Back in Ariel, Israel

Tommy and Sherri Waller--Harvest Masters!

November 6, 2009
The rain has come in earnest to The Land. We are told that this amount is unusual for Israel. What a blessing it is!. We were visiting with one of the vineyard owners last evening and he said he doesn't use an umbrella because he just wants to get soaked by the blessings of the rain. What a concept. He is the same one that was dancing with us in the vineyard the day we showed up and brought in his crop that he thought he was going to loose because he couldn't find any pickers and the sugar was starting to go too high. He said that when we walked into his vineyard, he knew HaShem had answered his prayer--a real Succot miracle; like Ushpitzim 2!
These kind of miracles and movings of YHWH have been regular events while here in the land. When you come to this land and make yourself available for YHWH to work through, divine appointments begin to happen. We have become expectant --waiting for the next thing that YHWH wants to show us.

One of Our Divine Appointments

There are quiet times too so there isn't always something "happening"; but even then there is usually something to do or hear or observe. Even the pounding of the rain seems to have a spiritual component. YHWH said that this land would not be like Egypt where they irrigated from the Nile River. This land would be watered with the rains that He would send as long as His people would gaurd/shomer His commands found in Torah. The coming of these intense rains may signal a new level of seriousness for Torah among the people of Israel. An article in Jerusalem Post stated that a Moral Majority had for the first time been identified in Israel. How interesting!

One of Our Last Gatherings Before Leaving the Land

We are starting to see the main group that has been here in Ariel dwindle to less than 20 now. It has been sad to say goodbye to so many people we now consider to be family. There has been a sense of community here that has been so rich and unexpected and wonderful. There have been so many servant hearts displayed here, and I think to myself, "how incredible it would be to be able to live like this all the time." But sadly, other demands have called these dear ones back to their previous lives for the time being. The Kingdom millineum becomes more and more attractive as time and events go on. We must be ready for that soon to be reality. Come soon Meshiach!
We have been in meetings with various vineyard owners and managers over the past few days. There are many opportunities opening up with all of them and most likely others to follow. It seems that this platform of blessing Israel through agriculture is really finding a home in the hearts of the farmers here. It is exciting to hear the proposals for expansion as we sit around the tables. With about 100 people coming this year, the planning for next year will start soon and it seems that we will have to step it up a notch and be prepared for more people going to more vineyards and olive orchards next year. I strongly encourage you to begin to prepare now to be one of them. Your life will never be the same if you do.

Shaking Down the Olives in Shilo--or Resting?

After the rains, we have spent some time in the olive orchards near Shilo picking olives that will be pressed for oil. It was great raking the olives off the branches onto the netting we had laid on the ground to catch them. It was kind of like brushing tangled hair but at least the trees didn't cry from pulling the hair! We are even being asked if there might be the ability to work other harvests like dates, so who knows where this all goes. As long as YHWH is in charge and we are obedient, anything is possible.

Olive Orchard on Mt. Gerazim

We have been challenged deeply personally these last weeks as well. Our up front statement has been that we are committed to be a blessing to Israel no matter what, and circumstances have unfolded that have challenged us to the core of this commitment. We have been shown one more way that we see things differently than those who follow a rabbi above what Torah says. It has hurt deeply and challenged us profoundly as to whether we really can live what we have said. With YHWH's grace and power in our lives, I believe that we will take the next step. As He draws us into more responsibility, He shows us what we need to work on to make the journey unencombered. Pray with us for the strength and wisdom to make the right choices and actions.
We have had our eyes opened wider while in The Land, and can't wait to share with you all our observations as we come back to the US. If you would like to set up a time of sharing with your group please contact us at peregrinnatti@yahoo.com and we'll set something up. There are many ideas and opportunities that we can not list here that we would love to share with you. Until then be blessed and Shalom.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

October 25, 2009
Bait Ali, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Sunday was our last full day in Jordan. Our friends and hosts, Johnny and Beverly took us out to Wadi Rum. Many of the scenes in the movie "Lawrence of Arabia" were filmed here. When we were in Jordan in 2006, we crossed the border and spent 3 days visiting Petra and Aqaba. Our driver who took us to Petra drove us by the beautiful mountains of the Wadi Rum area, but our friends took us into the area and we "saw" it this time! Wadi Rum is mainly inhabited by Bedouins.

