Our trip to Israel was indeed amazing, mind boggling, interesting, tiring, frustrating, fun-filled, emotional, and on and on and on. Having said that, I can also sit back and laugh at some of the odd things that happened, or the surprising reactions I had at certain things. One cannot consume so much history, politics, food, and ruins before the amusement factor begins to take hold and the sometimes uncontrollable laughter takes over! I'm sure when Bev and I got hit by one of these phenomenon the people on our bus considered rolling us off at the next bus stop! My advice? NEVER try to hold in a good belly laugh! It hurts!
What can I say about Falafels? WOW! That first stop we made at the little roadside stand at first caused a few lifted eyebrows... "Really?.... We're stopping out in the middle of nowhere, eating food from a questionable trailer, with two rugged looking Jewish fellows dishing up an unknown product?....are you nuts? Everyone pack their Pepto Bismol?" Not to worry...these packages of savory vegetables and falafel balls hit the spot and were only the precursor for the many that would follow! Side benefit? Those little balls of whatever, with mixed spices gave relief to the one travelers curse that befalls us all! Hallelujah!
And then there were the salads. Oh boy, that first night we were in hog heaven with the variety, the savory tastes,...oh this is great! The next morning...what's that? Salads for breakfast? That's unique. About the 3rd or 4th days of breakfasts and dinners, we'd round the corner to the buffet line, catch sight of the abundant supply of salads and make a drastic left turn to the basic staples counter! Potatoes, chicken, fish, cooked veggie and the occasional beef bi-product. Ah, yes...a taste of home.
Not complaining though, but the sight of my front teeth growing longer and my ears growing higher gave me cause for concern. Probably better lay off the greens for awhile!
Let's talk desserts. Fruits, pastries, cakes, puddings, pies, breads, baklava, ice cream,...even if we hadn't spared a corner of our stomach for a taste of sweetness, we indulged anyhow! Altogether now....OVERINDULGENCE!??? After all we HAD packed our acid reducers! How bad could it be? Let me explain 'bad.' When your pajama bottoms are too big, yet the elastic cuts into your waist, when you have trouble bending over to pull the covers up because your stomach gets in the way, when you can't even burp and find relief, when one pillow doesn't relieve the pressure and three bends you forward to far so you can't breath...well,....that's better known as 'bad.'
After several days we reduced our intake to yogurt and granola with a piece of fruit for breakfast, ice cream bar and a coke for lunch, a taste of salad with a few veggies and a small cut of meat and just a couple pieces of dessert for dinner! (P.S....one must not wean oneself from desserts too rapidly!)
How about those hotels? Our first stop in TelAviv was amazing....beautiful ocean view rooms, gentle sound of waves rushing to shore, white beaches, truly felt like a tropical paradise. Ah, this is living! This was going to be a pleasurable tour with hotels like this! Off the next day to the West Bank town of Ariel...nice sounding place, even if we had to enter the territory in bullet proof buses! Bus pulls up to the hotel....did I say 'hotel?'....ah, did I hear someone say 'there's no room at the inn?'...no such luck! This someone's idea of a joke or what? From magnificent trappings to the local parred down motel in Podunk, Israel! Not to mention the armed soldiers parked outside our rooms! How about those styling linoleum floors??
Ok, ok..enough...our visit around the area was amazing and given the circumstances in which they live...well, this was great! How kind of some local people to invite groups of 6 into their homes during the evening....a little unnerving at first...out at night in an occupied territory, going into an unknown home, but it turned into a wonderful inside view of Sylvia's home and her generous offerings of tea, cookies, potato chips and coffee. And yes...we ate!
Just a few mishaps along the way. I melted my curling iron first day, caught my hair dryer on fire the second, discovered a toilet wouldn't flush another day, nearly choked on the room service Turkish coffee that left a half inch of sludge in the bottom of the cup, couldn't get my swimsuit to dry after a dip in the Dead Sea, locked our room key in the room several times, thought I left my journal back in the last hotel....found it in a luggage pocket I didn't remember was there! "I can't find my....." was the frantic cry almost every day! Of course it was tucked away in some remote spot in my luggage that I was certain I would remember next time I needed it! I chalked it up to an aging brain!
