So Much To Say!!!

Shalom from McDonalds,

Good internet access = FREEDOM!  Well we are entering our final weekend in Rehovot before we tour ISRAEL.  Sunday August 10 at 8:30am our group will leave for Tel Aviv to see Israel's Independence Hall and then drive up the coast of the Mediterranean.

Since my last post a lot has happened:

(1) We worked our last few days at the kibbutz and hospital

(2) We visited the IDF base in Modi'in

(3) Joined with Kaylah for their College and Career meeting

(4) Visited the Rehovot Museum

(5) Heard the testimonies of the believers in Rehovot

(6) Caved in the Adulam Grove

Yesterday was the last day the hospital workers worked and today is the last day for the kibbutz workers.  The head of maintenance, Yorum, took all eight of us + some of the workers to a true Middle Eastern lunch (more like 3 days worth of food for a whole army) in Ramla an Arab city (no danger) a few miles north of Rehovot.  Let me tell you the food never seemed to end.  First, the appetizer which consisted of pita, hummus, fried chick peas, vegetables, tihnah, pickles, olives, etc. I thought this was the lunch.  Then Shlomo screams from the kitchen, "Save room for the meat!!!"  Everyone's face turned white in fear of stuffing more food in their stomachs.  The meat arrives along with more hummus and pita for making huge sandwiches. We couldn't eat ANYMORE, then Yorum called for the Turkish coffee and balaclava and magically our stomachs were emptied (a true miracle).

We really enjoyed our time volunteering at Kaplan and the Kaplan workers really appreciated our help.  The volunteers (mitnakvim) made an impact that the head of public relations wanted our picture taken for a possible article in the local newspaper or for the hospital staff letter.  It's amazing how a little hard work for the Lord can go a long way.  May glory be given to our God.  

Last Tuesday the group took a trip to and IDF (army) base in the city of Modi'in.  When we arrived we were greeted by Nitzan an Israeli-American who is from the great state of New Jersey.  He's a Yankees fan; we forgave him.  He was born in Israel and his family moved to America 15 years ago.  Although he was not required to join the army he felt compelled to serve Israel.  He was a great asset to our group because he could translate the Hebrew to English and vis-a-versa.   

We were surprised to find out the army company we were paired with was Gilad Shalit's company.  In fact, one of the members of the company was with Gilad when their tank was attacked by the Palestinians.  We had a chance to meet and talk with him about the incident that took place more than two years ago.  For more information about Gilad Shalit click on his name.  All of Israel knows about Gilad and anticipates his return soon, as do we.

The company gave us a tour of the base, let us hold their guns and try on their uniforms they use in combat.  It was truly an honor and privilege to partner and show support for the IDF.

On Wednesday we left work and traveled west to the Adulam Grove to cave in the chalk hills.  These tunnels you see us crawling through were hiding places for the Jews during the Jewish revolt against the Romans circa 135 AD.  All of the hills in the Adulam Grove are made of an extremely soft rock that resembles chalk.  If you wanted to you could pick through it with your fingernails, it would just take a really long time.  There are tunnels all over the park, and several more yet to be discovered.  There's no marker to say how deep the tunnels go, but if you want my expert opinion the tunnels probably go 200 ft into the hills.  Again that is just one of several hundred tunnels in the park.  This is always a highlight of our trip and the most daring.    

We have been busy working, traveling, and meeting new people.  Keep us in your prayers as we end this stage of our trip and enter the touring portion.  The way the IYA understands Israel now, living in Rehovot as an Israeli, will radically change as they enter the life of an American tourist.

Much love from Israel, please continue to pray for more relationship building as we continue are adventure.

Your Co-Leader and Blogging Engineer,

Chris