Atallh and his youngest son

We met Atallh and his family who are Bedouin. Atallh takes excursions into the desert on horseback. He had just gotten home from a 6 day horse-back ride to the Saudi border. His email is: rumhorses@yahoo.co.uk
if anyone is interested in contacting him for setting up a grand adventure. And of course you will need a place to stay in preparation for your horseback adventure and to recover from your grand adventure! We've discovered just the place - Bait Ali Camp.

Entrance to Bait Ali Camp

We drove up to the entrance and my spirit went, oh my goodness, here in front of me is what Steve and I have envisioned for so many years, a delightful set-up for community life! The owners are Susie and Tasein, energetic, visionary people. Susie comes up with the ideas and Tasein makes them happen, then Susie runs it! Tasein is too busy building!! The compound is very Bedouin - camel-hair tents providing shade for varied eating and relaxing areas, colorful cushions for comfort on low stucco benches, fire-pits for atmosphere.

There's a huge bar/dining area where we were treated to a desert feast! There's also a large building for having meetings and gatherings in an enclosed space. You can take your choice of accommodations - from tent to motel-like room with use of communal bath and shower to the "chateaus". These are so charming, they look like tents but they are built of blocks and stucco. An additional plus is that they have their own private bath.
Recently added to Bait Ali Camp is an ampitheater that seats 5,000. What great fun it would be to bring over 5,000 believers and fill the ampitheater with worship and prayer. Beverly told us their favorite time to stay at Bait Ali is in the winter. The crispness of the winter night makes the myriad of stars that fill the night sky so close it seems you can reach up and touch them!

Over-looking Bait Ali Camp

We left Aqaba Monday morning in time to catch the 11:00 bus to Be'er Sheva. It was a good thing we gave ouselves plenty of time for both Jordan and Israel went through our bags - Israel more so than Jordan. Jordan only wanted to go through one, but Israel went through all of them! What a mess. The poor harp had another accident and another 6 strings broke. Altogether Steve has replaced 18 strings this trip, some more than once. Poor harp, its been brutal!
We are leaving the harp with a fellow we met at the Love for Israel conference in Portland, OR this past summer. He is in Jerusalem attending Hebrew language school for 6 months - so tomorrow the harp is passing hands. He traded Steve a Japanese Koto (harp) for ours. There is a harp in Ariel (at least there was when we left a couple of weeks ago) that Steve has access to so its not like he will be without for the remainder of our time here. That's a good thing too, for Caleb W. took one of the scripture stories and is practicing it wanting to learn to tell stories as well. Hurray! another storyteller!!! We will see about putting together a story-telling evening before we leave.
We can say we are international now as we have ministered the harp and story in both Jordan and Israel! What fun it has been, we look forward to many more opportunities!

Playing for the Children

October 23, 2009 - Aqaba, Jordan
Have you ever noticed how your up-bringing determines to a great extent your reactions and behavior to your environment?
I grew up in Florida, while the state was still considered a part of the south and de-segregation was only a hotly debated topic of discussion. My up-bringing did not prepare me to live in a racially diverse community in Florida or California or anywhere else for that matter. Because I was a product of my up-bringing I had never considered myself to be racist. Then, in my marriage we moved to a racially diverse community and my eyes were open. I saw, in all its ugliness, my deeply hidden prejudices and fears. But Abba put me there to teach me that we are ALL His children. When He empowers you to be able to look past a person's race then you can truly begin to "see" them.
So spending this time in Jordan has been an interesting experience for me. I see children playing ball with their friends in the streets, (we did that as children too, not until 11:00 P.M. though!), I see mothers pushing baby strollers and fathers carrying little ones, crying children in grocery stores when expectations are not met, the firm voice of discipline as well as the giving-in so as to forestall a "scene", families out for an evening stroll or having a picnic at the beach, it's typical life of any town America. Once again The Father is punching a hole in the wall of my up-bringing and saying to me, we are ALL His children. We smile, we laugh, we cry, we say Hello, we eat, we drink, we love, we sleep.
"Open your eyes and "see" my children as I see them."

We visited a school for mentally handicapped children a few days ago. The teachers make less than $200 a month, but their love and dedication to these dear ones is evident. With great care and tenderness they direct and teach and wipe noses and console.

Steve played his harp for all the kids and the children were especially delighted when he allowed them to strum the strings. One deaf girl's face lit up when he brought the harp over to her table and she felt the vibrations of his playing. One little boy watched Steve so intently that when he was allowed to strum the strings he placed his fingers and plucked the strings just as he had seen Steve doing.

