Awesome Day Number One

So we left on our week-long Galilee trip today, it is going to be more or less super-cool.

Just a brief rundown of the general itinerary for you: The north-ish coast (Caesarea, Mt. Carmel), the Jezreel Valley, then into Galilee (lower and upper regions which means the Sea, the surrounding area, the Golan Heights, up north to the foothills of Mt. Hermon) the down to the lower Jordan River toward the Dead Sea. I'll be updating you when I have internet so the day to day events/itinerary will come then.

That said let us talk about today's adventure. We left home, headed west into the coastal plain and stopped at Aphek/Antipatris. In the OT it is where the Philistines hung out and then toasted the Israelites and took the Ark of the Covenant, which certainly did not go well for them (1 Samuel 4 and later). In the N.T. it was named Antipatris by Herod the Great for his dad, how sweet. Now there are Crusader remains... woohoo.
Aphek means spring, which is handy, because there is a spring there, the headwaters of the Yarkon river. Aphek and the rest of the Sharon plain supply Israel with pretty much all of their non-Galilean water. Like 3/4 or the national water supply or something, talk about an underground water table, this place has a table factory.

Then we went north some more to Caesarea. Built up by Herod, the man-made port took 12 years. Read about it on Google, or better yet, check out a copy of the old Jewish historian Josephus and read about it, it was rather amazing. And today was a beautiful day. Oh wow. 70-ish degrees and sunny with big puffy clouds = great day on the Mediterranean coast. We learned a lot, took tons of beautiful pictures, got wet from the ginormous waves that crash against the breakwater, and beheld the beauty of God that remains in contrast with the "impressive" feats of man that come and go with time... Herod, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Turks... they have nothing on the engineering work of God.

Then my favorite part of the day up to that point: Mt. Carmel. Taking the northernmost pass through the Carmel range toward the Jezreel Valley, we ascended the Jokneam pass and came to the traditional site of Elijah's showdown with the lame prophets of Baal. The site is called Muhraka, which I think is Arabic, meaning flame (very appropriate I think). There we (I) read 1 Kings 18 as we looked out over the coastal plain on one side and the Jezreel Valley on the other. What an amazingly beautiful setting for an awesomely powerful event. On that day thousands of years ago, God used my namesake to show the people that Baal was nothing but a made up god of nothing, proving Himself to be the only one worth serving. My words do not do the experience I had today any sort of justice, but you get the idea.

Then we headed back toward the coast, stopping to view Haifa and the Plains of Acco from the point of Mt. Carmel. While waiting for our rooms and dinner, we played around on the coast and saw a sunset that would make everything you learned today seem that much more awesome. It was most certainly a great day.

Trivia time: for those of you who went to Israel last year with Corban, does the name "Nasholim" ring any bells? Well it should, because that is where we stayed on the coast of Dor on our first night. And that is where I am right now. How cool is that? Thanks to God for that little blessing.

And I have one last thing. A request from deep inside: please. please. please pray that this stuff sticks in my heart and mind. There is so much that is so cool and so life-changing and I want to bring it home and use it. It's nearing the end and I have so much in my mind it's hard to keep it all in, help me out with this if you don't mind. Thank you friends...

F-f-fortunately boys, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an occasion.

Well, no actually, I'm not a big stuttering rooster, nor am I a screeching little chicken hawk. But good news! I didn't need chicken soup either! I woke up this morning and only had a headache and a tired body. So instead of bowing before the porcelain throne, I went on our field trip.

Even though I was tired all day it was a ton of fun. I don't have the time to tell about it now, I have a little paper for Life of Christ to work on. But in short, we crawled through some amazing tunnels and caves that were carved back in the 2nd Century, they were real small, claustrophobes beware (I think I spelled that word wrong, whoops.)

We also climbed on some ruins and found some cool pieces of broken pottery, my roommate even found the base of a pot, I just found a handle. After the rain of yesterday and the feeling like demons were wrestling inside of me last night today's fun and sunny day was just plain great.

