Cary Jarrett in Jerusalem

Last Trip, Last Posting

2010-03-14T18:55:00.032+02:00

In case anyone has not heard, my volunteer visa in Israel was not renewed at the end of February. After two and a half privileged years of being able to serve the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem, I am now back in Texas. Currently, Israel is not renewing visas after two full years. My last weekend in Israel, Feb 26-28, I took one more trip up north to Sea of Galilee. It was a weekend full of thunderstorms and much needed rain in Israel. However, there were occasional breaks in the weather which allowed some time for driving around and photos. My last weekend in Israel was a quiet but very enjoyable one. For me, there is nothing like serving in Jerusalem and Israel. I will miss it. Below are storm clouds over the Sea of Galilee with a touch of sunshine beginning to break through. Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain--The LORD who makes the storm clouds;And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man. Zechariah 10:1.

Driving through the Jezreel Valley, the Valley of Armageddon, Friday afternoon on the way to the Galilee. "On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel." Hosea 1:5

A road sign in the Jezreel Valley showing how many kilometers to Nazareth, in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. Nazareth-Illit (Upper Nazareth) is a newer, separate town higher up the mountain. "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:11

Nazareth on the hilltop in the Jezreel Valley. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth ... Luke 1:26

Mount Tabor in Jezreel Valley. Deborah said to Barak, "Arise! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the LORD has gone out before you." So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. Judges 4:14

From the highway, on the road to Tiberias.

Rainbow at the Horns of Hittin, where the Muslims and the Crusaders fought several hundred years ago.

Same rainbow just barely visible over the Sea of Galilee. As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.Ezekiel 1:28

Tiberias. After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. John 21:1

Slight rainbow on the left.

Little cabin where I stayed at Vered HaGalil. It is actually 3 cabins in one.

Good winter rains have the Jordan river flowing full picking up dirt along the way to give it the brownish color.

The Jordan River flowing into the Sea of Galilee.

Horses grazing by the Jordan.

Pathway at Kursi. Saturday afternoon, there was a short break in the weather and I went to a National Park located at a ruined city named Kursi. Traditionally, it is the site of Gergasa, where the Lord Jesus commanded the legion of demons into the herd of swine. They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes.Mark 5:1

Ruins of a Byzantine Church at Kursi.

Pathway leading to the chapel at Kursi located higher up the side of the mountain.

The Golan Heights showing early green colors after winter rains. "But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven ... Deuteronomy 11:11

Yardenit is a kibbutz that operates a Christian baptismal site at the Jordan River on the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee.

John the Baptist was much further south on the Jordan River down by Jericho and Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. Matthew 3:5-6

Jewish Cemetery by the Jordan.

Southern end of the Sea of Galilee.

The beginning of the fertile Jordan Valley south of the Sea of Galilee.

The top of Mount Tabor in the distance.

Moon at sunset.

Where I stayed at Vered HaGalil, the "Rose of the Galilee".

Tel Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley on my way back to Jerusalem on Sunday.

The road to Haifa and Mt. Carmel where Elijah out ran Ahab's chariot. And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.'" In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel. 1st Kings 18:44-46

Views of Jerusalem and More Orchids

2010-02-07T20:05:00.037+02:00

This is just a sunset photo from my patio. Since Jerusalem is in the mountains, you don't have a lot of pretty sunsets like at the Mediterranean Sea. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. Psalm 125:2.

Our congregation now has a new place to meet on Saturday mornings (Shabbat). No fancy buildings here just the top floor of an industrial building that the Lord Jesus has graciously provided. When the brethren come together in an atmosphere like this, it is reminiscent of the early believers gathering the Holy Spirit came. When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-2 If you zoom in on the photo below, you can see the view of the Old City from our congregation.

Looking south from our congregation, you see the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, population 35,000. Gilo was established on a bare mountain top after the 1967 War. Officially today, most of the world would classify it as "settlement". The idea that you can just move this 35,000 and another 250,000 or so Israelis across the 1967 borders is absurd. It will never happen. ... and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24.

This view a little northeast shows the City Center where CFI is located. The white building on the left is the Hamishbeer (Department Store). The wider building on the right is the Leonardo Hotel, formerly the Sheraton, by Independence Park.

Looking far northeast you can see the "String Bridge" at the entrance to Jerusalem from Highway 1 to Tel Aviv. The other tall building is the Crown Plaza Hotel.

The rest of the photos are still from our visit to Utopia Park, where all the orchids are located. Utopia Park has a few animals on the premises including this mountain goat with an upside down mane. It reminds me of Gideon asking God to put dew on the fleece only but not on the ground. Is anything too hard for God? ... behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken." And it was so. Judges 6:37-38

Christmas at En Gedi - 2

2010-01-29T17:50:00.031+02:00

These are more photos from a couple of days spent at En Gedi during our Christmas break. En Gedi is located right by the Dead Sea. A few kilometers north of En Gedi is Qumran. Below is a photo of Cave #4 at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1948.

While riding to the current water's edge of the Dead Sea, you can see signs like this where the water used to be before receeding.

At the shore of the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea, also known Biblically as the Salt Sea, was one of the borders for the children of Israel. 'And the border shall go down to the Jordan and its termination shall be at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders all around.'" Numbers 34:12.

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6

The evaporating shoreline of the Dead Sea.

Wadi Arugot at En Gedi.

Kibbutz En Gedi has an international outdoor botanical garden. Not everything was in bloom in December, but many plants and flowers were thriving.

Sculptures made from salt at an Ahava Products factory by the Dead Sea.

Caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Christmas at En Gedi

2010-01-23T19:35:00.035+02:00

It is a little late to be posting Christmas photos but it has been a busy schedule since I returned last November. En Gedi, down by the Dead Sea, is a beautiful place to visit. That is especially true in the winter time when it is damp and cold in Jerusalem. En Gedi, complete with caves and springs of running water, was a good place for David to hide from King Saul. Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!" Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi. 1st Samuel 23:26-29.

Looking across Wadi Arugot, that is Kibbutz En Gedi, where we stayed.

Wadi Arugot, a very popular place for hikers at En Gedi.

In addition to a botanical garden, Kibbutz En Gedi has a mini zoo.

Orchids, Orchids, Orchids

2010-01-15T17:02:00.034+02:00

Recently we had the opportunity to visit a new, tropical rain forest at a kibbutz near Netanya, north of Tel Aviv. We were not sure what to expect but it turned out to be very nice. They advertise having 60,000 Orchids. We did not count them but they might be right.

This orange growing vine was not at the kibbutz but a service station in Netanya.

The vine actually is growing into an olive tree.

January 2nd, 2010

2010-01-09T17:10:00.030+02:00

Saturday, January 2nd, was a beautiful day in Israel for a short road trip. We headed west out of Jerusalem ... then south past Beersheeva to Sde Boker and the Ramon Crater in the Negev ... then east/northeast to the Dead Sea ... north to Jericho ... then back west to Jerusalem. It was a very clear day all over Israel. Below the sunset taken from the car as we passed Jericho.

The Negev by Sde Boker.

From Sde Boker, the road leading to the canyon called Ein Avdat.

Ein Avdat

Reflections in the water. There has been some rain in desert this winter. Not enough but some.

Waterfall at the end of the canyon at Ein Avdat.

Ibyx at the Ramon Crater by the desert twon of Mitzpe Ramon ("View of the Ramon").

The Ramon Crater

Reflection of the Jordanian Hills in the Dead Sea on a calm day.

Last photos for a few weeks

2009-10-24T18:05:00.020+02:00

Next Friday, October 30th, I will be traveling back to the US for three weeks. This montage of photos will be the last posting until I return to Israel. One morning I thought I had to pick someone up at the airport at 6am. In reality, the time was to be 6pm. As long as I was up, it gave me a good time to take a few sunrise photos over Jerusalem.

