Hilights from Israel

Well, it would take days and more of a book than a blog post to share about Israel, but it was amazing! To be honest, pictures and stories can’t really do justice to how rich and blessed the trip was; but for the sake of your time and mine, here are my Top 16 Memories listed in the order of when they happened.  My favorite memory was #10.  Otherwise, I can't really weigh or compare.

And this is not even including Caesarea Philippi, Tiberias, Bethlehem, Tel Dan, Capernaum, the Jewish Quarter, the Via Dolorosa, and so much more, which all deserve attention.  Each hour was so special in a "I can't believe I get to be here" kind of a way.

1.  Praying at the Basilica with Laura in Nazareth       

Disclaimer: I'm 95% sure this is the right picture.  😊

2.  Steve’s teaching/sharing each day          

Steve sharing at the Coliseum in Caesarea

3.  Being encouraged and challenged by Father Tim in Magdala

Father Tim is leaving Israel after many years and changed his flight
so that he could give his very last tour with our group.  It was beautiful to see
his heart to make Jesus known at this ancient site.

Photo by Rob Hare

He brought Scripture to life through story-telling (reminds me of our Come & See
 method with EE!) and gave us time to meet with Jesus through prayer.

Photo by Rob Hare

4. Worshiping on the Sea of Galilee

Our boat's name was Galilee Worship. :)

5.  Visiting the site overlooking where Jesus taught His disciples the Beatitudes

And reading them there!

6. Dipping my feet in the Jordan River 

With Laura.  It may look nasty, but oh-so-refreshing in
such hot temperatures!  A few minutes later, we verbally renewed
our baptismal vows as a group.

7.  Getting to float in the Dead Sea

With 41% salt, no plants or animals can live in the Dead Sea; but
it's quite easy to float!  Just don't get it in your lungs, or it's off to the hospital!

Photo by Rob Hare

8.  Masada

It's a long way up to the ancient site of Herod's escape palace: 900 meters or almost 3000 feet!
He clearly wanted to make it extremely difficult for his enemies to come and get him!

From "inside" the former palace grounds overlooking the Dead Sea

9.  Getting to meet and listen to our special guest, Yair Netanyahu!

Before I left, my dad asked me twice to say "hello" to Benjamin Netanyahu.  I
didn't get to personally, but I passed on the message through his son!

10.  Praying over the city of Jerusalem with my roommate each night 

Jerusalem at night

How we got this VIP room with a balcony is another story!

11.  Getting to meet up with SAMS director and associate director in Jerusalem!

So special to see these two there!  Fresh off the plane and their first night there,
they still met with me on my last night in Israel!

12. Time to reflect and pray at the Garden of Gethsemane

Along a path at the Garden of Gethsemane

Garden as it overlooks the Temple Mount

13.  Praying at the Wailing (or Western) Wall

Women on the right, men on the left

My Prayers.  They never destroy the thousands of slips of paper prayers because they consider them holy.
Twice a year, they sweep them and bury them at the Mount of Olives!

14.  Visiting the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem

With leader Wayne and friend Laura outside the Embassy

Photo by Rob Hare

15. Visiting the Yad Vashem (World Holocaust Remembrance Center)

Every diplomat who enters Israel must visit the Yad Vashem.   The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations
 is outside with trees planted for those who risked all to save Jewish lives.  Here is the tree planted for
Corrie Ten Boom and her family.

16. Sharing communion together in a chapel at the Garden Tomb—well, one of the two possible locations.

Our group waiting to enter the tomb before taking communion together.  Steve reminded us that communion is not something that we do for God, but that God has done for us.  When we remember His work on the Cross, the word remember actually goes deeper than recalling Jesus' action, but through His act of love and sacrifice, He has actually re-membered us to His Body.  This is what we celebrate at communion.

Photo by Rob Hare

Bonus: Got to fly through Paris on the way home!

The Holy Land

Before going to Switzerland last October, I met with a good friend who shared the exciting news that she and her husband were going to go on the trip to Israel that my pastor would help lead this summer.  I was so excited for them!

Fast-forward to mid-November from my couch in Switzerland: my sister had visited my home church in Charleston and encouraged me to listen to (my pastor) Steve's sermon online.  When I logged onto the website, I saw the Israel trip featured on the screen and stared dreaming about going.  It was short-lived, though, as there was just no way to pull that off at this time in my life, where I depend on the financial support of others and with a heavy travel schedule already.  After contemplating all the options to reduce the price (could I fly from Europe and meet up?), I realized I needed to let it go.

