, peered into the tomb, 12 and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Yeshua had been, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 “Why are you crying?” they asked her. “They took my Lord,” she said to them, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”



The garden is beautiful and peaceful.

14 As she said this, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but she didn’t know it was he. 15 Yeshua said to her, “Lady, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you’re the one who carried him away, just tell me where you put him; and I’ll go and get him myself.” 16 Yeshua said to her, “Miryam!” Turning, she cried out to him in Hebrew, “Rabbani!” (that is, “Teacher!”) 17 “Stop holding onto me,” Yeshua said to her, “because I haven’t yet gone back to the Father. But go to my brothers, and tell them that I am going back to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Miryam of Magdala went to the talmidim (disciples) with the news that she had seen the Lord and that he had told her this.





Video of our daughter and her dance team worshiping to "How Great Thou Art" 
at the Garden Tomb last year at this time.
We received special permission to have a private time for them before the garden opens to the public.


19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” (Peace be unto you) 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 Shalom aleikhem!” Yeshua repeated. “Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you.” 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! (Holy Spirit) 23 If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.”




Upper Room area.  Again, may not be the actual site, but a place to remember what happened in the area.


21 After this, Yeshua appeared again to the talmidim (disciples) at Lake Tiberias. 



Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) - means harp, for the shape of the lake.
The city of Tiberias is on the west side of the lake.







Town of Migdal is seen, where Miraim was from (Mary "Magdalene" - meaning from Migdal)


Here is how it happened: Shim‘on Kefa (Simon Peter) and T’oma (Thomas)  (his name means “twin”) were together with Natan’el (Nathanael) from Kanah (Cana) in the Galil (Galilee), the sons of Zavdai (Zebedee), and two other talmidimShim‘on Kefa said, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’re coming with you.” They went and got into the boat, but that night they didn’t catch anything. 


Boat on the Kinneret.










However, just as day was breaking, Yeshua stood on shore, but the talmidim didn’t know it was he. He said to them, “You don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered him. He said to them, “Throw in your net to starboard and you will catch some.” So they threw in their net, and there were so many fish in it that they couldn’t haul it aboard. The talmid Yeshua loved said to Kefa (Peter), “It’s the Lord!” On hearing it was the Lord, Shim‘on Kefa threw on his coat, because he was stripped for work, and plunged into the lake; but the other talmidim followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; for they weren’t far from shore, only about a hundred yards. When they stepped ashore, they saw a fire of burning coals with a fish on it, and some bread. 








On the seashore cooking fish and pita bread on a "fire of burning coals", 
like Yeshua...in remembrance of Him.


10 Yeshua said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Shim‘on Kefa went up and dragged the net ashore. It was full of fish, 153 of them; but even with so many, the net wasn’t torn. 12 Yeshua said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the talmidim dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Yeshua came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Yeshua had appeared to the talmidim after being raised from the dead.
15 After breakfast, Yeshua said to Shim‘on Kefa, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan (Simon son of John), do you love me more than these?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I’m your friend.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I’m your friend.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, are you my friend?” Shim‘on was hurt that he questioned him a third time: “Are you my friend?” So he replied, “Lord, you know everything! You know I’m your friend!” Yeshua said to him, “Feed my sheep! 





















24 This one is the talmid who is testifying about these things and who has recorded them.
And we know that his testimony is true.
25 But there are also many other things Yeshua did; and if they were all to be recorded, I don’t think the whole world could contain the books that would have to be written!



"Then Adonai will go out and fight against those nations,  fighting as on a day of battle.

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which lies to the east of Yerushalayim; and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, to make a huge valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south." 

Zechariah 14:3-4



Mt. of Olives



"Then he brought me back by way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east; and it was shut. Adonai said to me, “This gate will remain shut; it will not be opened, and no one will go through it; because Adonai, the God of Isra’el, has gone through it. Therefore, it is to be kept shut. Only the prince, since he is a prince, is to sit there to eat his meal before Adonai; he is to enter through the vestibule of the gate and leave the same way.”"
Ezekiel 44:1-3



Eastern Gate


Sunday, February 8, 2015

Best BBQ ever!!


This past Thursday was a long, busy - but totally rewarding - day.  It started very early in the morning before the sun even considered rising.  We began the day at CFI's Distribution Center in Jerusalem near the Central Bus Station to begin unloading a semi truck filled with over 700 banana boxes of clothing that had arrived on a shipping container from the UK.  

