Israel Trip Update

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Hi friends and family!

I’m so glad to be writing to you about our trip to Israel. It was a wonderful experience. The adventure after the adventure was catching a foreign cold/flu that lasted another week after the trip. I’m delighted now to be back to health and back to Houston.

My husband describes his first experience in Israel as perspective-shaping. For me it did feel like we were walking into the pages of the Bible which gives it a supernatural type of feeling, “we are really here getting to see the places where our story (in His story) take place”. Mostly though I was refreshed, I enjoyed the experience and I absolutely loved meeting Jewish people and hearing their stories.

We heard from about 10 different people and their stories of how they came back to live in the land. Many of them bravely decided after high-school to leave their parent's home and return to the land and people of Israel for a new beginning and noble purpose. It was inspiring to see so many people working together for a common goal of rebuilding the nation in the midst still of danger and enemies.

At the end of one of the stories, the lady said I want to end with this “in one of the recent terrorist attacks, my cousin was killed (speaking through tears now) but even through this, I will still believe <for peace in the land, for rebuilding the nation>”

When visiting a kibbutz in a border area with barbed wire fences and short time requirements to get to bomb shelters. A lady telling her story said the two things that help them to survive the hard times are: faith and community. Even though it is a dangerous area to live in and hard things happen, they hold onto the good and do not let fear rule them. They believe in loving what they create and working towards peace with their neighbors again.

Most of the stories we heard were from people who believe in the old testament scriptures and not necessarily new testament or Messiah. I was inspired by how far the old testament takes them in their faith and purpose. The Jewish people we met were very honorable, lovable and had patient-endurance for their enemies.

I look forward to going back someday and for continuing to pray for my friends in Israel.

Bless you all, love you! Ruth

PS - If you helped with our children while we were gone, or even offered to help - thank you, you are amazing! You are a part of our village that helps to make it all possible! :-)

Psalm 122:6 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

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