A couple of weeks later: It's now my last full day in Switzerland, my friends have me over for a nice meal and give me gifts.  At some point, they say how they are going to Israel in May.  "Oh, my church is going in June!"  They ask if I'm going.  "No."  Why?  "Well, it costs $4,000," and I rattle off 2-3 other reasons why I can't go.  They ask if I would like to go.  "Well, yes, but not this time."  We hug and say our goodbyes, and I go home.

Five minutes later, there is a knock at the door.  I open to see the wife who tells me that she and her husband have been talking, and if I want to go to Israel that they will pay for me to go!  My mouth drops; and when I can finally speak, I thank her and say I'll pray about it.  I'm not one to make major decisions without reflection and prayer.  Not to mention, I am shocked and not sure how to respond to such an offer.  As I close the door, I remember a fleeting thought I had a couple of weeks before that the only way I could go would be if someone would pay for me (not expecting it to actually happen!).

The next morning, my friend stops by for one last goodbye.  I decide to make sure that they have understood the cost since they're not native English speakers.  Maybe they'd thought I said "for $1000 instead of $4000"--an easy misunderstanding even for a native speaker.  When she brings the topic up, saying "I want you to think about Israel.  It will change your life," I say "I wanted to ask you...did you understand how expensive it is?  It's $4,000 enunciating the 4 this time.  She replies, "I know, it's really expensive."  Wow, I decide to pray for a week because even though it may seem like a no-brainer, it is important for me to send the okay from the Lord since only He knows what the coming year will bring and where I need to be.

One week later, the day after Thanksgiving: I inquire with Wayne, the group leader, but the trip is already full.  I ask to be put on a waiting list and continue to ask the Lord if He wants me to go, trusting He'll open the door if He does.

The day after Christmas: I get a phone call from Wayne that two spaces have opened up, and I am the first one on the waiting list.  Do I want to go? YES!!!

And that is the amazing story of how I got to go to Israel with my home church!  Just got back a week ago!

Excited with Laura and Robbie at the airport

With Laura in old city of Jerusalem

*Over a week now.  Took a while for me to find time to get pics added!

Note: And sorry for the strange formatting which I realize is not all nice and neat.  This is after some work to get it to display right!

Indonesia!

Last stop: Indonesia!

My evening flight from Bangkok to Jakarta was fine.  I had contacted another SAMS family who graciously offered to pick me up from the airport rather late and house me for the very short night before my morning flight to Malang.  I think it took an hour to get to their home, but I was very thankful for a bed to sleep in after we chatted a bit.  And then a shower and waffles the wife served me early the next morning.  Now that’s hospitality especially when they had Sunday ahead of them!  I had wished I could’ve joined them for their church service that morning, but my schedule didn’t allow.  I would get to see the wife again, though, on my long layover the next week!  

On the flight, I sat next to an Indonesian couple.  The husband was next to me and shared how he’d applied to go the US a few years back to visit a good friend, but was denied a Visa because they suspected he would stay and work there.  I apologized to him, but he didn’t seem bitter.  They were on their way to visit their son who was in university in Malang.  That was as far as the conversation went because we all slept the duration of the flight.  Almost immediately upon my waking, I was taken aback to see him leaning over with his cell phone pointed at us, exclaiming “Selfie for memories!”  Ha!  Speaking of memories, It brought some back to my first trip to Indonesia where complete strangers would ask for photos with all of the Westerners, but at least these strangers were within our organization.  :)  

I had arrived early to visit my friends who live on site of the training center where the meetings would be.  It was nice to have a day to adjust, do laundry before the meetings began, and spend the evening catching up with dear friends.  As always, the next week would be an intense time of discussions, information, and decisions.   

Where we spent most of our time :)

Just like our recent continental meeting, many times our meal times or right after become meetings
so that we could take advantage of all being together in one location.

Since the Day of Prayer and Fasting fell during this time, we dedicated a portion of our day to pray for our nations, which was special.  While we were having our meetings, there were two other trainings going on.  This center stays busy!   Please pray for our team there to be protected and continue to seize the opportunities around them.

Group photo in our Batik shirts the Indonesian team bought for us!