Kidron Valley with the Mount of Olives on the right. Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. Luke 21:37.

The city center of Jerusalem. No tall buildings. All buildings made of white stone or with a white stone covering.

The Dormition Abbey with the grey pointed dome just outside the Zion Gate of the Old City.

Close up of the Old City and the Temple Mount. Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. "I have built You a lofty house, And a place for Your dwelling forever." II Chronicles 6:1.

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. Acts 1:12

Friday Night, October 2nd, was the opening night of the Feast of Tabernacles. Thousands of Christians come from all around the world to celebrate the Feast. Opening night of the Feast was held in En Gedi down by the Dead Sea. This is the Dead Sea Spa at Ein Gedi adjacent to where the concert was held. On exactly the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the crops of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the LORD for seven days, with a rest on the first day and a rest on the eighth day. Leviticus 15:39.

Paul Wilbur recorded a new DVD during the opening night of the Feast.

We had time to take a tractor ride down to the shore of the Dead Sea.

The east border was the Salt Sea, as far as the mouth of the Jordan And the border of the north side was from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. Joshua 15:5

From the Dead Sea shore looking back to the hills of the Judean Desert or Wilderness by En Gedi, where David hid from King Saul. Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi." 1st Samuel 24:1.

Looking out my living room window, my neighbors built several booths or succahs for the Feast of Tabernacles. "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the LORD. Leviticus 23:24.

They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:14.

This is our booth that we had at Feast of Tabernacles during the week.

Booths or Tabernacles built along Ben Yehuda Street by the restaurants.

So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. Nehemiah 8:16

So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, " Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written." Nehemiah 8:15

Orthodox Jews selling "sheaves to wave". 'He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. Leviticus 23:11.

At CFI, we now have some wrought iron and a historical marker.

The Municipality of Jerusalem's historical marker on our building.

There were a few more photos from the Jerusalem March to post. Here a police horse used for crowd control walks proudly. He was not needed on the day of the parade.

Before the Christians marched, many other Jewish organizations led the parade. I would presume these young girls to be dancers or something similar.

The Jerusalem Flag has the city's symbol of a lion. How appropriate. "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." Revelation 5:5.

Young soldiers in the light tan suits are from the Israeli Air Force.

Noticing my camera.

What is a parade without some motorcycles?

These guys were playing the US Marine Hymn on bagpipes. I don't know who they were.

A few Israeli companies also marched. Bank Leumi employees looked like they could march in a Texas parade.

There were 3 or 4 handicapped groups in the march. You know that was a thrill for them.

Weekend Rest in the Galilee - Continued

2009-10-12T20:22:00.014+02:00

This posting looks a lot like the one of two weeks ago. There were two days in the weekend and two different sunsets and sunrises to photograph.

The Jerusalem March

2009-10-09T19:48:00.029+02:00

On Tuesday, October 6th, during the Biblical Feast of Tabernacles, there was an annual parade known as the Jerusalem March with over 70,000 participants this year. The first half of the parade was local Jerusalem and Israeli companies marching. The last half of the parade featured nearly 4000 Christians from around the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast. These photos are mainly from the latter half of the parade. The photo below shows the Stars and Stripes beside a flag of the Lion of Judah (the Lord Jesus). Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." Revelation 5:4-5.

In order to have a parade in Jerusalem, simply use buses to block the road so no cars get by.

The corner of King George and Agron streets before the parade. I picked a spot on Agron to watch the parade. The buses in the center of Jerusalem quit running so we got to leave early.

The countries were alphabetical for the most part except Spain was one of the first for some reason.

Spain's neighbor, Portugal was right behind them. Maybe they had to catch earlier flights. The reason Christians come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) is based on the prophetic scripture in Zechariah when the Lord Jesus will reign here during the Millinium. Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths. Zechariah 14:16.

A little face painting in Portugal.

There were a few countries with only one participant. The Lord Jesus touches hearts everywhere around the world. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.

The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem (ICEJ) is the organization responsible for bringing thousands of Christians every year to Israel. Just like us, Christian Friends of Israel, ICEJ is made up of volunteers from around the world. Living in Jerusalem, you have the opportunity to meet many of these other volunteers while going to congregation or attending other events. Many friendships are made between the brethren. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35.

During World War II, the country of Denmark had the courage to save many Jews from the Holocaust by ferrying them to Sweden by boats. Fishing vessels, row boats, anything that would float and carry God's Chosen People to safety.

The country of Angola always dresses in the colors of their flag. They sat beside us at the opening night festivities by the Dead Sea Monday night.

In recent years, the country of Brazil brings the most pilgrims to Israel for the Feast. This year they had nearly 800 Christians make the journey.

Botswana's Christian representative.

A "mountie" from the Royal Mounted Canadian Police.

Canada's Maple Leaf Flag.

Nepal's representative.

This gentleman was proud to represent his country of Gabon in Africa.

The country of Germany fulfilling prophecy. "The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, And all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; And they will call you the city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 60:14.

Probably not too many Christians in Indonesia. "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL." Romans 11:4.

The flag of Jerusalem which has the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in the center. "Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Genesis 49:9-10.

The young kids of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).

These young men on the high speed Kawaski cycle are the highly trained terrorist police. You always see them around to protect dignitaries, visting presidents and prime ministers. The driver sure was watching me pretend to be taking a picture of the parade when I wanted his.

Finally in the distance, I saw the USA coming in alphabetical order.

The economy must be affecting America. Not a large representation like previous years.

This banner of Isaiah 62:1 says it all:
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
And for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning.

After the parade.

I got the terrorist police again. Not sure if it was the same two or not.

Weekend Rest in the Galilee

2009-10-03T14:13:00.033+02:00

Just in case my visa is not renewed on October 22nd, I thought I would make one more weekend trip to the Galilee. Kibbutz Kfar Haruv is located on the Golan Heights. From there and only there, you can see entire Sea of Galilee from tip to tip. I had been there a few times but never stayed overnight. Below is the sunset over the Galilee from the Golan Heights.

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. Psalm 50:1.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3.

As the sun was going down. It's tough to take photos into the sun. It was easier to simply enjoy the view.

Kibbutz Kfar Haruv calls their weekend cabin retreat Peace Vista Country Lodge.

However, all the front row cabins were booked when I called. For a few shekels more, I could have suite close by that still had the view of the Galilee.

This is my view from the inside the "cabin suite". Tough job but somebody has to do it.

Just outside the suite.

Sitting on my patio, there were plenty of doves and other birds coming and going.

I believe this is a yellow lilly just beside my patio. I had to reach over the railing to take the photo "blind". I was surprised that my feet were not in the photo.

Patio view while sitting in my chair.

These look like Indian Paint Brushes in Texas. Just outside my patio.

From my patio. At the end of the flowers is the edge of the Golan Heights. You can see the wake of a boat on the Galilee in the background.

The land next to the Galilee in this photo is Kibbutz En Gev. Between 1948 and 1967, Kibbutz En Gev was frequently attacked by Syrian mortars and snipers from the Golan Heights. It would make absolutely no sense to give the Golan Heights back to Syria which is what the world would like to have happen. God gave the Land (His Land) to the Jews, the descendants of Abraham,, Isaac, and Jacob. He has remembered His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac. Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the portion of your inheritance," Psalm 105:8-11 From God's perspective, nothing has changed. His Word will be fulfilled and will come to pass.

These geese must have taken off from the water far below. They were flying in a circular pattern spiralling upward. Once they got to their desired height, I am sure they headed south.

The Lord Jesus came back to this area after His Crucifixtion, Burial, and Resurrection. "But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." Matthew 26:32.

Looking to the north end of the Sea of Galilee, where a significant portion of the ministry of the Lord Jesus occurred. ... "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." Luke 24:5-7.

