Israel Saga-forgive my wordiness

Picture is of the CMA Center in Jerusalem

We made it! We, and a planeload of Chassidic Jews, landed at Tel Aviv, Israel on Monday May 19, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. after 14 hours of travel and many a light encounter with security. There was even security equipment and wanding at the Continental gate in Newark as we departed. Forty-five minutes in advance of landing we were not allowed to leave our seats and had to remain in them about one half hour while security did its thing after the plane was at the port. As we passed on the gangway between plane and airport gate, there was a line of half a dozen or so young security men watching our every move.

Getting through Passport Control was swift and simple, and there on the other side were Ellen and Roger Elbel, Field Director of Israel and church workers in Jerusalem, waving a friendly ‘Hello.’

We boarded their Toyota Yaris Verso, nicknamed Joshua 13, because Joshua was a risk taker and fearless; where he put his foot, he claimed that land for God and the Elbels intend the car will do the same. Ellen and Roger were surprised to note when they purchased the car on Jan. 13 that 13mm of rain fell that day, the car had 13 km on it and the key code is 13. Thus Joshua 13.

The first thing we saw was the gate emblazoned with our denomination’s name and logo.

Ellen phoned for Ramez to come out. Perhaps it would be best to describe him as a houseboy as he tends to the maintenance, washes dishes, carries luggage and so forth – he’s a real joy to have around because he always smiles and wants to help and converse.

Through the gate we entered an inviting courtyard.
From there we went through double-locked doors into the actual building. The Elbels told us that someone had broken in a few weeks ago. They believe it was the work of an anti-missionary group (name unpronounceable) as nothing was stolen, even though there were some valuables around, but the intruder(s) made great confusion and disorder of the premises. The solution is to keep the doors locked.

Ellen pointed out that she gives thanks daily for the early missionaries from the CMA who had the foresight to purchase this prime real estate many years ago. The interior and exterior are old and picturesque with a cool, simple, interesting décor. Its many rooms have served the Alliance well and it is located in the middle of Jerusalem; within walking distance of the Old City and Jaffa Square, the area that has been the target of car bombings and machine gun fire.

Later on, we walked in the neighborhood and ate in an outdoor restaurant that would have been too hot, but was cooled by a breeze and was protected from the hot sun by a canopy above; very pleasant and the food very tasty and filling.

The streets were busy with people and traffic. The CMA Center is located on the Street of the Prophet, which parallels Jaffa St, the main thoroughfare through Jerusalem. Our walk took us into an area of many shops.

Among many other colorful characters, we encountered a man who had a harnessed sheep on a leash. He was holding out a cup. He represented a now-deceased rabbi who claimed to be the Messiah. He discussed this with Roger for a short time. I still don’t know why he was collecting money, when his hero was already dead. Stan and Roger gave the man the loose change from their pockets.

Before leaving for dinner we did a tour of the center. Inside are many rooms: lounges, kitchens, bedrooms, classrooms, a sanctuary complete with baptistery, offices, patios and courtyards – even a wire-free library with a large selection of books. (Books in large numbers show up throughout the complex. Roger is a bibliophile and has a very impressive collection in the Center.)

At present the CMA Center is housed in one section of the building and includes: the office, archives, lounge for the comfort of visitors, courtyards, kitchen and laundry facilities for the whole complex.

Another section is being used by the Israel Bible College to house their facility including classrooms and student lodging rooms.

Our room is at the top of a narrow flight of stairs

– typical of stairways in all parts of this building. It is spacious, has two twin beds, TV, abundant books neatly arranged on shelves, wardrobe to hold our clothes, two desks and an old organ, a relic from the days of the first missionaries to Israel, windows that shed much light, an air conditioner, plenty of space to move around – it spells home to us for the few days we will be here in Jerusalem.

(Picture is of Grandpa resting in our room.)

(Anyone old enough to remember the old Bud Abbot and Lou Costello movies filmed in the Middle-East, where the duo was being chased and hunted by the bad guys, would recognize this building.)

Today, exhausted from the flight (NO sleep on the plane), we rested in our room for an hour or two. We learned the Elbels had just gotten back from a retreat or conference in Spain, so they, too, were getting re-oriented to the surroundings and catching up on work that had to be left undone while they were gone.

Thanks to good old-fashioned jet lag, our second day started at 3:00 a.m. I plopped myself down in the kitchen where our computer was set up. I learned that many interesting people come through that kitchen during each day.

Ingrid once walked in while I was working on the computer. She told me the following: She lives in Denmark and is in Israel with her husband and two other couples staying in an apartment and they are all Christians. Today she was working as an aid to the Israel Bible College. Another day she’ll help out at a soup kitchen. Her group has painted the interior of their apartment. The Danish organization they represent takes the Love of Jesus Christ to the Jewish people. When they move from their apartment they will leave a letter for the landlord explaining why they do what they do – to show God’s love for all people. She referred to the story Jesus told about a house set on a hill where all can see it. She said she and her friends want to be that house and let their light shine for Him.

She blushed and said partly why she came to Israel was a bit of an ego trip – she likes to go places and meet people. I pointed out that I, too, carry the same guilt feelings sometimes, but then she and I could just do luxury travel and serve no one. Using our method, we can do both God’s work and satisfy our wanderlust. That’s what got her talking about the house on the hill – “We can be that house anywhere,” she said.

