A DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE TO ISRAEL

DeWayne Coxon

The greatest asset that Biblical Tamar Park has, besides God, is the dedicated work of hundreds of American and European volunteers. These people are a visible “demonstration of love to Israel” and some travel to Tamar twice a year to work in their specialty areas. I want to describe the work roles and commend a few of these longer term volunteers who make our work easier at the Park. Perhaps these descriptions will open new doors for those who are looking for an exciting challenge for their future.

Volunteers are a very special group of people in Blossoming Rose. All are alumni, having taken a trip to Israel with us and then, after being introduced to our projects at Tamar, have returned to complete a special need in the Park. These unique people, often unheralded, are the backbone of our work in Israel. They deserve much more credit than is given them. We are grateful.

Volunteers are given special and preferred financial consideration for the days that they work in the Park. They all pay their own transportation costs from the United States or Europe and work in their gifted areas. The written descriptions of these special people are identified by first name only. We would invite you to join these people.

Our first volunteer to introduce to you is Maggie.

Maggie has toured with Blossoming Rose in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. She is 21 years old, single, and gives her time every year to make a difference at Tamar. Maggie assists the cooks in the kitchen and also makes her food specialty one night for each group for dinner, pizza. You see, Maggie is a gourmet pizza cook and also an accomplished musician, having graduated from Interlocked Center For the Arts, near Traverse City, Michigan. When she is not in the kitchen, she works with Kate in cleaning and preparing the guest rooms, not small jobs. You will love to visit with this 5 foot tall dynamo when you stay at Tamar.

Our second volunteer you need to meet is John.

John also has toured with Blossoming Rose in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. He is 84 years old, widowed, and goes to Tamar in September and returns to Chicago in December. His focus is on the care of the trees and the environmental part of the Park. The 900 trees that have been paid for by friends of Israel in Biblical Tamar Park and planted by volunteers need a good deal of care. Weeds grow vigorously around each tree and compete for the dripped water that is supposed to be nourishment only to that tree. In the desert, where water makes the difference between life and death, there is great competition in the plant kingdom for every drop. John beautifies the Park with his stone circles around each tree and keeping the grounds raked and the leaves and trash gathered.

Our third volunteer you may meet is Kathleen.

Kathleen also has toured with Blossoming Rose in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. She is 60 years old, a grandmother, and an avid novice archaeologist. She registered for the archaeology dig at tel Tamar in the 1980’s and returned each year for the dig, spending more time in this area than any other alumni. She completed the Israel Antiquities Authority technician’s course at Tamar and is now a certified assistant for restoration. She works alongside of the archaeologist and instructs people in tuck pointing and plaster repair as the ancient walls are being rebuilt and repaired. Thanks to her husband, Greg, she is able to work with the archaeologists twice a year in digging and restoration work.

Our fourth volunteer you may meet is Alan.

Alan also has toured with Blossoming Rose in Israel and his major interests are prayer and archaeology. He is 42 years old, single, and spends up to ten weeks a year at Tamar. He also assists prayer teams who come to Israel and make Biblical Tamar Park their base of operations. He is called upon to supervise the Park when the manager’s return to the USA for their vacation time and he travels to Israel at other times to assist with specific prayer groups who teach Christians how to pray for “the peace of Jerusalem.” Alan refurbished the prayer and study room at Tamar and keeps it in good order for visiting prayer groups who come to Tamar for several days.

Our fifth and sixth volunteers are James and Marilyn.

This dynamic duel began visiting Israel and leading tour groups long before Blossoming Rose was incorporated or tel Tamar was identified. Eventually, they became involved with Blossoming Rose and, as pastors, helped to develop the work programs at the Park. Their retirement from the ministry and subsequent ten year commitment to give eight weeks annually to the Park has been crucial to greening the desert. While the passion of James is to plant trees and turn the desert green, Marilyn has been able to assist in the housekeeping and the kitchen work. Their unified work efforts have lifted the Park to a new level and we hope for several other couples to catch their vision.

There are many others who will be listed and identified in the future, but these six descriptions of jobs may open the window for some other people who wish to become involved in this great “Demonstration of Love” to Israel and the Jewish people. The prophet, Isaiah, often mentioned “strangers, gentiles, and aliens” helping the Jewish people and their nation Israel in future times after his death. One such statement (Is. 56:3) states, “Neither let the son of the stranger that hath joined himself to the Lord speak, saying “’The Lord has utterly separated me from his people.’”

He said again, “the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls. (Is. 60:10,) and there certainly are many going to Tamar who have become a part of that prophecy.

We have adequate desert facilities, with full bath/air conditioned rooms, to house and feed groups of fifty people a day. Modest overnight rates, with three meals, are available for visiting groups.

NOTE:  We have, for 25 years, encouraged people to support our Israel work through prayer, gifts, and touring.  We offer you three ways to contribute.  You can go on-line by visiting our website at www.blossomingrose.org and choosing the “contribute online” link on the left, or call Jodi at 1-800-317-7673 to use your credit card or send your gift to our address:  Box X, Cedar Springs, MI  49319.  My cell phone number is 616-901-4153 if you have any questions.