Coming Home...

    For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. (Isaiah 14:1)


     So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)


     I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1)


One of the greatest privileges Linda and I share while serving in Israel, is the knowledge that what we experience here, is truly God's promises being fulfilled right before our very eyes. We are granted the opportunity to help people who desire to return to the land of their forefathers.

The misrepresentation of history along with the political climate has made the issue of aliyah a much discussed and debated topic.  We won't focus on that - but rather believe that the promises described in the scriptures ultimately translate into real life people coming to a real life place.  We believe that is happening today, and we want to be a part.  


Aliyah (translated "ascent") is simply the immigration of Jews to the Land of Israel.  In other words...coming home!


A great adventure for me is to drive in Israel as I am called upon to drive for various reasons such as helping assess a situation or for safety purposes.  The cities in Israel are not unlike many large cities as far as driving is concerned, other that the fact that the street signs are really designed for pedestrians.  In the "country", driving is much like the interstate systems in the states - except we can travel 110 here (kph that is).  The signage can still be a little unforgiving, so it's always a good idea to have a navigator until you get very familiar with the system.  

Intersection in Jerusalem. Can you find the street sign?  It's there...I think...

Highway driving!

I've been blessed quite a bit to drive our Project Teams to various places in order to meet with and serve the people of Israel who are in need of assistance during the aliyah process.  Their practical needs being met with His Love and encouragement, and along with the fact that we're experiencing God's promises by helping someone fulfill their heart's desire to return home, is amazing.  Many olim (newcomer making aliyah) are from extremely different backgrounds and cultures and need assistance assimilating into society.  Ethiopians for example come from a very simple lifestyle and modern conveniences and methods must be learned.  I've visited with many hard working, sincere, humble Ethiopian olim.  Recent trips to Haifa, Netanya and Lod have been a highlight for me.


On a recent particular trip, I was called upon to do a little plumbing repair - a VERY minor adjustment in the toilet tank, but got a great big hug out of the deal.  But a call to the plumber would have been very expensive, so I was glad to help.  Our next visit that day was with a woman who, although very ill, was so full of joy and her stories were never ending.  We were glad to hear them (yes, we had a translator with us).  She was speaking of her family with such pride.  She was sharing that the opportunities in Israel were so much better for her children than in Ethiopia (not that there aren't many challenges in Israel for olim).  She couldn't stop praising God for her being home.  She passed away a few days ago, but her family spoke of our recent visit and said how much they appreciated it.  Divine appointments...


We have also visited with small groups of Americans who have settled in the coastal city of Ashkelon.  I met a couple that was simply looking for advise on how to navigate the bureaucracy of the aliyah process. I enjoyed a great conversation with this friend from Kansas City who misses his Harley Davidson.  He and his wife, who is a pharmacist, are looking forward to starting their new life in Israel serving God and personally being real life participants in God's real life promise. 

Meeting our friends in Askelon

The extremes are evident, but the desire to come home is the same for all who are called...and this calling is irrevocable!  


Finally, I'll share about a gentleman from Argentina who settled in Israel just a few years ago.  He and his wife were professionals in the medical community and raising four children, but again the calling home became a reality for them.  The visit surrounded the need for short term assistance due to recent surgery that has caused the husband to be without work temporarily.  Food vouchers and help with school expenses will probably be a short term practical solution for this family, but the experience of sitting in the home of a Jewish oleh and his family from Argentina, along with a spanish translator from Peru, a Project Coordinator from Canada, and a "driver" from the States talking about the promises of God - is truly loving God with all of our heart...and our neighbor as ourself...I think this is what He had is mind for His people. 

Aliyah -  (Hebrew) 1. "Going Up;" refers to immigration to Israel or the holy land, a term in use since the dispersion or before, and referred to in the book of Ezra. 

Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day

Jerusalem - Yerushalayim

- mentioned in the Bible over 800 times

- one of the most contentious cities in the world

- place of convergence of 3 major world religions 

- the capital of historical, Biblical and modern Israel  

June 1st we celebrated Jerusalem Day - commemorating 44 years of Jerusalem being the united capital of Israel.   44 years since the six day war in 1967 when the newer part of Jerusalem was reunited with the Old City of Jerusalem, and Israelis were once again able to inhabit the inside of her walls, and worship at the Kotel (Western Wall).

To learn more about the six day war, please click here:   

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/67_War.html

Prophetically, Jerusalem shall be established!

I have posted watchman on your walls, Yerushalayim; they will never fall silent, neither by day nor by night.  You who call on Adonai, give yourselves no rest; and give him no rest till he restores Yerushalayim and makes it a praise on earth.  Isaiah 62:6-7 (CJB)

For Adonai has chosen Tziyon, he has wanted it as his home.  "This is my resting-place forever, I will live here because I so much want to.  I will bless it with plenty of meat, I will give its poor their fill of food.  Its cohanim I will clothe with salvation, and its faithful will shout for joy.  I will make a king sprout there from David's line and prepare a lamp for my anointed one.  His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him there will be a shining crown."  Psalm 132: 13- 18 (CJB) 

We hope that someday, if you haven't already, you'll come and experience Jerusalem for yourself - the Bible does truly "come alive" - past, present, and future.  The best way for us to share with each of you is with pictures.  Remember to click on each picture if you'd like to view it larger (then click the back button to return to the blog).

