This is likely my last update from Israel.  I head back to the States next Tuesday.  I have a late flight and should get back to Wichita on Wednesday.  The reconstruction project is looking good.  I finished the prayer and study area and moved a bookcase and some books in yesterday.  Here is a picture of what it looks like now.  I also did some work on the porch of this caravan.  The railing needed a bit of work and so did the awning.  I started painting the bedroom in the living quarters section this morning.  We rest here on the Sabbath, which begins Friday at sundown and goes through Saturday, so I have just two more days of work: Sunday and Monday.  There are still a number of projects I would like to finish up.

 

It has been very busy around here the last few days.  Our next-door neighbors, the Danish family, have been preparing for a wedding, which is going on as I type.  They have been using some of our refrigerator and freezer space in the dinning hall for the celebration they are preparing.  Trina worked in a floral shop back in Pittsburgh, so she has been helping them out by making the bridal bouquet, putting together corsages, arranging flowers, tying ribbons, etc...  The wedding is taking place in back of Prayer Mountain.  They have a big tent set up on one of the smaller hills.  The bride is going to ride in on a white camel.  You just never know what is going to be happening around here.  Each day has its own excitement.

We are transitioning from spring to summer.  It is a pretty time here; many of the flowers and trees are in bloom.  Below is a picture that I took this morning as the sun was coming up on some of these trees.  There are a few fruit tree here; the figs, pomegranates, dates, and lemons are setting fruit.  I enjoy gardening and growing things.  The trees and shrubs are very different from what we have in Kansas.  I am surprised at how fast things grow around here in the desert!  Last June when I was here, I helped to plant a few trees which were two to three feet tall.  Now they are five to six feet tall.  It will be interesting to see this place in 5 to 10 years.
 

It was 115 degrees in the shade the other day.  Chris and I were picking up some weeds and branches and were breaking out in a good sweat by 8:00 a.m.  Not a lot of work goes on outside after 11:00 a.m. unless you drink a lot of water and have the sun screen on.  We do the outdoor projects in the morning and save the indoor ones for the afternoon.  I enjoy the simple life here.  There is a lot more time to reflect on God and His goodness.    
 

Grace and Peace (Shalom),
Alan Vanderkolk