The Restoration

Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Last night all of my bunkmates were gone for the night and for the first time in my adult life I slept until one o'clock in the afternoon. I could not believe it. I have never felt so refreshed. It was unfortunate that I had a meeting at Christ Church at one o'clock. Hopefully she will forgive me and we will reschedule.

So since I missed my appoitment I was invited to go to the Old City with some new friends. The Church of the Redeemer was hosting a German Christmas Market. Yay! Afterwards we went to Papa Andreas for refreshments. It is a cafe in the middle of the Christian Quarter that is on an upper level veranda overlooking the city, facing the Mount of Olives. And later we took a walk down Christian Quarter Road and I visited with my friend Zack who is the owner of an antiquities shop which also sells olive wood and beautfil jewelry. It was so good to see him and to see some picures of his new baby. After dinner we watched Fiddler on the Roof.

Again I am faced with the truth about why the Lord brought me here this time. This entire trip has been about building relationships. Being kind of shy and sometimes awkward in social situations I was a little apprehensive about this but it has been so much fun.

I feel a deep sense of peace in this trip and I hope that this is a reflction of knowing that I am where the Lord has chosen for me to be at this time. So when I miss Ken or the kids, and I do very much, I also can rest in knowing that they are in the care of the only One that I can trust. He has purposed this time and I am in His care and so are they.

He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

I could never have imagined the way that He is expanding my life. I am finding Him unpredictable in a lovely way. It is as if He is enchanting me, courting me. He is delightful to me. I feel like a child in a fairy tale life. I feel incredibly grateful and honored.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Father I love you so much. I love the way You are opening life up to me. Thank You for this amazing opportunity. I pray that You would protect and bless those that my heart loves and bring us safetly back together before Christmas. Protect my son as he serves his country in distant places, give him adventure Lord and expand his boundaries.

The Honor

Exodus 20 Remember the Sabbath day,to keep it holy.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

Today I received an honor from Gaddy who is our Latvian Christian Jewish co-worker at Shevet Achim. He asked me to light the Shabbat candles for our meal. Just another "to do before I die" crossed off the list. What a memory to treasure.

Only in Jerusalem can a girl from Alabama along with two other American believers join a Muslim background believer, a Jew from Latvia and a Christian from Singapore for a Shabbat meal. I am overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord toward us.

Every day since I have been here there has some moment during the day when I have been given a treasure. A jewel. An honor. What have I done to deserve such extravagant gifts? Who am I to be granted permission to light candles for Shabbat? Who is sufficient for these things?

Father thank You for giving me a lowly existence. Thank You for the simple life that I have led. For how could I have ever appreciated the wonder that I have found in You and in the adventure of the life that You have provided for me without living the life of the lowly. I am grateful that I have not known great wealth or great knowledge. I am thankful that I was raised in such a small town because it allows me to look at the world with a child like excitement. Thank You also for my education, for leading me in that direction and showing me the wonder of science. Thank You for expanding the boundaries of my mind, my heart, my culture and my thinking.

Thank you Lord for this adventure that I have found in You. You RULE Lord :)

The Well

John 4 Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

The mothers have informed me that my name is Kurdistani. Wow, I had no idea :) Its meaning is, a well of water. The thought of that makes me happy. Never am I more conscious of water than when I am here.

Our spring of water welling up is in the form of a peson. A part of the trinity; our Helper, the Holy Spirit.

So this morning in the Shevet Achim garden, I am thinking of why Jesus would refer to the Helper as a well of living water. Maybe because, especially here in Israel, nothing survives without water. With light from the sun, wamth from the earth and water from the heavens almost anything will grow.

Every time I come to Shevet Achm this courtyard garden becomes more mature, more beautiful. Someone is taking the time to water and because of that people are spending time here. The porch has been repaired. The walkway has been cemented in place. New plants are flourishing in pots and in the earth. There is even garden art now. A beautiful old arched window frame with blue shutters fits in perfectly here.

This morning we decided that instead of our usual meeting and worship time indoors that we would meet for breakfast and worship in the garden. Yay!

Laura and I walked across the street to the bakery for chocolate, cinammon and sweet cheese pastry. We brought out the tablecloth from the dining room to the outdoor table and set up a breakfast table that included pastry, pita, hummus, coffee, tea, bananas, apples and fresh figs. And Ryan, Mary, Laura, Gaddy and I had a beautiful, bountiful breakfast in the garden of our Lord. We took turns reading Scripture and planned our day. Perfection.

