Home again

We are sitting in the Philly airport, as the sun comes up, waiting for our next flight to Charlotte and on to Pensacola. If USAIR ever needs people to do commercials for them we are the ones to do it. Our flights to and from Israel were wonderful - more leg room, smaller plane and courteous service. Much less confusion than going through NY airport. So, as long as El Al remains too expensive we will be checking USAIR tickets.

We hope you have enjoyed following our time in Israel - a uniquely wonderful time. We look forward already to the time G-d allows us to go to Israel again - may it be soon.

Last wake up in Israel

Just getting started in our last morning in Jerusalem. It is a beautiful day. The time always goes quickly and you find yourself back at the airport.  We are going downtown for one last cup of cafe afook and sweet roll. We will spend the morning packing and cleaning up the apartment before leaving for the airport this afternoon.

This trip has been filled with many diverse experiences. Our time of working was one of the most rewarding we have had in many years and we feel, through our efforts, G-d has made a difference in their lives. One unusual thing that happened was how many people from our past we met just walking down the street, people we knew here 20 years ago we kept running into. This has never happened in past trips. It was a time of renewing old relationships.

Spiritually this has been one of our most rewarding trips. Many of these experiences will take time to digest fully and we will try to share them with you as they come clearer to us.  But truly G-d has spoken to us here. Generally they concern the body's need to be spiritually prepared and alert for what is to be in the future.

We are pleased at how well the group has worked together. Gene and Corinne will be traveling on the same flight with us today. We appreciate all the work and support they have given while we've been here. Hopefully Sheri is already in the USA and making her way to Pensacola and will begin recovering quickly.

Nearing the End of a Wonderful Visit

Tonight Sheri will be going to the airport to return to the USA. Tomorrow we will be doing the same. How quickly the time has gone by.  We just got a report from the family we helped and they are very excited about their newly painted apartment. It is the first improvements done to their place since her husband died.  It was an ordained time from G-d.  We are so pleased that they are happy with the work we did. I think it was one of the best work projects we have done in years.

Today we participated in the Temple Mount Sifting Project. What a wonderful time we had. We had to drag Gene to the car. He enjoyed it so much he didn't want to leave.  I will post some pictures from the morning of sifting. Our leader at the sifting project mentioned they sometimes have volunteers come to work for a week at a time in the summer and fall. Something to think about....

We went downtown for one last time of hummus and fallafel.  I don't think any of us should check our weight for at least a month.

Please pray for Sheri as she travels. She will be leaving the apartment at noon Pensacola time (7 pm Jerusalem time) and traveling alone back to Pensacola.  We certainly enjoyed our time with her. She is team person always willing to go the second mile and do more.  May G-d richly bless her for her efforts.

Sunset in Jerusalem

Pictures from the day

Pictures from Avdat and Mitzpe Ramon

This is what happens when David doesn't listen to Jean

Corinne is calling this the enactment of the fall of man. But seriously we are thankful that David is okay. We stopped on our way to Avdat at a cliffs edge to look off at the view.  David began walking down a steep slope toward the edge of the cliff when the gravel starting sliding under him. He fell face first, his head slamming into a rock. He has injuries on his arm and leg but nothing as bad as his face.  We found a Magen David station (first aid) and asked them to check him out but they said he should go to the hospital. Being of a stubborn disposition he refused. So, I drove for the rest of the trip while he rested. Since it has been four hours since it happened we pray he is okay and will recover quickly.

Other than this mishap it was a wonderful day.  Will post more pictures later.

Taking off early this morning

 Mizpe Ramon Travel Guide - VirtualTourist

www.virtualtourist.com › ... › Middle East › Israel › Southern District

We are leaving early this morning to visit Avadat and Mitzpe Ramon. If you would like to see how beautiful this part of Israel is just go to this website and have a look. We are also going so David can get warm. 

One added post

We are sure you wanted to see a picture of Corinne leaning on the ladder. You have to read earlier post to understand this statement.

Time is running out!

Our time in Israel seems to be flying by at an incredible rate. We returned the tools to storage this morning and drove to Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park. The ruins here date back to the 2nd and 3rd century BCE (BC). It was inhabited until 12 century CE (AD) We looked at tombs and cisterns hollowed out by the inhabitants. In one burial cave appears an inscription mentioning Apollophanes, son of Sesmaios, leader of the Sidonian community of Marissa. The inscription and paintings shed light on the art, mythology and zoological erudition of the period, as well as the ethnic group of those interred (Edomite, Sidonian or Greek), family ties, burial customs and more.  David certainly enjoyed the warmer weather at the park. When we drove back up the hill to Jerusalem the temperature began to drop again.  It has been very cool most every day we've been in Jerusalem.

We plan on going out to dinner tonight to the Red Heifer Steak House for a last hurrah to celebrate our time here. Gene is certainly looking forward to tasting a little red meat.

Beautiful day in Israel

Sunny and cool this Sabbath morning. We are on our way walking to the Western Wall after a great breakfast of french toast and fruit salad - created by Gene and Sheri. By the way, those of you who know Gene - he has a new name he prefers.  When he returns to Pensacola please call him Ladder. While we were working in Ramat Gan the lady of the house told us he was like a ladder because he is so tall. Every few minutes she would call Gene to help her telling him she was small and he was tall - could he please reach something for her. So, he grew into his new name of "Ladder." He really likes his new name.

Shabbat in Israel

What a beautiful sunny Friday in Jerusalem. Temperatures were warm enough even for David.  The group spent time relaxing and recovering from working hard the last two days.  We also enjoyed coffee and breakfast downtown. As the sun was about to set you could hear the siren sounding to signal the beginning of the Sabbath.  Before the Sabbath began we enjoyed an afternoon of teaching from a local Bible scholar.  He had to rush off home to arrive before the Sabbath began but left us with study material and many questions to ponder.

pictures from the day

Great Day to Be Working

Finished our second day of working with the family near Tel Aviv. It was such a wonderful day together.  We spent a lot of time before coming to Israel praying for a close connection with the person we were to work with. G-d definitely honored that request. It was such a special family and special time together. The woman is a widow with seven children. Her oldest son, 19 years old, is in the army. He came home last night so he could help us work. He helped us paint until he had to return today. The Mother, M, worked along side us both days and continued to paint when we left yesterday.

It was one of the best work experiences we have had. She was so pleased with the results. Nothing had been done to her home since her husband died. She has struggled learning to live without him and was touched by our efforts. She said it was the first improvements done to their apartment since her husband died.  Her family fled Iran in 1978 when she was a child to begin life again after persecution in Iran.

She cooked huge delicious meals for us each day which made it hard to continue working. A very generous woman.  M lives on a street that is the most narrow street we have ever seen in Israel.  Parking for cars is next to her building. The place was so small she volunteered to park our car for us. It was amazing to watch her negotiate back and forth until she got our car in the tiny parking place.

It was sad to leave today. She gave us hugs and said she was sure we would see each other again some day.  We thank G-d for the opportunity to serve the people of Israel and pray G-d blesses this family with joy.