A teacher was talking to me in her broken English about the Jordanian people, how they are different from the others and I agreed with her that the Jordanian people were a very kind, gentle people indeed. She looked at me and then grabbed me in a big hug and kissed my cheek, she was so overcome. So was I for that matter! - (Muslim women, like Orthodox Jewish women, will (outside of their family), only have physical contact with another woman, i.e. the shaking of hands.)

I suppose I am "harping" a little on this, but we must allow the Spirit to punch holes in the walls of our up-bringing and bring down our racisms so that we can love like our Father loves and be springs of living water to a dry and thristy land. Did Y'Shua meet with any less resistance when He walked this land 2,000 years ago? But it was His love and acceptance that we are ALL God's children that caused the world to be changed and we to be changed into His likeness. Can we afford to be anything less?
Love in the face of adversity, weep in intercession over the sins of the world, pray for the peace of Yah's presence and the world will know that Y'Shua has walked in their midst in the form of you! They may not like us, they may even persecute us - for as they did to Y'Shua they will do to us - but if we live as Y'Shua lived it will not be said of us when the sheep are separated from the goats, "I never knew you."
　

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Shirley and Friend at Waterfall in the

City Square of Aqaba, Jordan

October 14, 2009
We are in Jordan now visiting friends. We have been taking the past few days getting oriented and seeing where things are. Aqaba sits on the northern tip of the Red Sea and we went down to the beach where you could look at 4 countries. Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia. We drove down to the border with Saudi Arabia which is only about 10 miles from town and observed much new development and resorts being built. We were told it was mostly Saudi money that was behind the development and mostly Saudi families that would be buying the condos for a vacation destination.

Red Sea Beach --Israel in Background

There are many Egyptians that form up the working class here; much like the Thai people in Israel and the Mexicans in the US. Some Philippine nationals come here as well, more in the domestic trades. We also noted there is a strong Chinese representation here, especially in the new shopping malls that are being built here. As we walked into the shopping mall, there were stacks of goods recently unloaded from a truck that all had "Made in China" stamped on them. As we walked through the mall stores, we saw the same lable on most of the goods offered in the stores. The shop keepers were also Chinese in many cases, so it is evident thatChina has come into full swing here as in the US and around the globe. Another surprise was seeing a huge Safeway grocery store in the middle of town, can we use our "club card" here too? Wow! The farther away you go, the closer you get.

Safeway Store in Aqaba

It is observed that the rampant merchandising that is one of the characteristics of end-time empires is just as prevalent here as in those places that people are supposedly leaving for those very same reasons. The accuser of the brethern is not particular to geographic location, as long as he can ensnare you with stuff and financials and anything else that can take your mind off the One we say we serve. It is just as easy to slip into a day to day routine here as anywhere else and forget why you came in the first place. (We're not saying this of anyone specifically, it is just a tendency that must be gaurded against by all of us no matter where we are.) The geography is not what makes one safe. It is the dwelling in the presence--the relationship, that offers the place where it will not come nigh us--and that relationship can take place anywhere on the face of the earth.
It is amazing to be close to places that are mentioned in The Book. The Red Sea, Edom, Mt. Sier, Moab, Mt. Hor, Bosra just to name a few. There is much history here, and the promises to Abraham include this very soil. If you want to see what it looks like around here, get out a copy of "Lawrence of Arabia". It was filmed here and down the road at Wadi Rum. People here are quite proud of the fact that the movie was made here. Even though there are many historical inaccuracies in the movie, it still gives you an idea of the land and its people.
It is interesting to visit the produce markets and see the productivity of this land. The farmers here work diligently and produce a wide variety of foods that please the pallet. We really enjoy the Mediteranean style of eating, and the spices available here on practically every street corner are a wonder to behold. Just walking past a spice stand is a sensory treat! The colors and smells and sounds and feel of the place are so rich and exotic.

One of the Many Mosques in Aqaba

Another treat is the people who live here. Almost every child on the street wants to practice their English on you. They at least say,"Hello, how are you?" ;and they say it multiple times until they are satisfied that they have really gotten your attention. There is quite a mix of beliefs here. We have met many Orthodox Greek worshipers here. Obviously the majority is Muslim, with many calls to prayer from various minarettes throughout the city. There is an array from nominal through orthodox with varying styles of dress and performance. Men wear traditional Bedouin garb and Italian styled business suits. It is an eclectic collection that constantly varies and surprises. Many beautiful eyes are revealed behind full veils and I found out they can even swim in the Red Sea with their full covering. Even this late in October, it touches 100 f and a swim in the sea can cool anyone off.

