Haifa

Judy here:
What a trip! I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start. God put this trip together and I'm learning that it was for more than one reason. We are staying with non-religious Jews and seeing Israel through their eyes. Yesterday Naim took us to see a Kibbutz. I thought it would be interesting but, Oh My! We first went to "Kibbutz Old Gesher" and met his best friend Omri. He took a day off to show us around and tell us the history. We have found out that every meeting begins with coffee/tea. You sit and talk and then you go out and see. By the end of the day we came to understand that everything we saw was the result of a dream Omri had. He was born in this Kibbutz and he knew the history of the people and wanted to find a way to keep this history alive. He has found the funding and helpers to repair/rebuild where necessary, the 100 year old site where the first pioneers settled in 1908. That sounds so simple -- Jews moving back to the land God gave to father Abraham. This morning when I woke up, two words came to mind as I pondered yesterday -- God Provides. The Jews were run out of Israel almost 2,000 years ago. They were dispersed to almost every corner of the earth, into almost every country. In 1908, one man suddenly had the urge to move back to the land given to Abraham. He gathered others around him that also felt led to move. A handful of these pioneers left everything except what they could carry and headed to Israel. They settled in Gesher, near the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee on the Jordan River. As they needed a translator, God provided. When they needed someone to teach them Hebrew, God provided. When they needed women to cook and take care of them, God provided. When they needed doctors and nurses, God provided. When they needed electricity, God provided a man with a vision of a hydro-electric plant who came and built it before anyone told him it couldn't be done or it wouldn't work. It goes on and on. More people came and prepared the way for the hundreds and thousands that were to follow when in 1948 Israel became an independent state. And when they had to fight for what they were given, God provided. Every Jew has his/her story of their return to Israel. They talk about waves of returning families, of strategic placement of communities. Again and again, the story today in Israel is -- God has provided. All this provision has done one huge thing -- it has fulfilled prophesy. Of course, one prophesy was that the Jews would return to Israel. Another was that Israel would bloom. It has been a barren desert for nearly 2,000 years. Today I can testify that Israel blooms. It's green in January! You can see almost every flower and tree in existence. They grow every fruit here including strawberries (the sweetest I've ever tasted), oranges, kiwis, grapes, kumquots, bananas, pomelos, grapefruit, cherries, lemons, etc. They grow every vegetable like carrots, all kinds of lettuces, zuccini, celery, tomatoes, various peppers, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbages like we have in Alaska, etc. There is every spice you can imagine -- cinnamon, salt (of course), garlic, cardamon, parsley and many more - many I've never heard of. Our hostess goes to the garden, picks some leaves and makes me the most awesome tea I've ever had :) Herbs and spices grow wild everywhere! We've been in 2 open market places and it's an unforgettable experience. We stopped at one vender and I asked if they had any frankincense and myrrh - the precious gifts of the 3 wise men to baby Jesus. He pointed to the sack next to me! 10 shekels for a handful (about $2.50). I got 2 handfuls!

After Old Gesher, Omri gave us a tour of the new Kibbutz. The kibbutz idea had to change and adapt over the years as the people's needs have changed. But again, God has provided people with a new vision. After that we crossed the River of Jordan (in the car, over a bridge) into Jordan where we could never have gone without Omri. What an amazing man with amazing connections. He hosted us the whole day and treated us as if WE were special! After a few more stops, we drove into the parking lot of a somewhat commercial area for going into the river Jordan. Usually this place is filled with lines of Christian groups who are there to be baptized in the Jordan. It caters to these groups. We got there at sunset. It was completely empty! Just the four of us! Bruce and I took off our shoes, rolled up our pants and walked into the water. It was a dream (desire of my heart) come true. What an experience! My heart is so full......

Haifa on the Mediterranean

Today was Haifa. We first drove though the town, viewed the harbor and then went to the Bahai World Center. We didn't spend alot of time there because access was limited. But the gardens were incredible. Every flower and every tree imaginable! The grounds were meticulous. Everything is planted trying to reach balance and tranquility. There's a big temple. It actually was a little too perfect for me. But the view of Haifa and the harbor at the top of those 100 steps was to die for.

Akko (Acre)

Next we were off to Akko by the Sea. This harbor has an incredible 5,000 year history. I can't even begin to tell you what it feels like to walk narrow ways on stones thousands of years old! Everything from a Turkish Bath to the Great Hall, the Knight's Templars Tunnel (from the days of the Crusades) to the Turkish Open Market. Incredible history! Here I bought frankincense and myrrh, and some incredible deals on silver.

Oh, and what about food? We had no idea what Israelis eat. The answer - everything. Now that we've been here a few days and eaten at some of the local's favorite places, I can tell you that we haven't gone hungry :) They eat alot of salads and fresh vegetables. Hummus (ground chickpeas) is actually really good here! Ground sesame seeds is another popular dip. And fresh pita bread is nothing like what we have in Juneau! And let me tell you about the bakeries!!!!!!! On that note, we stopped at Naim's favorite bakery on the way home and a box of goodies is calling to me from our bedroom :) I must respond...... The plan for tomorrow is the Sea of Galilee and the places that Jesus spent his time. I must get my beauty sleep :)