Enjoying the flow of Jerusalem
It is Tuesday morning and I am already counting down to when I leave Israel. I leave on Thursday, also known as the 9th of Av and for me it will be so sad. On the 9th of Av, Jews all over the world will be fasting, reading Lamentations, and weeping because of the destruction of the 1st Temple in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians and the 2nd Temple in A.D. 70 by the Romans—both on this day of the year. Even during happy times like a wedding, we always remember the destruction of the Temple. In the wedding, the breaking of the wine glass reminds us of that destruction. We must never forget.
I am a person of routine. Each day, I get up in the morning, get dressed, walk to get the morning paper, then I come back to the B&B and have my breakfast and read what is going on in the world. I will miss the small grocery store where I get my paper and where we chat—some in Hebrew, mostly in English. As I walk back from getting my paper, I wave and say boker tov (good morning) to the sweet lady who manages the charity store on the street. She opens this store at 7am. I am amazed that a retail store is open this early, but the charity is for an elderly home next door and people really do stop and shop that early.
The Israeli people are all pitching in and helping each other out during this “battle.” Food is going North and South, and people are going to help rebuild. Already, the Israeli’s are rebuilding. The attitude here is one of resolve. They now realize that the war must be fought now, not later. There will always be the liberals who think that talking and giving away land will produce peace, but really, even they are not that confident of that anymore. It is good to see the people coming together. I am praying that all our leaders see that Israel needs to finish this.
I finish breakfast and am meeting a friend, Cindy, at the Quarter Cafe. It is one of my favorite places and it is convenient for both of us. I decide to walk today to smell the smells, see the flowers and to generally be with Israel. It takes me about 45 minutes to walk from Baka (where I’m staying) to the Old City, but that’s OK—I look at the shops. Israel has everything. I see the tailor, laundry, gift, fruit stands, cafes in every block, book shops, wine, grocery—just about everything anyone could want in a daily life. The flowers are lovely this time of year, even with the heat. Almost every apartment has some type of flower or greenery. Israel is not a dusty and backward country.
I met Cindy and we had some great fellowship. She is an American who has lived in Israel for the last four years. We laugh and talk about how much we love Israel. We share a potato latke—I can’t help it; they’re so good! Alon is there and we talk. He wants to know when I am coming back to Israel. I tell him in the Fall and that sounds so far off, but October is only eight weeks away.
On to meet Will at Zion Square and Ben Yehudah. We eat pizza, my favorite next to Taco Bell (don’t tell my mother). It takes me about 15 more minutes of walking, but I am enjoying being in the streets with the people and the flow of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built on a series of hills that form a Hebrew letter shin (ש), which is the first letter of one of the names for God, Shaddai. I was taught that it was God’s way of putting his handprint on His city, Jerusalem because the shin looks like a handprint. With that said, the axiom of “what goes up, must come down” means that if you walk downhill for a ways, you will walk uphill also. Believe me, I think there are more uphills than down, but I think of it as good exercise. I really never worry about what I eat here, because I know I will probably walk it off.
It is time for the infamous bus ride—yes, I have ridden the bus almost everyday. Is it dangerous and am I afraid? The way Will explained it to me is this way: “the terrorist would have to pick the one bus, at the one time, on the one day that I would be on it.” I don’t worry about it too much and believe me, with the way the buses are packed with people, not too many others do either. I hand the driver the correct change for the ride and he doesn’t give me any problems (whew).
Please read the Flame article on their web site today. Wonderful! Joseph Farah comments on the situation here. I just cannot call it a war. I see where the French foreign minister, Philippe douste-Blazy, has called Iran “a stabilizing force in the middle east.” Is he for real? Let’s thank the French for most of the problems we have in Lebanon today.
Talk about guts, an IDF soldier named Sergeant Or Bar-on lost his legs in the Maroun Al-Ras battle, but instead of being angry, he says “I will start my life anew because it has been given to me as a gift. I won’t take anything for granted.” Wow. What courage.
This is what is happening in Israel. Courage. Courage to go on, courage to stay the course, courage to help each other. Very inspiring.
Subscribe:
August 1st, 2006 at 11:18 am
I am really enjoying your trip via your daily journaling. It makes me feel like I am there being a part of it. I am praying for you and Mark and for your safety. I don’t think a “conflict” in Israel would have been able to keep you or Zola away no matter how HOT the battle is.
You comment about Mike Evans. Could you please elaborate on him and his “business” in private. I want to watch for the wolves.