Everyone Enjoys the Red Sea --Cool!

We will close this posting for now. Most assuredly, there will be more to come from this fascinating area. Until the next posting, as they say here--Salama.

Observations

October 10, 2009
It is Shabbat in Jerusalem, and we are staying with some friends in the historic International Anglican School of Jerusalem. We will be going south in the morning by bus and once there, we will be able to post pictures again. I just wanted to share some impressions we have gathered while here during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jerusalem is such an alive place during this time. Even with threats of riots and strikes, everyone has turned out to celebrate with dancing and music and visiting and activities all through the city and any other form of rejoicing you can think of. Next to where we are staying, there is a yeshiva and we have been listening to them sing practically the whole night. There have been fire crackers going off through the night (we hope that’s what we heard) and a real sense of joy that cannot be contained or dampened. This week of rejoicing has been enriching and really does recharge your batteries. It’s kind of like Shabbat helps renew you to face the following week, so the feasts throughout the year help recharge and refocus us to be able to go back to our designated tasks with new energy and perspective.
Now it is time to re-enter the daily world of our occupation. It is time to come back to our tasks with the insight that we have gained from this time of contemplation and coming before YHWH in repentance first, followed by rejoicing that our name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. It is time to roll back the Torah scroll, and begin once again to work our way through the Parasha for each week. This coming back to the beginning of the cycle is important. It brings us around to where we have started from, only this time, with a little more wisdom and knowledge than before; a little more relationship than previously; relationship that we have built with each other and with our YHWH. Now we go through the cycle again, but with an enriched perspective—if we have been paying attention. We can approach similar pitfalls and dangers and make better decisions this time around. We must go this way again, because YHWH is refining us in the process. He is bringing us into the position of sons and daughters of His kingdom, and we must be tested and tried to be fit for the responsibility. What has taken place in the previous years must now be allowed to remain there. Both successes and failures must remain behind, and we must now forge ahead onto our next assignment. We must take each day as it comes, and deal with it through this forged wisdom that He has brought forth in us upon this anvil of trial and testing.
Here in Jerusalem, this seems to be clearer than elsewhere. One cannot dwell in the past here. Things change too rapidly. Life is too dear here. With much more danger in the air here, one does not live in the regrets of the past or the fear of the future. Today is the day we are living in, and what we are assigned to do must be done today. Tomorrow will have a different assignment. Not all here make that adjustment so well, but this is how we can live triumphantly amidst the turmoil of this geopolitical storm. The future that we can look to is what YHWH tells us in Revelation—He wins and those who come against Jerusalem/Israel will ultimately loose. This is the future we must trust in this present set of circumstances. As we see the events unfolding around us in the headlines and cross-reference them with the writings of the Prophets, we are admonished to “Lift up our heads, for our redemption draws close”. Yeshua is close now; even the Orthodox Rabbis say, “We can hear the footsteps of Moshiach.”
Watch!

Jerusalem

Jaffa Gate --Jerusalem

October 9, 2009
We just wanted to give a quick update. We are in Jerusalem and were asked to not blog until the main group was out of the city. There has been a Heightened police and IDF presence during our time here, but we have not been affected by any of this. Our time in the Old City during Succot has been full of insight and revelation. We were blessed to be able to give a program with our stories and harp Wednesday evening and many were blessed. Since we have been to Jerusalem before, we were asked to be guides around the city to orient the "newbies". Many of the group were Participating in one of the 24 / 7 house of prayers here, and took the watch from 3-6 pm.
Another event occurred on Tuesday when the Korean film team had the musicians and dancers up on top of Mount of Olives performing "Days of Elijah".

"Days of Elijah" on Mt. of Olives

The sun broke out at the right timing for the third "take" and there was a sense about Prophetic what had just taken place. The clouds were Roiling around on the horizon as we were singing "riding on the clouds" and the sun rays were breaking through the clouds as we were singing "shining like the sun". One of our group was playing the Shofar - very well I might add-as we were singing "at the Trumpet sound, and there was a sense of something being broken as we sang and Danced. Only His time will tell.

