Friends

 

These are the wonderful sisters that Kent and I take to and from church each Saturday. From left to right: Svetlana Birliba [Moldova, Romania]; Arceli Espiritu [Philippines]; Kessy Caralipio [Philippines]; Miriam Griell [Austria]

 

 

Let me tell something about these amazing women. Svetlana is a single mom who has raised a son. She moved to Jerusalem so that she could earn money to send him on a mission and now to pay for his college education in the states. She cleans houses for 2 different families in order to make what little money she can.

Arceli is a mother of 3 and a new grandmother. She has lived here for 6 or 7 years as a caretaker. She is helping her husband put their children through college. They all live in the Philippines. If she is lucky enough to be able to save up money, she gets to go home and visit for a month, once a year. She currently lives with the man she takes care of but also takes care of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as needed.

Kessy is a single sister who is working here to help put her cousin through school. Her family also lives in the Philippines. She lived here in Jerusalem for 2 years before we found her. Now she can come to church on Saturdays.

Miriam is here working with handicapped children at a school run by nuns. She lives and eats with the children and will be here until about June.

All of these sisters have no transportation but taxi or public. There is no public transportation on Saturdays.

What a sacrifice these sisters make for their families and for the church. Their only contact with members is on Saturday when they come to church. Some Saturdays they can't get here because of their work requirements. Gives new meaning to attending church doesn't it??


This cute man is a 95-year-old Holocaust survivor. His name is Elias Feinzelberg. His caregiver is our friend, Arceli. That is how we "discovered" him. He came and gave our Forum address a few weeks ago. His story is amazing. His entire family was killed in the Ghettos or concentration camps. He survived NINE concentration camps and other unimaginable circumstances. He loves the students and he loves to chat.  What a great addition he has been to our program. :) The people standing in the background are some of his family members. You can see part of Arceli behind Kent's head/

Remodeled Biblical Garden

 

 

Beginning last fall, the gardeners here have been in charge of remodeling the Center's Biblical Garden. They have made part of it handicap accessible. They've removed and replanted many of the shrubs, flowers & trees and they have repaved it - it is really looking beautiful!

 

For those of you who have been there - this is standing on a new pathway looking back at the olive crusher. Off to the left are the stairs that go down to one of the olive presses:

This is walking on down that new path - they've installed a lovely water canal that runs along the path. Off to the left is a nice bench.

The arch ahead looks into one of the side lawns that run next to the auditorium.

Following the same path takes you down some stairs that cross over the canal. The area in the top left of the picture is on the seventh level of the Center.

We got heart attacked. :)

The past 2 events

Our most recent field trip was to the Shephelah. One of the places we visit is the valley where David fought Goliath. The students get a chance to use a sling shot. Wisely, the bus drivers park waaay up the road from here! :) I didn't actually go this past week, this is from a past semester. Is that cheating??

 

 

A couple of nights ago we had our Arab Culture Night. It began with the opportunity to have your picture taken in "authentic" Arab dress.

After pictures we all assemble in the forum. Our Arabic teacher introduces and interprets for the 2 Sheiks at the Al-Aksa mosque. The job of reciting from the Koran and doing the call-to-prayer is a family thing. For us, they recite a section of the Koran about Mary. Then they do the call to prayer and then they show us how they pray. It is very interesting and educational.

This is a father/son team

Following the Forum meeting we have an authentic Ramadan feast. Delish!!!!

 

 There are breads, humus, tahina, multiple kinds of stuffed vegetables, salads, chicken, lamb, schwarma, desserts. The food just goes on and on. I always want to try a little of everything - not possible!

More Jordan pictures

We took the students to Jordan last week. I'm happy to say that although the forecast was for rain everyday, it only rained when we were inside! ;)
I've already shared lots of pics from previous trips, but here are a few more that I took at the Royal Automobile Museum. :)

This looks fun to ride in, don't you think?

This would be a great space-saver!

Homemade bike:

 

Yesterday's field trip

Yesterday, January 24, we had our field trip to Jericho with the students.

 

Here are the 2 of us at the entrance to Jericho:

 

 

These are our friends Ray & Bobbe Graham. They are the Service Couple up in Tiberias:

 

The traditional site for the Mount of Temptations is behind us:

This is the Wadi Quelt - the actual "road to Jericho".

 

 

 The old Roman aqueduct. This is the greenest this area will be all year:

 

 Walking along the ridge or the Wadi Quelt:



Weekend & Weather

This is how we spent our Sabbath evening. It was one of the nicest Sabbaths I've ever had! :) We had a delicious meal.

Me, cutting brownies, with Margaret, Elizabeth [the mom], Kevin, Maya, & Walter Vogelmann.

 

Time to just be part of the family:

 

 Dorene & Norm Squires playing "Whack-a-Mole- with Truman & Grant V.

Then we were entertained by the family:

Grant & Margaret playing the bells, Maya dancing

 

Sahar Qumsiyeh [a most amazing woman!], and the Benches

Maya, Truman, Grant, & Margaret

Now, let me show you what the weather is like - just in time for the new semester to start! :)

It has been raining and blowing for about 3 days straight now. Yesterday, it blew so hard it knocked over this tree down by the lower gate.

It is blocking the entrance/exit.

 

 These lovely vines used to be climbing the walls at the upper entrance to the Center!

We've had to rearrange our orientation schedule to try and keep the students dry and warm. Pray for nice weather on Sunday.