- Gordon and Donna Reeve arrived this week from Canada. When I am guiding I can't refer to Glenda and me being the first and only volunteers from Canada anymore. I also have to share the Canadian groups with Gord too. It's wonderful to have them here and I know that once they get over the jet lag they will feel very blessed to be here.
- I had 35 people this week from Papua, New Guinea on tour. What a beautiful experience! They started singing at the tomb while they waited to enter. Everyone close by stopped to listen and encourage them. They were all crying before they went into the tomb, during the time they were in there, and afterwards as well. They understood what it meant to be here.
- The more I read and learn about Israel, from the politics to the biblical history, the more I realize how little I know. There are so many civilizations that played a part in history before the Jews came back to the land. There is such a melting pot of people here in very close proximity.
- I guided a group from Canada yesterday. One couple came up to me and said they were married in Vernon many years ago. I asked them where he worked while he was in Vernon. He told me Vernon Motor Products. I said that's interesting - it's now called Bannister GM and I work for them. Then a second couple came up and told me their daughter lived in Vernon - her name is Cynthia. I asked if her husband's name was Mark. She said yes. I said your daughter and son in law come to my church.
- Each weekday afternoon we spend time in prayer and a short devotion. Everybody gets an opportunity to lead, including our workshop maintenance guy, Yoni. He hails from New Zealand and told us his mother in law just turned 86. She was one of 10 children during the war. Their father did door to door evangelism, but was arrested and placed in a hard labour camp for ten years - certain death. However his carpentry skills kept him alive with the guards and both he and his entire family survived many dangerous incidents where they very easily could have been killed. One time, Yonnie's mother in law was rounded up with other women and was waiting in line to board a train to one of the camps where they would be gassed, and as she stood there, she heard a voice saying, " walk away." She did so and couldn't believe that no one spoke up and even noticed that she left the line and thus survived. Yonnie felt that incident and many others were because God was honoring the father for his Christian efforts.
- Thank you God for allowing us to serve here. Thank you for allowing us sunshine and temperatures in the mid twenties today for the first day of December, when back home some might be shovelling snow. Thank you for your prayers everyone. God Bless.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
NOTES FROM GUIDING AT THE GARDEN TOMB - PART 6
I thought I would update our blog with a few pictures. With the unrest that was happening a couple of weeks ago, I never posted pictures. So here are a few updates from our last few weeks.
Can you guess what this says in Hebrew?
YUP! Ikea just outside of Tel Aviv. We wanted to see if it was similiar to the stores in Canada, and yes everything is the pretty much the same. Same furniture, same layouts, pretty much the same products. Of course all the prices are in shekels, and I think priced out higher than what we can get in Canada, but still very good prices for Israel. We had fun walking around and looking. The Garden was needing a new lamp for one of the apartments, so we picked that up - and of course some of the Ikea chocolate. The prices in the restaurant seemed a little high, but we did have a good ole hot dog.
Notice the opening hours. Close early for Shabbat, but other nights open until midnight or 11pm. I guess the Israelis like to shop! As I mentioned before, our gift shop has all Ikea book shelves, the gift shop counters are also from Ikea - even some of the apartments have furniture from Ikea - so the Garden supports Ikea!
A couple of weeks ago (before the unrest between Gaza and Israel), we drove to the Jordan River with fellow volunteer and friends Al and July who are from Florida. This is the site where they believe Jesus was baptised by John. It isn't as commericalized as the Yardenit baptismal site in the Galilee where many tourists get baptised. Right across the river is Jordan, so their are soldiers making sure no one crosses the river. As you can see it is a muddy river !
Our friends Al and Judy!
Soldiers keeping watch. They are very friendly and never minded taking pictures with any of the groups - fortunately when we were there was only one group of Indonesians, and they left soon after we arrived.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just in the last week, we have seen some of the stores in the Old city with North American Christmas decorations. I've even noticed in the little grocery stores, the shelves now have the foil covered Santa chocolates. I hope to get a picture of one store that is just full of Santa's, snowmen, reindeer, Christmas trees, and Christmas tree decorations. A restaurant that we went to a couple of weeks ago in the Old city, now has a beautiful decorated Christmas tree, with red stockings and garland decorating the restaurant. It still doesn't seem quite right to see all that here in Jerusalem.
Sunday morning on our way to church!