Shofar on the Mountain--Over the

Eastern (Golden) Gate

We had quite a night Wednesday when we woke up in the wee hours with rain hitting our face. Since we were on a roof, there was little shelter, so many of the group ran Downstairs and finished out the night on the lobby floor. It was quite a site. Everyone was good Natured about it and the sun was soon out to dry everything off.

Hostel Lobby Scene After the Rain

We have made connections to give the main offering that you all have sent with us to the Messianic fellowship in Jerusalem, and we will give you a report when that is done. We want to thank those of you who Participated in this offering to our brothers and sisters here, and Assure you that what you have done has not gone unnoticed. YHWH has said not to come up to Jerusalem empty handed and you have Obeyed Him. We are confident that there will be much Multiplication - both ways! Once again, we Encourage you to begin planning to be here next year. Hag Sameach / Happy Feast!

Report of Gifts

City on a Hill in PA Territory

October 3, 2009
We just wanted to give an update to some of the giving that has already taken place here in Israel from the money that you all collected and entrusted us to bring "up to Jerusalem" for the Feast of Tabernacles. We want to be open and let you know what this money is going to so we can be responsible to you and also let you receive a blessing from your participation with this project. We truly wish that you could be here and experience what we have seen here, and we encourage you not to miss next year.

Plaque at Israel Children's Fund

The first place we brought an offering to was in Shiloh to an organization known as Israel Children's Fund. This group led by David Rubin supports an extensive program dedicated to working with children who have suffered trauma from terror attacks; either themselves or their family or friends.

David Rubin and Director of Children's Program

The program is run very well and does amazing things with the resources available to them. We gave a symbolic offering of a gold coin and several silver coins having the verses in Isaiah in mind:
Isa 60:8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Isa 60:9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

Horse Program for Trauma Therapy

We could sense a prophetic fulfillment to these verses as we presented this offering. Another significance was that this is specifically being used for some children who are orphans, not all though. These are specifically mentioned in scripture as those who are to receive our tithes and offerings that we bring up to Jerusalem.

Music Therapy Program

The second group to receive from your offerings, was an underground church in PA territory. Due to severe persecution, we are not able to give you any pictures of these people or tell you where they live or meet, but we can assure you that this is a genuine part of the body of Yeshua, and it was a privilege to meet with some of the believers and encourage them with these offerings. We were really challenged as to what our faith in Torah and Yeshua really means. These people are under threat of life DAILY! They love not their lives unto death. One of the reasons we are being so careful is that only 2 weeks ago one of their number was shot through the head as an example to anyone who might be considering joining the small group of believers. Only 2 days ago, another man was beat up and a huge rock thrown down on his leg severly crushing it and sending him to the hospital. We don't even have a clue what it means to suffer for the sake of Yeshua. Please pray for these dear courageous brothers and sisters.
We are going up to Jerusalem on Monday, the 5th, and we will report to you where the remainder of the offerings are placed. We are trying to be responsive to the Ruach's leading. Continue to pray for us as we pray for you. The world news headlines are telling us how close we are to Yeshua's appearance. Watch and pray that you would be ready as things come to pass. We'll keep in touch.
Shalom.

End of the Harvest

Picking the Harvest of 2009

October 1, 2009
Today we finished our last picking in the vineyards before Sukkot. Josh Waller said we had picked 35 tons of grapes in the past two weeks, almost doubling their previous harvest high of 20 tons. We have started taking people back to the airport for their return trip home, so we can see the beginning of the end for this year's harvest.

Salute to our Family Going to the Airport

We would have done more, but as I explained in one of our earlier postings, the sugar was late coming into the grapes so we had to do other things (mostly pulling weeds--see one of our earlier posts of lessons on weeds) and did not have enough days left before Sukkot to get the whole harvest in. There will be some returning here after Sukkot to continue in the harvest until it is completed. We will see if we are some of those.

Boys Building a Succah at School in Shiloh

We spent last evening after completing our work assignment in Shiloh, going back over to Mt. Gerazim. A dear friend of ours had contacted us to let us know that her daughter had just died suddenly with no known cause--only 29 years old and mother of 3 small boys. She asked us to go upon Mt. Gerazim and read the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 and blow the Shofar to call out to YHWH for Him to move on their behalf. So this we did. Our hearts were full of praise and prayer as we submitted this petition on behalf of our dear sister and her family. We have not yet heard back from them, but we are believing and praying for YHWH's glory to be revealed in what takes place in that family.