Similar photo taken early the next morning as fishermen were getting out on the Galilee just like two thousand years ago. As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Mark 1:16-17

Zippori

2009-09-28T19:18:00.034+02:00

Zippori is an ancient town in the Galilee also known as Sephoris. It is located just northwest of Nazereth. Two thousand years ago, Zippori was the capital city of the Galilee. There were plenty of building projects taking place during the time of the Lord Jesus. Before He started His ministry, it is possible that the Lord Jesus may have worked there as a carpenter or stone mason. Zippori was destroyed by an earthquake and many mosaic floors are still in tact.

This mosaic is known as "Mona Lisa of the Galilee" because nobody knows who she is. Israel's Ministry of Tourism frequently shows this mosaic in their brochures.

Mona Lisa of the Galilee is actually just a small portion of a larger room-sized mosaic.

The mosaic was located inside a building and is still there today to help preserve it.

Olive trees and picnic benches at the entrance to the National Park at Zippori.

Across the valley at the National Park entrance.

A fig tree without any leaves. Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Matthew 24:32-33.

The Galilee does have some "prickly pear" cacti.

Looking across the valley.

Zippori on the hilltop was the main part of the city.

Several rock streets are still intact from two thousand years ago.

Mosaic floors in many buildings and even some on the sidewalks.

From the Greek era before the Romans. A centaur, half-man and half-horse. Definitely strange.

Steps to the top of the hill will a large garden of cacti.

From the top of the old watchtower or guard tower, you could easily see Nazereth on the hill just to the southeast. "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:11

Busy Day in Sderot

2009-09-17T15:09:00.024+03:00

One morning on the way to Sderot, just as I came down out of the Judean Hills, this fire was in the distance. It turned out to be just a kibbutz burning off their fields, but it made a good photo. They picked the right day to burn, no wind at all.

On some early mornings as you leave Jerusalem, you are higher than the clouds. Then you drive down through them and back above them. There is no place to turn off for photos so I am trying to take these pictures with one eye and one hand on the wheel going around the curves.

Here is a straight piece of road. You can see the next hilltop to climb beyond the clouds.

Just as I was going for walk in Jerusalem.

On Wednesday, September 16th, we met a tour group from America in Sderot. The previous week we had lunch with Jacob from Sderot Media to discuss the tour. Jacob made aliyah to Israel and has lived in Sderot for the past year. He was a good tour leader. My job was simple. I just had to introduce him.

We had arranged with the tour group to meet them in front of the police station at 2:30pm.

The first stop for all politicians, and today tourists, are the collection of kasssam rockets kept at the Sderot Police Station.

Then we went to the Catepillar Playground Park where the local children know to run inside the catepillar for shelter when they hear the "Color Red" warning announcement.

We drove to an overlook in Sderot where you can see Gaza in the distance approximately 1 kilometer away. Sderot receives the most kassam rocket attacks because it is the closest, largest target for Hamas to shoot at.

We then went to a trauma center in Sderot which is empty. Currently there is not any funding for the trauma center. There we had asked Avi, a fireman in Sderot whose home was totally destroyed last December, to tell his story. It is a fascinating story that we wrote about in the upcoming issue of For Zion's Sake.

Earlier in the day, we handed out food coupons for Rosh Hashana for 45 families at Sderot's Social Affairs. The number 45 came from nine Social Workers giving us five names each of the poorest families that needed help buying food for the holidays.

A video of Jacob talking about kassam rockets. I have four other videos of the day but they are difficult to upload successfully.

Just out for a walk on a pretty day last Sunday. This is part of the complex where I live in the German Colony neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Meeting a Tour Bus at the Airport

2009-09-06T17:42:00.015+03:00

When you are out of photos to post on a blog, you are "out of photos". On Sunday, September 6th, I was scheduled to meet a tour bus from a church in Colorado. They were bringing blankets, afghans, and comforters for the upcoming winter. At CFI, we will distribute these to the elderly, poor, and needy. So I decided to take my camera and create some new photos of my trip to the airport. Below is Highway One just as we are leaving Jerusalem heading west.

Beer Sheva to the south. Haifa to the north. We are headed due west to Ben-Gurion Airport close to Tel Aviv.

Highway One thru the Judean Hills is full of hills and curves. The next photo I was able to take was at the bottom of the Judean Hills where you see an exit sign to Bet Shemesh (House of Sun). Bet Shemesh is where the two milk cows pulled the Ark of the Covenant in a wagon from the land of the Philistines which is near modern day Gaza today. The men of Bet Shemesh made a tragic mistake and looked inside the Ark. He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great slaughter. 1st Samuel 6:19.

Today we are headed to Tel Aviv and not Modi'in where 2170 years ago the Macabbees hid in the caves in order to fight. Their subsequent victory and cleansing of the Temple is still remembered today with the Hannukah Holidays (Feast of Dedication). The Lord Jesus observed this holiday. Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. John 10:22-23.

My airport exit.

Checkpoint to get into airport.

Highway inside the airport towards Terminal 3.

Ben-Gurion Airport.

Departures and arrivals to the the right. Today we will go to the left where the buses go.

Bus of Christian tourists that brought blankets for the winter.

They also gave CFI a nice check for our other projects. Since Communities Under Attack (me) was driving, surely some of that will be designated for the families of Sderot.

Grapefruit trees growing in the airport by the bus parking lot.

Back to Jerusalem.

Judean Hill in the background as we head east to Jerusalem.

You have to watch the slow trucks on Highway One. There are many curves and sometimes they are going very, very slow up to Jerusalem. After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. John 5:1.

Approaching Jerusalem.

" O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Luke 13:34.

Central Bus Station in Jerusalem.

Making my way to the City Center.

Intersection of Gershon Agron and King George in the City Center. The bus on the left of me and the car on the right of me both had a green light. But since I was in the middle lane waiting to turn left, my light was red. Driving in Jerusalem keeps an old man thinking.

Where "new meets old". Intersection of Gershon Agron and King David. Modern luxury apartments and shopping on the left at Mamilla. Luxury hotel, David's Citadel, on the right. Two blocks away in the center you can see the Old City of Jerusalem with the ancient walls.

Tour Bus #99 turning in front of me. It is a good way to see major sites of Jerusalem.

Riding the clutch at the hilly intersection of King David and Jaffa. The Old City in view.

Shivtei Israel (Tribes of Israel) Road. CFI's former offices where here 5 years ago.

Young Orthodox man at corner of Shivtei Israel and Ha Neviim (The Prophets) Street.

Finally arriving at CFI.

New parking lot entrance.

From the CFI Rose Garden.

Blankets before I unloaded.

Banner in the stairway of CFI.

Banner at reception desk.

Banner in reception lobby.

CFI waiting area with cutout of Ruth, the gentile woman who identified herself with the Jews. But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. "Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me." Ruth 1:16-17.

Day Trip Photos to the Negev & Dead Sea

2009-08-30T17:14:00.030+03:00

In mid-August one Saturday, we took a day trip out of Jerusalem. We headed west until we reached the bottom of the Judean Hills, then south past Beersheeva to the Negev Desert. We stopped at Sde Boker by the canyon known as Ein Avdat. After that we went further south to the Ramon Crater, the Negev Mountains, and then finally started heading back north along Highway 90 on the eastern edge of Israel. Highway 90 brings you past the Dead Sea to Jericho where you turn back west to go up to Jerusalem.

Teepees in the desert for overnight campers.

Ein Avdat.

The Ramon Canyon.

This little Ibyx walked right up to us. I have it on a video if it uploads.

The highly concentrated water known Biblically as the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea).

A series of Dead Sea Hotels and Spas known as Ein Boqet.

With the sun setting in the west you had a perfect reflection of the mountains in the Dead Sea.