So I thank you all deeply for your prayers, though the sickness was not avoided it was quickly conquered. And mostly no one else has it over here anymore. hooray.

- "I say I-I say I, I say I would like to dedicate the title of today's post to my Dad. :)

Whoa, that's a tough question.

Tuesday morning = Bible Study around here.

The men of IBEX are studying prayer. Abner is one of those guys who sees things about 17 levels deeper than we do. It is challenging, it is even frustrating, but it is so good.

We talked about prayer today, duh, but more specifically, we talked about Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 of his book and the prayer of the Martyrs in Revelation 6.

What's the connection? Beats me, ask Abner. That's how we felt when he told us to read those two passages the day before.

But we read them. First we read Daniel and then we discussed it. I have never seen 20 guys not answer a question with the full right answer for 10 minutes... Abner asked us about what Daniel was praying and then used a real-life kind of example and asked us what we should pray for the person. We had all the "right" answers. The things you should pray for, but we were missing something deeper. Much deeper.

What do you pray for a pastor, who in the middle of a sermon says that he can't keep preaching? He just needs to stop. What do you pray? Well we had the answers. That God would show him things he needs to see in his life or his church. Pray that God would be glorified (a KEY part of prayer, but how? is still the question) We had all the classic church answers. But not the central one. The key being much less eloquently stated by Eli goes somewhat like this: One of the things we do too much is focus on too narrow of a scope, an individual, a ministry, or we are super general. We should be praying that God's glory comes through that individual, but more so we should pray that God's plan is advanced in all that is going on. In short, to quote my friend Jordan who I just asked to sum it up, "praying more for with whole in mind not just the individual." The whole = God's overall plan and glory. There was much more to it, but that's the jist of it and that's all I can even remotely wrap my mind around.

Wowee. I stink at prayer.

You ever get those times where your heart and mind are in knots all day trying to figure out what you just heard and figure out how you fit into the part about bringing about God's glory? That's today. But it is good. But I could use some prayer. This is an amazing time. I don't want to forget anything.

Then we talked about Revelation, but that's another story. I'll tell it tomorrow I think. I need to read some and go to bed and it's already 11:15 over here. Not to mention I am trying to figure out how to really pray in a way that is powerful and honoring to our God.

Miss you all.

McDonald's: It really is better here.

Today we had a quiz. I studied "for real" for about 20 minutes, 15 of that was at breakfast this morning. I got 37 out of 38. The one I missed was one of those where you cross out the right answer because you second-guessed yourself. Lame.

Everyone (mostly) around here was really worried about this quiz. It was harder than the last one, sure, but only in comparison. We've studied the stuff in class, went on a trip on Wednesday that brought it to life and people still studied for hours (I just shook my head at them). It was good. So far my quiz average is an A, but more than that, I remember it like it matters. Because it does :)

Today was good, the six hours of class went pretty fast actually. Hebrew was decent. We have a bazillion new words to learn by Tuesday -- plus all the conjugations that go with the verbs. Fortunately there are not many tenses in Hebrew and no present to-be verbs (is/are/am/etc...) I am going to get this, I just know it. To put it in food terms: Reading it = cake. Comprehending = half-eaten last week's cake. Speaking = cake from Christmas.

Tonight we went into Jerusalem to attend the Jerusalem Assembly (Believers! :) It was really good. Let me tell You about the coolest thing since the guitar: Singing Hebrew worship songs. Praise God for moments like that. The first song we sang was just beautiful and two of the worship leaders had voices that blended so well. We sang one song and then stopped and had praise/prayer and then Communion. Cool stuff to share it with people from literally every continent but Antarctica (duh). Then we got to sing more.

Come Thou Fount must be a popular song over here, we've sung it at two different churches. But let me tell you, there is little else that moves you like hearing Come Thou Fount in three languages (some Germans next to us I think) and "You are My All in All" in two languages. I cried. And I'm not afraid to admit it.