Worship is Always a Highlight

The verse of Hebrews 11:35 where it says that women received back their dead come to life, came to our minds as we prayed. With the signs of the times going on around us, is it not time to expect to see the mighty miracles that scripture records as a witness for us? Is it not time for the gospel to be preached not with mere words but with power and signs and wonders? Pray with us for this dear family won't you.
There is so much that has taken place this past 3 weeks that we have been here. I would highly recommend that you start saving and planning to be here next year. There are so many opportunities opening up for more people to enter more harvest fields next year. Today we were picking for a new vineyard owner who was willing to "try us out". By the end of the day, he was very pleased and invited us back. Shiloh vineyard's were another first for this year and yesterday while we were picking there, I asked the field manager how we were doing. He smiled broadly and said "You are all like a machine--it is already almost done and not even lunch yet!" He was very pleased.It seems that the Waller family have been given much favor in this region, and we even had Korean and South African people helping with the harvest this week. It is amazing to watch YHWH begining to gather His people from the 4 corners of the earth. WOW!
Tommy takes us touring to places that have no tour busses. The sites that we have seen are ignored by most people who come to Israel and the Holy Land. But they are sites that should be on everyone's itenerary. This is what is called the "Heartland" of Israel. This is where everything begins and comes back to. YHWH made His covenant with Abraham not 15 miles from here. Israel ratified that covenant centuries later on Mt. Gerazim and Mt. Ebal, not 10 miles from here. The Tabernacle rested with the Shekinah presence of YHWH for 369 years in Shiloh, not 15 miles from here, and this is also where YHWH speaks directly to Samuel. What rich history, and yet very few people come. These are the places that Tommy brings us to to introduce us to the rich history that is threatened to be given away for "peace". If you come to the harvest next year, you will never see things the same again.
And not just the history will change you, but the opportunity to be in community with incredible people who become your family over the days and weeks you spend with them. People who love Israel and love Torah and understand the times we are living in. By the time we have started to take people back to the airport, there are many tears, exchanged addresses and promises to keep in touch. This time together has been precious and we will not be the same for having had this time together.

Modern Day Israeli Pioneers

And not only the people who come from the nations to here, but also those we meet here and begin to establish friend ships with. They can't believe we will come into the West Bank to see them and they are so encouraged we have come to visit with them and help them. Such a simple way to make such a huge difference in the world. I challenge you each--make a commitment to be with us here in Israel for the harvest of 2010--YHWH willing.

Yom Kippur

September 28, 2009
Today is Yom Kippur in Israel. The morning sun is just touching the horizon and not a vehicle is moving in the streets. Only people walking and visiting and praying. I too am in prayer, and arose early to pen these thoughts and prayers to share with you and whomever you choose to share this with. Yom kippur has a very different feel to it here in the Land of Israel. There is a much more somber tone than other places where I have celebrated this time. People are much more reflective here. Yes, on any other day of the year, they are as driven and hyper as anywhere else in the world, but on Shabbat and the High Shabbatons, especially Yom Kippur, everything stops--rests from the harried pace of the world and comes aside to spend time with YHWH. Some people who are not particularly religious use the time to spend with their families and friends. It was wonderful last evening to walk along the streets and see all the families greeting each other and the kids with their bikes and trikes and whatever other means of transport they could muster and take these streets from the cars and turn them into a giant fellowship hall. Kids would push their coasters up the hill and zoom down--smiles pasted on their faces. Once and awhile there was a scolding for a near miss and a wagging finger from Abba to be more careful. I could just see the morning headline, "Trike and Bike Collide at HaBracha Intersection--No Major Injurues Reported".
We have been challenged here to reflect on our lives before the perfect light of YHWH's presence. We have been exhorted to search within and bring our defects before His throne now, voluntarily and receive the cleansing that He offers before we are commanded to appear before Him on the Day of Judgement and allow Him to find our defects. Either way, we appear before Him either in mercy or in judgement. The choice is ours. Mercy triumphs over justice, and that is the way YHWH prefers for us to operate. If we don't think we have defects, He reminds us that "the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desparately wicked". Some of us think we are "good" people, just go to any funeral and hear all the good things said in the eulogy and then listen to the comments made later by those who really knew the person. We may even have the best of intentions, but sometimes, things don't turn out as expected and we hurt people we love. Or sometimes we are just careless and people suffer for it. All of this stuff is what we can bring before the King of the Universe and offer as our worship to Him. Coming before Him to touch our lives and restore our Shalom. Remember, Shalom's full meaning is: destroying the strong leading (authority) that brings caos into our lives. The enemy seeks to rob, kill and destroy, and YHWH seeks to restore, recreate, redeem and bring us to our full redemptive purpose for which He created us.
On this Yom Kippur, I challenge you to bring your life before the throne of YHWH and let him restore you. Let Him recreate you , and let Him redeem you and bring you to that purpose in life for which He created you. Let Him inscribe your name into the Lamb's Book of Life. And that is the blessing that will be said over and over today, here in the Land of Israel---May your name be written in the Book of Life. Chag Samaech and Shalom.

