A Holiday to Remember

Wow--how can I begin?  This month has been awesome.

I'll start out with describing my birthday, December 19.  At first, I wasn't sure how it would go, being that I am across the ocean, far from family and long-term relationships.  It turned out to be much more than I expected.  My birthday fell on a Saturday, which is a half-day at the school (yes, we have school on Saturday; our days off are Friday and Sunday).  After school, I went with a few friends to a restaurant nearby the school.  They treated me, and I was able to enjoy a hearty cheeseburger meal with fries.  I also received a couple of gifts, which I didn't expect at all.  To top it off, God blessed us with awesome weather.  It was warm, and the skies were blue (the day before, it was cloudy, dreary, and rainy).  It doesn't end here.  On Sunday, I went with friends to a local family's house service I usually attend.  They threw me a surprise party, got me a big birthday cake, made me an amazing meal, and blessed me with more gifts.  I truly was in awe.  I looked to God for a blessed birthday, and He gave me above and beyond all that I expected.  I know that I don't serve God for blessings--yet, these blessings were His way of letting me know how special I am to Him.

Next, the Lord opened up an amazing door on Wednesday, December 23.  I and the other American volunteers who stayed back for Christmas were invited to sing carols in Bethlehem, right on Manger Square, near the Church of the Nativity--the likely location of Christ's birth.  We formed a choir, and I played the guitar as we sang.  Before we sang, I had the opportunity to walk around the Church of the Nativity.  Certain areas looked like a manger/stable, probably to preserve the original atmosphere that surrounded Christ, Mary, and Joseph on that day.  It's really cool--having the opportunity to celebrate Christmas where it all began.

Yesterday was Christmas day, and I spent the earlier part of the day hanging out with a friend.  At 4 pm, my friend and I attended a Christmas party.  My friend and I then attended a Shabbat service, and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of good people there.  Indeed, this was a Christmas to remember.

P.S.- Much more pics to come soon!

It's December!

I know that it has been a while;  things have been quite busy on my end.  Since we've last spoken, I had the opportunity to do some further exploring of the land.  First, I went to Engedi and the Dead Sea about a month ago.  Engedi is where David and his men hid from King Saul.  It's a mountainous area garbed with waterfalls and caves.  A must see!  I also had the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea.  Disclaimer:  Make sure that you do not get the water in your eyes, and beware of sharp rocks.  My experience started out relaxing, but then became quite uncomfortable when a grain of salt from the water got into my eye.  Unable to open my eyes due to the huge burning sensation, I felt my way to the shore and sat on a rock.  Luckily, a man nearby saw me and asked me a question in Hebrew.  The kind man had a bottle of fresh water.  He poured it on my face, flushing my eyes out.  The problem was over!

I also had the chance to go to Galilee with my roommates.  I went to the Mount of Beatitudes.  There is so much lush, green vegetation and beautiful flowers overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  I especially appreciated this, due to the fact that the area I live in has few vegetation, and is mostly desert-like.  After the Mount of Beatitudes, I went to the area in which it was said that Jesus ate with His disciples after His resurrection.  But the highlight of my Galilee trip was the town of Capernaum, where Jesus grew up, as well as the starting point of His ministry.  I visited the ruins of an ancient synagogue, likely one of sites Christ visited.  I also had the opportunity to see the preserved ruins of Peter's house.  Beyond these ruins was a supernatural, peaceful atmosphere of prayer that I felt.  Although the town had several visitors, there were certain areas where I felt alone with God.  The hours went by like minutes for me, because I was just soaking it all in.

Presently, I am preparing my students for midterms.  In two weeks, Christmas vacation will begin.  I definitely have had some challenges (the work load, disgruntled students, etc.), but I can honestly say that God's grace has been keeping me.  I'm grateful that--Lord-willing--I will be finishing up my first semester.

That's All Folks (for now),

Robert

What's Happening Lately

I finally made it to my first Arabic class--last Wednesday.  I'm going to love writing in Arabic because the letters are beautiful and intricate, almost like some form of art (I have a bit of art in my background).  One interesting thing that happened during that class is when I tried to pronounce the word for "neighborhood".  A slight mistake in my pronunciation caused me to say "sh-t" in Arabic (my teacher kindly informed me).  I think I'll practice saying this word on my own a few times before I use it in a conversation with an Arab.

As I am writing, I can hear the pounding of the rain upon the roof of the high school.  This is great, because Jerusalem had been experiencing a drought recently.  It also rained a couple of days ago, and the students were fascinated.  At first, my mindset was, it's rain--what's the big deal?  But living in this dry, desert-like region, it is easy to see why it is so precious.  It also made me realize how I take things for granted, at times--especially when I lived in America.  So, thank You God for the rain!

I've been getting to know a few more locals, and it has been awesome.  Last Thursday, I went over the house of one of my student's family.  They were very hospitable, and the food was fantastic!  Lately, I've also gone to the sports events of the high school in order to show the youth my support.  It is a great way for me to reach out to the students more, and to be a positive influence in their lives.  I also have hosted a couple of movie nights at my apartment for the teachers, and I feel that times like those enable us to bond more as a team.  It is amazing how, when we give up our lives for the Lord, He gives us a life which is far greater and beyond what we even imagined!  Glory to His Name. 

Talk to you later.

Eye Openers

It has been a blessing and a challenge volunteering among the Palestinians in Jerusalem.  At the school, I've had a few interesting incidents.  During one class, I asked the students to describe the landscape of Israel (ooops!).  One student shouted out, "Say 'Palestine'--don't say 'Israel'."  Yes, the tensions between the Palestinian and Jews are very real.  Yet, I pray that the Lord would open the eyes of all who--like this student--still hold the bitter division in their hearts.

One day, after school, a seemingly peaceful conference errupted into a violent altercation.  Two students, who had issues with one another, met with faculty.  Somehow, the men in the families of either students got involved, and began to fight with one another.  Another teacher reported seeing knives involved.  Testimony:  I was in the office next door to where the altercation broke out.  Another staff person was in the office with me.  We prayed together.  Right as our prayer ended, the fight moved to outside of the building.  Praise God for answer to prayer.

I am in a setting in which I volunteer among many Muslims.  Continue to pray for them, as well as the teachers, faculty, and myself.

God Bless You

Let Me Be A Current of Your Peace

It's amazing how easily we can enter into the peace of God--yet how complicated we can make it. Humbling ourselves, taking the low road, keeping your mouth closed when your emotions desire to errupt through harsh words--these are impossibilites without the grace of God. Yet it is available for us. As Paul puts it, "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Encouraging scriptures on peace and trust: "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph.2:14). "Cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you" (1 Pt 5:7).

Bye for now.

My Life in the Holy Land

I feel humbled by this opportunity to connect with you in style. Just as the Word became flesh, now I am able to put substance to my written descriptions of the Holy Land.

This is a picture of me, standing in front of the Kidron Valley. If you look carefully behind me, there is a monument. It is the tomb of Zechariah the prophet. I visited this site during my second week here, August 20 something....