Encouraging the IDF on the Golan

2009-08-21T14:48:00.029+03:00

On Monday, August 17th, I went with Karen, the IDF Outreach Coordinator, to the Golan Heights to make two different visits to the young men defending God's Land. "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Joshua 1:6.

"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7.

When the armies of the world turn towards Jerusalem, the God of Israel Himself will defend His Holy City. "In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them. Zechariah 12:8.

The Golan Heights, immediately east of the Sea of Galilee, is a very strategic area for Israel. Today the US and the rest of the world wants Israel to give the Golan Heights back to Syria, one of Iran's best friends. Around 3400 years ago, when the Jews entered the Promised Land from wandering in the desert, the Golan Heights was known as Bashan where two and a half of the 12 tribes lived. So Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to the half-tribe of Joseph's son Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan, the land with its cities with their territories, the cities of the surrounding land. Numbers 32:33.

The commander of the tank unit met us in a different location and we followed him here.

It was a short walk down the dusty road where the young men were training.

These young men are very comfortable walking all over and taking care of their tanks.

The IDF assigns four young men to a tank complete with sleeping facilities.

They were replacing a cracked wheel on one of the tanks.

To get the wheel off, you hit it with a slege hammer. On this particular day, the young men had been hammering all morning and the wheel had not budged.

This morning we actually just delivered T-Shirts to the entire tank unit. Karen always orders from an authorized IDF supplier and the T-Shirts are personalized with each unit's logo, symbol, and/or name. The young men were glad to receive them. Every one of them has a tremendous sense of pride in their unit and duty responsibility.

Several of the young men spoke English which certainly helped me. They were impressed when we told them about the work of Christian Friends of Israel.

We also told them that we are just volunteers in Israel and the money for the T-Shirts comes from Christians around the world that love Israel.

One young man told me "You did not have to bring T-Shirts, just to come and visit encourages us more than you know."

This is a short movie I took showing a tank being backed into a parking place. The driver cannot see and has to rely on navigators outside the tank.

Shivta & Tel Arad

2009-08-16T12:58:00.050+03:00

I do believe these are the last of the desert photos from our July 4th weekend trip. One stop was to Shivta deep in the Negev. The Egyptian border was not too far away. We were also in close proximity to the traditional site of Kadesh Barnea, where Moses dispatched the 12 spies in Numbers 13. "Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the LORD has given them? "This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land."For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the sons of Israel so that they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them. Numbers 32:7-9

Shivta was one of the Nabatean cities on the Spice Route to the Mediterranean. Shivta was also a Christian city during the Byzantine Era around 500 - 700 AD (CE).

All that I wrote above I learned from reading this sign.

The ruins at Shivta are quite extensive. It is so isolated not a lot of tourists go there. On July 4th, we were the only ones there.

Walking in some isolated and abandoned areas, I kicked up a few pigeons that were roosting. You can barely see the last one in flight.

Shivta contains the ruins of three Byzantine Churches. Not sure if they had doctrinal differences or the city was large enough to accomodate three churches. Paul's letters have many references to disagreements among the early church. Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1st Corinthians 1:10.

This is the second church that I came to. The archeological site just named them the North, South, and West churches. Hopefully there were not divisions among the brethren like the Corinthians. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." 1st Corinthians 1:12.

At one of the churches there was a baptismal pool in the shape of a cross. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, Matthew 3:16.

Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:48.

I wondered why I took this picture of just rocks but I finally saw the chameleon in the lower left center of the photo. He blends in well.

Trying to break my neck in the middle of the desert, I climbed up these not so safe rocks to take this photo. Not sure why now.

The third church.

Another chameleon hanging from the ceiling. Had he decided to take a walk on my head, I'm not sure what my reaction would have been. It's like he could plant his feet in my bald head.

Instead of leaping for my head, he went the other way.

The streets of Shivta are very visible after 13-1400 years or so.

This is Tel Arad which is close to the modern day city of Arad, which is close to last week's posting of Masada. When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. Numbers 21:1.

Tel Arad is located on a high hill where you can see your enemies approaching. Looking south from Tel Arad you can see two Arab villages with the tall mosques.

Looking north from Tel Arad you can see two Bedouin camps in the desert.

Tel Arad was a well fortified city. This was one item that bothered 10 spies but not Joshua and Caleb. "Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Numbers 13:28.

There are always a few tanks in the desert. The bad guys don't live very far away. For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones. Psalm 83:2-3.

They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." Psalm 83:4

The Back Side of Masada

2009-08-09T10:17:00.027+03:00

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Israel is Masada down by the Dead Sea. Two thousand years ago, Masada was originally built by King Herod to be a winter palace. Masada would be the last battle fought in the Roman-Jewish wars that began 30-35 years after the Lord Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. To His disciples, the Lord Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD while they were admiring Jerusalem and the Temple from the Mount of Olives. "As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down." Luke 21:6.

Masada was the last place to hide and holdout for the Jews who did not want to submit to Roman authority. The siege of Masada ocurred from 70-73 AD. The above photo is approaching Masada from the west, the back side. The main entrance for buses, cars, and a cable car to the top of Masada is on the east side off of Highway 90 by the Dead Sea. The remains of the dirt ramp that ascended to the top of Masada are still visible today.

A closer view of Masada and the Roman ramp to the top. The ramp was built with Jewish slaves one bucket of dirt at a time. Those who held out on Masada would not kill their brethren. These Words of God were repeated twice by Moses. You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:19.

The Roman ramp as the sun is going down.

A recreation of the battering ram the Romans used to enter the city.

King Herod actually built himself a three tiered palace on the northern slope of Masada. This is the same King Herod who was ruling over Jerusalem at the time of the birth of the Lord Jesus. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1-3.

Herod may have been a master builder but he was also a butcher and murderer that was afraid of losing his power. Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Matthew 2:16.

The Dead Sea behind the northern edge of Masada. The mountains of Jordan on the other side. Also known as the Salt Sea in the Bible, this was a border for the children of Israel. 'And the border shall go down to the Jordan and its termination shall be at the Salt Sea. This shall be your land according to its borders all around.' "So Moses commanded the sons of Israel, saying, "This is the land that you are to apportion by lot among you as a possession, which the LORD has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes. Numbers 34:12-13.

The caves at the bottom are actually cisterns. Cisterns on Masada allowed the Jews to withstand the Roman siege for three years. King Uzziah built a lot of cisterns in Jerusalem during his reign. Moreover, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate and at the Valley Gate and at the corner buttress and fortified them. He built towers in the wilderness and hewed many cisterns, for he had much livestock, both in the lowland and in the plain. He also had plowmen and vinedressers in the hill country and the fertile fields, for he loved the soil. II Chronicles 26:9-10.

In 73 AD, when it became apparent that the Romans were about to enter Masada, the zealots of Masada choose to commit suicide rather than face the Roman army. In the 1960's, during the excavation of modern day Masada, the bones of the zealots that were found were buried here.

In 73 AD at Masada, each man had to kill his own family. Then 10 men were chosen to kill the rest of the men. Then the 10 drew lots to see which one would kill the other nine. Then the last man was to fall on his sword. In all, 970 Jews died before the Romans entered the city. This was recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus and verified by one woman and two children who survived. The lots of the ten men were actually found during the excavations.

One of the best reasons to go to Masada from the back side is to see the nighttime sound & light show which tells the story of 70-73 AD.

There is only one older accesible road to the back side of Masada which begins in the desert town of Arad. Modern day Arad is a thriving and popular city located near the ruins of the Biblical town of Arad. Now the Canaanite, the king of Arad who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the sons of Israel. Numbers 33:40.

After Joshua led the Israelites into the land promised by God, the descendants of Jethro, Mose's father-in-law, settled in the area just south of Arad. The descendants of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up from the city of palms with the sons of Judah, to the wilderness of Judah which is in the south of Arad; and they went and lived with the people. Judges 1:16.