This is the East Jerusalem Baptist Church. 6 of us walked (about a 15 minute walk) and when we arrived, we almost doubled the number already there. I think that Sunday there were maybe 20 people there. The pastor is a Palestinian believer.
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Olive tree in the yard of the church. Tried to get a picture of olives on the branches but didn't get a very good shot.
This is a group in the garden. Everyone had brought their own harp. I'm not sure where they were from, but really enjoyed their worship.
We were so excited to pick Gordon and Donna Reeve up at the airport on November 29. We got to know this great couple when they were interning at Emmanuel Baptist church while we were waiting for our current pastor, Robert Murdock, to arrive. We also co-led two tours to Israel with them. They have come to volunteer at the garden for the next 3 months, so we get to celebrate Christmas together here in Israel. With both our families back in Canada, it will be so nice to be together.
And just so you all know, everything is quiet here in Israel. There have been no more air raid sirens, no more rockets flying, no more barricades set up on the muslim day of prayer - so I guess I better start some Christmas shopping! Now that I see the Santas and all the decorations, it is getting me in the mood! But wait, what do I buy and for who - all our family is back home and we gave them gifts before we left. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find someone to buy something for!! I know some staff members that have small children - that will be fun!! Don is just shaking his head!! I'll get him some chocolate and then he'll be happy.
Hugs to everyone. Thanks for your prayers.
Shalom
P.S.
December 1 sitting on the roof top getting a suntan. Temperature was in the high 20's today - felt wonderful!
Monday, November 26, 2012
NOTES FROM GUIDING AT THE GARDEN TOMB ( PART 5 )
- Spent part of a 3 day break at the Sea of Galilee, enjoying dinner ( vegetable soup ) one evening at an out of the way place recommended by Al and Judy, fellow volunteers. We were sitting there quietly, minding our own business, on Sunday, November 25th, when over the background music system came " I'm dreaming of a White Christmas " by you know who. Two songs later " It came upon a midnight clear ".....right there in a Jewish diner, less than fifty miles away from where it all started some 2000 years ago.
- Speaking of dinner, we spent Saturday evening with 16 other volunteers and staff being hosted by one of our American guides and treated to a Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, cranberry jelly, mashed potatoes, gravy, delicious dessert and much more. Will have to walk more.
- Speaking of walking, we have been walking everywhere since we got here, not taking the rapid transit that started up since our last tour here. So Friday we bought tickets to take the trip from one end to the other to see what we could see.....we saw nothing. We forgot that Friday afternoon the tram stops at 3pm in order to be ready for Shabbat around 430pm. We sat there at the station watching two empty trains go by before we figured it out with help from some friendly young Palestinian youth.
- It is quiet in Jerusalem - both in regards to war and in regards to tours coming through. A slow down is expected right about now, but some American groups cancelled because they felt unsure for their safety. All is quiet in Israel right now.
- Glenda and I left Sunday morning for a three day break in the Galilee with good intentions, however everything seemed to go wrong... from getting lost and almost running out of gas to arriving at our guest house and finding three single beds, which wouldn't go together ( we tried ). They were three different heights. About 25 minutes out of Tiberias on the way home, Glenda remembered " WE " forgot her pillow back at the guest house ( it's a special pillow ). We went back.
- Very excited about Gordon and Donna Reeve arriving this week - I won't be able to tell people on my tours that Glenda and I are the only Canadians volunteering here. However, it will be wonderful working alongside such a great couple - they will be a perfect fit for God to use mightily here.
- There are more Flafel joints per capita in East Jerusalem than Fast Food franchises in any major city in North America. They are tasty and healthy too.
- During our guided tours, often people ask me why there is a Palestinian bus depot right in the area where Christ may have been crucified. My answer - this is Jerusalem. I tell visitors that right outside the main entrance of the Garden Tomb is a Palestinian neighbourhood, complete with women completely covered head to toe, except for their face. Five blocks to the right is Mia Sharim, an Ultra Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood, where driving your vehicle during Shabbat will guarantee it gets stoned. Five blocks the other way is Ben Yahuda, Jerusalem's answer to Robson Square, where Glenda and I can sit with a Flafel and a coke and do two things....remind each other every five minutes that WE ARE ACTUALLY IN JERUSALEM....and secondly, watch people from every country in the world stroll by. This is Jerusalem and we love serving here. Thank you God.
