Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Whew! Been a busy day. I made my first purchase in shekels...walked to the hardware for light bulbs...the clerk shorted me 5 shekels. lol I called her on it & she made it right. She could speak English and knew I didn't speak Hebrew. :) I carry a "cheat sheet" of phrases, money differences & a calculator with me. She seemed embarrassed that she had done that. :) Had my first bomb shelter drill...then lunch with an IDF soldier & her mom. Shopped at the "shuk" early morning for the meal. They love to talk Christianity, but have not made a commitment to Jesus... yet, but I'm invited to dinner on Fri. Then I was sent to visit my first survivor... alone. :) Her grand daughter was outside the home when I arrived & invited me in. The family offered me a drink...then coffee...we watched a marine bio movie, but mostly talked...they invited me back. The grand daughter translated for me...and I helped her with some English translations. These ppl know I'm a believer, but are very open to me so far. Funny thing, though...the highschool and college age girls were drawn to me...and that has really always been my " age group" when it comes to evangelizing...The IDF soldier was in the flight program until injured...so talked to me about her huge disappointment of not being able to be a pilot now. Both young women seemed very mature compared to back home girls of that age.I told the survivor family my son was coming in July and they suddenly began talking fast and furious in Hebrew...I finally realize they were trying to understand "July" and was able to stop them and explain "next month." lol We all laughed but I could see they were happy I figured out what they were wanting to know. Better go...another bomb shelter drill at 7pm...and I have the shelter key. :) It was funny at lunch...we compared bomb shelters at one point. They have a nice one with all kinds of amenities...hair stylists were even sent to them during the 2006 war..fresh food and celebrities visited...:) It is different here...but I want to see souls saved... appreciate your prayers.
Monday, June 20, 2011
FB Notes for you who are not on FB :) Hopefully, I'll have some photos soon.
Here are some FB status remarks I made yesterday....too tired to write anything new today...been a busy one. :)
Driving around Israel today ...saw two accidents...one car completely flipped onto it's top. Crazy driving...
Just received my first telemarketing call in Hebrew...lol I answer the phone for the ministry house. :)
There is an Egyptian mongoose living under the house next door...with babies. lol Been a busy day...saw two guests off and had to clean their rooms...went shopping for the house....signed and folded cards for survivors in prep for a visit to those in Arad in southern Israel soon...addressed envelopes for them ,etc. Tomorrow packing the gift bags for the survivors...basic training is over. Now for the real world. :)
If you have ever heard of Lars Bastrop Jorgensen...famous soccer player from my era...he will be helping here soon and will be Eric's roommate. I had never heard of him before...but it might mean something to some of you who love soccer to know this man is serving
God...
I was folding cards,etc for the survivors & heard what sounded like gun shots. I just kind of smiled and thought "no..." lol Has to be fire works"....and it was. I didn't even jump...just thought "no way!" lol Guess they love fireworks here..use them bdays, weddings , any chance they get. :) fun ppl You can tell men rule here....
Susan informed me that there will be two city wide bomb shelter drills on Wednesday...guess I'm in charge of unlocking the shelter...I have to make sure I lock up the house ,too. lol Like you'd think of that when bombs start falling....:)
There are bedoins living in tin huts near here...didn't see any camels, though... just horses with them. Oh, a McDonalds is around the corner...a land of extremes in many ways...Had to pick up paper for the office from Office depot...almost felt like home. :)
Passed the Bedoins on the way to Office Depot.
So many lost souls here....so many everywhere...
Well, once the real work gets started...it'll be a lot of sad stuff more than likely and requests for prayer. Many of the ppl I will be seeing do not know the Torah or any scripture really. They were in the holocaust, then lived in Russia which is atheistic...so what we will be doing is encouraging them to read the Torah and Psalms ...they will find Jesus there...One survivor burst into tears after hearing the Aaronic blessing from Numbers..said she'd never heard it before and thought it was beautiful and where could she see it again...one thought God does not speak to ppl...she was writing really angry letters about her husband's death...one volunteer helped her to see she was writing very angry things about God...and she began softening after realizing God "reads " her letters....One survivor opened up after receiving a small stuffed teddy bear...it reminded her of her husband because he gave her one just like it when he proposed...who would've thought that a teddy bear would help win a heart of an elderly woman? It's really a matter for prayer what is given to each person because one little thing can bring back a flood of negative memories,too...it's very sensitive.