To celebrate this day, the city hosted a Flag parade in which people marched their way through the streets that ultimately ended at the Kotel - where about 40,000 people joined together to rejoice together in song and dance.

We started our evening by walking up Jaffa Road towards the Old City with the hopes of "catching" up with the parade marchers.  (In Jerusalem, to go to the Old City or to the Temple area, you always have to go UP).  The parade organizers - Am K’Lavia (Nation Like a Lion) - had hoped for the route to travel on Jaffa Road as it had done in the past, but due to the new light rail train (which is not yet running, but conducting daily tests), this route was denied.  So, although the parade route had changed, this didn't stop people from walking down the middle of the road on the way to the Kotel...

Jaffa Road

One major intersection became a favorite spot for rejoicing - with music and dancing and shofar blowing.  Somehow the traffic slowly continued to cross the road, but even a police car we noticed didn't attempt to make anyone get out of the road, (or blow their horn)...rejoicing takes precedence in Jerusalem...

In the intersection on Jaffa Road

The parade route officially had participants enter the Old City through the Damascus Gate on the North and the Dung Gate on the South.  Since the parade had already passed by, we chose to enter through Jaffa Gate on the West and walk through the Armenian and Jewish Quarters to arrive at the Kotel.  Plenty of others had the same idea as us :)

On the way to Jaffa Gate of the Old City

Walking through the narrow streets leading through the Jewish Quarter  we came upon this group of children selling RC Cola to passers by.  There were also many vendors selling popcorn and cotton candy as the festivities were many through the city.  We enjoyed several bands and street musicians on our way through the Old City, but this is fairly common during non-holidays as well.

"Lemon-aid" stand in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City 

So - our goal was to reach the Kotel Plaza, since this is where the parade was to end.  When we reached the stairs and looked over to where we could finally see the plaza (near the Golden Menorah) Jim said, "You want to go down there?" And of course Linda said, "Yes, right in the middle of it!"

Our first glimpse at the Kotel plaza on Jerusalem Day

We made our way down the stairs, through security and squeezed through the crowd.  For those who are unaware, when going to pray at the Kotel, men are on one side, and women are on the other.  To try and serve such a large crowd, they added additional barriers in the plaza, and young men and women (on their perspective sides) with yellow vests for crowd control,  attempted to maintain the segregation of male and female dancing.  We, however, wanted to stay together, so we went right smack in the middle (just like Linda wanted to do) where the men and women's sides met.  

Solidarity

There was a live band playing with singing over loudspeakers, and people dancing and singing and waving their flags all around us.  At one point, both the men's side and the women's side each had a large circle. As you see in the picture, on the women's side, an older women entered the center and began to dance with an Israeli flag, then the younger girls joined in and surrounded her.  It was beautiful!

Teaching the younger generations

And rejoicing with them!

Band in back center

This video we shot with our camera isn't the greatest, but it will give a small 30 second glimpse of what we experienced.

After a while, it seemed the party would never end, because as we mentioned before, Israelis are late night people!  We decided to make our way back up the stairs to find another view from an overlook.  We should have tried to take a picture of hundreds of people (including us...) trying to exit the security area where there is one single turnstile exit - quite an adventure :)  We did, however, take this picture after squeezing through this crowd on the stairs.  

Trying to make our way back up the stairs...

We wound our way around the many narrow "streets" to this very common overlook.  After waiting our turn, we were able to take this picture of the crowd we had just come out of.  Yes, it looked like they were still going to be there a while... :)

Just before exiting Jaffa Gate we saw this police vehicle, waving it's flag in celebration, too.

Really cool looking police vehicle

We have been so honored and blessed here in Jerusalem - to live and serve her people.  If you'd like to know how you can help us, so that we can continue serving and meeting the needs of the people in Israel, please contact us.

Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim; may those who love you prosper.  May shalom be within your ramparts, prosperity in your palaces.  Psalm 122:6-7 (CJB) 

         The LORD bless you out of Zion,

      And may you see the good of Jerusalem 

         All the days of your life.

Psalm 128:5

Remember, Remember, Remember...

Remember.....

It has been over 60 years since the Holocaust. To survivors the Holocaust remains real and ever-present, but for some others, sixty years makes the Holocaust seem part of ancient history. Year-round Israel tries to teach and inform others about the horrors of the Holocaust. They confront the questions of what happened? How did it happen? How could it happen? Could it happen again? They attempt to fight against ignorance with education and against disbelief with proof.