The Galilee

Crossing the Jordan River

Camels Crossing the Road

September 25, 2009
Thursday, the 24th, our team got a much needed break and went touring the Galilee. We had a delightful day, leaving around 8:30 a.m. heading east toward the Jordan River Valley, an exteremly fertile area with all kinds of agriculture going on. This portion of the Jordan Valley is under control of the country of Jordan and I must say they are making good use of this land. We followed the border between Israel and Jordan for awhile going past numerous date plantations and more vineyards and other agriculture we were not familiar with.

Date Palms and Grapes

Our first stop was at the archaeological park of Bet Shean. During its heyday it was the center of the Decapolis region for hedonistic living! The town had spas and hot tubs and cool pools and steam rooms complete with underground plumbing, shopping malls and theaters and arenas for entertainments; like throwing people into the arenas with wild animals. Pretty much like modern-day football! It looks like we aren't so inventive afterall - Solomon did say that there was nothing new under the sun!

Sports Arena at Bet Shean

We proceeded from there up onto the Golan. What magnificient views and what good reasons for the Israelies not to give the Golan Heights back to the Syrians. From the heights you can control the entire Galilee region. The area is full of bunkers built by the Syrians when they controlled the area, from these locations they would fire down on the Israelie towns.

Syrian Built Bunker on Golan Heights

The Golan is beautiful and much agriculture takes place there as well. Tommy directed us to an overlook where we had lunch. A beautiful, quiet olive grove with picnic tables overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We enjoyed humus and pitas and black-bean salad and taboulie, took lots of pictures and then loaded up for the trip down from the Golan and on to Capernaum.

Our Group Looking Over Galillee

They grow a lot of bananas in the Jordan River / Galilee area. On all the ripening fruit of both the date and the bananas they cover with bags to keep the mediterranean fruit fly from destroying the crops. They also put under shade cloth a vast amount of their agriculture. I mentioned to Steve that if we had done that in Bangor, maybe we would have had a better garden. He said probably so but that would have been a lot of work. I agree!!!

Ancient Synagogue at Kafar Nachem (Capernaum)

From Capernaum we went to Tiberias and took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee with Daniel, a Jewish believer in Y'Shua, who is a recording artist as well as boat captain. Across the lake he was playing Michael W. Smith over the sound system. Then he stopped the boat and demonstrated how the disciples would have fished with their nets, but unlike them we didn't catch any fish! He then led us in a time of wonderful worship, singing and praising and dancing on the boat.

Daniel Showing us How to Fish

All to soon it was time to go back to shore and say farewell. We were set free for an hour to find our own supper - we choose a schwarma stand and finished the day with some gelato ice-cream. Getting back to the vans we soon discovered that one of the vans had a flat tire and it took some doing to get it changed. The lug nut wrench wasn't cooperating with the lug nuts!

Flat Tire!

So a bunch of us played Bible Trivia, jeopardy style while we waited. We finally got home around 10:00p.m., a very full and fulfilling day.

Shiloh and Morning Star Communities

Picking Grapes on Mt. Gerizim

September 23, 2009
This is digressing a bit, but I want to catch you up. Tuesday we finally got to harvest some grapes in one of Nir's vineyards on Mount Gerizim. All of us were on the mountain - aound 80 people - so the 4 tons that Nir needed for that day we harvested fairly quickly.

