MARCH 24, 2009
What a great day we had Sunday—we (Wilma, Mary, Kristen and I) rode the train to Tel Aviv…but not without a bit of delay. Wilma called the taxi company at 8:15 and asked for a taxi to take us to the train station—our train was to leave at 9:40, so he was to meet us at 9:00 at the school. He showed up at 9:15; he could not speak or understand any English; he seemed at first not to know where the train station was, but he did know; he drove no faster than 40 mph…very, very slow for a taxi! We arrived at the train station and the guy out front was saying, “Hurry-Hurry”…we all got inside just in time to see the train weaving its way out of the station! The next one was in 2 hours! YIKES! So we walked (hiked uphill) across the highway to Jerusalem Mall and had coffee. The train pulled out at 11:40—at a leisurely pace through beautiful scenery—a pretty stream running down the side of the ravine and caves everywhere. It was a nice scenic ride, but I was a bit nauseous because it wobbled and turned and curved…and on the way back, I held a barf bag all the way! Too slow for me!

BUT when we arrived in Tel Aviv, we got off at the 2nd stop and rode an escalator across the freeway—it was covered, but otherwise open to the elements and high above the cars. It was really a neat experience. It opened straight up into a mall—similar to Jerusalem Mall, but larger. We ate at a nice restaurant—wonderful food. I can’t wait for some of you to come and taste the delicious food—it’s just different.

Kristen took some very good pictures from the observation deck—seeing the city and the sea—really beautiful. Tel Aviv is a much larger and more secular city—the people seemed to me to be more westernized (?) The stores are full of really beautiful things—home furnishings, shoes, jeans, gift shops, bath/body shops, apparel shops for all ages. Wilma and I bought some shoes—sandals that are made to conform to your feet and have a strong sole and support. We have to be really careful about our shoes because of the slick stone floors and steps. I continually pray for safety as I navigate those stairs constantly.

Monday was our day for a vehicle—we now get the Peugot because Darrell /Eula get the truck. It was Joy’s last Monday, so we took her to eat at her favorite restaurant: Askaydina’s. And it was so delicious…it started pouring rain while we were eating, so we had a slippery ride to the grocery store and on home…but we got home safely.

Today we learned that there has been a rash of burglaries in our neighborhood. Kristen’s landlord told them they needed to be sure to lock up and keep their windows closed and locked. Then Austin’s landlord told him the same thing—and said they were targeting buildings that had Christians …and that it is a gang from Beit Hanina…so please make that a matter of prayer—our safety and the protection of everyone’s things. To get into our building requires a key (unless someone doesn’t shut the front door completely). Then to get into our apartment requires a key. We have veranda doors that are also locked—all with double turns…sorta like Fort Knox! And our windows have bars and a metal shade that comes down at night. I feel very safe.
Austin & Katie were blessed to receive a work visa today—very rare. They have 6 months…and then should be able to renew it for five years. We are all so grateful for that—they are a really neat couple.

Thursday night is Joy’s little going-away party—the four of us, Wilma, Kristen and Erin are who she wants to come. She leaves at 8 a.m. Saturday, so around 4 a.m. Sat., Mary & Elaine are going to ride with Adam to take her to Tel Aviv! She is really having a hard time leaving. Plus she is trying to pack and box things and leave things and also, she is leaving a few boxes in case she is able to return in the fall.

Erin (young girl who has been here 3 years and lives across the hall with Wilma—from Georgia) is leaving Monday to go out of the country to Turkey …she will stay 5 days—she has to be out of the country before the visa expires and stay out until after the last day. She is packing assuming she will not be able to get back in. We are praying she can get back in. She teaches 5 classes—at the high school level. So please make that a prayer request also.

I read a poem this morning by Elizabeth Barrett Browning that has been on my mind all day—I really like it.
The earth is crammed with heaven
And in every common bush is God-
And those who see it, take off their shoes-
The rest sit and pick blackberries.
I believe the Lord is with us—all the time, everywhere and in all circumstances and that He opens our eyes to beauty, blessings, and joys in so many ways. So often, I, like the rest, focus on trivial things like picking blackberries and miss the awesomeness of the presence of God in the most common bushes. I am seeing the most beautiful sight outside my apartment window—the sky is just the strangest color and the hills beyond make a scene that is eerily beautiful. God told us to be still and know that He is God—in rest and repentance and quietness and trust is our salvation. I thank Him for the privilege of being here, and I pray that He blesses each of us with a clear, magnificent revelation of who He is.

Just wanted to share as a word of encouragement—I appreciate your interest and prayers for me and my family and Jerusalem School. I’ve been really concerned about Shane, my principal. He has really been down the last week —some difficult situations at school, etc. And he has such great plans and enthusiasm—and what he wants to do is great, but it will take time. Please include him in your prayers…Several needs in this blog—our safety, Erin coming back in the country, Shane, the school, me and my family. Love ya’ll
Beth