JANUARY 17, 2009

JANUARY 17, 2009
Today was Sat. school—only 35 min classes—so it went fast. Surprisingly good attendance. The pile to send to Gaza has grown a great deal. I share an office with Miss Karine (pronounced Kare-in-A)—very pretty, classy Armenian lady who is a member of Greek Orthodox—teaches English She asked Kristen (another teacher) how the war had affected her holiday—and then Miss Karine said, “We have some kind of war here every 6 months. If we didn’t do anything or never went anywhere because of war, we would never get out of our houses.” Interesting perspective. Then we talked about kids—Kristen and I were talking about security and metal detectors, etc. at schools…and she said there is almost no violence like that—among the kids. They don’t have weapons—or cars. They live in neighborhoods among families and are watched and cared for closely. I had noticed earlier when I came that young children were walking by themselves at all kinds of places…and I still see that. Little kids walking along home—and the parents send little children on errands, or leave them with older siblings—they are safe. There just isn’t much crime against children, or with weapons among teens…of course, that has a lot to do with their not having cars or anyway to go anywhere.
Miss Karine also talked about the Arab culture—and the issues. She said a single mother is shunned in the neighborhood—no one will speak to her. She has a really hard life. The married women may suffer abuse, but they stay with the man because they are so ostracized when they divorce that they suffer the abuse.
I came home with a load of books, plans etc. to do work this afternoon until time for church. BUT Adam called and invited me to go with him and Bethany (they are a darling couple—dating, met here---she taught last year in Russia/he was here—in late 20’s) to a coffee shop! I was so thrilled. As I was gathering my things, Mary came to the door…and Adam invited her to come to. So we had a wonderful outing. We went in to the cicty—but because of long lines at the check point to get out of here, we went around and went inside the West Bank through Rom (?-a city inside WB) We ended up being in another long line at another check point…and by the time we got out, we were edging into closing times for all the Jewish establishments because of Sabbath (pronounced Shabat here). So we went to Independence Park—and walked up a street to a great restaurant: Foccacia Bar. Another great meal—we all laughed and had a good time. Mary loves the kids and tells funny stories about their classroom antics—6th grade! After we ate, we went next door to the coffee shop, which had been our original destination. It is called Aromas—and they are a chain all over Israel…sorta like Starbucks. We had Iced Aromas—frappacinos—that were really, really good. Then as we walked back down to the car, I spotted newspapers on a stand and bought two! How exciting is that! A good meal and a newspaper in one day! Honestly, it is very nice.
The big blue chair with the ottoman and Honey curled beside me surely does seem compelling to me—but I know that this is the place for me at this time. I know that there are so many bad stories in the news about what is happening here…I have received so many emails about “being safe.” I believe I am safe, and of all the things that are bothering my heart and soul, being safe is way down on the list. Fear for my physical safety has not crossed my mind not one single time this entire time—but I have surely felt so alone—and I can’t count the times (on my face on my rug in my room or walking or in my office) that I have cried out, “OK, Lord, it’s just me and you.” I know that’s not even proper grammar, but believe me I have said that countless times…for my heart hurts. And I can’t say the hurt goes away, but I can say that He IS HERE. It’s hard to express—but He does comfort me…I know He is with me every minute—it’s like I see an invisible shield—before me, behind me, and beside and over me…I know that’s in PS 139, but I also know it is happening with me. Isn’t that just amazing! Remember my favorite verse in Ps 16:11—you will show me the path of life for in your presence is FULLNESS of life and at your right hand are pleasures forever more. It’s just the truth…as much as I miss my precious family—and friends and life, I know that for this season this is my place. And as I write this, tears are rolling down my face, because I am no spiritual giant…just a simple person who has no idea why or how this plan has come about or what God plans to do with it. I say that to be an encouragement to all of you…If He can do this with me, just think of the endless possibilities in all of our lives when we let go and allow Him to move in His mysterious ways.
Tomorrow they are picking up a couple who are coming to live here—to work with Convoy of Hope (?). They will be working at our school—Austin and Katie. We need teachers…from K3 to high school. Pray for workers.
Tomorrow I’m supposed to go with Joy to Christ Church in the Old City—should be an interesting day. I have much work to do, but I want to go with her. Most (almost all) of the volunteers enjoy Sunday as their only day to accomplish much. We have made tentative plans to go to Tiburias on next Sunday—and I want to go to the Dead Sea, Ceasurea (my spelling is bad)…so hopefully we can do that—and they say all those are day trips…imagine being able to see the Sea of Galilee only a day from here.
As we drove this afternoon, I kept looking at the city—it is so extremely fascinating…all these high-rise white stone buildings built in little groups on the side of the mountains…just so much beauty—except behind the West Bank…not so much there.
Love ya’ll…I am going to try to post this on a blog. The email is just too slow…I can’t get it to send without about 30 minutes per group…irritating…so Melissa made me a blog. Now if I can figure out how to get this to the blog!
Thanks for your prayers…please continue to pray for my family—all of our needs.
Beth