We did catch the Masada Sound & Light Show on a full moon night in the desert with a good strong breeze.

Before the show started, many Orthodox Jews were also in attendance. In the photo below, a few of them are praying towards Jerusalem. "Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and speak against the sanctuaries and prophesy against the land of Israel; Ezekiel 21:2.

Between Arad and Masada is place where you can "spend the night in the desert". There were six bus loads of young kids getting ready to go on a camel ride.

Galilee

2009-08-01T19:49:00.050+03:00

One distinct advantage of living in Jerusalem is that you are only a few hours away from seeing all of God's Land in Israel. The God of Israel loves this land and even declares that the Land belongs to Him. The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me. Leviticus 25:23.

One Saturday we took a drive up north through the Jezreel Valley to the Sea of Galilee. When you approach the Sea of Galilee from the north the scenery is beautiful. One of the first historical sites that you will pass is the traditional site for the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes). When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:1-3.

This is the Church of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.Matthew 5:4-6.

The Sea of Galilee from the Mt of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:7-9.

Also from the Mt of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12.

By the shore of the Sea of Galilee where the Lord Jesus walked. Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Matthew 4:18.

Church by the Sea of Galilee.

A major portion of the ministy of the Lord Jesus centered around Capernaum. Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea ... Matthew 4:12-13.

The garden at the entrance of Capernaum. The Hebrew name is Kfar Nahum or the Village of Nahum, one of the prophets of Israel. The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him ... Nahum 1:7.

At Capernaum, there is a statue of Peter with the verse ... and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matthew 16:18. Many people think this verse is talking about Peter but that is not correct. The Lord Jesus is talking about Himself, since He is the Christ, the Messiah, being the Rock and the Cornerstone of His Church. Peter knew the correct answer when the Lord Jesus asked the question. "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."Matthew 16:15-16.

The synagogue at Capernaum. Two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus taught here. They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. Mark 1:21.

These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. John 6:59.

The Greek Orthodox Church from the synagogue at Capernaum.

Ancient pillars still in tact at the synagogue.

Artwork at the top of the pillars.

Capernaum is by the seashore. ... and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. John 6:17.

So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the small boats, and came to Capernaum seeking Jesus. John 6:24.

Beautiful shade tree by the Galilee shore at Capernaum.

This little shade tree is on top of Mt. Arbel just west of the Sea of Galilee.

The views from Arbel are always worth seeing again.

In the middle of the Jezreel Valley, looking north you can see Nazareth on the hill. And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city (Nazareth), and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. Luke 4:28-30.

Driving back to Jerusalem through the Jordan Valley, there is a nice rest stop close to Jericho. This photo is looking up the trunk of a date palm tree.

Dates that will be ripe soon.

For a few shekels, there is always a camel to ride at this rest stop.

The sun was going down in Jerusalem as we got home. For this photo of the Old City from the south, there was still too much sunlight.

With the sun at my back, the photo of the Mt of Olives came out better. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all describe a discussion of the future between the Lord Jesus and his disciples that took place on the Mt of Olives. As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Matthew 24:3.

Camels, Flowers, Ancient Cities in the Desert

2009-07-25T11:13:00.001+03:00

On our July 4th weekend, one of Israel's National Parks that we went to see was Mamshit. Mamshit was the northern most Nabatean city of the ancient Spice Route. Today it is close to the Israeli city of Dimona. Adjacent to Mamshit was the Negev Camel Ranch where you could go on a one or two hour camel safari.

It was very hot July 4th weekend. A desert safari might be better in the fall or even winter.

Many of these camels are saddled and ready to ride. A camel's saddle is where Rachel tried to hide her idols. Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel's saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find them. Genesis 31:34.

And he said, " Come in, blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?" Genesis 24:31.

A two-week old baby camel they wanted us to see. He was sitting beneath the legs of his mother.

We stayed at a kibbutz in the Negev called Mashabeh Sade. Israel's kibbutzim in the desert always are beautifully landscaped and complete with flowers. The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Isaiah 35:1.

Our rooms at Mashabeh Sade.

Mamshit from the road as we approached the National Park.

Mamshit.

Mamshit had tiny built-in aquaducts running to many households.

These were the horse stables that are still very much intact. I would not have known that but there was a sign informing me.

At the horse stables, they had built in feeding and watering troughs.

Looking south from Mamshit through the wadi or valley.

West.

This sign was dusty and I wanted to get close enough to see what it said.

My good friend Vern taking a picture of me taking a picture of hm. At the time I was on the structure called the Watchtower which I had managed to climb without breaking a leg.

A chameleon. I did not take the picture upside down but rather he was clinging to the top of the doorway. They move very fast and I was surprised to get a photo. The next day when we went to Shivta, I saw two more that I should be able to post next week.

Ein Avdat & Sde Boker Again

2009-07-20T18:14:00.009+03:00

On July 4th weekend, for some reason, we decided to go to the Negev Desert to see places that we have not seen. In the middle of the summer, in the middle of the desert, it was probably also a small test of survival. Since my friends have their gall bladders, the test was really mine. One place we did re-visit was Ein Avdat canyon which is close to Sde Boker. Anytime you are in the middle of the Negev, you have to go by Ein Avdat. The photo below shows where we are going. On the left side, you can see the road that we will descend to.

Following the descent, we approach Ein Avdat.

After parking, an easy hike for old man begins down the white walled canyon.

Ibyx finding something to eat.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. Psalm 42:1.

The waterfall at the end of the canyon is just barely a trickle in the middle of summer. There is no rain in the summer in Israel. It is like the Biblical scriptures of the former and latter rains. So rejoice, O sons of Zion,And be glad in the LORD your God;For He has given you the early rain for your vindication And He has poured down for you the rain,The early and latter rain as before. Joel 2:23.

These little guys swam like ducks among the reeds.

This little guy was not afraid of us. If we got too close he would run into the bushes. But he always returned. Very similar to a chipmunk.

After hiking in Ein Avdat, you can stop at the top of the hill and walk to the grave of David Ben-Gurion and his wife. David Ben-Gurion was the first Prime Minister of Israel and very influential in re-establishing the Nation of Israel. It was his speech on May 14th, 1948, that declared the (old) new Jewish nation would be called Israel. A nation born in one day was foretold by the prophet Isaiah. "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. Isaiah 66:8.

Even if you could catch this little lizard, it would be unclean to eat him. 'Now these are to you the unclean among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the mole, and the mouse, and the great lizard in its kinds, and the gecko, and the crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand reptile, and the chameleon 'These are to you the unclean among all the swarming things; whoever touches them when they are dead becomes unclean until evening. Leviticus 11:29-31.

There is a very tame herd of Ibyx at Sde Boker.

The graves of David and Paula Ben-Gurion. David Ben-Gurion was God's man to re-establish the nation of Israel. By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. Provebs 8:15.

Remembering Holocaust Survivors

2009-07-11T11:08:00.018+03:00

On Tuesday, June 9th, Christian Friends of Israel (CFI) sponsored a luncheon and day trip for Holocaust survivors from Sderot. CFI's project name to reach out to Holocaust survivors is called Forsake Them Not. One of the projects, Communities Under Attack, that I am responsible for covered the cost for non-survivor spouses and guests. As a result, I got to tag along.

The day trip outing was at Yad HaShmonah in the Judean Hills just a few kilometers west of Jerusalem. These survivors welcomed a few hours away from the stress of living in Sderot. Since January we have visited over 100 families in Sderot and southern Israel. However, on this day everyone was a new face to me.

Our welcoming and direction sign to the meeting hall.

Morning refreshements from the long trip included coffee, tea, juice, pastries and cookies.

Many of these survivors would have horrible stories to share. However, today was to be just a time of fellowship and fun. For the sake of my brothers and my friends,I will now say, " May peace be within you." Psalm 122:8.