After 4 hours of several people unloading and moving these boxes, our storage room is now full again of like new clothes to bless the new Jewish Olim (those coming back home to Israel from the diaspora).  Along with clothes for their new beginnings, CFI provides pots & pans, towels & sheets, a challah cover & candle holders for Shabbat, a hot water pot or mixer and a blanket.  If it's a lone soldier (a soldier from another country choosing to come to Israel to serve in the army) they receive an additional bag of toiletries and a winter fleece kit.

That same night, we were invited to attend an evening BBQ party at the Paratroopers training base near Be'er Sheva.  The particular unit we would be visiting had just finished their Paratroopers basic training week.  This is a week filled with lots of walking, carrying heavy equipment, not much food, and not much sleep.  It's an endurance training to prepare them to be then sent for specific unit training around Israel.  The day before the BBQ feast they finished their last day - which consisted of 50 kilometers of hiking and finally receiving their berets as their reward.  This scrumptious BBQ dinner was another reward.








Before heading south, we went to Tel Aviv to our supplier to pick up Dri-Fit t-shirts as a gift for these new soldiers, with their unit logo on the back.  Going to the supplier is always an adventure, and a chance to meet commanders.  While on this visit, Jim was honored to meet a command sergeant,   who when hearing what we (CFI) do for the IDF, took off his brigade pin (which he'd had for 14 years) and gave it to Jim - personally pinning it on Jim's jacket.

The general manager of the supplier (below) is a special person, who says Jim is like a brother to her.






 When we arrived, we were greeted with the most AMAZING smell of BBQ.  The really cool thing, is that the men cooking and serving the BBQ to these young men (and a few women) were from the very same unit who served exactly 30 years prior.  It was their honor to prepare this meal for the soldiers, having completed the same training themselves many years ago with the 890 unit.

While waiting for the commander, we spoke with several soldiers.  Each curious as to why we were there and what our amuta (non-profit organization) does in Israel.  It was a great opportunity to spend one-on-one time talking with the guys.






This was the best chicken BBQ we've ever had.  Absolutely perfect - and served with the most delicious hummus and pita.  What else could you ask for??  






Sooooo wish you could smell this.







Once we met up with the commander, he explained what the unit had just endured with their training and a little bit about them.  He then introduced us to one of the lone soldiers in the group who had come to serve from the United States.  This special young man told us his story with great passion.  He was serving in the US Navy, and on an officer career path at the naval Academy, when he realized that he had a drawing to serve in the Israel Defense Forces protecting the Land of his people.  The pull was so strong and so big in his heart, it was written all over him.  He has now been in Israel almost a year, and is so proud to be serving here.  We were happy to find out he lives in an apartment only a few blocks from us shared with 3 other lone soldiers when they are not on duty.  As he and Jim exchanged phone numbers, we planned to get together for Shabbat dinner in the future.  We're also hoping through CFI to help with some needed maintenance of their apartment in Jerusalem.

The brave, new soldiers below were patiently waiting for the ok to eat the food being served.  They didn't touch one morsel until the blessing was said - and some were sitting here for at least 30 minutes.... 







While we waited for the evening to begin, several soldiers came to speak with us when they heard English. :)  Several were lone soldiers who chose to come to Israel to serve from their home countries.  The IDF allows Jews from other nations to volunteer in their army to defend their ancestral homeland.  Those who come serve with great pride.







Before the meal, we watched a montage of pictures and video of the past week's training - strangely enough to music in English....






Also before the meal, Jim was asked to share a few words with the soldiers.  As he does many times, he encouraged them in what they are doing, and told them that we want them to know that what they are doing is the right - and not only right, but righteous - defending the homeland of the Jewish people, and God's Land.  The interpreter, after having spending a while with us and learning what CFI does for the army, told his fellow paratroopers what we do and how we support them.  When the young soldiers found out we had brought them a small gift to reward them for an end of a difficult week, they were so thrilled!  Who would have ever thought a group boys would be so excited to be receiving a t-shirt? But these brave new soldiers were VERY proud of their unit, and loved the t-shirts with their logo on the back.  Wish we'd taken a picture, but the shirts were black with the logo on it in  Israeli blue.



Jim speaking to the soldiers.



During dinner, one of the fathers of a soldier made his way to where we were sitting to thank Jim for what he shared with the boys, saying it meant a lot to him.  You could see the pride he had in his son who was sitting across the table from us.  After eating the best chicken BBQ we've ever had, soldiers came to us to thank us - not only for t-shirts, showing our support for them, but for what Jim had spoke to them - it had gone straight to their hearts, his saying we believed what they are doing is right.  