But there is one day in the year when Israel makes a special effort to remember. Upon this one day, they remember those that suffered, those that fought, and those that died. Six million Jews were murdered. Many families were completely decimated.

Jim was honored this past Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 2nd, (Yom Hashoah) to have been invited to attend a memorial service at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.  The purpose of the service was to honor the survivors and stand together with them and Israel to proclaim "never again".  Organizations and friends from around the world attended to individually lay a wreath and to express compassion.  Christians and Jews came together as an act of seeking and granting forgiveness. 

Starting with Government Officials, each individual or organization was announced as we took our turn laying our wreaths...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

  

President Shimon Perez

Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat

I was touched by the contingent of Native (or as they referred themselves as) Indigenous Canadians who traveled to Israel to express their solidarity with the Jewish people.  As they interviewed with reporters after the event, one gentleman spoke that "no group of people should be targeted for extinction just because they believe in and love God".  How right he is...but maybe that's precisely why they were targeted - and why they still are. Never Again!

Elsewhere around the Nation, at 10 am, there was a two minute siren in which everyone went outside and stood in remembrance.

Remember.....

One week later, May 9, was Israel Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron),  to remember Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.  At 8 pm the night before (because according to the Jewish calendar and the Bible, a new day begins at sunset) there was a one minute siren across the country.

The next day, at 11 am, there was another siren for 2 minutes, where once again, around the Nation, life came to a standstill in remembrance and honor of those who had lost their lives.  As you'll see in this video (not filmed by us) at the shuk (market) - and not at an official ceremony - the solidarity of a people.  Then, notice how when the siren ends, life goes back to normal - this also represents life in Israel.

One of the "hot topics" in Israel is the kidnapping and prisoner of war - Gilad Shalit.  The people of Israel mourn with his family as this young IDF soldier is still held captive in Gaza by Hamas since June 2006 - when he was only 19 years old. When you travel around Israel, you'll see yellow ribbons everywhere in expression for the safe return of Gilad.

"Graffiti" about Gilad near Independence Park

Remember.....

Back-to-back with Israel Memorial Day is Israel Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut).  In Israel, this was celebrated on May 10th, not May 14th as some may think.  This is because Israeli holidays follow the Jewish calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.  

There is, although, discussions to separate Memorial Day and Independence Day by one day. This would be out of respect for those who have lost loved ones who find it difficult to transition so quickly to a day of rejoicing.

Also in discussion is how to celebrate Independence Day as a Biblical Holiday.  Israel becoming a Nation is like no other Independence Day in any other country - it is prophesy fulfilled:

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.  Isaiah 66:7-9

One thing we realized on the eve of Independence Day, May 9, is that Israelis are late night people!!  Festivities started about 9 pm with dancing and stages set up around Jerusalem (and the country). Fireworks around the city were scheduled at 9:45, 10:45, and midnight!! 

After a full day at the office, we decided to go home and try to take a nap since we knew we'd be out late... 

We left about 9 pm and took a bus to Ben Yehuda Street - the walking mall. There was a stage set up at the top with musicians and dancing in the streets.

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We then made our way down Ben Yehuda, with more people than we had ever seen there before. We stopped to eat cotton candy and watch some young men break dancing!!

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At the bottom of Ben Yehuda, at Zion Square, there was a large stage set up, and thousands of people!  After making our way through the tight crowd - and many youngsters with large cans of shaving cream....we "swam" up Jaffa Street towards the Old City.

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About half way to our destination, Safra Square (at the municipality complex) we came upon a 3-D light show playing on one of the buildings - sponsored by the local bank.  It was quite amazing how they made it look 3-D.  Here's a video of part of what we saw - you may only want to watch a portion, it's 7 minutes, and again, we didn't film it :)

When we arrived at Safra Square, it was close to 11 pm, which is when the Israeli folk dancing was set to begin - and was to continue until 3:30 am! There were thousands of people in the square, dancing, singing and rejoicing.  Now this was what we were looking for!  Something more traditional.  Everywhere you looked there were groups in circle dances.  At one point there was a man on stage calling out directions for dance steps - he reminded us of our friend Curtis - how we wish he and his group were there to join in with the thousands of Israelis in these traditional Israeli folk dances!!!

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At about 11:15 pm the fireworks went off (yes, they were late) while the masses were joyfully dancing to the "chicken dance" of all dances!!!! No, this is not an Israeli folk dance :)

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We stayed until after midnight before heading back down Jaffa Street towards home....which we arrived at about 2 am....when in Israel.... :)

The next day, a holiday and day off of work, our organization hosted a picnic at Independence Park.  It was a beautiful day with blue skies.  Through out the day the military were conducting "fly-overs".  Our own personal Air Show!

We feel so blessed to be able to remember with the am haeretz (people of the Land).  

To give them beauty for ashes, 

      The oil of joy for mourning, 

      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

Isaiah 61:3

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!