Did I mention the cats? Cats everywhere! Not housecats, but cats that had to fend for themselves...rodent hunting, incidious bird killers...quite a phenomenon. It caused quite a stir when we were at the Garden Tomb area and the pretty white doves were floating about looking so lovely and serene, when suddenly a feline became airborne, grasping the fluffy feathered innocent and that's all she wrote for that bird! Ah, the circle of life!
At a certain point towards the end of our tour, I began to think if I saw another falafel, salad or baklava I would urp! Didn't we see a McDonald's sign somewhere?? Why, yes we did! Off to the streets of Jerusalem we went....Steve, Elaine, Bev and I...winging our way through unknown territory...baffled by the lack of a good sign pointing us to our culinary destination. Finally in frustration I stopped a young man pushing a stroller fully thinking I would have to use sign language to ask him where the nearest McDonald's was, but much to my surprise he said...'half a block up, to the left, up the alley and there it is!' Praise the Lord we were heading for a Big Mac!
What can I say....heaven on a paper plate!
Our journey has ended, our memories safely tucked away, our lives enriched beyond measure. One more Falafel for the road?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Israel...2011...My Trip
I went to Israel to walk where Jesus walked, I came home with the knowledge of God's promises to His Jewish people, their historical struggles, their coming home again to the land that God gave them. This tiny little speck of a nation, wanted by so many, misunderstood by those who do not believe in God's Word, is cherished by the Almighty and Israel will triumph! They have been scattered (dispersed) throughout the nations as other nations took hold of their land, but God promised the people's of Israel that they would regain the land once again and for all time. Isaiah 11:12 says "He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth." Isaiah 49:25 says "for I will contend with him who contend with you (Israel). And finally Isaiah 54: 10 & 17 "no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper." An observation based on Acts 17:26 states: God has determined the location for all nations beginning with Israel. If Israel is not rightly placed, other nations are out of order and there is disorder in the world. There will be no real peace in the world until the world is reconciled to Israel and Israel is properly reconciled both to its land and to God who gave them the land. In other words, whoever opposes or curses Israel or the Jewish people, regardless of the justification, God will oppose or curse, and whoever blesses Israel, God will bless. With all the opposing thoughts concerning the Palestinians vs. the Israelites, I came away with this answer: Rest easy Israel, God keeps His promises!
Having said all that I simply want to say "my brain over floweth with information. Sights, sounds, tastes, different cultures, landscapes, ruins, and so much more! I'm still having trouble processing everything! Our fantastic tour guide Jacob, who has been doing this for over 40 years, took our hands and led us through the most amazing places, both in words and actual experiences. He enabled us to go into places where the average tourist is not allowed....The West Bank,; Samaria, Judea, Bethlehem...bullet proof buses gave us a sense of protection, but the actual realization of why this was needed sent shivers through my body. It was always good to return to our 'regular' bus without the need of all that. While in the West Bank city of Ariel, we were privileged to be invited into private homes to discuss and ask any questions we might have....what an experience! The average tourist would never be able to do this...how blessed was I!!!
Our days were filled with luscious adventures! Rolling quietly along in our luxurious bus, we viewed Caesarea/Mt Carmel/Tiberias. We stopped at Makrakha where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal....viewed the Valley of Armageddon...where the final battle will take place, and then stopped at The Sea of Galilee. While placing my feet into it's chilly waters, I realized Jesus actually walked on these waters. So much of Jesus earthly ministries were right here around the Galilee...and here stood I. On a ride in a large boat through the silent waters, one could almost see our Lord walking toward our boat....the mind can imagine so many things!
Our visits to synagogues, ancient homes, ruins, began to run in to each other. Thank heaven I kept a journal! Hopefully I can match the pictures to the words! We gathered in a private area at the Mt. of Beatitudes and read the scripture; we placed our hands in the Jordan River, visited Capernaum, the home of Peter, listened with awe to the history Jacob relayed to us...'and on the right, and on the left'...one would be in Israel for months and months to take it all in! He wanted so badly for us to see all of 'his Israel.' He left us hungering for more!