Moses recorded a description of an evil time that God's Chosen People, the Jews, would face. "So your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you will be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life."In the morning you shall say, 'Would that it were evening!' And at evening you shall say, 'Would that it were morning!' because of the dread of your heart which you dread, and for the sight of your eyes which you will see. Deuteronomy 28:66-67.

Yad HaShmonah has a very nice Biblical garden for walking. I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; Ecclesiates 2:5.

This scripture rock describes the sculpture after it. I posted this once before.

And rend your heart and not your garments "Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil. Joel 2:13.

It was a hot day for walking in the Biblical garden, but no one stayed behind.

Conversation around the olive press.

Listening to a description of how an olive press functions. Olive oil was used to burn lamps in the tabernacle. Command the sons of Israel that they bring to you clear oil from beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. Leviticus 24:2.

I like these purple trees of early summer. Not sure what they are called.

Boarding the bus to return to Sderot. This day trip was on a Tuesday. We would travel to Sderot on Thursday to visit other families. Israel is a small country. We try to leave Jerusalem around 7:30am on Sderot days. It takes about an hour and a half to get there. We visit 4 or 5 families and have other stops at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Services or the appliance store to purchase a refrigerator or washing machine. We return late afternoon, early evening depending on Highway 1 traffic back to Jerusalem. I enjoy driving in God's Land. Man goes forth to his work And to his labor until evening. Psalm 104:23.

The following photos were taken in Sderot on Thursday, July 9th.

Our first stop last Thursday was to interview a Sderot fireman whose home was destroyed by a kassam rocket last December. We visited him at his home two weeks ago. His story is fascinating how God protected them from harm even though the house was destroyed. Yulia from CFI's media department went with us in order to record it. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. II Thessalonians 3:3.

Avi, the fireman, was actually working today so we conducted the interview on the sidewalk outside the fire station.

Not only does CFI reach out to Holocaust survivors and terror victims but also the poor and needy; widows and orphans; Israel Defense Forces; and Ethiopian Jews just to name a few. "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:37-40.

David, Goliath, Bell Caves & Tombs.

2009-06-30T20:00:00.023+03:00

The valley of Elah where Goliath would walk down to challenge anyone from Israel to fight. Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines. The Philistines stood on the mountain on one side while Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. 1st Samuel 17:2-3.

Due east from Tel Azekah is a smaller valley that would lead towards Bethlehem where David traveled back and forth. David was the youngest. Now the three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's flock at Bethlehem. 1 Samuel 17:14-15.

A closeup photo of the valley leading to Bethlehem.

These steps on Tel Azekah lead to the David & Goliath lookout over the valley of Elah. Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 1 Samuel 17:1.

Tel Azekah is located south of Bet Shemesh in a location known as the British Park. Bet Shemesh would be about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

From Tel Azekah, this is the view north opposite the valley of Elah.

Shepherds watching over their flock with Tel Azekah in the background on the right. A similar scene occurred near Bethlehem a few miles east of this location the night our Saviour, the Lord Jesus, was born. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8.

Just a few kilometers down the highway from the valley of Elah is an Israeli National Park called Bet Guvrin. Bet Guvrin is known for having very unique caves called bell caves. From the inside, the photo below shows one surface hole where they would drop the workers down and excavate the diggings back through it. The further they would dig down the wider the cave would be eventaully making the shape of a bell. Thus the name "bell caves".

There is an estimated 800 caves in the area. Only a few of them are available to the public. Inside Cave#2 were hundreds of "pigeon holes" made specifically for either doves and pigeons. The sign said birds were not used for sacrificing but rather for food. Plus their droppings would be used for fertilizer.

A dark photo below but afterall it was a cave.

Daylight and civilization await right up those stairs.

This little guy was outside the caves thinking about his ancestors who used to live there.

Different hole opening from a different cave.

More pigeon holes.

On a hot summer day, the caves were a welcomed cool location from the sun. We also found some tombs that have been freshened up and repainted. Nehimiah longed to rebuild the walls and the city of Jerusalem where "the tombs of his fathers was located". I said to the king, "If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." Nehemiah 2:5.

Tombs are certainly very Biblical. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one's regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. II Chronicles 21:20.

So Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, for they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel; and Hezekiah his son reigned in his place. II Chronicles 28:27.

So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the upper section of the tombs of the sons of David; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. And his son Manasseh became king in his place. II Chronicles 32:33.

So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in the second chariot which he had, and brought him to Jerusalem where he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. II Chronicles 35:34.

Across the street from Bet Guvrin are the ruins of an old Roman/Byzantine era city complete with a coliseum / amphitheater. Below the are the floor entrances to the coliseum. Looks like either gladiators could come through those openings or perhaps actors and actresses?

You could walk on the inside all the way around the amphitheater.

The ruins of a Byzantine church.

Byzantine crosses were in the columns.

Description of the church that was still here at the time of the crusaders.

Before the valley of Elah was a scenic turnout to a location known as the Burma Road. Israel's Burma Road was built at night in 1948 in order to provide "back-door" access to Jerusalem. During the 1948 War, the Arabs cut off the main road, now called Highway 1, by placing rocks and boulders in the way. As a convoy of supply trucks with food and water approached the boulders, snipers from the hillside would open fire. Many convoys tried but were unable to reach Jerusalem. This was before helicopters. A small valley full of dirt was brought in to bridge the gap between supplies and an old Roman road. The convoys were able to get through to the starving Jews of Jerusalem.

The Burma Road model showing the route.

The view from the beginning of the Burma Road located just south of today's Highway 1 from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Mt. Herzl National Cemetery

2009-06-21T19:01:00.022+03:00

Mt. Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem would be Israel's equivalent to Arlington Nat'l Cemetery in Washington, DC. Many former Israeli leaders and soldiers are buried here. There are also many civilian tragedies remembered. Below is the monument to Theodore Herzl who organized the first Zionist Congress in Basil, Switzerland, in 1897. The cemetery carries his name.

Very similar to Joseph's request to have "his bones" carried to the Promised Land, Theodore Herzl made a request to have "his bones" interred in the revived state of Israel. In 1949, Herzl's 45 year-old request was fulfilled. Joseph's statement was also a commitment that he believed the Promises of God. Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob." Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here." Genesis 50:24-25.

So all throughout the 40 years of the children of Israel being in the desert, someone had to be carrying Joseph's coffin. After entering the promised land of Canaan, the Israelites buried Joseph at Shechem where his tomb still is today. Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons. Joshua 24:32.

Placing rocks on monuments or coffins is a Jewish tradition.

This is the entrance to Mt. Herzl Cemetery on Herzl Boulevard in Jerusalem where you can see Herzl's tomb.

Mt. Herzl is beautifully landscaped on a hillside lined with trees, flowers, and walking paths.

A view of west Jerusalem from Mt. Herzl.

I finally found something in English to read, the Monument for the Victims of Terror. At Christian Friends of Israel (CFI), I am currently responsible for visiting the surviving victims of terror and blessing them with shekels sent by Christians from around the world. CFI has visited and comforted terror victims in Israel for many years.

The Terror Victims Monument.

I came to special section and by these photos could tell it was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 1967 Six Day War.

In the upper left photo below is General Ariel Sharon obviously discussing strategy during the '67 War. In the lower left is Ariel Sharon on the right talking to then Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. Of course, this is same Ariel Sharon who has been in a coma for the past years. The coma occurred while Sharon was Prime Minister of Israel shortly after he forcibly evacuated Jews from their homes in Gaza. Once Gaza was 100% Palestinian, they elected Hamas as the ruling party. In the past few years, Hamas has fired over 8000 rockets into southern Israel. The little town of Sderot that we visit weekly has been the target of over 7000 of those rockets.

