August 30th and 31st- Days 7 and 8- Israel trip

August 30^th+ 31^st- Days 7 and 8.
The 30th was our shopping day on Ben Yehuda Street. If you ever come to Israel, for sure go to Ben Yehuda Street for gifts, some history and just fun. We shopped in about 15 stores, bought a lot of  things, we bargained a lot--since that’s just what Israelis do, ha ha--, and ate at a Kosher McDonalds. There are many different languages, people and cultures there which was fun to experience.

Day 8 a cat that kept us company every morning for breakfast jumped on the table, stole my chocolate croissant and ate the whole thing! It was so funny! J Afterwards, we went to a ministry called Bridges for Peace where they reach out to the Jewish people by serving with 14 humanitarian ventures, including doing home repairs and painting, installing hand rails through the hilly city, operating the food bank, helping non-Israeli Jews make Aliyah to Israel etc. Their purpose is for the Christian people to create a bridge to the Jewish people. They aren’t in Israel to aggressively evangelize the Jewish people but to serve them and love them. Of course, when it is appropriate, and they are asked, they explain that they want to share God’s love and plan with them and share the good news of Yeshua (Jesus). We received a wonderful tour around the Bridges base and met lots of sweet people. One of the ladies recognized us and asked “were you at Sukkat Hallel  the other night?” She remembered  that we had asked directions from group of friends that night. They seemed like angels that night because we were lost and they directed us to the right place. God sure does bring people in your life at the right time. With several Isralies we have met we mentioned Bridges for Peace. Each time, the person spoke favorably of Bridges. Over their 25 years of service, BFP has done a great job serving and creating relationships with the Jewish people and are indeed building “bridges” by putting Christians in a new and favorable light.  

Next, we visited the Garden Tomb where Yeshua is said to have been buried. When you first enter, it is so beautiful with all the flowers, pomegranates etc. The garden is very beautiful with numerous types of flowers and trees. It is quiet and a great place for meditation and reflection.  We headed to Skull Hill where possibly Yeshua was crucified. It sad now though because there is a dirty, busy, loud Muslim bus station and prayer tower, beside the fencing of the tomb complex. Then we went to the tomb. The original door was ruined when there was an earthquake in the 1900’s but the tomb is still there. We don’t know for sure if this was THE spot but it was pretty neat and special to go there. Walking inside the cave or tomb was very surreal.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped by a church called “Living Bread International” where my older sister went to when we she went to college. We had actually stopped by there before going to the Garden Tomb but no one had answered. So we’re back and rang the door bell several times and no body answered. My mom had silently prayed that we would be able to meet the pastor there, Karen.  Right then and there, there was Karen walking by. Karen is a very courageous and brave woman. Her car has been blown up by terrorists, then those terrorists captured her, held her captive and tried to kill her. We visited with Karen and toured the lovely worship center. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago before this writing, the church was burned/destroyed by that same group of terrorists and had earlier tried to kill her. Karen’s trust in God is incredible. She still holds on to God, and hears from him that she is still to love the enemies who are trying to destroy her.

 God kept having us meet special people during our trip. That night our family had dinner in Jerusalem, visited Moshe’s shop, and bought the best tasting ice-cream I have ever had. We then walked down to the Western Wall for the last time --until we go to Israel again. My mom and I shed  some tears leaving this special city. The city of David. The city where Yeshua spent time. No words or pictures can adequately describe what this city does to a person’s soul. Next year in Jerusalem!

Pictures from August 29th- Day 6

Christian friends of Isareli communities head quarters. Mickey, our tour guide is there on the left. 

An Isareli fire truck

All of us at the restaraunt on an IDF base started by the the man on the right who was once an IDF solider.

Here's his cute little family.

On the Mount of Blessings over looking an Arab village.

There is Joseph's tomb. Sorry about the black around it.

Jacobs well

One of HaYovel's vineyards.

Picture with our friends Nick and Drew

Fun tasting room

My mom, sister and me with a very nice lady in a children day care.

My sister and I at Shiloh looking like the people back then. 😉

A cat in a tree at Shiloh. I've never seen that sight before.

A Synagogue built with almost the same dimentions of the temple in the Bible.

 Israel flag. I love their flag!❤️ 🇮🇱 ❤️

The Temple Mount. We were standing on the Mount of Olives.

My family!

What a beautiful view.