Friday, November 23, 2012
A few thoughts
A quiet day in Jerusalem. We have heard there is a cease fire between Gaza and Israel, but shortly after it was announced Gaza sent more rockets in to Israel. I guess cease fire means something different to them - maybe they think it just means not as many rockets can be sent! We haven't heard what they have done today.
There are many local staff who have had family called up to the reserves. One of the staff members son in law was called to the front lines as a medic. He has been told he may be able to go home tomorrow. Please pray for him and his family as he has seen injuries and death that will be hard for him to put out of his mind. We have had many tours cancel their trip to Israel. That is so unfortunate as it is safe in and around Israel. The tour companies and tour guides would not take any chances of putting the people in harm, and the tours that are here are not feeling in any danger at all. However, we also know that they cannot guarantee that nothing will happen. But of course, whether we are in Canada or anywhere in the world, we never know if something could happen. Is it safe to go to certain parts of Vancouver or Calgary or Toronto? There is a better chance of getting mugged in those areas than it is to be hit from a rocket here. I feel sorry for the people who have waited for a life time to come to Israel, and then have to cancel because of this unrest. It is interesting that the tours that have cancelled coming to the Garden are all from America. The Nigerians, Indonesians and Europeans are all still coming. It is generally quieter in the month of December as people do plan on staying close to home before Christmas, but now it will be even quieter with these cancellations.
The following is just a list of what comes quickly to my mind. If I think of others I will send them in another email.
Things I miss
1. not being able to find any low fat cheese or milk. Most of the cottage cheese is either 3%,5%, or 9%. I found 1% once but haven't seen it since. There is also no skim milk and the 1% milk tastes more like 3%.
2. not being able to read labels and know what is sour cream or yogurt. Not knowing what package is white flour, whole wheat flour, oat flour or ?. It makes shopping interesting.
3. baking in an oven that is in only in celsius - and then it shows 100, 200, hot or very hot. Makes baking interesting. So far nothing burned or under cooked, but can't go by what the recipe says as far as how long it needs to be in the oven.
4. seeing all our friends and family - although we do skype with our kids and grandkids on a regular basis.
5. knowing what the exact the cost of something is. Because we buy most of our vegetables and meat from small stores around the garden we never know if we are getting a good price or not.
6. understanding what the people are saying on the streets and in the shops.
7. not knowing what will be open and what will be closed. Fridays is the Muslim sabbath so their stores are closed, as of sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday the Jewish shops are closed and on Sundays the store owners who are Christians close their shops. After a while you get to know who is who but today I walked a few blocks to a shop where I knew I could get some spices and they weren't open - so I guess they are Muslim. Late this afternoon Don and I thought we would experience the new tram to see how far it goes from one end to the other, but we were too late. We were there just after 3 pm but it had already stopped for the day so that they would be back at the main station before Shabbat started. Oh well, another day.
Things I don't miss!
1. having a busy schedule with no down time - here our evenings are free so we have lots of time to invite fellow volunteers or some of the local staff over for dinner and a visit.
2. Having to hop in the car to get this errand or that errand done. Here we walk everywhere, don't miss driving at all, and love all the exercise.
3. The cold winter weather. Here we are still experiencing temperatures in the 20's, the sun shining most days with the birds singing. We know the rain and cooler tempertures will be coming soon, but we're not shovelling snow!
4. All the stress and craziness of preparing for Christmas. Even the believers here celebrate in a very small way. All the stores, schools, businesses, etc are still open on Christmas day - December 25. Because of the diverse religions, each religion celebrates on their specific holiday- their specific day. The Jews with Hanukah, the Greek Orthodox in January, etc. We have come across 2 stores though that do have Christmas decorations for sale - Santas, reindeers, snowmen and twinkling lights.
Things I love about being here!
1. Serving the Lord in such a beautiful place. The garden is so peaceful so even if there is unrest in other parts of the country we live in a beautiful garden, listening to worship in different languages from people of many different countries.
2. Meeting people from all over the world that believe in the same risen Lord that we believe in.
3. Going to different churches on Sunday and worshipping with Palestinians, Jews, or other nationalities and singing songs in English, Arabic or Hebrew.
4. Everywhere we go - in Jerusalem or other parts of Israel, there is some significance that relates to a part of the Bible or an event in the history of the country.
5. Making friends with fellow volunteers from England, Sweden, Australia and the United States. It is amazing that none of us know each other before arriving here, and yet in a couple of days we have become good friends. We know that it is this common interest in serving here at the garden that bonds us together so quickly.