Sunday, it was a joy to worship with Indonesian brothers and sisters especially when the atmosphere there is heavily inspired by the predominant religion of the nation.  I actually had incorrectly assumed that it was an M nation because of the minarets everywhere and call to prayer throughout the day and night, not to mention the fact that it has the highest number of M’s in the world.  Come to find out, the nation actually recognizes 6 religions, and it’s illegal to be an atheist!  How interesting!  And while there is reason to be encouraged by what the Lord is doing there, a stark reminder of the darkness there came 3 days after we left when multiple churches suffered casualties.  

Local Church

Just this past week, I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes which reminds us that nothing is guaranteed in this life; that there is so much we don’t truly understand; and we will all face death.  What a beautiful God that we serve who Himself is our Good News: that death doesn’t get the final say, but Jesus Christ does.  While we may not have guarantees on this earth, we do have promises for eternity, if we believe in God’s Way.  

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Days Two and Three in Bangkok

Oh boy...the last month has been busy to say the least!  I'll try to update you on my final days in SE Asia in my next couple of blogs.

Friday I walked down to a nearby park, which was quite huge!  I regretted leaving behind my umbrella (to use as a parasol) and water bottle because it was so hot!  I was able to cover a good bit of territory in about an hour so that I could get back to some shade and hydration.

Entrance to the Park

Not sure if this is about recycling or trash disposal, but he's pumped.
There were a few of these guys around!

Friday evening, I had been invited to a dinner party by the Bishop and his wife, which was incredibly kind since I didn't know anyone in Bangkok.  Another couple who'd been invited just happened to live on the street where I was staying and agreed to meet me and share a taxi.  That was the plan anyway.  But finding a taxi on a Friday night isn't so easy; so after a few minutes of walking, we hailed a tuk tuk (a bit different than the Cambodian ones--no moped).  It was fine until it started raining, so we all huddled together and mostly kept dry.  There is so much traffic that it probably would've taken less time to walk....  except for the lack of sidewalks in this very busy section!  Another guest did walk and arrived soaked to the bone!  

It was a lovely time.  The one wife is Vietnamese and quite accomplished, though extremely humble. Not only does she make dresses for Hollywood stars, but she has started several non-profit organizations in Vietnam that help support those in need.  For example, her one business employees deaf and dumb (except for one employee)!!  It's so encouraging to see how God can and does use those He chooses and respond to His call, wow!

I also learned that my imagination was not so wild regarding the crazy traffic (I posted from Phnom Penh).  This couple knew a young couple who'd just had a baby, and the husband died from a motorcycle accident.  They said it's a common occurrence.  How sad!  

My last day, Saturday, I'd wanted to either go to the Market or palace.  My new acquaintances had given me a map and clear directions for how to get to either, but I knew my decision would be made by how many emails I had when I awoke, which were several and a to-do list!  So, I thankfully stayed in my room to work.  I write "thankfully" because it poured, which was quite therapeutic.  I even recorded it, but couldn't get the audio file to upload without uploading my entire playlist. ;)

Very thankful for the time in Bangkok before I ventured on to Indonesia.

Local Park

Bangkok!

View from a park

The first 24 hours...  

First stop was to get a SIM card, second was to hire my first Grab (Asian company that bought out Uber).  It was fine except for the language barrier.  I wasn't prepared for him to ask if I wanted to take the interstate.  I'd read that there are fees, but I didn't really understand the options; so I said it didn't matter.  Well, I'm not sure how long the Interstate would've taken, but it took an hour and a half to get to the guest house where I'm staying.  

Though it is my very first time to this bustling city of Bangkok, I felt so comfortable and almost as though I were coming back to a place I'd been to before.  All I can think of is that Phnom Penh was such a different world for me that this seemed more normal.  The fact that the roads are paved and the vehicles stayed in their lanes--excluding the mopeds 😉-seemed so civilized and structured!

One Street Away From Where I Stayed

My SAMS director had recommended that I contact the bishop who is serving here at an Anglican Church for 6 months, so I had been in contact with him over the past couple of months.  He had invited me to a noon-time service followed by a lunch and ESL class for refugees.  As the clock got hit 11:30, and I still hadn't arrived at the guest house, I wondered if I could make it.  Finally, we made it!  

After a quick check in, I went up to my room just to set my things inside and immediately headed out about 11:45 or 11:50, relying on some vague directions from the front desk along with my map app.  I think it was noon on the dot when I made it through the side door of the church, just in time for the opening prayer.  

As a guest and out of respect for the situation, I didn't take pictures, but this is the building and
website of Christ Church Bangkok.