Another visitor to the kitchen was Debbie, a young woman, who works for the Bible College. Yesterday, when I met her, she had a volunteer lady working on the computer just for the day. On this particular day it was Ingrid. Deb grew up in Israel, the daughter of missionaries. The family went back to the states when Mom and Dad retired, but she missed Israel, so she moved back here and married an Arab Christian and has a family.

All the while I was enjoying the kitchen life, Ellen and Stan were in the office buried in the books.

After all, we did come here so Stan could audit them, but at suppertime, we were back in the neighborhood checking out an Italian Restaurant. (The night before we ate Jewish food and had to choose between a meat and a dairy establishment.) Outside each eatery is posted a security guard. The one in the Italian Café was an American Jew who immigrated to Israel. He talked to us a long time about his life and ours. I’m sure he felt secure in letting us through the door.

On the third morning I ‘slept in’ until 4:00 a.m. Curse that jet lag. The events of the day were much like the day before. Later on we and the Elbels went out to dinner; Arab style this night. We ordered fish: Denise with garlic sauce. Yummy!

Today Stan stayed at the Center to work with Ellen on the final part of the audit and possibly help her with computer software. I was dropped off at the home of Church Workers Scot and Carrie Dressler. Nassir was our driver as Carrie and I rode with him, winding through the hills of the West Bank on an English as a Second Language (ESL) mission. We would stop at two centers, one owned by the Alliance (CMA), and we would go inside both.

Nassir is an Arab Christian, very devoted. He and his wife are the pillars of his church. She has cancer – lymphoma – and is very hopeful and cheerful at all times. I breathe a prayer for them and their 4 and 5 year old sons whenever I think of them. Nassir’s employment is doing ministry to the Arab Christians.

In the West Bank our first stop was for diesel gas at $7.50 a gallon. I asked if I might get out to take a picture, and Nassir said it was best to wait until we were indoors. We passed many small villages – some were Arab with their mosques and minarets and some were Jewish Settlements with their newly constructed look-alike houses.

Our next stop was at an Alliance-owned Community Center.

(Pictures are of Center building with Carrie and Nassir.)

Situated in a small town, the center housed a reception center, a kitchen, classrooms, a multi-purpose room with a stage, an office/computer room, lounges and an inviting atmosphere. Its purpose is to serve the local people. Not only does the center offer ESL classes, but also computer and business instruction to help the students gain employment. People in the area know Christians provide the center along with its classes and teachers, but there is neither church building nor religious training. Church workers want only to bring the love of Christ to anyone they encounter.

(Picture is ESL Class in "action.")

It was heartwarming to observe the class. The ESL teacher, Carrie, is a church worker from America. Three women and one man study advanced English; they talked about gerunds and infinitives, working with a wide vocabulary. Most people in Jordan have studied English in school and understand the structure of the language well, but need to hear it spoken by a person who holds it as the native tongue. Everyone was cheerful and seemed eager to converse and practice their second language. An Arab lady, dressed in her hijab and other traditional Arab attire, passed around sweetened, spiced tea. Two young girls (about 10 years old) stood in the hall outside, awaiting a chance to peek in and see what was happening. There was a homey atmosphere and, as always, the Arab people were very hospitable and enjoyed the socialization.

When asked why he or she wants to speak English, the answers seemed similar. “Because it is the language of business” or “I want to support my son so he can learn the language and get a better job.” A couple of women said they wanted to exercise their minds to improve them. Each response seemed to point to a desire for a better life.

The second center we visited was similar, but was not Alliance-owned.

(Picture is of 4 of the students at the second center we visited with me (Grandma). Note the lady in white boldly uncovered her face when there were no men around.)

We were unable to enter the locked door, when we arrived, but the ever-hospitable Arabs invited us into a nearby restaurant and served us orange juice. When we were finally inside and in the classroom, there were five lady students; one was dressed in all white and only her eyes and hands could be seen.

Carrie started a conversation about their headdress. The bottom-line was they only remove it in the company of a man, if they know he is someone they cannot possibly marry such as a father, brother or son. Even in-laws are off limits. They all know to never offer to shake a man’s hand, but Carrie asked, “What if he offers first?” This seemed to confuse them and it made me wonder how many times I had done it without thinking.

In the evening we were back in Jerusalem at the Elbels. Roger’s barbecued lamb and chicken were delicious, as were the side dishes Ellen prepared. We had a heartwarming evening of conversation and retired early so we could be prepared to leave the next day.

The following morning we said our goodbyes to the Elbels and left at 9:45 a.m. for the Allenby Bridge where we would cross the Jordan River and arrive in Jordan. It was an uneventful trip with many security checkpoints and time spent waiting and guessing what are they doing? Or what’s the holdup? Actual distance was only about 40 miles, but we didn’t get through passport control until 11:45. The entire Mangham family picked us up and we were off on another adventure – this one in Jordan. Later in the day Ed dropped us off at the Crown Plaza Hotel where we would start our official ‘Insight Tour” of Petra and other historic, Biblical sights.

If you plodded through this, Congratulations! You just read 2,256 words. I told you it is lengthy – but you know where the delete key is. I hope you enjoyed at least parts of my saga. You’ll be delighted (ha-ha) to know there is more to come.

Love you all, CAKFJ (that’s catch a kiss from Jordan)

Grandma for Grandpa and me