6. Learning new recipes from the local staff here. One of the ladies, Matilda who is in her early 20's - a Palestinian who has become a born again Christian, has been sharing some of her recipes with me. I'm eager to try them out and hope Don likes them as much as me. If not, friends back at home will have to try them with me.
Here is a picture of Matilda and me. She was not happy to get her picture taken today as she was not dressed as nice as she usually is. I told her I would take another picture another day so you can see her at her best.
7. The fast food here is a Falafel or a Shawarma. They are everywhere and they are sooooo good and actually quite healthy. Even Don has come to like them! They have McDonalds here and we did stop in to see what they were like. They don't have Big Macs or quarter pounders, but have the New Yorker, LA, Miami, and Chicago. Of course none of them come with cheese as that would not be kosher. We bought some fries just to see if they tasted the same and they were good.
Here are some pictures. I've tried to upload some video but it doesn't seem to work. For those of you on facebook I will try and upload a few videos there.
This picture is the vendors selling just outside the Damascus gate. It was taken a few days ago.
This is the garden cat. She comes to every apartment as different volunteers always let her in. The last few mornings she was hanging around our door so much to Don's dismay I let her in and as you can see, she made herself right at home. At lunch time when Don was resting on the couch, she actually curled up right beside him and Don didn't seem to mind at all!
We went in to the old city today, and because it is Friday and the muslim prayer day, people must have decided to stay away as the streets were empty of people. It was nice to walk around without hundreds of other people.
A lady selling her spices. I noticed today that a lot of the ladies were selling raisins and dates. I just might have to buy some.
This was a barricade that was set up down the street checking the muslim men's passports before entering the old city. Nothing happened today.
Till next time - Shalom.
There are many local staff who have had family called up to the reserves. One of the staff members son in law was called to the front lines as a medic. He has been told he may be able to go home tomorrow. Please pray for him and his family as he has seen injuries and death that will be hard for him to put out of his mind. We have had many tours cancel their trip to Israel. That is so unfortunate as it is safe in and around Israel. The tour companies and tour guides would not take any chances of putting the people in harm, and the tours that are here are not feeling in any danger at all. However, we also know that they cannot guarantee that nothing will happen. But of course, whether we are in Canada or anywhere in the world, we never know if something could happen. Is it safe to go to certain parts of Vancouver or Calgary or Toronto? There is a better chance of getting mugged in those areas than it is to be hit from a rocket here. I feel sorry for the people who have waited for a life time to come to Israel, and then have to cancel because of this unrest. It is interesting that the tours that have cancelled coming to the Garden are all from America. The Nigerians, Indonesians and Europeans are all still coming. It is generally quieter in the month of December as people do plan on staying close to home before Christmas, but now it will be even quieter with these cancellations.
The following is just a list of what comes quickly to my mind. If I think of others I will send them in another email.
Things I miss
1. not being able to find any low fat cheese or milk. Most of the cottage cheese is either 3%,5%, or 9%. I found 1% once but haven't seen it since. There is also no skim milk and the 1% milk tastes more like 3%.
2. not being able to read labels and know what is sour cream or yogurt. Not knowing what package is white flour, whole wheat flour, oat flour or ?. It makes shopping interesting.
3. baking in an oven that is in only in celsius - and then it shows 100, 200, hot or very hot. Makes baking interesting. So far nothing burned or under cooked, but can't go by what the recipe says as far as how long it needs to be in the oven.
4. seeing all our friends and family - although we do skype with our kids and grandkids on a regular basis.
5. knowing what the exact the cost of something is. Because we buy most of our vegetables and meat from small stores around the garden we never know if we are getting a good price or not.
6. understanding what the people are saying on the streets and in the shops.
7. not knowing what will be open and what will be closed. Fridays is the Muslim sabbath so their stores are closed, as of sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday the Jewish shops are closed and on Sundays the store owners who are Christians close their shops. After a while you get to know who is who but today I walked a few blocks to a shop where I knew I could get some spices and they weren't open - so I guess they are Muslim. Late this afternoon Don and I thought we would experience the new tram to see how far it goes from one end to the other, but we were too late. We were there just after 3 pm but it had already stopped for the day so that they would be back at the main station before Shabbat started. Oh well, another day.
Things I don't miss!
1. having a busy schedule with no down time - here our evenings are free so we have lots of time to invite fellow volunteers or some of the local staff over for dinner and a visit.