Oh, and the Druze ppl have a market here...where you can buy "thirds." lol You've heard of buying "seconds"...well this group of ppl sell "thirds." I'll have to check it out...lol
Kind of funny...they usually look at me and just wave me on...guess I don't look like a terrorist. :) One guard squeezed my purse a little..:)
That and I'm sure I always have this silly grin on my face...:)
Oh...and when I go into the grocery or any store, my purse is checked for a bomb...into a parking lot and the car is checked for bombs...a little different from home...:)
Well it's after 2am...better get some sleep...last night the last time I looked at the clock it was 3:48 am. Have almost everything finished, though. :) God is good.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Flight to Israel/ First day
Flight-
Both flights were delayed due to uncooperative weather around Atlanta. As I waited at gate E17, It seemed I stuck out like a sore thumb. :) Blonde and fair skinned mixed in with all of these dark haired, olive skinned Israeli's and Arabs headed for Israel. An older lady sat alone and quiet near me and seemed kind of shy, so I didn't speak to her. Another announcement was made confirming a continued delay so I decided to search out a cup of coffee. As I walked through the terminal, I noticed this "shy" lady was walking behind me so I started a conversation. She immediately warmed up to me so we walked and talked for awhile. Once back to the gate, others of varying ages just began talking to me including one very lovely young girl about 14 who shared how excited she was to be moving to Israel. These people seemed so sweet, warm and were very helpful to me. After finally boarding the plane, a young mother came to me and asked if I would give up my window seat. The airline had seated her two very young children with me and her elsewhere, Unbelievable! I couldn't help but think of another time in history when Jewish mother's had their children ripped from their arms. I gave up my seat. :) I ended up in between an elderly Jewish woman and a young Jewish father. We had great conversation and the woman stayed with me once we deplaned to make sure I found my way. It was a wonderful flight. The plane was filled to capacity with what seemed to be one big family. Lots of children...lots of talking...lots of laughter. We were crowded and uncomfortable, but there was no complaining...not even when one baby cried most of the trip. Again, I couldn't help but think back to another time in history and the cattle cars filled with similar faces but not so happy. Faces filled with fear and terror and sadness. The kind of stories I will be hearing from survivors while here in Israel. I was blessed to see these people so happy and free. My heart began to melt with a warmth for those on that plane and I just wanted them all to know my Jesus. Once we landed, applause and cheers went up for the pilot. I guess Israeli's are the only ones who do this...it was great fun to be with such exuberant people. Next was the train ride (nearly 2 hours) to Akko with Susan and an IDF soldier with a really BIG gun. Two soldiers ..the male with the BIG gun and one female soldier helped me with my bags once we reached Akko. Next we took a taxi to the house.
First Day-
Today I was supposed to rest and recover from jet lag....well...I did sleep in and took a short nap but still managed to get in quite a bit including reading two manuals of instructions. :)
First though, I was amazed to be placed in the "manager's quarters." :) I did come to train to manage the house, but I fully expected shared rooms and bath with little to no privacy. Instead, I have my own room and private bath and small office area. :) I may have to share later, but for now, it's all mine.Susan said the work I'll be doing is emotionally draining and I will need some space and privacy at the end of the day. The beach is a 20 minute walk, so I can always go there to pray like I do at home. Eric is slated to room with a famous soccer player who volunteers here...more about that on another day. :)
I began training to manage the house this morning which included a walk to the grocery store for supplies. Everything is in Hebrew, so Susan had a "picture book" of the products to be purchased. Pretty smart. :)
I learned how to calculate shekels to dollars, but found in the end, it's real easy just to use my Visa! No change to count! lol
Before you enter the market place, your purse is searched for bombs...that was new to me. I now know that "boker tov" means good morning and "comazay olay" means how much? All along the way I was being taught the customs, etc. Next I was left alone in the house to wait for two guests coming from Jerusalem. One is a 63 year old lady originally from Lithuanian. Her parents escaped persecution fleeing to the US and now have immigrated to Israel. She has come to faith in Jesus. Her prayer is for outreach to middle aged and elderly women here..she says there is none. Next came more training and then I was treated to my first sunset over the Mediterranean Sea while eating my first Israeli pizza! lol I do like pizza and it was good. On the way back to the house I had a short tour of 5000 year old city walls and 1500 year old homes in the mostly Arab district. Next time I will remember my camera. Lots of National Geographic type shots to be taken. :)
The house is across the street from a "tel." Twenty-one cities were built one on top of the other to form the "tel." When a conquering army came in, the city conquered would be leveled and another built. I plan to hike to the top when I get some free time. Akko is one of the oldest seaports in the world. Napoleon attacked here and was defeated. There is a statue of him at the top of the tel holding an Israeli flag.:) I could see Haifa from the shore of the Med Sea.
On our trek to see the sunset, Susan became aware I like exercise so she gave me a rather unusual assignment. The translator for the work is an 87 year old man who likes to play badminton. He is a Jewish immigrant from China. Anyway, she wants me to play badminton twice a week with him.. lol She says I cannot get upset when he beats me. lol Abraham has not come to faith in Jesus...yet....so appreciate prayer for him....wisdom for me.
More training this evening to the sounds of the orthodox Jewish rabbi and his 7 children next door chanting and singing and laughing for hours...it is shabbat now. Two doors down another family had lots of company for shabbat, balloons and children's songs playing while eating outside. Two holocaust survivors live down the street. Tomorrow I will be visiting a Russian congregation. Should be interesting. So much for the jet lag rest day. lol I feel great, though. Sleepy earlier in the day....but wanted to jump right in. The time here will be over before I know it.
Funny thing in the laundry room ...on the wall it is written-
"Boldagok akik megmossak ruhajakat." A Jeleme'seh Konque 22:14 Translation is " Blessed are those who wash their robes. " Ha!