What can I say about our trip to the Golan Heights? The rugged terrain makes it hard to believe battles were waged there, not only in our time, but in ancient times. We viewed the fortress where 9,000 people jumped over the walls rather than be taken hostage to their enemies! The Syrian fortresses are still there from the fairly recent war, and we walked about the bunkers, peered over the hillside to the Syrian landscape, taking note of the borders of Jordan and Lebanon also in view. Israel still fights to maintain it's precious borders, and I might add with a mighty military force. We observe their fighter jets making their constant flights over the borders to protect their ancient land.
Off to the Dead Sea! But first we make a long stop at a recently excavated site of a Roman City and the site where King Saul died. Imagine it! Another place where the Transfiguration took place, and the road to Damascus, the route of Saul of Tarsus(Paul)..does it never end? Places for heathen idol worship, places from obscure verses in the Bible, places I cannot remember nor fit into the tiny corners of my mind, but will stay in my heart forever! I wondered why the Dead Sea was an important part of our journey. It wasn't until I ventured into the water, sat down and bobbed around like a rubber duck, that it struck me. It took an element of trust to sit down in that water and yet when I did I was held up....isn't that what we need to do in our lives...have enough trust to sit in our Lord's lap and let Him hold us up during our trials, and to really feel with confidence His overwhelming presence. Well worth the trip I'd say!
Our last stop before we settled into Jerusalem was Masada...where the Jewish zealots lived atop the diamond shaped, God forsaken mountain where Herod had built himself a 'hideaway.' They tried to maintain their position but the Romans eventually broke through their high fortress,..but before they could the zealots killed each other which left no one for the Romans to take back as slaves....when they broke through the walls they were met with only silence and the distant chirping of birds. Rent the movie! It will be worth your time! Some of our people walked the steep trail to the top, taking about an hour, while I rode the tram! We then stopped at En Gedi..an oasis in this stark, rocky, mountainous country, where David hid in the caves from King Saul. It was our first taste of 'American' food (a turkey sandwich) in many days! Yum! A little way up the road was Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found....just rocky hillside with numerous caves. It truly was a God miracle that these precious pieces of the scripture were retrieved, to prove to the world that God's written Word was real.
Now on to Jerusalem! We will spend the next 5 days there, visiting such places as the Mt. of Olives, walked the Palm Sunday road to the Old City gate Jesus walked through, via Dolorosa, Gethsemane, Temple Mount, Western Wall, Pool of Siloam, the grave, the stone, Golgotha, the Southern steps where Jesus turned over the tables in disgust, the pool of Bethesda where the lame man was healed, excavations, stones from the first and second temples, on and on and on... I wish I could share it all with you, but I can't...you must make the journey on your own. It will change your life!
I must relate my most precious times however. Singing in chapels that rang our voices out as if we were a thousand angels, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, sitting quietly in the garden spot where Jesus was placed...it was so quiet, birds chirping, blue skies, a kiss of a breeze, a place to truly meditate and give praise for what He did for us. The day we drove down the hill to the Sea of Galilee seemed to touch my heart...I began to cry...I looked over at Bev and she was crying....in a busload of 46 people, only her and I were feeling this emotion....the Holy Spirit was speaking...my heart was responding. That's what Israel does to you....it's ancient walls, it's voice of history, it's people....God has blessed a nation with His handprint. I pray that some day you all will experience that 'walk about zion, counting her towers, considering her ramparts'....you will be blessed as I was.
Having said all that I simply want to say "my brain over floweth with information. Sights, sounds, tastes, different cultures, landscapes, ruins, and so much more! I'm still having trouble processing everything! Our fantastic tour guide Jacob, who has been doing this for over 40 years, took our hands and led us through the most amazing places, both in words and actual experiences. He enabled us to go into places where the average tourist is not allowed....The West Bank,; Samaria, Judea, Bethlehem...bullet proof buses gave us a sense of protection, but the actual realization of why this was needed sent shivers through my body. It was always good to return to our 'regular' bus without the need of all that. While in the West Bank city of Ariel, we were privileged to be invited into private homes to discuss and ask any questions we might have....what an experience! The average tourist would never be able to do this...how blessed was I!!!