This Jewish man was playing songs on a motorcycle, how cool! :)

Menorah

Children performing

People dancing in the streets of Jerusalem

August 29th,2016 Day 6- Israel trip

August 29^th, 2016 Day six
The morning of the 28^th our tour guide that is with Christian Friends of Israeli Communities came to pick us up. So many spots that we were driving past had history from the Bible. One mountain he pointed out to us was where Jeraboam was talked about in 1 King 1. It amazed me that day how much Israel is filled with history from the Bible and other times. There are also a lot of hitch hikers along the road and because Israelies/Jews don’t want a bad Muslim to pick them up and do something bad to them usually they try to pick a hitch hiker up right away or a solider stands with the person. I thought that was so thoughtful of the people here.

When we were in Samaria, we visited the CFOIC headquarters with the director Sandra, visited a lookout spot in her community, visited a community fire and police station, and had lunch at a small building where a man that used to be in the IDF opened up on one of the army bases. When the owner was apart of the IDF there wasn’t a place at the base to sit down, eat food, relax, watch tv etc. and that is why he opened up the restaurant. After lunch, our friends Nick and Drew met up with us and we all piled into Mickey’s car. Literally, my sister was on my lap and Drew was on top of Nick. We stopped at an overlook at Har Bracah (Mount of Blessings). It was so cool to be on there and see what it actually talks about in Deut. 11:29. We over looked the tomb where Joseph is buried. You can’t go down there unless you have an IDF solider with you and in the middle of the night because it is in a major Muslim/ Arab village where they have had terrorist attacks. We also saw where Jacob’s well is- under a mosque now. Then we went to the HaYovel base!!! After so many years of my friends coming back and telling me all about HaYovel we were finally able to go there for a short little bit. We saw a few of the vineyards that they have planted. HaYovel is doing so many great things there, and are assisting numerous farmers plant, prune, and harvest the vineyards. Here's their website: http://www.hayovel.com/ By doing this, they are helping to contribute millions of dollars into the Israeli economy and are truly blessing the land and people of Israel. We saw some of our friends from CO there, and met new and really nice people. When we went to the HaYovel base I got a sense of joy. I just felt so overjoyed there! The people were some of the friendliest people I have ever met and it just was a huge blessing to finally be there.

 We then toured a winery in the community of Har Bracha that HaYovel brings some of the grapes to after harvesting. This Israeli winemaker has received many international awards and they, along with other Israeli vinemakers have beaten out some of the most popular award winning wine companies, including ones from Europe.  Across from the winery, was a daycare center that we toured. All of these stops were to help us experience firsthand a Jewish community. The area was thriving with homes, a school, community center, library, stores, synagogue, police station and more. The people were delightful to interact with. Hundreds of people lived in this one community that are part of what the world calls, the “west bank” and wants eliminated. Hearing the news, but seeing for ourselves are two different stories.

We then went to Shiloh. We walked by walls that were actually there during the Bible, and saw where the tabernacle stood. It was so incredible to see where the tabernacle was and where God’s presence was a cloud in the day and fire by night.

Then we drove to a community called Bet-El where we went on a tower to overlook the spot that Abraham saw when he came to the land of Isarel and God said “this is the land that I am giving to you and your descendants forever.” Gen 3:15 and Deut. 1:8. Then we drove past Hebrew University where my sister went to college and finally we went to the Mount of Olives. We overlooked all of Jerusalem and saw where the temple mount is. We arrived there just in time too because the sun was setting. Where we stood on the Mount of Olives is where a major Muslim area is located. I noticed in the Muslim/Arab towns the people are rude, not considerate, and they only have their signs in Arabic. But in the Jewish quarter they are friendly, kind, very clean, welcoming, they aren’t yelling at you, and they put their signs in Hebrew, English and Arab so they’re trying to create a welcoming environment for people.

Mickey dropped us off, we headed back toward the Old City of Jerusalem. We saw the Western Wall all lit up and walked through the park to Aroma. I love that the city comes alive at night. After we got our coffee we went back to the park, saw children playing in the fountains and there was so much laughter. That was such a great day and one of my favorites while in Jerusalem.

Pictures from August 28th

View from the Ramparts Wall 

Israeli flag

One of the memorials outside of the holocaust museum.