Since this memorial was written in Hebrew, I could not read it. However, I could make out the date 12-12-1940. This is what I discovered: December 12, 1940: The refugee ship Salvador, after being denied entrance by to Palestine by the British, sinks. 250 Jews, including 75 Children are drowned. They must be buried here.

Teddy Kollek was Mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years and a good friend of David Ben-Gurion. I read once that Teddy loved his city so much that he would get up early and drive the streets on his way to work looking for potholes, road problems, trash, etc. He was his own inspector.

Teddy Kollek's monument. Jerusalem's main football (soccer) stadium is named Teddy Stadium.

Below is the headstone for Golda Meir, Israel's only female Prime Minister who served in the late 60's and early 70's. Golda was Prime Minister during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. When the outcome of the war looked doubtful for Israel, Golda called President Richard Nixon in the middle of the night on his personal phone at the White House to plea for help. Despite warnings from Arab nations of oil embargoes against any country who helped Israel, President Nixon issued the command to help Israel "at all costs". Chances are that would not happen today if America were asked to come to the aid of Israel.

Golda Meir's monument. This is Wikipedia's description of the USA aid to Israel during the Yom Kippur War: Operation Nickel Grass was an overt strategic airlift operation conducted by the United States to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The Military Airlift Command of the U.S. Air Force shipped 22,325 tons of tanks, artillery, ammunition, and supplies in C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft between Oct 12 and Nov 14, 1973.

Levi Eshkol, Prime Minister of Israel during the 1967 Six Day War. He had to have the courage to give the order to strike first at Egypt and their leader, Abdul Nasser, who had blocked Israel's most southern seaport; asked the UN troops to leave the Sinai (which they did); and had been threatening Israel with anniliation for several months. Very much like Iran does today. Some things never change. Two years later, Prime Minister Eshkol died while in office.

Many Israel cities have an Eshkol Boulevard. One of Jerusalem's northern neighborhoods is called Ramat Eshkol.

Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister who shook hands with Yassar Arafat on the White House lawn in 1993. The occasion was signing the Oslo Peace accords which have been a complete and total failure. Giving away "land for peace" was a volatile issue then and still is today. The land of Israel belongs to the Jews. O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac. Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the portion of your inheritance," Psalm 105:6-11.

Yitzhak Rabin was assinated in November, 1995. That is his monument on the right, his wife Leah's on the left. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. Zechariah 12:3

The sign below directs you to the "sheroteem's". The WC stands for Water Closets. You will find "WC's" all over Israel.

Walking the Old City Walls - Part 2

2009-06-18T18:09:00.012+03:00

A short distance past the Damascus Gate, you can see the side of a hill that the city has encompassed. Looking closely at a portion of this hill, you can see how the rock formation resembles a man's face. Traditionally, this is known as Golgotha (Place of the Skull), the location of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. John 19:17-18.

From the Old City Walls, this is traditional Golgatha with a bus station just below it. For the previous photo, I zoomed in on the right hand side of the rock formation. And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, Matthew 27:33.

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Luke 23:33.

More aerial photos of traders and merchants right over the Damascus Gate. Once or twice the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem. Nehemiah 13:20.

The bald heads look like me but I'm taking the photo.

An Arab lady with her hands full from shopping balances more purchases on her head.

The gray domes are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

In the Arab quarter of the Old City, this patio was right next to the walls.

More buying and selling across the street from The Old City.

Young Arab boys getting ready to play basketball.

East Jerusalem with Mt. Scopus and Hebrew University in the distance on the left. Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mt of Olives in the distance on the right.

Rockefeller Museum across the street from The Old City. In 1967, when the IDF Paratroopers were liberating Jerusalem, Rockefeller Museum was a temporary fortress for them while fighting the Jordanian Arab Legion who was in the Old City. No Palestinians were around. Between 1948 and 1967, the Arabs who lived in East Jerusalem and the West Bank were actually citizens of Jordan. King Hussein relinquished all authority over these areas in the mid-80's.

An Arab girls basketball team getting ready to practice with the Mt of Olives in the background.

Augusta Victoria Hospital on top of the Mt of Olives has an interesting history. From Wikipedia: "Augusta Victoria was built in 1907 as a center for the German Protestant community in Ottoman Palestine. The complex, completed in 1910, included the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension with a 65-meter belltower and a hospice for Christian pilgrims. The complex was named for Augusta Victoria, wife of German Kaiser Wilhelm II, who visited Jerusalem in 1898. "

Young Arab boys playing football (soccer) with the Islamic Shrine in the background.

The Mt of Olives with a street that ascends from East Jerusalem. The traditional pathway for the triumphal entry is more of a walking path that leads to the Garden of Gethsemene. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,"Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!"Matthew 21:8-9.

Lion's Gate just ahead. The end of the walk.

At the base of the Mt of Olives is the Russian Orthodox Church with the golden onion domes and the Church of all Nations adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane. They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." Mark 14:32.

This photo was not from the walls but from the street as I was walking along waiting for a taxi to come and rescue me from my journey.

Last Sunday morning I noticed this interesting political ad on King George Street. I thought I would take a photo before someone painted over it.

It was actually a quadrant of four posters on a very busy street. By the time I went home later in the afternoon, someone had painted over it. But I got my photos.

Walking the Old City Walls - Part 1

2009-06-13T08:25:00.014+03:00

One of the more interesting walks you can take in Jerusalem is on top of the Old City Walls. Rampart's Walk as it is called starts from the Jaffa Gate. You choose which direction you would like to go. Going north from the Jaffa Gate will take you over the Christian Quarter, the New Gate, the Arab Quarter, the Damascus Gate, Herod's Gate, and finally Lion's Gate where the walk ends. Going south from the Jaffa Gate takes you through the Armenian Quarter, over Zion Gate, past the Jewish Quarter, and the walk ends at the Dung Gate. Not having any photos for the blog, last Sunday, June 7th, I took the northern route of Rampart's Walk. Below are Arab street vendors and shoppers at the Damascus Gate. The young Arab boy is getting an early start on learning the art of being a vendor.

Below is a close up of one of the Jaffa Gate walls where I started. Looking closely you can see all the bullet holes left from the 1948 and 1967 Wars. Of course, Jerusalem is no stranger to war. About 2600 years ago, Sennacherib of Assyria thought he could conqueor Jerusalem. Now when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem ... II Chronicles 32:2.

My ascent to the walls.

The entrance to the Old City at Jaffa Gate. This is where General Edmund Allenby and the British Army marched into the Old City during World War I. The British forces, including the ANZACS (Australian - New Zealand Army Corps) had defeated the Ottoman Turks down south at Beersheva and Gaza. The Turks pulled out of Jerusalem and went further north to continue fighting. General Allenby dismounted his horse in order to walk humbly into Jerusalem. He knew it would be a historical moment.

Looking through a defensive "hole in the wall" position. When these walls were built around 1500, the weapon of choice would have been string bows (bows and arrows).

Going up a little higher.

The walls of David's Citadel on the left. That is just the name of it today, these walls would not have been here during the reign of King David. The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years he reigned in Hebron and thirty-three years he reigned in Jerusalem. 1st Kings 2:11.

More of David's Citadel from on top of Jaffa Gate.

The beginning of west Jerusalem with the famous hotel named after King David. That is where many presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, etc. stay when in Jerusalem.

Norte Dame is located across the street from the northeast corner of the Old City. This is where the pope stayed when he was here in May. That is the Vatican Flag flying.

This photo catches the crescent moon of Islam from the top of a mosque plus the Vatican Flag. (The flag is actually across the street). At least one half of the world's population are following one or the other of these icons.

Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus north of the Old City.

The steeple of the Lutheran Church in the Old City. Either the steeple is starting to lean or perhaps without a gall bladder, my equilibrium is more to the right than before.