Good night and God bless. :)
Both flights were delayed due to uncooperative weather around Atlanta. As I waited at gate E17, It seemed I stuck out like a sore thumb. :) Blonde and fair skinned mixed in with all of these dark haired, olive skinned Israeli's and Arabs headed for Israel. An older lady sat alone and quiet near me and seemed kind of shy, so I didn't speak to her. Another announcement was made confirming a continued delay so I decided to search out a cup of coffee. As I walked through the terminal, I noticed this "shy" lady was walking behind me so I started a conversation. She immediately warmed up to me so we walked and talked for awhile. Once back to the gate, others of varying ages just began talking to me including one very lovely young girl about 14 who shared how excited she was to be moving to Israel. These people seemed so sweet, warm and were very helpful to me. After finally boarding the plane, a young mother came to me and asked if I would give up my window seat. The airline had seated her two very young children with me and her elsewhere, Unbelievable! I couldn't help but think of another time in history when Jewish mother's had their children ripped from their arms. I gave up my seat. :) I ended up in between an elderly Jewish woman and a young Jewish father. We had great conversation and the woman stayed with me once we deplaned to make sure I found my way. It was a wonderful flight. The plane was filled to capacity with what seemed to be one big family. Lots of children...lots of talking...lots of laughter. We were crowded and uncomfortable, but there was no complaining...not even when one baby cried most of the trip. Again, I couldn't help but think back to another time in history and the cattle cars filled with similar faces but not so happy. Faces filled with fear and terror and sadness. The kind of stories I will be hearing from survivors while here in Israel. I was blessed to see these people so happy and free. My heart began to melt with a warmth for those on that plane and I just wanted them all to know my Jesus. Once we landed, applause and cheers went up for the pilot. I guess Israeli's are the only ones who do this...it was great fun to be with such exuberant people. Next was the train ride (nearly 2 hours) to Akko with Susan and an IDF soldier with a really BIG gun. Two soldiers ..the male with the BIG gun and one female soldier helped me with my bags once we reached Akko. Next we took a taxi to the house.
First Day-
Today I was supposed to rest and recover from jet lag....well...I did sleep in and took a short nap but still managed to get in quite a bit including reading two manuals of instructions. :)
First though, I was amazed to be placed in the "manager's quarters." :) I did come to train to manage the house, but I fully expected shared rooms and bath with little to no privacy. Instead, I have my own room and private bath and small office area. :) I may have to share later, but for now, it's all mine.Susan said the work I'll be doing is emotionally draining and I will need some space and privacy at the end of the day. The beach is a 20 minute walk, so I can always go there to pray like I do at home. Eric is slated to room with a famous soccer player who volunteers here...more about that on another day. :)
I began training to manage the house this morning which included a walk to the grocery store for supplies. Everything is in Hebrew, so Susan had a "picture book" of the products to be purchased. Pretty smart. :)
I learned how to calculate shekels to dollars, but found in the end, it's real easy just to use my Visa! No change to count! lol
Before you enter the market place, your purse is searched for bombs...that was new to me. I now know that "boker tov" means good morning and "comazay olay" means how much? All along the way I was being taught the customs, etc. Next I was left alone in the house to wait for two guests coming from Jerusalem. One is a 63 year old lady originally from Lithuanian. Her parents escaped persecution fleeing to the US and now have immigrated to Israel. She has come to faith in Jesus. Her prayer is for outreach to middle aged and elderly women here..she says there is none. Next came more training and then I was treated to my first sunset over the Mediterranean Sea while eating my first Israeli pizza! lol I do like pizza and it was good. On the way back to the house I had a short tour of 5000 year old city walls and 1500 year old homes in the mostly Arab district. Next time I will remember my camera. Lots of National Geographic type shots to be taken. :)
The house is across the street from a "tel." Twenty-one cities were built one on top of the other to form the "tel." When a conquering army came in, the city conquered would be leveled and another built. I plan to hike to the top when I get some free time. Akko is one of the oldest seaports in the world. Napoleon attacked here and was defeated. There is a statue of him at the top of the tel holding an Israeli flag.:) I could see Haifa from the shore of the Med Sea.
On our trek to see the sunset, Susan became aware I like exercise so she gave me a rather unusual assignment. The translator for the work is an 87 year old man who likes to play badminton. He is a Jewish immigrant from China. Anyway, she wants me to play badminton twice a week with him.. lol She says I cannot get upset when he beats me. lol Abraham has not come to faith in Jesus...yet....so appreciate prayer for him....wisdom for me.
More training this evening to the sounds of the orthodox Jewish rabbi and his 7 children next door chanting and singing and laughing for hours...it is shabbat now. Two doors down another family had lots of company for shabbat, balloons and children's songs playing while eating outside. Two holocaust survivors live down the street. Tomorrow I will be visiting a Russian congregation. Should be interesting. So much for the jet lag rest day. lol I feel great, though. Sleepy earlier in the day....but wanted to jump right in. The time here will be over before I know it.
Funny thing in the laundry room ...on the wall it is written-
"Boldagok akik megmossak ruhajakat." A Jeleme'seh Konque 22:14 Translation is " Blessed are those who wash their robes. " Ha!
Good night and God bless. :)
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