August 28th- Day 5

August 28^th, 2017- Day 5
That morning we joined a group called “Never be Silent” from Denmark, where we walked on the Rampart walls of Jerusalem to pray over the city and the people. We started at Jaffa Gate then went around all the way to Zion’s gate. Isaiah 62:6 kept coming to mind while doing the walk. It was amazing to be walking the walls of Jerusalem just as the watchmen had done. We prayed Isaiah 61:10-11, and 62:1-11 over Jerusalem. The guide for the walk was saying that this wasn’t a prayer walk but a time to speak/read His Word over the city and also proclaiming it back to God, reminding God of his promises and covenant to the people. It says in His Word to remind God of His word. This walk was a great experience and so meaningful. It really touched my heart.

Afterwards we headed to a restaurant where the Jewish owners treat the “Never Be Silent groups” with pastries. Many of us also had fresh squeezed pomegranate juice or coffee along with our chocolate croissants at a café. Israeli’s squeeze all their juice so it is always fresh and tasty. Israel has the best, richest tasting pomegranates ever! Our family then headed to Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum). The lady at the front desk told us that it means a lot to see when Americans come to show their support and love. Israeli’s just want peace and unity. They don’t want war and killing anymore; they just want peace.  Visiting Yad VaShem is one of the main things I wanted to do while there in Israel. I had so many tearful  moments there. The pictures, recordings, stories and more hurt me. Seeing the actual clothes and shoes that were worn by people who died there was heart breaking.  These were actual people that actually experienced the Holocaust. Videos of children who survived and are now very old,  told the stories of the many horrors.  How could such terrible things happen to innocent, loving people… people in general? It is shocking that there are groups trying to use propaganda and say that the Holocaust never existed. What a horror in itself. We saw the proof! While at the museum there were about 80 IDF soldiers touring around. It meant a lot to see the military paying their respects to the people that passed many many years ago. It makes me so sad and angry when Muslims say the holocaust never happened because the evidence is there. One moment that made me cry at the end was a room full of books that each had a Hebrew name on them. There were thousands of books in there of people who had passed and these weren’t even all of the 6 million people who were murdered, just because of their ethnicity!  It made me broken hearted but I remembered that God knew each of their names, their thoughts, the joyous movements and their really hard moments, and He knew how many hairs were on each of their heads. Even though it was hard going through the museum, it was needed and it has placed more love for these precious people on my heart. If you ever go to Israel, I highly suggest to tour at Yad Vashem.  

After the museum, we drove to try to find King of Kings Congregation ,where some of our new  friends/contacts go. We found the street so we knew we were close but couldn’t find parking-which is a challenge in Jerusalem- so we missed the service and connecting up with our contacts. This was our only time to not be successful in getting where we were attempting to be, so I guess it wasn’t meant to be. However, I was really looking forward to going there … especially for the worship.

This day was a full and great day. We experienced many emotions- both extreme highs and extreme lows that all impacted our hearts and began to unite our hearts with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel.

Pictures from August 27th-Day 4

Artsy photo of my sister and me 

Sun setting after Shabbat and everyone in their cars after Shabbat is over. The city literally comes alive.

Man playing the cello

Bread stand

The children playing in the fountains

August 27th- Day 4 of Isarel trip

August 27^th, 2016- Day 4

Shabbat! *insert deep breath* Shabbat in Jerusalem is incredible! There are mostly no cars driving- except Arab ones. You can hear birds chirping, families laughing and it is so nice. We really slept in that day since we arrived home so late, and also took naps. Shabbat there was one of the most wonderful Shabbats I have ever had. Later at night our family walked through the city, even through an Arab area to a 24/7 –sort of hidden- Christian worship center called Sukkat Hallel. It was kind of like IHOP- International House of Prayer. The worship there was only 1 guy who was alright but I think if they had someone different there, plus someone who spoke better English, it would’ve been more meaningful. Sukkat Hallel’s center overlooked Jerusalem, including the Mount of Olives and the City of David. The sun was going down so the colors on the city were amazing. The colors everywhere you walk are incredible. Wish I had brought my fancier camera on the trip.

 Once the sun goes down and Shabbat is over (L L L) all the shops open, honking horns start up and the life in the city wakes up. We were walking around in the dark and I did get a little nervous with that. We grabbed some dinner, and grabbed some coffee -- at 9:30 pm, ha ha. We met a family from Florida at the coffee shop whose son was starting a YWAM program the next day. The conversation with them really up lifted me that night. I had some feelings going on that I was struggling with that day and when we met them God lifted the pack from my shoulders. Another God sent moment. He is so good!!