2. Having to hop in the car to get this errand or that errand done. Here we walk everywhere, don't miss driving at all, and love all the exercise.
3. The cold winter weather. Here we are still experiencing temperatures in the 20's, the sun shining most days with the birds singing. We know the rain and cooler tempertures will be coming soon, but we're not shovelling snow!
4. All the stress and craziness of preparing for Christmas. Even the believers here celebrate in a very small way. All the stores, schools, businesses, etc are still open on Christmas day - December 25. Because of the diverse religions, each religion celebrates on their specific holiday- their specific day. The Jews with Hanukah, the Greek Orthodox in January, etc. We have come across 2 stores though that do have Christmas decorations for sale - Santas, reindeers, snowmen and twinkling lights.
Things I love about being here!
1. Serving the Lord in such a beautiful place. The garden is so peaceful so even if there is unrest in other parts of the country we live in a beautiful garden, listening to worship in different languages from people of many different countries.
2. Meeting people from all over the world that believe in the same risen Lord that we believe in.
3. Going to different churches on Sunday and worshipping with Palestinians, Jews, or other nationalities and singing songs in English, Arabic or Hebrew.
4. Everywhere we go - in Jerusalem or other parts of Israel, there is some significance that relates to a part of the Bible or an event in the history of the country.
5. Making friends with fellow volunteers from England, Sweden, Australia and the United States. It is amazing that none of us know each other before arriving here, and yet in a couple of days we have become good friends. We know that it is this common interest in serving here at the garden that bonds us together so quickly.
6. Learning new recipes from the local staff here. One of the ladies, Matilda who is in her early 20's - a Palestinian who has become a born again Christian, has been sharing some of her recipes with me. I'm eager to try them out and hope Don likes them as much as me. If not, friends back at home will have to try them with me.
Here is a picture of Matilda and me. She was not happy to get her picture taken today as she was not dressed as nice as she usually is. I told her I would take another picture another day so you can see her at her best.
7. The fast food here is a Falafel or a Shawarma. They are everywhere and they are sooooo good and actually quite healthy. Even Don has come to like them! They have McDonalds here and we did stop in to see what they were like. They don't have Big Macs or quarter pounders, but have the New Yorker, LA, Miami, and Chicago. Of course none of them come with cheese as that would not be kosher. We bought some fries just to see if they tasted the same and they were good.
Here are some pictures. I've tried to upload some video but it doesn't seem to work. For those of you on facebook I will try and upload a few videos there.
This picture is the vendors selling just outside the Damascus gate. It was taken a few days ago.
This is the garden cat. She comes to every apartment as different volunteers always let her in. The last few mornings she was hanging around our door so much to Don's dismay I let her in and as you can see, she made herself right at home. At lunch time when Don was resting on the couch, she actually curled up right beside him and Don didn't seem to mind at all!
A meat market in the old city. Not sure what type of fish is hanging there!
A lady selling her spices. I noticed today that a lot of the ladies were selling raisins and dates. I just might have to buy some.
Till next time - Shalom.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
NOTES FROM GUIDING AT THE GARDEN TOMB - PART 4
- Air raid siren in Jerusalem went off for the second time in four days. Fell short again ( many miles short ). They have to remember Jerusalem is on a hill. Last Friday was the first time in 42 years they have tried. I put all my people in the tomb for ten minutes. As a precaution, other groups were scattered through the Garden in underground areas.
- All the guys went for burger night last night while the women watched a movie and ate pizza. When they said we were gong out for red meat, they meant it. I said well done but it was more red than not red. I was afraid it wasn't dead yet and was going to move off the plate.
- Hamas (the terrorists in Gaza) have continued to reign rockets on Israel for years. Interesting that when Israel has had enough and strikes back, all of a sudden there is international opinion. If this was rockets launching from Tijuana into Los Angeles how long do you think America would put up with it? Interesting to note several dozen rockets have not launched properly and landed on their own people.
- Also worth mentioning is the fact that Hamas put their rocket launchers in hospitals, schools, courtyards of hotels in Gaza, daring the IDF to take them out and also take out innocent civilians at the same time.
- David Mainse of 100 Huntley Street was at the Garden Tomb with a tour of Canadians today. Had a chance to talk to him. Unfortunately he is battling cancer, so his son and daughter in law have joined him on the tour to help out.