After some household chores I see that Ryan has moved his homework outside to the garden and I join him in this quiet place to write this blog. And the verse comes to mind, You will be like a well watered garden.

We carry in our lives the very fragrance of the Lord. We bear His own image. Sprinkled by His blood. Filled with His living water. A reflection of His own heart.

I want my life to mimic what I have found in this small oasis in Jerusalem. I want others to be drawn to the well of living water that lives within me. I want to offer comfort like shade. Beauty like bouganvillea. Aroma like lavender. Freshness of mint. Sweetness of figs. I want to be an oasis in this place.

Father, teach me. I have none of this within my flesh. Teach me to breathe out Your Holy Spirit. Alive and living in me. May I live close enought to You to carry Your frangrance. To bear Your image. To be a real well of water springing up. Just like my Kurdistani name. Just like my Jerusalem garden.

The Song

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who has made us, and we are His; we are the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.

Thanksgiving in Jerusalem.

So I will start my song of thanksgiving to the Lord with that. I am thankful for where I am today for being in this place is a testament to the faithfulness of our God. He can be trusted to fulfill what He promises.

I have so many things to be thankful for today. But I will focus on just one here.

Today I am thankful that we have a God who answers prayers.

If you follow the Shevet Achim website or are familiar with the work here then you may have seen the blogs on Baran. He is still in serious condition in the ICU. His father was to arrive here last night. All that could be done for him to come without delay had been done. He was granted an emergeyncy visa and lettes were written from the hospital on the seriousness of his son's condition in the hopes that it would guarantee his admission to the country. But last night we received a call saying that he would be denied entry to Israel.

So we gathered together in the office to pray to the One who has all power to make a way for Abu Baran. We prayed for intervention. For mercy. For favor. We acknowledged our complete helplessness and dependence on our Father and our belief that He has power to raise the dead. To part the sea. To clear Israeli security. (Which is almost just as difficult)

Those of us still awake when the phone rang a couple of hours later woke the others with our cheering. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

All things bend to the will of the Father. And He bends His ear toward the prayers of His people.

Father everything we have is a gift from You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. For my family. For my church. For my friends. For My husband and our children. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for anointing me with Your precious Holy Spirit. Thank You for bringing me to this place. So, to You alone Father my heart sings a song of thanksgiving.

Oh, by the way, yesterday I said I could not wait to see who showed up at the door today. It was my friend and prophet from the mount of olives, Daoud. If you would like to see his amazing personal testimony check him out on YouTube and search David Fisherman. If it pulls up several pics he is an arab man sitting in front of a jerusalem stone wall :) Enjoy.

The Friends

Romans 12 Love one another with brotherly affection.

On my first trip to Israel I planned a fourteen day travel itenerary. Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Caessarea, Netanya, Jaffa, the Dead Sea, Galilee....I did not know a single person in this country. It was a quest. And a disaster.

It is only when I come here that it seems that every trip has it's own purpose. Each trip unique in the story it has to tell. Every time a new lesson to learn.

This trip is no different, in that it is also different, if you get it. I haven't seen a single "site". Not one shopping trip. No one tour.

I had written several days ago that in preparation for this trip the Lord had been speaking to me specifically about building up relationships on this trip. So it should be no surprise that "relationships" are knocking on the door at Shevet Achim.

On my first night in the house it was so good to see the staff and volunteers here, new and old. It felt like coming home to a family that you have missed. Last night I was surprised by a visit from Chrissie, Rafi, Fita and their new baby Mark. Tonight my friend Khaled came by for tea and a long talk.

It is comforting to me that my Lord knows and prepares me for what lies ahead.

Again He is expanding my boundaries. Not just geographically. He is expanding the boundary of my heart. Giving me opportunities to learn hospitality. And who better to teach hospitality than the middle eastern people. Gracious. Affectionate. Transparent. Welcoming. They show genuine smiles, warm hugs and sweet kisses on each cheek.

Love one another with brotherly affection.

Father I love you. I love You for teaching us daily about tender affection for one another. I love these beautiful souls that You are planting in my life. Teach me Father to be a faithful friend. Honest. Hospitable. Trustworthy.

I can't wait to see who shows up at the door tomorrow!

The Ewe

II Samuel 11 But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

II Samuel 12 And the Lord sent Nathan to David.

