come and gone. forever changed.

One month and two days ago, I returned from probably the most impacting journey of my life; physical and emotional.

I remember praying during a team meeting several months ago that we would allow God to use this trip to completely change our lives. but not just for a week or two afterwards, like a ‘camp high,’ but forever. Eric said that Israel would change us forever.. but I don’t know if I believed him. Honestly, knowing where I was spiritually at that time.. I’m not sure if I knew what I was praying. To be completely honest. I just knew that church trips usually end up making you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, and this time I didn’t want it to go away.

Now granted, I’m aware that life with God is still a rollercoaster. But I don’t know if any similar trip has changed me this much. Time will tell I suppose. Although I do notice a joy inside me. Before, following Christ was falling back into it’s ho-hum routine. Go to church, Do worship team, Go to Thirst, Go to LifeGroups on Wednesday.. and done. I knew all the other stuff. All the facts. But I was letting it become a religion, not working for my relationship.

Post-Israel, I’ve seen God changing me. Heck, I cleaned up the kitchen last night simply because I thought it would make my mom’s job easier. For those of you who know me… yea that’s not a normal thing. [Not that I don't like to make my mom's job easier.. I simply don't think of it!]

I promise that my stories from Israel are coming. Summer is busier than it should be, and I’m pretty scatterbrained. :].

Israel and America Merge.

On the second team meeting for the Israel trip, Eric asked us to split up into groups to pray for the  trip. Cameron, Ryan, Eric and I headed for the area near the stage in Heartland’s prayer room. The cross towered above us and reminded me of the reason I was going on this trip. Have you ever just felt a prayer thought pop into your head? I just felt the need to pray that whatever our experiences and lessons learned on this trip that they would follow us home, and stick.

A few days into our trip, we went to Adonai Roi’s Youth Group. When it came time to worship through song, we did this cool trade off thing. Shmuel had one of his students lead us in a Hebrew worship song. While I knew no Hebrew, I would try to sing along, not having a clue what I was singing. I realized afterwards that I didn’t need to know what words were coming out of my mouth. I was worshiping my maker with my voice echoing of the red walls, but it wasn’t about the noise, or the words, it was about my heart.

And here we are, back in the states.

Sunday night I went to Heartland Community Church’s “The Gathering.” While this time the words were in English, I didn’t know the songs. Also there was a lot of instrumental sections amidst the songs. Again. It clicked. It’s not about the words exiting my mouth. It’s not about the songs. They’re not even required. It’s about my heart.
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“Namir’s” story.

I’ve always been told that I’m so lucky to live in America. Not because of the country’s wealth, but because of the freedoms we have in terms of religion. It was a fact, but that was all. Not anymore, those who risk their lives for Christ, their stories deserved to be told. 

Our first full day in Israel, Shmuel walked into the room where much of the group was snoozing due to jetlag. He introduced us to a man who I’ll call Namir, just for his protection (you’ll see why). Namir is a palestinian christian who attended the Messianic congregation we were partnering with. Shmuel asked Namir if he would like to share his testimony. So Namir began to share his story. The dark room and sleepy-eyed audience did not appear to be an obstacle in his eyes. His story would be told.

He began with explaining how he was born into the faith of islam. He grew up learning about the Prophet Mohammed and the islamic faith. He grew into a man, got married and had children. He had a full life in his little town in the West Bank. There were a few hardships along the way. He was placed in jail three times where he read Mein Kampf. After reading Hitler’s vicious words, he decided never to treat someone like that. Especially the Jewish people.

The next chapter of life began when missionaries came to visit his town. There he heard the word of Jesus and learned of his role as the messiah and savior. Namir heard those words and believed them. Like that. With that decision he put his life in jeopardy. The Palestinian Authority discovered his newfound statement of faith and questioned and tortured him. At first he denied his faith, but the second time he knew he couldn’t deny his God. A God he knew very little about and had only known for a short time. Yet he was willing to stay awake for 2 weeks straight while being tortured night and day in prison. I don’t even know sometimes if I would be willing to do that. And I have way more head knowledge than Namir did.

Miraculously Namir escaped. He is on the run from the Palestinian Authority and trying to get out of Israel. When we spoke to him, he had only seen his family once in the last three weeks, but other times the time periods were longer. I ask one thing of you. To pray for him and his family, and for others in the same situation as them. That they may be safe, and get to a country where they can be together.

 

 

israel-the short version.

 

so some of this may not make sense. and that’s okay.

here are my fragmented memories from israel.

Dr.Lek. Swimming in the Mediterranean. Waterfalls. En Gedi. Bed Bugs. Mice. Screams. Thursday Night Baazar. Stray Cats. Rooftop. Clock Tower. Early Mornings. Pita. Zip Bong. Mean Israeli computer-hogging kids. guitar on the roof. Dr. P.H.D. Give Me. Nose/Foot Balancing Acts.  Gummy Bears. Fly swatting contests. I hate cats. Worshipping through song EVERYWHERE. Gaudy chandeliers. Blue Eyes. Bad Haircuts. Waterfalls. Pita. [yep. its good enough to be mentioned twice]. Skirts. 

Innate Beauty.