- Joel Rosenberg, well known prophecy speaker was at King of Kings church Sunday night. He had a good message on the current events in this country. His background includes working for Netanyahu years ago. Last week his group was trying to reach out to both Israeli and Arab pastors.
- Small world - years ago several from our church visited Ireland. Yesterday, the pastor of one of those churches visited the Garden and I was able to guide him for a few minutes.
- Hillary Clinton is in Israel attempting to work on a cease fire. She will be back when she runs for president in a few years. When an American looks at running, they always come to Israel to show they are pro Israel to those rich Jewish Americans back home, whose financial support they will need.
- We are safe here. If things change we will let you know. Love from Jerusalem.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sunday in Jerusalem
Sunday was a quiet day in Jerusalem, and a day of rest for the volunteers at the Garden as we are not open to tours on Sunday. It gives us an opportunity to worship at some of the local churches.
Yesterday we attended 2 different church services. In the morning we attended East Jerusalem Baptist Church where there were about 20 of us; at 5 pm we attended King of Kings where there were over 300 of us. The pastor at East Jerusalem church is a born again Palestinian, the pastor at King of Kings is originally from Canada; but last night the guest speaker was Joel Rosenberg. Both were quite different in their worship and their preaching, but both preached the word of God that touched our hearts. We were blessed from each of the services.
There have still been rockets sent from Israel and unrest in the south between Israel and Gaza but for us in Jerusalem it is relatively quiet. On Saturday 9 of us (fellow volunteers) walked about 25 minutes to a restaurant in a busy part of Jerusalem for dinner. It would be similiar to Robson Street in Vancouver - many restaurants, shops, bars etc. It was very busy. As soon as shabbat is over, the Jewish people return to the streets and it is busy busy busy with people. You would never have known or guessed that the day before an air raid siren had gone off. People were carrying on as normal.
At King of Kings last night we sang the following song - The battle belongs to the Lord. With the week that had just passed, with the rockets being fired and the increased danger that we had never felt before, this song just spoke to my heart - the Lord is in control and God is fighting the battle for us. There is definitely a battle between Israel and Gaza, but there are so many other battles that we deal with in this world. I think last night though, as we sang this song, the battle at the forefront on everyone's mind was the battle between Israel and Gaza. God is in control and knowing that brings peace to our souls.
Amen,
Glenda
In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
The battle belongs to the Lord
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (6)
Yesterday we attended 2 different church services. In the morning we attended East Jerusalem Baptist Church where there were about 20 of us; at 5 pm we attended King of Kings where there were over 300 of us. The pastor at East Jerusalem church is a born again Palestinian, the pastor at King of Kings is originally from Canada; but last night the guest speaker was Joel Rosenberg. Both were quite different in their worship and their preaching, but both preached the word of God that touched our hearts. We were blessed from each of the services.
There have still been rockets sent from Israel and unrest in the south between Israel and Gaza but for us in Jerusalem it is relatively quiet. On Saturday 9 of us (fellow volunteers) walked about 25 minutes to a restaurant in a busy part of Jerusalem for dinner. It would be similiar to Robson Street in Vancouver - many restaurants, shops, bars etc. It was very busy. As soon as shabbat is over, the Jewish people return to the streets and it is busy busy busy with people. You would never have known or guessed that the day before an air raid siren had gone off. People were carrying on as normal.
At King of Kings last night we sang the following song - The battle belongs to the Lord. With the week that had just passed, with the rockets being fired and the increased danger that we had never felt before, this song just spoke to my heart - the Lord is in control and God is fighting the battle for us. There is definitely a battle between Israel and Gaza, but there are so many other battles that we deal with in this world. I think last night though, as we sang this song, the battle at the forefront on everyone's mind was the battle between Israel and Gaza. God is in control and knowing that brings peace to our souls.
Amen,
Glenda
In heavenly armour we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (2)
The battle belongs to the Lord
The battle belongs to the Lord
We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord (6)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
We are safe in Jerusalem
Hi Everyone,
Thought we would update this and let you know how things are here in Jerusalem. We know news back home is non stop of the unrest here in Israel. We have had many emails, facebook messages wondering how we are and if we are safe. The immediate answer is YES we are safe.