He came to him and said to him, There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him. Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus says the Lord, God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were to little, I would haved added to you as much more.

And Nathan said to David, The Lord also has put away your sin: you shall not die.

Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.

It is a mystery, a miracle really, how the Holy Spirit can take such a specific and ancient story or event and apply it in it's entirety our lives. The Helper comes to lead me to truth in this matter.

Hebrews 4 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, peircing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from it's sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

It is enough to say that our Father knew us all before the foundations of the world were laid. Everything about us. All our triumphs and failure. The mystery is that in knowing that why would He choose to create us anyway. Therein lives the unfathomable love of God.

It is worth noting that there are consequences to our choices, our sins. Forgiveness and consequences are sometimes far removed from each other. They are independent of each other. David made some terrible choices for which he paid a terrible price. For who can place a value on the life of a child? It is easier for us to bear the consequences of our sin, I think, than it is to see those we care for suffer for our actions. But that is a reality. We rarely suffer alone.

Father this work, this life, is so hard sometimes. I accept Your forgiveness and I know that You would not have me live a life of regret or to be defined by guilt. But the truth is that we all face consequences of the choices that we make. Give us grace to bear up under the weight of it and to learn from it. Some lessons are so profoundly painful that I hope not to be required to learn them a second time. Thank You for the stories of the Old Testament. Real people, loved by God, with all same burdens and failures and weaknesses that we still face today. Thank You for telling us the whole story of their lives the good and the bad. The sinner within the saint.

The Lyrics

Psalm 119 I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Day two of my new adventure with the Lord in Jerusalem. I am in the courtyard garden at Shevet Achim and it is one of my favorite places on the planet. I am at rest here. I find this house very different on this trip. Growing. Gaining strength. Beautiful. The influence of its youngest and newest members used by God to bring a deep breath of fresh air.

Last night Ryan gave permission to the children to stay up a little past bedtime and watch him write an ancient Persian poem on the walls in Hebrew. In red paint :) Red makes a bold statement on the white plastser walls. I wonder what the children are thinking of this young, good looking, American boy who lets children stay up late and is allowed to paint on walls. He must seem like a rebel. A hero to young boys.

In very large, red Hebrew letters is a part of that poem...

Now, all the internal instruments are playing the same music: God, what love mischief can "we" do for the world, today? (Hafiz)

Galations 6 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

This morning I watched and photogrphed Michelle, or Mooshelle as one of the children call her, and Laura with the children on the roofop. It is one of the highlights of my trip every year. Guitars. Tamborines. Kurdish, English and Arabic voices raising praise to our God from the rooftops of Jerusalem. Like smoke rising from the temple.

Within moments it is followed by the call to prayer from the city. Beautiful. Haunting. Somewhat tragic.

How our Father must be pleased to see His people shine the light of hope in this city.

It is no coincidence that these children are here at such an impressionable age. It is by design. Because at this young age lasting impressions are made. Words, memories and songs are being hidden in their hearts to be taken to foreign lands where they will be dispersed to the hearts of other children.

Har tow pirozee, pirozee, pirozee eh khudah

Har tow pirozee, pirozee, pirozee eh khudah

pirozee la koosha weesteeda

pirozee har la rasteedah

pirozee larizgar kirdina

priozee har la chak kurdinah

har la chak kurdinah

You are awesome, awesome, awesome O God
You are awesome, awesome, awesome O God

Awesome in Your love, awesome in Your faithfulness

Awesome in Your liberation, awesome also in You healing

When I was a little girl the Bible man came to our elementary school. He would stand before his felt canvas on an easel and tell the stories of Jesus. As he would teach he would continue to add his felt people, animals and landscaping, building a poster picture to go along with the stories that he was telling. By the end of the story he would have "painted" a beautiful picture of the life of Christ. Feeding the five thousand. Walking on water to Peter's outstretched hand on the Sea of Galilee. On the cross.

It formed a lasting impression.

Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.

Father, I cannot thank you enough today for your grace in allowing me to come here again. Help me to learn the hard lessons well. My prayer is that I will accomplish all You have chosen for me and that I will finish well. I pray that You will be pleased. Father bless this house and all Your people who live here. I pray that the love and kindness and words of praise to You that the children are learning here will be forever implanted in their hearts. I pray that it will make an impact. A lasting impression in Your kingdom.