Headed South

On our day off from ministry at the church, we headed south for the Dead Sea. We drove at least an hour before we found this "one" little convenience store in the desert. It sells fresh falafel, humus, pita and has public restrooms at no charge. Everywhere we went Randy bought pita and humus. He could live off of it I think.  

Our first view of the Dead Sea was so exciting. At first it was a silver wavy line on the horizon but as we neared it took on the most beautiful colors. I will be posting more on the sea. Here, we pulled over on an area that we knew we wouldn't get run over when we took pictures.

We passed the caves of Kumron where the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for centuries.

We didn't pay to go up to the cave because we were in a hurry to reach Massada and the Dead Sea. You can see there are caves everywhere! This is just one tiny spot but these mountains went on all the way to En Gedi which went on to Massada.

Massada will get its own post. But this is a glimpse of us floating. It is a most amazing place.

Forever Mercy

After Shabbat we loaded up the rental and drove to Zafat. It's in the northern section of Israel; the Galilee area. It is one of the coolest areas because of its altitude. They even get snow.

By the time we reached our destination it was dark. Merlon kept saying to look for the radio towers and turn at the green garbage can. It was God who took us there because we were in an area where there were towers everywhere and every driveway had a green garbage can. This road has no name, you can barely find it and that's the whole reason it is perfect for 

Forever Mercy. We (the Texas group) call it the retreat center.

Twenty years ago the owner began building and adding on. This is a home with three levels, 3 homes in one. Each section has its own entrance and private patio. In this culture the father builds a house and his son gets the next level and the next son the next level and they just keep on adding. As the sons grew older they moved away and this house was put on the market as a rental. We understand the design and preparation of this house long before this day of need. And to think...the owner just thought he was building a house. There are 17 rooms, many bedrooms have several twin sized beds already. It was no problem for 19 of us to sleep there. you can read more about this ministry at www.forevermercy.org

It is a house hidden on a hill, beautifully fashioned, prepared flower beds and fruit trees. A wonderful envioronment for women rescued from the strongholds of prostitution to heal and be taught of a loving Father; to find salvation.

The morning we left I thought I would take a stroll down the hill. I made it walking along the road as far as this picture shows on the left, then I turned around. I thought I was gonna die going back uphill...and then there were the steps up to the house!

Beautiful plants everywhere and winding pathways

While we were at the retreat center the S.E.N.D. ministry team cooked dinner for us. We dined on orange chicken and rice. Oh! We had Coke.... the coke in Israel is really really good and I was missing carbonated beverages. We got to know the team and during our stay in Israel we worked alongside these great young people several times.

As we leave our wonderful hosts and the lovely house we are blessed with breakfast on the main patio and cool weather to make any Texan envious.

Passings

Today as I drove home I witnessed a passing of time for our small town. I wondered if this time would come...hoping it wouldn't really.

As I sat at the light a funeral procession drove by. As is custom in our town, all lanes stop and remain stopped for the entire procession. Today, as soon as the officer drove on to catch up with the hurse, the traffic resumed their going on down the road. Although the family had gone by there were another twenty or so cars in line. 

How sad that in our small town we are in such a hurry as to not wait another moment for the passing of a life unknown.

So many times I have been in the family line-up. Looking at the cars stopped alongside the road, men standing outside with their caps removed, children and adults stop their activities in the yards for the passing of our cars, I am thankful for America and a small town where most are taught what I call funeral etiquette. I am thankful for all those who have stopped their lives for a moment to pay their respect to another's grief.

The Other Jerusalem

Our first day in Israel we drove over to Jerusalem. We went from the seaside city of Tel Aviv to the ever-uphill Old City.  The scenery changed drastically as we left our home away from home. The landscape turned green with  many varieites of evergreen and at the same time the ground was covered in rock. It's like pines growing in the rocky desert. Here are a few photos you won't find on a tour to Jerusalem. It's the working side, the everyday side and notice how the roads all point up.

The Shuk

Shuk Shopping

Most of the shopping is done at the shuk in Tel Aviv;

you walk everywhere and just pull your cart.

You can find almost anything.

The chickens come with their feet but most of their feathers are gone.

We are on our way to buy supplies for Thursday's meal.

We bought & peeled a lot of potatoes and carrots for the soup kitchen and Shabbat.

We didn't buy the meat below but I couldn't resist posting the picture.

No one seems to get sick from these open air markets...so different than our sterile, antibacterial world.

Debbi and I loved looking at all the spices. We weren't sure what they were. 

These are just beautiful.

The smell of spices can overwhelm you as can the thoughts of how we could experiment with these unknowns.

The Kitchen

The soup kitchen and Shabbat lunches all start here. The kitchen is small in comparison to what it produces. Organization is key. 

This is the store room for the church. It houses all the items needed for the ministries that go on all week. The totes hold the clothing that is distributed on Tuesdays. The clothing is put out so that it ressembles a store to help restore a little dignity to those who have nothing. Plastic bags are a hot item as the homeless keep their possessions in the bag and carry it until it falls apart or is taken.  Everything is re-organized when the clothing distribution is over. I was amazed at how quickly the boxes emptied and you were left wondering and praying how you would help sipply those needs next Tues.

Home Again

I thought I could post while in Israel....I was so wrong! We've been home two days from our two week stay. I'm trying to adjust to the time change but this morning I awoke at 2:30 a.m. Not very successful am I?

I can't find my usb cord so lots of pics are locked up in my camera. I did manage to take over 500 on Randy's camera and load them. Some of them are on facebook. The stories may take time to come out...there's a lot to process. I wish I had taken a bizillion more pictures like the time I melted down at Sambooki's in Jerusalem. 

Israel

We've been in Israel since Sunday. Great flights but we were worn out from flying and all our lay-0vers...no sleep time.We hit the pavement hard on Monday by going to Jerusalem. We entered the Old City through the Jaffa Gate. Our first glimpse of the Western Wall and the Mount of Olives was breathtaking...It's really like the pictures. We were able to go up on the Temple Mount. It was everyone's first time...even those who live here that went with us. We also visited the Garden Tomb but there were so many people it didn't seem right. Not the feeling I thought I would have had. We walked on top of the wall around the city, sat and watched as twilight fell on the city and saw an orthodox rabbi relieve himself on the outside of the old city walls. Isn't there something wrong with that picture? But there also aren't public restrooms to be found.

Tues. found us working the clothing distribution. We sorted clothes and helped those in need. One man was down to his last t-shirt so the size small things we brought we a God send. He was so blessed by the clothes we brought from Texas. This was followed by a ladies Bible study in the afternoon. It's interesting being in a study group with interpreters....it takes a while.

Wed. we shopped in the shuk for the Thurs. soup kitchen. I must retire...we have along day of peeling vegetables, cooking and waiting tables tomorrow. We pray  we don't get lice or scabies as we serve and show the love of Jesus and hopefully they won't kiss us on the mouth!

I'll pst pictures as soon as I have time to sit for a few minutes. My camera is full of amazing pictures and I forgot the cord to download them...love you all