I'm so thankful for this invitation and time with the refugees from Africa, Pakistan, and India; and yet, it's so humbling and has left my soul troubled.   They live very hard lives and shared openly some of the difficulties.  For example, when people meet them, they ask "Where are you from?"  followed by "Do you work?"  The unspoken or even spoken question is "How do you eat and live?"  The hardest for them is that even Christians can be unloving or judgmental.

Linda is from the Congo.  I didn't reveal that I spoke French until it was getting difficult for her to share deeper things in a second language; so I offered that "Je parle francais."  Her eyes lit up, and she hugged me as she continued in French.  

A Pakistani man was imprisoned and is now separated from his wife and daughter who are held in a detention center.  He, like many, shared how they are not allowed to work because they are not allowed to get a Visa.  But they cannot return to their home country because of the hostility toward Christians.  He asked for me and my friends to pray for him and his family.  They have been on the news and are hoping to get asylum in the UK, but they are still waiting after four years.  

And the same for the Pakistani woman who asked me to walk to the bus stop with her.  They are hoping to go to Canada, but it's been four years for her family as well.

My experience gave me a tiny taste of how I can only imagine that Jesus must've felt during his 3 years of ministry.  I'm not sure if it's because I'm from the West or a missionary or both, but I felt such a strong sense of expectation for me to be able to help them; and this left me feeling like a bit of a failure and once more with questions whirling around in my head.

As I prayed this morning, I found some comfort and help by Jesus' example in John 4 with the woman at the well.  She had a lot of stigma and rejection as well as emotional and physical needs.  Jesus wasn't intimidated by her needs or her reputation, but He loved her as she was and helped her realize that her deepest needs were beyond her present circumstances.  I think it helps that He willingly chose a life of little--without wealth and things that would put Him in a higher category than the poor and needy.  Rather than offering people things they thought would help them like money, material things, or status; He gave them Himself who was free of such needs.

I have a long way to go so that my heart and life match those of my Master, but I'm thankful that His love is able to change us and grow us so that we're more like Him.  

Phnom Penh!

If I'd done things my way, I would've arranged to stay in the Bangkok area for my 10 days.  I'm so glad I didn't do my way!  First, Chiang Mai (especially Juniper Tree) was perfect for what I needed.  Second, I found out that week that the girl I'd wanted to visit in Bangkok had to leave unexpectedly!  So glad I followed how I sensed the Lord leading rather than what I wanted to do--good lesson for me.  Third, I certainly wouldn't have added another country to the list!  But...

My beloved director of SAMS encouraged me to visit Phnom Penh while I was there; and though I desperately wanted to have a slower pace, I wanted to listen to him...plus, I'm so close!  Also, Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam have been of special interest to me and were hi-lighted on my prayer map when lived in the condo.  When I learned that the couple I could stay with were from Wheaton and their sending church was the church I often attend when I visit there, it helped. :)

Street where I stayed while I was there

They were sweet to pick me up from the airport since it's nearly impossible to find their house.  Some roads there have names, but not all.  There are lots of alleys and unpaved roads.  In case you don't know much about Cambodia like I didn't, it's one of the poorest countries in the world.  Having endured the Khmer Rouge genocides in the 70's, which massacred the educated people, education is only just beginning to be welcomed and embraced by the newer generations. (Disclaimer: I haven't done much research and am not. reliable source for Cambodian history, but this is based on conversations I've had.). Anyhow, that can help explain the economic and daily life situation.  

Back to the airport pickup: the family's car which had been in the shop earlier that day, wouldn't start; so I would get my first tuk tuk ride!  (A little canopied wagon with seats being pulled from a moped).  Woo hoo!  That's their version of a taxi. It's open air, which means a combo of heat and dirt, but fun!. :)

Speaking of heat, wow.  Thailand also had been extremely hot--in the 100's!!!  My app said it was only in the mid-90's in Phnom Penh, but it felt just as hot!  In fact, it was so hot that I welcomed the cold shower in my room (when I could've used the family shower with hot water)!  That's a first ever. 

Funnily, the week I was in Albania, the Colombian girl who visited roomed with me; and we learned that the husband of her friend would be in Phnom Penh for 3 days, too--that overlapped with my 3 days!  He and his wife were both Wheaton grads!  So I met with him my first morning and got to hear all about his medical outreaches in Thailand and now Cambodia.  That afternoon, I met up with Audrey.  A lady I'd had lunch with in Chiang Mai told me about her, also a Wheaton grad from my program and now teaching ESL there.  So great to see someone from "my world."  

