I arrived Tuesday morning and was picked up by Nurit Amir, my dear friend Gali Kinel's mom who lives in a Kibbutz about 30 minutes north of the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, in Kfar Sava. "Kibbutz" is the Hebrew word for a communal establishment. The first kibbutzim (plural of “kibbutz”) were founded some 40 years before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Their founders were young Jewish pioneers, mainly from Eastern Europe, who came not only to reclaim the soil of their ancient homeland, but also to forge a new way of life. Overcoming many hardships, they succeeded in developing thriving communities which have played a dominant role in the establishment and building of the state. Below is a picture of one of the childcare providers at the kibbutz. Next is a picture of one of at least three bomb shelters I saw walking through the kibbutz. The last two are of a new friend, Kelly, who is Jewish but from India. Kelly and I had lots to talk about, as he loves Israel and the history of the Jewish people as I do. Last is a picture of Nurit, my host.
I've attached a map of Israel so you can get a better idea of how very small the nation is, and where some of the places are that I'll be visiting. Note that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are Palestinian territories. If you would like to learn more about the middle east crisis, watch this five minute video (click HERE). I'd also encourage you to watch this beautiful video on Israel, and why what is happening in our day is so profound from a Biblical worldview (click HERE).
We were supposed to head to Jerusalem on Thursday, but evidently I brought the rain and snow from California with me to Israel -- It has been snowing in Jerusalem for two days (NOT usual this time of year) and in fact in Re'ut where I am staying tonight with Irit and Lewis Pasco and their three sweet daughters, Leah, Mika and Priel. The roads to Jerusalem have been closed; no one can get in to the city. Instead, I will go to Jerusalem on Monday when the sun is supposed to be shining bright. :)
Below is a picture of the Judean hills surrounding Jerusalem. If you look closely the far hills are covered in snow. The second picture is the valley where Joshua defeated the five Amorite kings after entering the Promised Land (Joshua 10). Wow.
The last picture is of Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner with the Pasco family. Friday night at Sundown, everything closes -- supermarkets, malls, businesses. Observant Jewish families spend the afternoon preparing dinner, so right when the sun goes down no more work needs to be done (until Saturday at Sundown).
Tomorrow I am heading north to Galilee to attend church at Peniel Congregation in Tiberias and work alongside a friend, Sean Cole, with Operation Mobilization. For now, Toda! (Thank you) and Baruch HaShem! (Praise the Name - God) and Laila Tov (good night).
Karen
