FEBRUARY 9, 2009
New adventures today—when I got to school, I was asked to take Eric, one of the young teachers, to the Dr….he is sick…so I took off with Eric to the clinic—same one I had my physical…the Dr. said he has “inner ear” and gave him an injection and meds…then we walked a couple of doors down and got him a sandwich and some candy and stuff. He’s the nicest young man—plays the guitar and leads us in worship—and does that for the church on the Mount of Olives on Sunday mornings.
Every new adventure in the car makes me feel better about venturing out…so tonight, we have the truck. Joy and I want to go eat, so we may just go by ourselves…although she doesn’t really know the way, and I for sure don’t!
School—the high school teachers meet every Monday afternoon and Thursday morning…we have an agenda…and we get news every meeting. There is no PA system in the building—no way to pass on information except by word of mouth or papers delivered to each person.
Melissa made the neatest tee shirts for the yearbook staff—five girls. We are the Jerusalem School Yellow Jackets—our colors are black and gold. So the girls got shirts that are black and have a little yellow jacket logo with their name under it. Then on the back she put Yearbook Staff. They are really nice, and the girls were so pleased with them. Thank you Melissa!
The yearbook…very different…the seniors each get a page. They can write whatever they would like (appropriate) about themselves—sort of a good-bye- message to their families, teachers and friends. Then they can gather a group of pictures for a collage. They actually have 2 pages. So we worked on their stories in class today. They have to have them by Saturday, so I set a deadline for Thursday…remember we don’t have school on Friday.
Today I had duty down by the kindergarten elevators—and asked this young girl for a pass…oops! She’s a teacher! I’m not sure she even understands that that is a compliment! Those little kindergarten children are so absolutely adorable. My roommate Elaine teaches first grade, and she said that very few of her students have all their front teeth…and with those big smiles and big brown eyes and black hair—they are so cute.
We just got home from another adventure. Joy and I were going to eat and invited Kristen…we were just going a little ways to some place called George’s. But just as we were leaving in the truck, Bethany came in and we invited her to go too…she’s a whiz at every place in Jerusalem…her sister and brother-in-law live here…he studies at Hebrew University…so she knows how to go everywhere. Now understand, I am still driving! She directed us and we whizzed across Jerusalem…and ate at Focaccio’s (my 3rd time!) and it was just wonderful. Then they went next door and got coffee at their favorite place and I picked up a newspaper across the street—we zoomed on home. Just amazing that this is really Jerusalem…and I’m just driving all around…not that I would do that by myself.
I wish I could explain everything—the restaurant is on a street that goes down past the place to go in to Ben Yehuda—a wide sort of place with trees in the middle and coffee shops and other shops and people everywhere…all on stone pavements and streets—everything looks old…and most of it is very old…but all buildings are constructed with Jerusalem white stone…there are red tile roofs everywhere, but even in the midst of the city—everything is that white stone. It’s just the most unusual place—maybe I can get pictures that will adequately show what I mean. But I don’t think so…the atmosphere—seems like it’s—I can’t think of words. I’ll think on it and try to come up with better descriptive terms.
I keep thinking about Bro. Joe....several times he said to me about being on a mission and being a missionary, and I corrected him every time saying I'M A TEACHER! ..and I've never even been on a mission trip! Except for the youth one to the Navaho Reservation with Bill Dye in 1988... Bro. Joe is right...this is a mission but I am teaching school! Honestly, I can't think of anyone more unlikely to be a missionary than me...just wondering what will be the outcome. One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11—he does have plans for us and they are good plans…even though we may never know His purposes in all the places that He allows us to go and the experiences we have. I just know with all my heart that He is worthy of our trust—more worthy than we can comprehend even in the midst of difficult times. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Be encouraged to continue to trust Him.
All that is good that comes from this experience the glory goes to God the Father and Jesus the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Please continue to pray—tomorrow is election day in Israel. Thank you for your prayers for my family—please continue to pray for us and for Jerusalem School.
Love you
Beth