I rode on the back of her scooter to get home since she lives in the "same neighborhood" as the family I stayed with.  If you don't have assurance of where you're going after you die, I don't recommend this, ha!  There were a few times my imagination applied to sheer logic could've sent me into panic, but my strategy was just go with the flow.  I mean, I never saw anyone fall or get hit/hurt during my two days there (unless you count the time a Prius backed into the parked tuk tuk I was sitting in waiting for the driver and another rider, but I'm not counting parked vehicles 🤣).

View from the tuk tuk :)

Thankfully I had my own tuk tuk driver who speaks English.  The family recommended him, and I stuck with him since I don't speak a lick of Khmer  (I think it's the first/only country I've ever visited where I didn't at least know how to say one thing! :( ).  He took me to a museum which I thought had artwork of Vann Nath--one of 7 survivors of the genocide--but it was mostly Buddhas and ancient relics.  Oh well.  I learned a few things and realized there is so much I don't know about this religion.

Lotus garden at the Royal Museum of Art

As I waited at the Phnom Penh airport yesterday morning, it was difficult for me.  It seemed like one of the nicest, cleanest airports I've ever been in--which I appreciate--but seems so out-of-place when the conditions are so difficult there.  A lot to think about...

Chiang Mai!

It was quite the journey to get there.  I flew from Tirana to Milan, an overnight to New Delhi, afternoon flight to Bangkok, and evening to Chiang Mai.  I thankfully had a friend-of-a-friend pick me up which was so helpful since the SIM card station was closed at the airport; I was quite exhausted, and it was my first time to Thailand.

What was I doing in Thailand, you may ask?  So, I had 10 days between the conference in Albania and another conference in SE Asia and couldn't go back to Switzerland (no Visa).  Since SAMS has workers in SE Asia, I had planned to visit them and have a low-key and legal work/rest place between conferences.  

I had wanted to stay in one location and planned to visit a short-term worker in the Bangkok area.  When the accommodations weren't working out, I wondered where I would stay.  As I was falling asleep one night, I heard "worker (m) retreat in Thailand" and the thought to google that; so I did and found the Juniper Tree.  Its whole purpose is for rest and retreat!  It sounded perfect, so Chiang Mai it would be, at least for a few days.

Sunrise in the Prayer Garden at Juniper Tree

I have to admit that it was hard to stay put as I wanted to explore, and I'd seen a day trip that would let me do almost everything I wanted in just one day, including riding elephants and visiting both the Shan and Karen--two people groups I've taken interest in over the past year.  (A church I frequent in Switzerland has actually adopted the Shan people group and pray for them regularly).  But I sensed my purpose in Chiang Mai was to rest.  So I limited my outings to meet with one person each day for coffee or a meal, and Sunday I visited two church services and went to the night market.

Thai Church

I actually had two invites to a local Thai church and wished that I could have been in two places at once!  But I'd already accepted an invitation to one and decided to keep that.  I was so encouraged by this church who reaches out to those in the slums.  The beautiful worship leader was one of the first believers from the slums.  And while I was there, they were preparing to have to leave because the government is going to shut it down.  The pastor did such an excellent job teaching from the book of Ecclesiastes and the New Testament, speaking to them in their circumstances with a message that is relevant to us all: that life brings changes.  Both good and bad changes bring stress, but the key is that God is with us and even gives us opportunities to prepare ourselves for the changes.  We can bemoan them or welcome them and trust Him with what He is doing and how He wants to lead us and help us during each season of life.  It was more than that, but so good!

Flower Display at First Thai Church campus

I didn't intend to go to the international church as well, but since I got home early and also wanted to visit the night market, I went in with a girl I'd met the day before who happened to know the expat I'd had lunch with the previous day.  They meet at First Thai Church which was all decorated to celebrate its 150th anniversary!   Some conversations left me wanting to know more about Daniel McGilvary, a missionary to Chiang Mai from North Carolina.

After dinner with a few, my new friend and I were at least was able to see much of Chiang Mai by car as my other new friend's husband shuttled us to/from the night market.  I wish I could've taken  more pictures of the city, but there's always Google. 😉

Side alley off of the Night Market

I cannot thank the Lord enough for my time in Chiang Mai and especially at the Juniper Tree.  I met such interesting people, and it was the perfect setting to relax.  I'm also thankful for those I could spend time with who live there--a couple of expats, a couple of locals.  Thank you, Lord, for my time in Chiang Mai.