The message was on Leviticus 3, talking about peace offerings (the word Korban was used no less than 50 times tonight between songs and sermon :) The connection was based on how important/necessary it was to be pure in the eyes of the LORD before offering a sacrifice. Here's the crunch: We should be the same when we take communion. Here's a powerful thought that the pastor, Meno Kalishur (pray for that great man and other pastors, you think that's a tough job in the States...) shared: (paraphrased) "If the Communion plate is empty it means that the congregation should be full of people walking clean in the forgiveness of the LORD. ... [my thought: stop for a minute and consider the implications. Is that true in my church? umm...] ... If your heart isn't prepared, if there is sin in your life, then maybe you should wait." -- Fortunately a Friend reminded me of these verses just a few days ago and Meno brought them up: 1 John 1:7,9. What a merciful God we have.

And then we went to McDonalds. Cool huh? It was actually good! Who would have thunk it? (that phrase is for you Dad :) The regular burger I had was the size of my hand. Like bottom of palm to tip of fingers and circular. So not that puny little thing you get in America. And I had ice cream. And it was delicious.

And now I am done. And I used "and" to start about 15 sentences so I will stop. Except one more. And now I am going to go play games in a bomb shelter again. See ya.

I gotta be honest...

You are about to read one of those posts that lays out how I feel in the middle of something trying. So please don't hold it against me and remember it's not always like this here in Israel.

In the way of being honest, I am discouraged. I cannot think of anything in recent Eli history that so quickly demoralizes me as Modern Hebrew. I am sitting in the library listening to the quasi-lecture* from last class - Bill has recorded mini-sessions that go through the stuff in the book that we cover and practice in class. Up to this point I have felt like we have gone too fast a few times. It is discouraging when he's flying through a section that isn't quite clicking in your brain. In fact, it's downright demoralizing.

[Quick sidenote: But it is pretty amazing that in like 4 class sessions I can read Hebrew letters and pronounce the words I see (somewhat) and I do have a small running vocabulary. The issue here is thinking the language, which is much, much more than just reading it.]

So just a few minutes ago (actually, right before I paused to type this complaint :) I was working through that last section and not at all following what was going on. It's too fast, it's difficult, it literally makes your brain hurt from thinking in different ways and using different parts, I'm whining, etc... It made me want to give up. For a second I was running scenarios in my brain (which is not at all new, those who know me well know that I do it to a fault sometimes). I was thinking (at an extreme moment) how I would be able to drop the class and pick up another or just plain drop it altogether. Then I remembered I kind of want to learn it plus I really hate quitting anything. We don't quit things in my family (except, of course, when God's leading trumps family practice i.e. summer/fall 07 soccer/RA experience). So I'll stick with Hebrew.

What I mean to say this. Life is not all pita bread and roses around here. Contrary to popular belief, I do have schoolwork - who knew? :) And it is tough sometimes. Like now.

Now that I am done complaining, I wish to say this: Life here is amazing. Life here is challenging academically. But more than that, life here is amazingly challenging to my heart (not to belittle the mental challenge of course). I don't think I can fully relate how overwhelming a regular day can be. We learn so much, think so much, grow so much, and even question all that we know as we see more of who our God is. Right now I have a love/dislike relationship with all of that.

All in all, Modern Hebrew is a tipping point for me -- I think it will be all semester. It has the potential (note: only the potential, not anything more) to discourage me or make me fall into the temptation of being really grumpy (or is it cranky? I forget which is worse, remind me again Jordi?) It's what I do with it (and all of my classes) that will really make this semester the greatest, most challenging, most worthwhile, most life-changing semester of my life.

Right now it's just going to take a little change in the heart attitude via prayer and a little hard work.
I guess I can handle that.




*In case you are unfamiliar with the usage of "quasi-..." here is definition: "supposedly, seemingly, apparently, allegedly, ostensibly, on the face of it, on the surface, to all intents and purposes, purportedly; pseudo-, to some extent, half, relatively, comparatively, (up) to a point; almost, nearly, just about."

I didn't get arrested today.

Wednesday. The day of field trips. Today was the New Testament walk of Jerusalem. I slept in. But not too late, don't worry, I just mean that I slept until a quarter after 7 today, it was really nice. And we didn't leave until 8 so I was good on time.