The entrance to the Old City from the New Gate. This is the Christian Quarter and all the stores are closed on Sunday. If I had walked on a Friday, the entrance from the Damascus Gate would have looked like this. The Jewish Quarter would be very quiet on Shabbat (Saturday).

Walking the walls headed east on the northern wall.

This highway is the dividing line between east and west Jerusalem. Prior to 1967, this would have been a border fence. You can see the tracks of Jerusalem's new light rail system adjacent to the highway. The light rail system is supposed to be finished in a couple of years. We'll see. For those of us who know the God of Israel as our Saviour, aren't we grateful that He has removed our sins from as far as the east is from the west. As far as the east is from the west,So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12.

Still headed east.

Mt. Scopus in the distance.

Plaza area just prior to the Damacus Gate.

Bouganvilla growing on the inside of one section of the walls.

The Damascus Gate is in the center of this photo but a little hard to distinguish. You can see Islamic mosques on the left and right in the Arab neighborhoods.

Thousands of people live in the Old City and still have to hang laundry on their rooftops.

The Islamic Dome of the Rock with the southern portion of the Mt. of Olives in the distance. The Dome of the Rock is located on the Temple Mount where the Lord Jesus will establish His throne for a thousand years. The apostle John records this in Revelation: Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4.

It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. Zechariah 12:3.

At first I thought I had to tightrope the narrow ledge on the left. Then I saw the steps. The lack of a gall bladder apparently affects your mind, too. This is the exit to the Damascus Gate. You could end your walk here. However, it is the same price as going on to the Lion's Gate.

Looking back from where I have walked. That is the Lutheran Church Steeple on the left and Norte Dame on the right. It made me tired to think that I had walked that far.

Arab East Jerusalem.

Arab dress shop at the Damascus Gate entrance. No Macy's here.

Rooftops of the Old City.

Buyers and sellers at Damacus Gate.

Fruits, vegetables, tennis shoes, clothes, etc. Each vendor is selling something different just like a flea market in the states. Zooming in you see many different cultures and faces.

Two Orthodox Jews entering the Damascus Gate next to the soccer balls and other toys.

You could get dizzy taking too many of these photos.

Zoom in on the upper left and there is an Arab lady sitting down asking passers by for help. That is very Biblical. Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, "Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?" John 9:8.

Sunrise from my patio. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Trips to Sderot

2009-06-06T08:58:00.018+03:00

I do apologize for not posting anything the past few weeks. Gall stones in the bile duct causing the liver and kidneys to cease functioning; turning yellow like a squash; an ERCP; lapriscopic surgery to remove the gall bladder, etc. etc., kept me from posting the blog for awhile. Minor inconveniences. God is gracious and full of compassion. Now I am "back in the saddle again."

On Tuesday, June 2nd, we headed back to Sderot to bless the families that are traumatized by Hamas shooting kassam rockets from Gaza just one kilometer away. I took a few photos of a typical trip. Below is one of the five families that we blessed Tuesday. The husband recently lost his job when the factory where he worked was closed. They are expecting their second child in September. In January, during Operation Cast Lead, their home was destroyed by a kassam rocket. They were down to their last few shekels when Christian Friends of Israel (us) drove down from Jerusalem to bless them with many shekels to help them through this difficult period. They were extremely grateful. With a background of the "flowing living water", this is the couple along with Jacki from New Zealand and Varya from the Ukraine, who is my co-worker and translator. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38.

This is CFI just as I was leaving around 8am. For the past two months, the Municipality of Jerusalem has removed our walls and shortened our landscaped front yard to build a bigger street and walking path for a new apartment building just west of us. CFI rents the building from the Municipality so there is no need to complain. No one would hear us.

Here I am going down HaNaviim (The Prophets) Street headed west to Highway 1.

While at a stop light, I leaned out the window to take a photo of the "string bridge" located at the entrance to Jerusalem on Highway 1. The design is to be like David's Harp.

As we approach Ashdod, there is a lot of road construction taking place. Ashdod is a port city and there are a lot of container shipping and industrial trucks in the area. This the same Ashdod on the Mediterranean Coast where the Philistines brought the Ark of the Covenant when they captured it. Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 1st Samuel 5:1.

The south exit to Ashdod close to the train station. Varya lives near Tel Aviv and rides the train to Ashdod where we pick her up and then continue further south to Sderot. Ashdod is where the statue of Dagon kept falling down before the Ark of the Covenant. When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is severe on us and on Dagon our god." 1st Samuel 5:7.

Just a few kilometers south of Ashdod is a another coastal city of the Biblical Philistines, Ashkelon. These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron; 1st Samuel 6:17.

Sderot from the highway. Gaza would be behind me when taking this photo.

Elementary school in Sderot with a cement canopy built over it to protect from the kassams.

All bus stops in Sderot have a dual purpose as bomb shelters.

An apt building that we would visit while the "desert blooms" outside. The wilderness and the desert will be glad,And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom;Like the crocus ... Isaiah 35:1.

This is another family that we visited in early May. The young man has spent most of his childhood with the knowledge and fear of kassam rockets. Yet he would still like to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), like his big sister, in some capacity. The IDF is looking for a special position for him.

A young, Ethiopian mother without family that we visited and blessed with some shekels and a Tanach. I asked her "if she came to Israel from Ethiopia during Operation Solomon." She said "yes." Here is a brief description of what made Operation Solomon unique: Operation Solomon set a world record for single-flight passenger load on May 24, 1991 when an El Al 747 carried 1,122 passengers to Israel (1,087 passengers were registered, but dozens of children hid in their mothers' robes). "Planners expected to fill the aircraft with 760 passengers. Because the passengers were so slight, many more were squeezed in. Two babies were born during the flight.

Another family we visited where the young kids were playing Israeli Monopoly.

A young, Orthodox father reading his prayer book or Tanach while the kids are playing at the "caterpillar" playground.

I thought this little girl walking behind her ema (mother) was very cute with her pacifier. Perhaps little children growing up in a war-stricken area like Sderot are permitted to be kids just as long as they want to be.

A lively football (soccer) game at school. If the Color Red alarm were to sound for an incoming kassam rocket, those young kids would be inside within seconds. They know what to do.

We work very closely with Sderot's Ministry of Social Affairs. Since this conversation was taking place in Russian, I made myself useful by taking a photo.

One of our visits in April was to a family in Ashkelon. Notice how the families try to "bless us" by always offering something to drink or eat. Many times when you say "No, thank you", they don't hear it. "You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9.

In April, we made one trip up north to Kiryat Shmona to visit a family where the husband had been wounded by a katuysha rocket launched by Hizbullah from Lebanon. From their living room window, you can see the mountains of Lebanon. When a katuysha rocket is fired at Kiryat Shmona, you have three seconds to take cover. The family told us that many times you hear the explosion first, then the warning siren. Three seconds is not a lot of time.

Springtime tree getting ready to leaf out.

Tractor working on the new walls at the front door of CFI.

Weeds growing along the roadside of Highway 6. God likes the weeds of Israel.

Old Glory flying in front of the Inbal Hotel just down the street from the King David Hotel. Probably a senator or congressman visiting.

My favorite schwarma stand in The German Colony. Potatoes are delivered early in the morning at many small restaurants in Jerusalem. Very similar to the milkman or mailman. Then the potatoes are sliced, fried, and become "chips" for your schwarma or falafel. There are no dogs roaming the streets to bother the potatoes until the shop opens. Only cats.

An EMT vehicle. Many of Jerusalem's streets are narrow and crowded. A motorbike or motorcycle can wiggle his way through the traffic fairly easily.

Figs growing in front of my neighbor's window.

Just oustside the entrance to my apartment building.

Geraniums on my patio doing well.

Close up from my patio.

Again.

Ditto.

Early sunrise view from my patio. The direction would be towards the Old City and the Mount of Olives about 1-2 miles away. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly " Amen Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20.