On the Journey...with Alan Vanderkolk
 

Dear Friends and Family:

I have arrived in Israel safe and sound. The 11 hour flight from Atlanta to Tel Aviv was interesting. I was sitting between two Jewish ladies. One was in her 70’s, born in Beer Sheva, Israel, and now lives in L.A. The other was in her 50’s, born in Boston, has been living in Israel for the last four years, and now moving to Beer Sheva. The conversation, often in English for my sake, was fascinating to me as the lady who has been there for four years has been drawn by the Lord to return to Israel. The other, who was born there, did not like the hard life in Israel and enjoys living now in the States. They both have a real love for Israel, but had different views and perspectives. I talked a lot with the lady who had moved to Israel and found that she is a believer in Jesus. She shared with me about the growing number of Jewish people, like herself, who are finding the Lord, and about the growing number of Messianic Congregations. She really feels that God is working and moving in Israel. We both felt that the Lord had placed us by each other on this flight.

It was late, about 11:00 p.m., when I finally arrived at Biblical Tamar Park. It feels great to be back. I am staying in the caravan that I remodeled back in May. I have been using the Prayer and Study room for quiet times with the Lord. It has been good. I have been here for two days now and it reminds me of my time back here in May, but a bit hotter. It was 110 deg. in the shade yesterday and even hotter than that already today... that means about 125 deg. or so in the direct sun. Bill, a volunteer from Pittsburgh, and I get up early and try to finish up the outside work by 11:00 a.m. I have been doing a few odd jobs and getting used to the heat. I have been up since 2:00 a.m. My body does not know what time zone I am in yet. Things are beginning to wind down for the Sabbath, which starts on Friday night. There are a number of projects that need to be done, so I will start on those at the first of next week.

I met someone tonight who has been in this area since 1951, three years after the founding of Israel. He knows all the history of the area and everyone around here knows him. He was with a group of young tour guides from a training school. About half of them are just completing their first year of being a guide. The others are just beginning to start their year-long guide training. They were paired up for some training. They came over to talk about the park and visit an old 300-800 year old tree in the park, that is very famous in Israel. I went on a little hike with them and learn some history of the area.

This is an interesting area that attracts people from all over the world. It is a blessing to be here. Thank you so much for your prayers and support during this time. I will try to keep you posted on what is happing and what God is doing while I am here.

Grace and Peace (Shalom),
~Alan Vanderkolk