We knew there would be friction yesterday (Friday) as it is the day of prayer for the Muslim men when they go in to the old city to the Dome of the Rock (the golden dome that you see in any pictures of the Jerusalem skyline.) Any man over the age of 40 is allowed on to the temple mount for prayers. In the past on Fridays, there is often uneasiness as they leave as they get all worked up while they are there. On Friday morning I walked to the end of the street to get some lettuce, cheese and for the first time there was a barricade set up across the street. This street is directly access from the old city thru the Damacus gate, then a short walk to the temple mount. Because we live in a muslim area, it is a direct path for many of the muslim men to enter the old city this way. It is probably no more than a 10 minute walk to the temple mount from where we are. At the barricade there were Israeli soldiers, and Palestinian police checking all passports of the men wanting to go down this road. I didn't have a problem going thru and I got my few items and was back up the street in a matter of 5 - 10 minutes. I never felt unsafe, but it was weird as the street was so quiet compared to other days. We knew that we should stay close to the garden between noon and 2 pm as that is when the prayers would be held and the men would be leaving and returning to East Jerusalem. During the lunch hour between noon and 1pm there was an Israeli military helicopter flying over the garden and the old city - circling about every 20 - 30 seconds and at some point just staying there. I'm sure they were monitoring what was happening at the temple mount and at Damascus gate so they could tell the riot police where they needed to be. We know there were altercations at the gate and close to Damacus gate. We heard sirens off and on.
We were also keeping up to date on all the happenings thru the Jerusalem Post - which gives up to the minute details of what is going on, plus in the staff room the TV was on CNN. At about 430 pm Don and I were in our apartment when we heard an air raid siren go off. At first we thought it was just the horn blowing that annouces it is the start of the Sabbath, but quickly realized it wasn't. Don went outside quickly to go to the front gate and sure enough it was an air raid siren. Because there hadn't been an air raid siren go off since 1970, even the locals weren't sure what the procedure was; but it didn't take long for memory to kick in. Basically you have 90 seconds from when you hear the siren to find cover - get to the bomb shelter - or whatever cover you can find, then you need to stay for 10 minutes before you should leave. If there is still danger the siren continues to go. We had some groups in the garden worshipping, so we needed to get them under cover. Interesting enough, none of them seemed concerned in the least. We had to tell one group a couple of times that we needed to move them NOW! As it turned out, 2 rockets had come in the direction of Jerusalem but didn't make it this far. I must admit, it was a different than anything I have ever experienced. We just jump in to action. After about 15 minutes, the groups left to go to their hotels, we closed the garden early and took a big breath.
Of course there is lots of speculation on these rockets and if they would actually try and send one this close to their sacred praying place, plus so many of 'their' people live right in this neighborhood, but of course you never know. The Hamas are not clear thinking people for the most part.
We know somewhat of what you are seeing on the TV and hearing on the news. Yes there are rockets being fired, but these rockets have been going from Gaza to Israel for months and years, although they have escalated in the last few days and I guess the last week. Israel did kill the head of their military so that has made them increase the rockets coming in to Israel. When the Egyptian president went to Gaza, Israel said they would stop sending rockets back in to Gaza while the president was there, if they would stop sending rockets in to Israel. Gaza did not stop. The Hamas have stored most of their weapons and ammunition in places where it is difficult for Israel to go and destroy them. They have them stored in schools and hospitals, so if Israel was to go and bomb these places they would look bad in the world as so many innocent children and already sick and injured people's lives would be lost. So the Hamas know what they are doing and know that Israel is not going to want to do that.
Today, Staurday morning the sun is shining, the birds are singing, right next door to the garden is a muslim girls school and they are laughing and playing in the playground directly beside our apartment window. I walked to the end of our street and today there is no barricade and the street is busy again with men, women and children rushing about buying what they need. We know by no means that the danger is gone, Hamas is still sending rockets and the Israeli army has called up thousands of reserves. Speculation is that there could be a ground war.
Be assured that if things were to get worse or we felt unsafe, or if the Canadian government asked all Canadians to leave the country we would leave; but right now we don't feel that is necessary. We are being cautious, listening to what is being said, following the news here (which might be quite different to what you are hearing back home) and praying for the people and the land of Israel. At this point we feel this is where God wants us to be - sharing his gospel to the whole world around us.
We will keep you up to date on the situation. We welcome your prayers for us and for the country of Israel.
Thank you.
Glenda and Don
Thought we would update this and let you know how things are here in Jerusalem. We know news back home is non stop of the unrest here in Israel. We have had many emails, facebook messages wondering how we are and if we are safe. The immediate answer is YES we are safe.