One young man poured his heart out to Linda for at least half an hour - explaining the burden of knowing what they are doing is right, but that the world doesn't see it this way.  They know they are a moral army and the great lengths they go to to save lives, even to the extent of losing their own - but they want others to know this as well.  To know "people like us" see this, and support them, is very important to them.   He told her of how growing up, the IDF soldiers were his heroes - admiring them when on the bus, overhearing their conversations with their loved ones, and taking note of the different weapons they carried.  He shared with great pride how he knows that now - it's "his time" to serve.

This young man (all these boys were 18-19 yrs old) shared how he is not afraid of the bullets that may come at him during war, what concerns him is the thought of his mother watching the news and waiting with her phone just to know he's ok - which brought tears to Linda's eyes.  Before we left, she asked if she could give him a momma hug, which he readily received.

Jim had an intriguing conversation with another soldier.  Yoseph, a religious young man, approached and shared his thoughts about what Jim had shared. Incidentally, Jim is now regularly being referred to as Kobi - which is a nickname for Yakov, which is Hebrew for Jacob, which a translation of James,...It's fun explaining that! Yoseph and "Kobi" talked about names for a few moments. Anyway, the discussion ultimately centered around the differences between life and death, blessing and cursing, good and bad, etc. And how the Jewish people are called to represent life, blessing and good - all which are commandments of God and represent His Truth.  The choice then is simply - what are we going to do about these instructions, which side will we be on, and how do we represent this in our everyday lives? Yoseph was quite amazed as he doesn't speak to many Gentiles or Christians, so for us to be in agreement about some of his beliefs really encouraged him.  As a believer in the New Testament as well, Jim encouraged him to continue being a light to the nations, and representing God's fundamental truths. Provoking to jealousy (Romans 11:11) is always an exciting opportunity - to be a part of Ephesians 2 seemingly coming to pass in front of our very eyes - is what drives us to remain in Israel and to be a part of those whom CFI likes to call "people chosen for a chosen people."

On Linda's birthday, we travelled to visit a commander of a special forces unit.  There is nowhere else she would have rather been than visiting there.  After spending some time together, we followed him out to a training area for new unit soldiers.  They were living in these tents in the middle of nowhere.








They asked if we wanted some "local" coffee and made us some very strong (yet very good) "soldier" coffee.  The army uses these portable coffee makers in the field and during war.  CFI provided some of these sets to a unit during the recent war with Hamas in Gaza.  Seeing that they were having to use plastic cups and the set was worn, Jim asked the commander if he'd like more kits for his guys.  Being surprised at the offer, the commander, of course, said yes - thank you!  Coffee is actually quite essential to help the soldiers be alert when they cannot get much sleep.












When it was time to leave, Linda asked if she could ride in the truck with the commander back to the base, in which he said of course!  She happily jumped in the back with him and his "right hand man." After not being in the truck for long, he asked her - why do you (CFI) do what you do?  We're Jewish, you are Christians? Why?  Wow!!  What a great opportunity she had found herself in - here was the leader of about 800 elite warriors, wanting to know why we support them.

She explained that we serve the same God they do - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel - and we believe what He says His plans are, for Israel and the Jewish people.  God says He gave this Land to Israel as an inheritance forever - period, and that while God is the "big iron dome" (the defense system that took out all the rockets during the last war), He also uses the Israeli army to protect the land, and that we consider them an extension of King David's army from the Tanakh (Old Testament).  Linda shared many more things with them, and they agreed with everything she said, and were happy to hear we felt this way as well.  It was such a special birthday gift for her to have this important talk with them.

Whether we are unloading a shipment from around the world to bless the new immigrants coming back to their homeland, visiting with the protectors of this land, or doing administrative work at the office of CFI - we are truly, truly blessed to be making a difference in Israel.  Many times it's one person at a time, but the impact you make in one heart spreads as the trust grows.  We thank God for each and every opportunity He presents to us.

We also thank God for the opportunity to visit the US in a few weeks.  We will be attending family reunions in Florida, North Carolina and New York.  A time of rest and reuniting with our daughter and other friends will be highlights of our first trip back in over four years.  Your prayers and support are very much appreciated. We wish we could stay longer to visit.


LORD ~ please help us to...

"be doers of the Word [obey the message], 
and not merely listeners to it, betraying ourselves 
[into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]."
James 1:22 AMP


Sunday, January 4, 2015

Land, Sea and Air


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.








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