The Beaches of Tel Aviv

Paddle ball is played viciously and competitively in Israel

Old, shut down, Israeli Sea World

 

Praying

The Streets of Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, everything is a picture.

Because all of our days in Tel Aviv were spent doing the same things, I thought I would categorize the next few blogs by what we did within those days. We spent at least an hour a day walking the streets of Tel Aviv, so let me introduce you to just that:

 

During the street walking, I was hand selected by two able men as a “color assistant” for a few murals we were painting at Calvary Chapel Tel Aviv. After many taxi rides, some more walking, three hardware stores and three hours, we finally found what we needed. All this to say, these are my pictures:

Lovely sales lady

One of the more honorable pictures I have ever been in

 

Besides the wacky pictures produced through this journey, I mention all of this because that day a miracle occurred. While we were off, goofing around and I was bonding with my leaders- an eager wife with big news was waiting for her husband Devin to return to CCTA. A couple months before we left for Israel, Devin an Ali were told they are infertile. After six years of trying the news was devastating. Ali felt the Lord prompting her to share all of this terrible news with the class and to simply be vulnerable for He was at work. So she did, with updates, details, everything. It was no surprise that when we returned and Ali was finally able to tell Devin about the miraculous news- that our whole team simultaneously erupted in utter celebration. Ali Kaun is pregnant!

Travel Day:

View from Armageddon

Armageddon

Wes an the Roman Empire Aqueduct in Caesarea

The day we all met Willy, was the day that will forever stick out of all the time spent in Israel. One of our contacts linked us to L’Chaim to Life, an organization that visits and aids needy Holocaust survivors.  We took a drive that lead us out of Tiberias and up into the stunning hills that overlook the Galilee. Within those hills we came into Israeli suburbia where we met Willy and Daniel, a zealous Jew, at a community center. Daniel got right into it with a well said, persuasive political and religious lecture then eventually told us about L’Chaim to Life. Through L’Chaim to Life they found Willy.

Through tears of what seemed like fresh wounds, a voice amplifier needed because of lung cancer that caused his voice to sound like a robot and Daniel as his translator- Willy recounted to all of us his horrific memories of the Holocaust. At the age of 13, Willy was one of the last Hungarian Jews to be put into a concentration camp. Willy was eventually sent over to Auschwitz under the close and direct watch of the infamous Holocaust villain, Dr. Josef Mengele. In choosing who to kill, Nazis made it a priority to split up families. Consequently, Willy watched his mother, father and all five siblings die within his time at the concentration camps. As Willy stood alone, he was verbally and physically abused by Dr. Mengele who constantly promised he would personally see to it that Willy would never survive. Willy went so far to tell us about death beds that would mechanically stab a Jew to death and then be set ablaze to burn the remains. He also described Dr. Mengele personal knack of pulling babies apart with his bare hands. And lastly, that when he hit points of severe dehydration he had no other choice but to drink his own urine. Willy made Daniel repeat these three facts a few times that we would fully hear and understand the grotesque images that are forever marred upon his soul.

As you can imagine, there were few dry eyes and many stunned looks within our group. We said our tearful goodbyes and Daniel lead us past the hills and into the mountains- Golan Heights. We stopped at another place I never really thought I’d visit again- a WWII bunker. There Daniel explained the fight going on over the Golan Heights between Israel and Assyria, and to lose the Golan Heights would be the equivalent to losing the eyes of Israel as it overlooks the Jordan Valley and Galilean regions. After a windy and personally remarkable visit to the familiar bunker hidden within the rim of a mountain and biblical debates with the zealous  (Romans 10:2) Jew Daniel, we were off.

Willy

Seriously, old people love Madi.

Outside the bunker

Daniel speaking to the group

Later, there were more baptisms to be done. Back in Tiberias, on the wonderful Galilee we did just that. I watched four more of my classmates stand up for their faith. Not just in front of a crowd of rejoicing Christians but a beach filled with Jewish alike. A place where real persecution exists.  It was incredible. Thought I’d share a picture of Heather Lawson, someone who I know will be leading thousands to the throne room. I’ll get you all her CD one day.

My thoughts, prayers and love is for you all. Rejoice.

On my first trip to Israel back in 2006, next to the hotel that I stayed at was a popular Israeli Kibbutz (commune). Whenever my brain would flip through the memories of my trip, the Kibbutz always stood out. I was fascinated by its feeling of exclusivity and incredible location- directly off the shores of the Galilee. Although I knew we would be spending time around the Galilee, I never suspected that I would somehow be back to that Kibbutz, let alone doing ministry there.

Green group, appropriately renamed emerald group by its members, had the opportunity to spend time with some old folks at the Kibbutz. The whole visit was no walk in the park. Facing death while the Gospel must remain quieted is tough, but it was no stroll down Dreary Lane either. Those willing and able to speak made wonderful connections with the group. We were able to help out with afternoon exercises, and by exercises I mean the lifting of their arms and legs. It was an honor to meet and spend time with the elderly at the personally impressionable Kibbutz.

The face of a 101 year old

Old people love Madi

Dancing and toothless

Exercising

As the day drew closer to sunset, we put on our tourist caps and got on a boat to explore the Galilee. Most of our touring experiences made my spirit sigh and my eyes roll. Not this night. It is very hard to believe that storms ever disrupt the Galilee, the water was glassy- perfect. The sun was low, giving every person their own personal glow and the temperature was pleasant. We all danced as the crewmen sang and beat an African drum. After a hectic, draining week in Jerusalem, I found rest. Right as we were docking, the crew played a classic, romantic, American song and the married leaders began to dance while we hooted and hollered. Speaking of, I thought I would introduce you to two couples that are currently annihilating my views on love, God, His children and His creation.

Scott & Dina, Scooch & Shmeena, Mom & Dad. Whichever you prefer.

Devin & Ali. We find out in a few days they’re miraculously pregnant.

Shabbat Shalom

Our first Shabbat service in the wonderful city of Tiberias was filled with Mesonic Jews, long skirts, a funny Hebrew speaking pastor and multicolored free pens in which I have become a fond collector of. After a Westernized lunch, we lined the Galilee with a pleasant drive toward the Mount of Beatitudes. Since the Beatitudes remain to be manna of Jesus’ words, let us read them again:

³ “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.