Back in the land

I returned last week to this place I now call home. It was quite surreal as I rode in the Sherrut from Tel Aviv back to Jerusalem. The sun was setting, a beautiful sunset, and the moon had began its assent across the sky. Two full orbs, circling around me, the same two orbs that greeted me in Idaho, and I suddenly felt so small and insignificant. It was the first time I had been in the land since the war began. A war which is currently over, although many think the peace will not last very long. I saw smoke in the distance, a blackness rising above the horizon, and I wondered if this was just a fire, fairly common around here, or the remains of a rocket, like the ones so common up north. Its a weird feeling to wonder if you are looking at the devastation of war. Somehow I feel like the people of Lebanon and Israel are used to asking themselves if they are peering at the remains of war, but I can't imagine that one ever gets accustomed to seeing such sites.

I've been telling people that things in Jerusalem are fine, and they are. Jerusalem seems like the center of the world sometimes, yet in reality, nothing seems to ever happens here. In the 15 months that I've been living here, there haven't been any bombings, or major attacks. Instead, they've been in Ramallah, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and so many of the little towns up north. Yet Jerusalem in all its craziness remains "quiet."

My return to the country came just after a quick visit to New York City where I visited my dear friend Kara. She showed me around Queens, and we delved into the diversity of the region by eating different ethnic foods every night. I also really enjoyed talking with an employee of Blockbuster who could read my Israeli blockbuster card in Hebrew and still let us rent videos on it. Now I knew Queens was a melting pot of people from all over, but this totally threw me off. This guy looked to be of African American origin, and spoke perfect English, yet apparently knew Hebrew. What a treat!

Kara and her friend Lenny took me to my first major league...anything! We saw the New York Mets kill the Philadelphia Phillies 8-1. I ate a hot dog, sang, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and I even saw a grand slam! above: at the Mets game

The church Kara works at is also amazing. It's called New Life Fellowship. The congregation has over 60 different nationalities! Kara and I were two of the very few white faces around. G-d has been showing me the beauty of diversity over the past few years and being at New Life was another treat. Kara describes the diversity here as not just countries, skin color, and languages, but also ideas, religions, and cultures. For me, it was a blessing to see a snapshot of G-d's kingdom full of different nationalities and languages yet a common love and faith.
Kara, Lenny and I also went to the beach which was my first time in the Atlantic. It was fun but very cold and rough compared to the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean that I am used to. Kara and I at the beach.

So, back in Israel I am working on papers all summer. I had planned to take a Hebrew class but it was just too much work for me on top of my papers. So far, I have one down and four to go....The road seems long.

Well, I'll end this post with a picture of the family. While I was home we had a chance to do some hiking in Idaho (one of my favorite things to do!) I hope you all enjoy your summer. My goal is to update this more often. So stay in touch. Blessings and Shalom.