We went up on Temple Mount this morning. It is interesting... and cool. It is strange to be somewhere that in it's current state means nothing to you, but in the past and in a Day yet to come it means so much to us. I really enjoyed being able to spend time just walking around and thinking while I was there, not like the last time when it was go up, take pictures, leave. We listened to Abner share some facts and thoughts and powerful words and then had about an hour to walk around.

When I went over to the area known as Solomon's Stables (not his by the way, stupid traditional names... always getting it wrong :) there were three Arab boys hanging out by some stairs. As I walked up they said in pretty decent English, "picture?" After being confused for a second and then talking with them they took my picture with the Dome of the Rock in the background. As soon as the one kid was done another said in very good English, "one dollar." He wanted a dollar for each of them for taking my picture with my camera!?! What a businessman. I, of course, blatantly refused, but told them that since I felt nice I would give them each a shekel (like giving them a quarter). They were just ok with that, but beggars can't be choosy (a phrase that took on a lot of meaning in this situation). The third boy then pointed at the notebook in my shirt pocket like he wanted it, after being an ignorant foreigner for a second we got it figured out that he wanted to sign his name. So they all did. So I spent 3 shekels to get my picture taken and have three Arab boys sign my notebook. A good transaction I suppose. But it means I will remember them. And more so, it means I will remember to pray for them. In a place of such darkness and deceit will you all join me in praying that Murad, Mhamad and Ahmad come to know Christ?

Three nine or ten year-old boys deserve to know.

So the Temple Mount was a powerful experience and in more ways than I expected. As if that wasn't enough, we went down to the Western Wall. To keep my thoughts on this brief I will only say this: It so saddens me to see a people in search of hope so diligently pursuing a religion whose True Hope has already come. I put on my beanie (to cover my head so as not to offend) and prayed for them.

We did a few other small things (St. Peter in Gallicantu a church where they think Jesus was held, tried, beaten, etc. But it's not the place... who knew? :) then lunch, then a tour of the Wohl Archaelogical Museum -- sound familiar Israel buddies? -- where there is well-preserved home of a super-rich person of Jesus' era... maybe the High Priest?) After all of that, we had a little free time in the Old City, I had forgotten how good Snickers bars can be.

Our day culminated in a stop at the Garden Tomb. Though not the real site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, it is a good place to imagine it happening. The setting is peaceful and gives you a good idea of what it could have been like on that Amazing day. I get annoyed with myself, after a day of cramming facts and experiencing such powerful things I had nothing left. In a place much like it may have been back on that Day, I could only sit and think without much passion. The Resurrection is the core of our beliefs and my tired brain - my tired heart - can barely comprehend even a touch of that joy. It's a hard thing to experience. But it is good to remember that our God is not only the One who conquered death, He is the one who loves me despite my tiredness and lack of understanding.

Great stuff over here guys, it's worth a trip.

Thanks for your prayers, I certainly need them right now. With so much to learn -- so much to store up in my heart -- I quickly wear out and hope that the seeds that have been planted in my heart will remain good and one day grow up. I still have a small paper to write and lots of reading to do and my brain hurts so I will close.
All I ask is for your prayers today. For Murad, Mhamad, Ahmad, God's people, and myself.

Having only missed Tuesday...

Seeing as I have only missed blogging on Tuesday of this week, I thought it would be fitting to say something today. Of course, we all know that I haven't been able to keep a lid on it, so in reality, Tuesday has been made up for about 17 times (give or take a thousand). But since it's Shabbat, I don't want to do homework, and Friday night chapel starts soon, I will fritter away my time with you guys again. Just a quick note on that before I say something that means something: Pretty much every time I write I think of someone who reads this. I'll be typing along and think to myself, "Self, what you are saying right now really only means something to _______." But there is no pattern at all, each one of these mini-novels probably contains thoughts that make sense to only one or two people at a time. But of course it rotates around at random, thus covering my heiny (how do you spell hiney anyway? Is it highny or heine or high-knee or what?) and continuing my streak of being an accidental people-pleaser personality (whew! that's sort of a tongue twister...)