All of God’s blessing and much care! Jodie Mader
August 1st, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Dear Sandra,
I too am enjoying your daily Blogs from Israel. I have never had the chance to go to Israel and this is such a treat for me to be able to go all over with you and Will and experience even a little what a miracle Israel is. One day I will be there.
Sandra–you are such a lovely person and I feel as though I know you from watching the program and now reading each day what an interesting and wonderful time you’re having there.
I dearly miss Zola but being able to see him on parts of the program makes it comforting. You are a fabulous teacher and Zola would burst with pride if he could see how you fit in so perfectly and I am learning so much from you and Dr. Seif.
You all are doing such a wonderful job as you continue Zola’s Ministry.
Thank you for that.
May The Lord watch over you and Will and those that are with you in Israel.
August 1st, 2006 at 1:48 pm
I can’t thank you enough for the updates and the info you have posted and all of the references to other web sites. I feel empowerd to have the “real” scoop on what is taking place in Israel and Lebanon. (It has aided me greatly in speaking to the unbelievers/believers in my life).It is also encouraging to me as a woman to read of the places that you visit and the things that you do, you Sandra, are such an inpiration and testimony to our living God. Missing Zola , yes, but you are a true Gem. Will be praying for your ministry and safe trip home.
August 1st, 2006 at 1:51 pm
Dear Sandra,
It is a blessing to be able to read your journal during your time in Israel. I will treasure the time Kristyn and I had during the June trip forever. We are hoping to go back and help with repairs or whatever we can do. Some people ask aren’t we glad that we are home just in time to miss these events but the truth is I would be honored and thankful to be there now. It does allow us to be connected with your journal. We have alot of love for you and pray that God’s will and purpose are fulfilled in every way through you in Israel and that He would bring you home safely. The Vineyard Church in Wilmington NC is having prayer this Friday from 7pm until 2am to pray for Israel with the rabbi from Beth Simcha leading an hour of prayer. I am praying that many from the body of Christ will be there. Thanks again for being and sharing who yourself with us. Love, Ashley
August 1st, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Dear Sandra:
I have been really enjoying your daily blogs and so glad that you and Will are safe, which I have no doubt of. God is your protection and He wants this story told. Your words are making the situation come to life and I am so proud of the work that you all are doing. This is God’s ordained time for this.
Much love and eat a latke or two for me, you made me hungry, I believe that you are getting enough to eat.
Love and Blessings,
Jody
August 1st, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Dear Sandra, I have so enjoyed this blog. It makes me ache to see Israel. I really enjoy it when you talk about the local people. It is so good to hear they are doing well in spite of the conflict. There are many people here who realize what is really happening and are praying so hard for REAL peace. I hope you or Will will do more blogs from Isreal in the future. We will be watching!!!!!G-d Bless, Diane Williams
August 1st, 2006 at 10:35 pm
God bless you and keep you going strong in these times. We need you and your ministry more then ever!
August 2nd, 2006 at 5:31 am
Sandra,
My wife Brenda and I have enjoyed these messages from you so much.Keep up the good work. May our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST Bless you and yours.
Wish we were there.
Mike
August 2nd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
May the Lord Jesus Bless you today.
It saddened us to read the comments about other ministries and the statement of vultures and watching what we support. The unnecessary cautions to these “moves of God” only make our own ministries questionable. We need to watch our own directions realizing that God is in control. I wonder how many converts to Christ may feel the necessity to contemplate their conversions because some in influential positions question the very ministry we felt His calling from. I would caution the wisdom that would cause us to condemn or even suggest the questionable directions of another. I believe the approach should be trust in the Lord’s leading, in our appointed ministries, and pray for all others in our quiet times with the Master Jesus.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him and remember “As we give Jesus the priority, He grants us the opportunity to serve Him more completely.”
In the Master’s Service,
Rev. Ralph A. Conn
August 9th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Hi:
I was just wondering why you spelled Hezbollah with an “i”? Was this a typo or what? This should have been corrected before being put on the Internet, I think, unless this is another spelling we don’t know about.
August 10th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
There are two spellings in common use: Hizballah and Hezbollah. Some news outlets like Time Magazine use Hizbollah while others like Fox News and CNN use Hezbollah. The Jerusalem Post uses Hizbullah. Will uses Hizballah because the US State Department uses that spelling ( example: http://www.state.gov/p/io/rls/rm/68993.htm ). These are just different Roman spellings of the Arabic name.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
I always love learning about the Hebrew roots of my faith. God bless you Sandra, family and ministry partners for carrying on the work of the Lord Zola began. Shalom, Kenneth.