Grapes!! 35 Pounds per Basket

A rabbi was on hand to make sure we did everything properly. It was an educational experience, he would walk up and down the rows looking at the grapes and if a cluster didn't look mature enough to him he would have it cut off and cast to the ground and when he was finally satisfied with what was left then we could all go in and harvest the grapes that were left on the vines. Nir came along after him and picked up all the grapes on the ground and took them to his personal winery. He sells most of his grapes to other wineries, but this year he is hoping to keep back several tons for his own use. He is quite excited about the yield of his harvest this year.

Weighing Out 4 Tons of Grapes

We came home, cleaned up and headed off to Shiloh for a tour of the ancient Tabernacle sight and a bar-b-que. David Rubin - former governor of Shiloh - was our tour guide, he has written a book titled, God, Israel and Shiloh in which he describes his own personal journey to the west bank of Israel. He told us some of his story - being attacked by Palestinian gun fire late one night as he was traveling home from Jerusalem in 2002 with his three year old son and both of them being shot - a compelling story of YHVH's miraculous intervention that saved their lives.

David Rubin Leading Us Through Tell Shiloh

That evening two other Israelies spoke to us - one talked about the history of the land and the other, a rabbi, told us tales of establishing outposts on the mountains of Judea/Samaria, a real how-to manual he was. Anyone interested!

Any fellow that was interested was invited to camp-out that night in Shiloh. Steve stayed and slept under the stars - only he said there wasn't much sleeping going on as the young boys that also stayed were pretty ramped up from all the evenings excitement and they didn't calm down for quite awhile! Dinner was a grand affair with hot dogs and hamburgers and kebobs and potato salad and cucumber/tomato salad and other things I can't remember and of course chocolate chip cookies of various sorts for dessert.

Steve Flipping Burgers and Dogs

Worship ended the evening and I must admit we were all quite pooped when we got back to Ariel! It was a 5:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. day and we had to be back at it at 5:00a.m. for the next day! Short nights these harvest days are!!!

The next day we were back at Shiloh with the promise that we would finally get to harvest Shiloh grapes. The Shiloh folks are quite cautious about who they let harvest their grapes and so far all we have been allowed to do is pull weeds - they are checking us out, seeing if we'll keep smiling and not turn vulgar - it's a hard job, but so far everyone has maintained a good attitude. True to form, eleven guys were pulled off the team to go pull weeds in the olive groves and the rest of us were driven out the back door of Shiloh over hill and down dale, on roads no one was familiar with, until we got to an entirely new community called Morning Star.

View of Morning Star Outpost and Vineyards

We drove in the gate and through the established community and on to the outpost community. Established communities have permanent housing, outpost communities are mostly "caravans" (travel trailers) on pillar foundations, working to become permanent communities.

Kobe and the Rabbi Inspecting the Grapes

We met Kobe, the vineyard owner, who was excited that we had come to pick for him. As the morning wore on he became more and more excited - for we picked 6 tons of white wine grapes in less than three hours with no injuries! We are sent into the vineyards in pairs of two working each side of the vines. It is quite easy to clip your partners finger instead of the grape clusters especially in the green grapes for they grow much more densely woven in the vines than do the red grapes. Just the other day we were told someone had lost one of their fingers in just this way.

The Harvesters at Morning Star Vineyard

We had lunch around 11:30 and watched them load the bins of grapes on the truck which two rabbis were supervising. The tractor they were using so reminded me of the tractor Steve and I used to own, very much with a mind of its own! Mostly worn out, with little fine motor skills left! The fellow operating it though was a master and the few mishaps we blamed on the tractor not the driver.

After lunch Kobe was so thankful he took us up to a lookout that in all probability no one like us has ever been to. At the end of a dirt/rock road (best driven with 4-wheel drive vehicles) was "my outpost!" It was spectacular! I would love to go camp up there for a few days, the view was to the northern end of the Dead Sea, Jericho, the Judean wilderness, I believe someone said Mount Nebo - it was breathtaking!
Tommy wanted to do a little worshipping up there before we left and he asked if anyone wanted to pray, when no one else offered I volunteered and then the Holy Spirit took over and that mountain top was claimed as Tommy describes it.

Overlook of the Judean Wilderness

When we were in Israel in 2006 for Succot, we visited Masada and the Dead Sea area and at that time I felt such a draw to this part of Israel, again on this mountain top the same inner draw is present. Could it be that our tribal inheritance calls out to us when we are on our land letting us know that we are home? HOME, I can't wait to come HOME for good!