Lessons from the Holy Land

*This post contains photographs that may be disturbing to some readers.
 

Lessons from the Holy Land

Lesson One:  Life is so valuable.  Your life is valuable and so is mine.  We need to tell each other that.  We need to say the things that are important to say.  We need to encourage others and build them up, not tear them down.  We need to speak truth.  Today may be the only day you have....what are you going to do with it?  Today is the youngest you'll ever be, how are you going to live it?  Are you going to live it for yourself only or are you going to live and love on others?  If you have a quarrel with someone, why aren't you fixing it?  Remember your life is valuable and so is theirs.  When was the last time you hugged someone and told them why they are special?

Precious Ruth!  She has blessed my life in more ways than she'll ever know!

Lesson Two:  Time is a strange thing while living during a war.  Time does not go quickly.  I almost cannot believe that only 54 days ago, Operation Protective Edge started.  It feels like 54 months. We go on with living because we have to, but the potential of death is tangible and real. It is a reality that a rocket could fall and hit me, my friends, soldiers, my house, my neighborhood or my city. Inspiration abounds when faced with the possibility of death.  It causes reflection and brings fresh revelations about what's really important.  If you have ever had a possibility of death, what inspired you?  Obviously something because you are reading these words.....Events, sirens, deaths of soldiers and civilians alike, and running to the bomb shelter change the perspective of a person.  Time affects reality in a strange way.  Time seems different.  It makes a person strong but requires surrender because of reality.  I cannot hold onto my life. I cannot hold onto time.  I just have to live each day.  I get to live this life that I have been given, no matter the circumstances.  I do not live in fear of what is next, I just live.

Lesson Three:  Rockets and sirens are really loud.  Since the beginning of the war, 4,480 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel.  That's a lot.  That's a lot of sirens.  That's a lot of explosions.  That's a lot of adrenaline. That's a lot of running.  That's a lot of running for those who are especially close to the launching sites.  The Code Red siren warning is never convenient, but is always welcomed.  I would rather; be awakened, have to hop out of the shower, lay down flat in a pile of dirt (covered with ants), run down multiple flights of stairs, jump out of the car and lay on the side of the freeway, or finish getting dressed in hyper-speed to run to shelter, than not have a siren at all!  When an explosion happens, it is one of two things. One: the Iron Dome intercepted a rocket (yea, Iron Dome!).  Two: a rocket hit the ground, buildings, or people.  Each explosion that I've heard is very different. But loud, always loud.  I have never seen a rocket in person, only the remainder of its contrails as it was flying through the sky. 

As you can see, the bomb shelter experience is an eye-opening, as well as, a mouth-opening experience.

Lesson Four:  Adoption is awesome and challenging. When moving to a new place, there are multiple “types” of adoption that take place. Adopting new culture, adopting new foods, adopting new understanding, adopting new patience, adopting new bravery, adopting new independence, adopting new friends, and adopting new family. All of these “adoptions” are/have taking/taken place in my life. While all the above types of adoptions have their importance, and even warrant their owns stories, I think the most impacting is the adoptions of new friends and family. When living in a new place, people who “adopt” you are a true blessing. There is a feeling of displacement when you enter a new land. Everything is new. This can be overwhelming. They offer you love and acceptance and they really don't have to.  They may be different than the family back “home”.  And, perhaps if I were back “home”, I wouldn't be as close to them.  But, they graciously offer a new family and share their family with you.  It's home away from home. This is a precious and unique thing. It is a intimate way to experience the new culture, new foods, new understanding, and new bravery.  Instead of being an outsider, you become a part of their family.  They introduce you and teach you about how to adopt all the newness.

 

In particular, a special type of adoption has happened because of where I'm living.  I live in close proximity from the family that I'm working with.  Each day during school, I become more bonded with the students/family and they become more bonded with me.  It is just a natural part of this strange and awesome experience I am living.  Equally, we have adopted each other.  The circumstances of living close during the war has also created a family-type bond.  No one gets to hide or be "too tough".  It is a raw experience to have to run to a bomb shelter with your sleeping clothes on or having just jumped out of the shower.  There is no judgment, we all are in it together.  We support each other. 

 

 Me and the fam.
 