We knew there would be friction yesterday (Friday) as it is the day of prayer for the Muslim men when they go in to the old city to the Dome of the Rock (the golden dome that you see in any pictures of the Jerusalem skyline.) Any man over the age of 40 is allowed on to the temple mount for prayers. In the past on Fridays, there is often uneasiness as they leave as they get all worked up while they are there. On Friday morning I walked to the end of the street to get some lettuce, cheese and for the first time there was a barricade set up across the street. This street is directly access from the old city thru the Damacus gate, then a short walk to the temple mount. Because we live in a muslim area, it is a direct path for many of the muslim men to enter the old city this way. It is probably no more than a 10 minute walk to the temple mount from where we are. At the barricade there were Israeli soldiers, and Palestinian police checking all passports of the men wanting to go down this road. I didn't have a problem going thru and I got my few items and was back up the street in a matter of 5 - 10 minutes. I never felt unsafe, but it was weird as the street was so quiet compared to other days. We knew that we should stay close to the garden between noon and 2 pm as that is when the prayers would be held and the men would be leaving and returning to East Jerusalem. During the lunch hour between noon and 1pm there was an Israeli military helicopter flying over the garden and the old city - circling about every 20 - 30 seconds and at some point just staying there. I'm sure they were monitoring what was happening at the temple mount and at Damascus gate so they could tell the riot police where they needed to be. We know there were altercations at the gate and close to Damacus gate. We heard sirens off and on.
We were also keeping up to date on all the happenings thru the Jerusalem Post - which gives up to the minute details of what is going on, plus in the staff room the TV was on CNN. At about 430 pm Don and I were in our apartment when we heard an air raid siren go off. At first we thought it was just the horn blowing that annouces it is the start of the Sabbath, but quickly realized it wasn't. Don went outside quickly to go to the front gate and sure enough it was an air raid siren. Because there hadn't been an air raid siren go off since 1970, even the locals weren't sure what the procedure was; but it didn't take long for memory to kick in. Basically you have 90 seconds from when you hear the siren to find cover - get to the bomb shelter - or whatever cover you can find, then you need to stay for 10 minutes before you should leave. If there is still danger the siren continues to go. We had some groups in the garden worshipping, so we needed to get them under cover. Interesting enough, none of them seemed concerned in the least. We had to tell one group a couple of times that we needed to move them NOW! As it turned out, 2 rockets had come in the direction of Jerusalem but didn't make it this far. I must admit, it was a different than anything I have ever experienced. We just jump in to action. After about 15 minutes, the groups left to go to their hotels, we closed the garden early and took a big breath.
Of course there is lots of speculation on these rockets and if they would actually try and send one this close to their sacred praying place, plus so many of 'their' people live right in this neighborhood, but of course you never know. The Hamas are not clear thinking people for the most part.
We know somewhat of what you are seeing on the TV and hearing on the news. Yes there are rockets being fired, but these rockets have been going from Gaza to Israel for months and years, although they have escalated in the last few days and I guess the last week. Israel did kill the head of their military so that has made them increase the rockets coming in to Israel. When the Egyptian president went to Gaza, Israel said they would stop sending rockets back in to Gaza while the president was there, if they would stop sending rockets in to Israel. Gaza did not stop. The Hamas have stored most of their weapons and ammunition in places where it is difficult for Israel to go and destroy them. They have them stored in schools and hospitals, so if Israel was to go and bomb these places they would look bad in the world as so many innocent children and already sick and injured people's lives would be lost. So the Hamas know what they are doing and know that Israel is not going to want to do that.
Today, Staurday morning the sun is shining, the birds are singing, right next door to the garden is a muslim girls school and they are laughing and playing in the playground directly beside our apartment window. I walked to the end of our street and today there is no barricade and the street is busy again with men, women and children rushing about buying what they need. We know by no means that the danger is gone, Hamas is still sending rockets and the Israeli army has called up thousands of reserves. Speculation is that there could be a ground war.
Be assured that if things were to get worse or we felt unsafe, or if the Canadian government asked all Canadians to leave the country we would leave; but right now we don't feel that is necessary. We are being cautious, listening to what is being said, following the news here (which might be quite different to what you are hearing back home) and praying for the people and the land of Israel. At this point we feel this is where God wants us to be - sharing his gospel to the whole world around us.
We will keep you up to date on the situation. We welcome your prayers for us and for the country of Israel.
Thank you.
Glenda and Don
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