Our days were filled with luscious adventures! Rolling quietly along in our luxurious bus, we viewed Caesarea/Mt Carmel/Tiberias. We stopped at Makrakha where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal....viewed the Valley of Armageddon...where the final battle will take place, and then stopped at The Sea of Galilee. While placing my feet into it's chilly waters, I realized Jesus actually walked on these waters. So much of Jesus earthly ministries were right here around the Galilee...and here stood I. On a ride in a large boat through the silent waters, one could almost see our Lord walking toward our boat....the mind can imagine so many things!
Our visits to synagogues, ancient homes, ruins, began to run in to each other. Thank heaven I kept a journal! Hopefully I can match the pictures to the words! We gathered in a private area at the Mt. of Beatitudes and read the scripture; we placed our hands in the Jordan River, visited Capernaum, the home of Peter, listened with awe to the history Jacob relayed to us...'and on the right, and on the left'...one would be in Israel for months and months to take it all in! He wanted so badly for us to see all of 'his Israel.' He left us hungering for more!
What can I say about our trip to the Golan Heights? The rugged terrain makes it hard to believe battles were waged there, not only in our time, but in ancient times. We viewed the fortress where 9,000 people jumped over the walls rather than be taken hostage to their enemies! The Syrian fortresses are still there from the fairly recent war, and we walked about the bunkers, peered over the hillside to the Syrian landscape, taking note of the borders of Jordan and Lebanon also in view. Israel still fights to maintain it's precious borders, and I might add with a mighty military force. We observe their fighter jets making their constant flights over the borders to protect their ancient land.
Off to the Dead Sea! But first we make a long stop at a recently excavated site of a Roman City and the site where King Saul died. Imagine it! Another place where the Transfiguration took place, and the road to Damascus, the route of Saul of Tarsus(Paul)..does it never end? Places for heathen idol worship, places from obscure verses in the Bible, places I cannot remember nor fit into the tiny corners of my mind, but will stay in my heart forever! I wondered why the Dead Sea was an important part of our journey. It wasn't until I ventured into the water, sat down and bobbed around like a rubber duck, that it struck me. It took an element of trust to sit down in that water and yet when I did I was held up....isn't that what we need to do in our lives...have enough trust to sit in our Lord's lap and let Him hold us up during our trials, and to really feel with confidence His overwhelming presence. Well worth the trip I'd say!
Our last stop before we settled into Jerusalem was Masada...where the Jewish zealots lived atop the diamond shaped, God forsaken mountain where Herod had built himself a 'hideaway.' They tried to maintain their position but the Romans eventually broke through their high fortress,..but before they could the zealots killed each other which left no one for the Romans to take back as slaves....when they broke through the walls they were met with only silence and the distant chirping of birds. Rent the movie! It will be worth your time! Some of our people walked the steep trail to the top, taking about an hour, while I rode the tram! We then stopped at En Gedi..an oasis in this stark, rocky, mountainous country, where David hid in the caves from King Saul. It was our first taste of 'American' food (a turkey sandwich) in many days! Yum! A little way up the road was Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found....just rocky hillside with numerous caves. It truly was a God miracle that these precious pieces of the scripture were retrieved, to prove to the world that God's written Word was real.
Now on to Jerusalem! We will spend the next 5 days there, visiting such places as the Mt. of Olives, walked the Palm Sunday road to the Old City gate Jesus walked through, via Dolorosa, Gethsemane, Temple Mount, Western Wall, Pool of Siloam, the grave, the stone, Golgotha, the Southern steps where Jesus turned over the tables in disgust, the pool of Bethesda where the lame man was healed, excavations, stones from the first and second temples, on and on and on... I wish I could share it all with you, but I can't...you must make the journey on your own. It will change your life!
I must relate my most precious times however. Singing in chapels that rang our voices out as if we were a thousand angels, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, sitting quietly in the garden spot where Jesus was placed...it was so quiet, birds chirping, blue skies, a kiss of a breeze, a place to truly meditate and give praise for what He did for us. The day we drove down the hill to the Sea of Galilee seemed to touch my heart...I began to cry...I looked over at Bev and she was crying....in a busload of 46 people, only her and I were feeling this emotion....the Holy Spirit was speaking...my heart was responding. That's what Israel does to you....it's ancient walls, it's voice of history, it's people....God has blessed a nation with His handprint. I pray that some day you all will experience that 'walk about zion, counting her towers, considering her ramparts'....you will be blessed as I was.
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