Lesson Five:  Terrorism is hate.  Terrorism and its focus is to destroy.  When any person or group wants and makes it their goal to destroy another person or group, it's rooted in hate.  Think about how ugly hatred is.  I'm not talking about hating goat cheese, eggplant, folding laundry, or getting up early.  I'm talking about the hatred that drives a human to commit crimes against their own race (human!). No matter what the name of terrorism is; Hamas, ISIS, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, etc., they are driven by that type of hatred.  I have seen this hatred as I have watched Hamas use children as human shields, read decrees that call for civilians to store bombs in their homes, and seen shooting in Gaza from schools, hospitals, mosques and civilian areas.  Hamas is using valuable human life to protect their own lives, as they are trying to take other human lives.  For instance, Hamas leaders often conceal the deaths of their militants, then later reports them as civilian causalities.  This is a tactic with a specific purpose: to attract international (media) sympathy for Hamas while intensifying condemnation of Israel.  That's just a "fancy" way of hating.

I know I've stated this it in past posts but the hatred behind terrorism is not isolated.  Did you know that Columbus, Ohio has a growing population of Al-Qaeda members?  It is the home of the largest known Al-Qaeda group since 9/11.  Terrorism right under our noses, America.  But the media wants to sweep it under the carpet...why?  Several members have been imprisoned or deported.  They even had a pro-Hamas rally last week.  Terrorism isn't isolated in the Middle East.  It's on our turf.  Last week, ISIS decapitated American Journalist, James Foley.  ISIS also has Steven Sotloff and two humanitarian aid workers as hostages.  Sotloff is a Freelance Journalist that has written for Time magazine and other outlets.  ISIS has threatened to kill Sotloff next unless the U.S. military forces do what they ask.  Hatred is not isolated and its goal is poignantly focused.  It wants what is wants and will kill, steal, and destroy to get it.

Above: Steven Sotloff

 

Lesson (the most important) Six:  Don't mess with God's Holy Land.  Don't.  Just don't.  God loves this land and the people that live here.  Without a doubt, He is sheltering it.  I see His protection like a big wing.  It's like His wing is outstretched over the land, protecting it, and none can get through to harm.  Again, 4,480 rocket have been shot toward Israel over the last two months.  Unfortunately, 71 people in Israel have been killed during this time.  But the ratio of deaths to rockets can only be explained by a shielding that's bigger than the I.D.F. (Israel Defense Forces).  While I have 100% respect and honor for the soldiers defending the land, I have to give praise where praise is due. 

For example: there was this one time that a bullet hit an I.D.F. soldier.  The bullet hit his chest, but on further inspection he realized it didn't puncture his skin.  In fact, a grenade that was strapped to his chest absorbed the bullet.  The grenade didn't go off.  He is still alive.....then there was this time during the ground operation in Gaza where soldiers should've been killed but they weren't.  As a group of soldiers were just about to enter a building, they noticed a bird that was hovering near to them.  This is a strange and unnatural occurrence to have a bird hover close to humans, for an extended period, and in a war zone.  They took note.  They all stopped and watched it.  It wasn't long that they stopped, just a short hesitation to take in such a uncharacteristic sight.  Within that moment of hesitation, the building that they were supposed to enter exploded.  It was timed to explode when they entered it.  But they were ALL saved.  Oh, and then there was this other time that a missile was targeted to hit Tel-Aviv. Two attempts were made to intercept it as it sailed toward the city.  Both attempts failed.  At that moment, there were only 4 seconds before the missile was to hit.  Suddenly, there was a strong wind that came from the east.  That strong wind sent the missile into the sea.  This was an eye witness account from the Iron Dome operator.  Upon seeing this miracle, he jumped up and cried, "There is a God!".  He later testified that, “I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. It was not told or reported to me. I saw the hand of God send that missile into the sea."   There's also this account that came from Col. Ofer Winter, commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade.  He described a mysterious fog that favorably covered he and his troops as they advanced on an enemy position in morning light, after their nighttime raid was postponed. Col. Winter labeled the covering as “clouds of glory.”.....

And then there's this:

  A rocket that LANDED ON a road in Tel Aviv.  You tell me, how does a rocket land without exploding?  In the nature of physics, by its mass and height from which it came, it should only gain velocity for impact (free lesson).  How is it possible that this rocket landed "safely", and fully intact, on the highway?

 

I could keep going. 
There are more stories, but I'm sure you get the picture (the big wing).

In a letter, Col. Ofer Winter encouraged his troops to lead the charge against an enemy that “curses, defames and abuses the God of Israel.”.  Col. Winter concluded his letter by praying that the “Lord your God go with you, to fight for you, against your enemies, and to save you.”  I stand with Colonel Winter in this declaration.  God is with Israel and fighting for Israel.  I stand for God and for Israel, His Holy Land.

"And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13, 14

 

"Now therefore, arise, go over Jordan, you and all the people, to the land which I am giving to them— Israel. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:2, 5-9 

Info found on:
http://freebeacon.com/national-security
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem