Friends,

 

It is the quiet season at Biblical Tamar Park in southern Israel and very very hot (125 degrees plus).  The tour/work groups are at Tamar September through May and then in the summer we have a smaller crew there. Two volunteers from the Community in Pittsburg, William and Charles, are providing security and maintenance (watering) this summer. Darick, Ruth, and Katerina are home in Pittsburg working and saving money for their next season at Tamar. All of our people at Tamar are volunteers with only a small allowance given to the long term regulars.

 

The years since Blossoming Rose returned to Tamar in 2000, at the request of the Israel Antiquities Authority, have been busy and eventful. This is the first summer that we has been able to achieve our objectives and be in compliance with our 24 year contract with the Sapir Regional Council.  Part of the compliance expectations was to eliminate all outside ownership of caravans and equipment and have only authorized personnel living within the 53 acre Park boundaries.

 

We are happy that many more people are visiting the Park. Thousands of Israeli visitors stop in for a brief tour of Tamar each year. More American and European groups have stayed at Tamar in 2008 than ever before. This fall the tour/work groups will spend at least two nights at Biblical Tamar Park, living in the renovated caravans (trailers) and eating together in the Park dining commons. The 50 bed facility is unique for groups who have an interest in experiencing desert living and understanding the biblical history of Israel. Many come with a prayer focus and others want hands-on projects in archaeology, planting trees, or helping to maintain the facilities. A few people go on a tour to Israel with us and then they decide to stay on at Tamar for a few days or weeks with a specific work assignment.  Some return home to go back later with a work assignment.

 

The Park has changed dramatically since our earliest work there in 1984 and after our first archaeology dig of the ancient ruin within the Park in 1987. Some who were there in those early days will not recognize the exposed city dating to the time of Solomon. For those who “camped” in very primitive conditions, they will be pleasantly surprised to see the renovated caravans. They are still far from luxury, but they are far more livable than in the past. All rooms have air conditioning and many have private baths. It is an ideal place for those who wish a contemplative lifestyle in a quiet and beautiful desert setting surrounded by the blossoms of trees and plants.

 

Recently a DVD was produced that might be of interest to you. It shows Tamar as it is today.  It was created and produced by Rev and Mrs. Earl Pickard of Campus Crusade for Christ. Earl and Trish are the leaders of a large prayer network and they explain, in the DVD, why they wish to pray throughout Israel. I think that they have a biblical foundation that makes this 17 minute DVD well worth watching and passing on to a friend.  

 

We would be happy to send you a copy for a suggested donation of $10 to cover our costs if you are able to do that.  If not, we still want send you a DVD if you are interested.

 

There are several other very good and important things happening at Tamar and in the Arava right now. You may have read that the Dead Sea is going to be refilled by waters from the Red Sea. That Canal, called the Red-Dead Canal, will flow only about five miles from Tamar and a four lane highway will be built on both the Israeli and Jordanian sides of it. The canal will be shared by both countries. A new railroad from Jerusalem to Eilot will be built within three miles of Tamar and be connected to a crossing to Petra. This should expand tourism to southern Israel substantially.

 

Our vision for a museum at Tamar, to house our 26,000 artifacts that we have dug up in the last 20 years, could become a reality soon. It will happen in God’s timing and we want the building to be designed in such a way that it depicts God’s plan and rationale for locating Abraham and the Israelites in the desert around Tamar. It will also be a demonstration of how the Jewish people will become, and are becoming, a “light to the nations.”

 

The museum/library/welcome center will cost five million dollars and make Biblical Tamar Park the hub of historic activity in the Arava. This is where Jewish history really began.  A landscape architect, Amir Shoham, has been developing a Site Plan which is nearly done except for engineering studies that will begin shortly.

 

The costs associated with the development of Tamar Park are larger than our donations have been for the past two years.  If you sense the prophetic nature of this work or if you simply have an interest in blessing Israel, your contributions would be greatly appreciated. You can contribute online at www.blossomingrose.org or use our postal address at Box X, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Checks should be made out to Blossoming Rose and they are tax deductible in the US.