Anyway, as for today. Today was like real school. I had three classes (which means 6 hours of school on a Friday! Six! Why did I do that?) I am tired. This week has been real draining and last night I stayed up past 10:15 for once. After playing some sweet games with about 25 people in the bomb shelter I went back and remembered I had a Hebrew worksheet to finish. (Actually, I should clarify, it's actually called the Miklat and it serves as our student lounge area. Not many other bomb shelters are quite so cool. Who else do you know that has Bose surround sound in their bomb shelter? That's what I thought :) Rebellion successful: I played games, stayed up late, had fun, and still did good on my quiz today. I like this new leaf.

If I don't get hit by rockets before I leave, this Modern Hebrew thing might just take me down. It's interesting for sure, and challenging of course, but I am at this point just a little slow at making things click. Once I get over the hump and get some speed into it I'll be fine, but when I am supposed to learn totally new letters in cursive and block letters at the same time, as well as the pronunciation and vowel usage it can be a little daunting. Plus it goes til 3:15 on Friday, there's only 9 of us and everyone else is done for the day... Good times :)
News flash: going for a run by yourself is not dangerous! Who would have guessed that? I thought for a second I might accidentally run through a mine field, but then I remembered that I was still on the Moshav property, false alarm.

Sabbath begins today (Shabbat is what it's called around here). Friday night is when you receive the Sabbath (Kabbalat Shabbat). At dinner one of the men at the Moshav led us in the Christian version of Shabbat. (ps- if I am tossing out words and do not explain them, please take initiative and comment that I'm ridiculous and should explain. I will like that and so will you and everyone else). It was So cool. We've learned a couple of Hebrew songs since we've been here (the video on the previous post has one maybe two?) but we've only ever sung them a cappela. He used a classical guitar. It sounded awesome. Like the kind of awesome where you get chills and then tear up because you know that even as an ignorant American it can mean so much to worship the Lord freely, especially in This Place. So cool.
I think that pretty much covers it for now. I will wrap up early for once and let you enjoy more of your Friday not staring at a computer reading this. Enjoy the weekend everyone.



ps- Some Prayer requests: Rest (the jet lag is about gone, but I'm tired from a long week and a long week is approaching). Modern Hebrew class, what a challenge, pray that the Lord will give me a little boost in that area, it will be so cool to use it by the end of the semester. Diligence and desire to love the Lord in everything: prayer, reading the Word (for me and for class), friendships, sleep, leisure time, blogging, etc.

A General Introduction...

Here You have it folks, the first post. Obviously, I have not yet left for Israel. That day is still about 19 days away. I'll try to keep this updated pretty regularly once my adventure begins, but for now, I will not say much. Those of you that are reading this are part of a select few so to speak. As this will often be an outlet for me as much as an info boost for you I just ask that you use your best judgment in who you share this with or ask me if you're really that worried. It is really no big deal to me, but I like to know who my audience is as it may occasionally change the content of my chronicles.
As you already know (I think), I will be spending about 3.5 months in Israel with the Israel Bible Extension program (IBEX) which is a semester study abroad program hosted/run by The Master's College in CA. There are about 40 of us crazies going, two others from Corban I believe. We get to live in the Holy Land, take some really cool (and I'm guessing super-challenging) classes and have the experience of a lifetime. There is only a little more that could be said, so I will save my breath and tell you all about it once I get there.
In the way of a general and quick overview of what is coming up. I leave January 17th at 7:30 am from PDX, fly to Newark NJ, and then to Tel Aviv. When I get there they pick us up and then the truly unknown begins. Here's a fun fact: I won't know who my roommate(s) is/are until I get there, fun huh? (prayers appreciated in that area). So between now and then I have a sweet young lady to visit, a week of work to accomplish, packing to do, people to catch up with, time to spend with the family, and even some homework to do in preparation.
That pretty much wraps it up for now, I appreciate your prayers in the meantime...