First Thoughts

On Sunday 1/18/09 I took my first steps in Israel arriving in Tel Aviv, modern day Joppa. We took our drive through the coastal plain and up into the shephelah region (foothills), arriving at the moshave, Yad HaShmonah, slightly west of the biblical Kiriat-Jearim.

The first thing I realized, besides how absolutely excited I was about actually being in the Land of the Bible (!), was how beautiful the coastal plains were, especially when looking towards the shephelah with the sun nearing the edge of the horizon.

I'm staying on a moshav, a collective settlement (like a close-knit town/resort/camp). It's difficult to describe what the living conditions are like. It's best to say it's like living at camp, very small rooms, small shower with lots of people living in this small space. And there's a 'reception' area with a little tourist shop. But the view is absolutely gorgeous!!! I can't believe that I'm actually living here!

I've only seen the Shephelah and the mountain Ridge, having only gone to Kiriat-Jearim, Abu Gosh, Mevesaret, and Jerusalem, which are all within a small range of distance.

There are a lot of green areas, trees and bushes everywhere, with various locations of housing developments, some nicer and middle class, others poorer and 'slum' like. It's very rocky. Everything seems to be made of rock and the surrounding hills have tons of rocks inbedded in them. No wonder David would always call God his rock and fortress--he knew what rocks were like! And the place is definitely much smaller and simpler than we think it to be. Today I went to 'the' mall in Israel, in Mevesaret, and I think it was the smallest mall I've ever seen. There might have been 20-30 shops but you could barely squeeze 6-7 people in them and they were condensed in a small area. You stand in the middle of the mall and you can see everything inside. And this is the big hang out spot? Not much. Even Jerusalem is small. Not that I'm downplaying the beauty and wonder of the land, it's just not as grand as we think it to be.

To me, it feels like home (Shingle Springs, CA--foothills of the Sierra Nevada, 30 mi outside Sac, forested, kinda boonie-ish) because of all the trees and hills (which, by the way aren't that huge), and the lack of huge city life and things to do.

What's so amazing is that this land isn't that special. Yeah, it was the main highway and the land was lush back in ancient times. And I'm sure when I visit places like Galilee, the Jordan River, and the Negev I'll see more of the uniqueness of the land. But I see that this land is just a small, humble land that God chose to use and give to His people. And because He chose it, it has wonder, splendor, and causes awe to all who come!!!

If you could remember to pray for me and the rest on my trip. There's 40 of us here, all from different walks of life. About 10 are from different colleges, and I don't know how much of everyone knew each other going into all of this. But ultimately I want there to be such a strong unity between us, such companionship among us all as believers in Yeshua ha Meshiach (Jesus the Messiah). Pray for us students to be unified in our purpose, and filled with a love for our great Redeemer and Messiah, that we would be a bright testimony to all of the lost Jews, Gentiles, and Arabs around us.