Kehilat HaCarmel

Thomas and I had the privilege to visit our first church this past Saturday morning. Our first attempt a couple weeks ago didn’t go so well as living in a foreign country it’s rare you find things on the first try.

Kehilat HaCarmel is a Messianic Christian church located on the top of Mount Carmel that began worshiping together in 1991 and now resides in a new facility built entirely by volunteers in 1998. Kehilat HaCarmel is located in the Mediterranean coastal city of Haifa and because of its unique location at the highest point on Mount Carmel it offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. Since the weather here is warm the majority of the year, the church is built with large patio’s surrounding the outer walls of the church isles. This allows for the church to open the large garage style doors and have member/visitors sit out on the patio to worship during the service. It really creates a special atmosphere, with its openness and fresh air. With this being said you can only imagine where Thomas and I chose to sit J.

            Our worship service is translated into four different languages; Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Russian. Really a multicultural church experience! It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of worship; I wish everyone had the chance to experience it for themselves. Interesting note: Because of the diversity of people groups and languages here in Israel, the pastor has to stop every few sentences and allow a translator to relay his message to the Hebrew congregation. Also the praise music is entirely in Hebrew. We like this, as we often recognize the songs, and then learn to sing them in Hebrew along with everyone else; an incredible feeling. One song in particular that we have caught on to really well and I would like to share is called Kadosh Atah ( You are Holy). This has been a favorite as Thomas and I play it several times a day and sing a long at home! For those of you wishing to hear it, here is the link-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N_BMtftbFg

Directly below the video there is an option to click on “show more” which will allow you to see the words if you want to learn and sing along as well. This song is beautifully sung and I must admit I get chills every time I listen to this song in the stillness of our Lord.

Kehilat HaCarmel provides humanitarian aid through delivering food packages to needy families from all backgrounds, and running a clothing distribution center. They also seek to help the local and surrounding people by providing a shelter located just below the church (100 yards) for domestic abuse, crisis pregnancies, and severe economic situations. Just recently, Kehilat HaCarmel has been open to refugees from Darfur, southern Sudan, and Eritrea who have suffered the horrors of war and genocide, and are seeking refuge. Many of the women come pregnant and with young children as their husbands are imprisoned in their own countries or here in Israel. They also care for children who were forcefully separated from their parents while crossing the border from Egypt. (Information provided by Kehilat HaCarmel website) Those seeking to learn more about this church we are currently visiting I have attached the link for you below.

http://www.carmel-assembly.org.il/home.html

Since arriving in Israel I have been enjoying my time relaxing, working out, and hanging out with my Thomas. I have been soaking up every minute of this experience, realizing that this is an opportunity of a life time! However this past Saturday at Kehilat HaCarmel the Lord may have opened up another opportunity for me. While here in Israel I’m planning to start volunteering at the women’s shelter/ African refugee camp. I have always had a desire to work with orphans and this opportunity presented itself in the midst of seeking the Lords will for me while here. I see this as a way God may use me and I’m so excited to see his plan in this and what he has in store for me this year as I allow him to move in my life. Please be in prayer for me as I start my first day this coming Sunday, October 9^th.

I’ll post pictures of the church and area soon. I didn’t have my camera with me last week.

Rosh Hashannah Getaway

The gate entrance to our village with a sign for New Year's

 Rosh Hashannah, which is the Jewish New Year allowed Thomas and I to have our first overnight trip away from Megiddo as he was given 3 days off by his coach. As we began to talk about where we wanted to go, we first agreed to try something new and different. We decided on staying in a hostel or a guesthouse rather then a luxurious hotel. I was so excited when I searched and found so many options of guesthouses both in Jerusalem and in and in the Dead Sea region. After some quick research, we decided on a Youth Hostel located in Ein Gedi right next to the Dead Sea and the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.  We booked our reservation and set out for an adventure to the western part of Israel, and the Dead Sea. 

 As we headed to Ein Gedi we stopped in Jerusalem for a couple hours, as this is our favorite city so far J.  We wanted once again to look around in the old city for places to stay in the future, and to visit some more hidden gems found within the old walls. Our first stop was at Mount Zion, where we were able to enter the room where Jesus had his last supper with his Disciples.  This place was very special, and the architecture and arches made it appear almost as if I would have imagined it 2,000 years ago.  We also went to the Pool of Bethesda.  We did not get a chance to take any pictures there, as the area was closing for the evening, but we want to go back, and spend more time there.  It too was very peaceful and looked almost un-touched from Biblical times and very similar to how I would have imagined it. At the entrance I was met by a large cobblestone courtyard, with a small pool surrounded by palm trees and a lush garden with beautiful Romanesque architecture.  Really a serene cutaway from the bustle of the busy Muslim quarter of the city. 

                          Jewish housing and villages outside the city walls

                             Jewish homes and villages outside the city walls

                             Jewish housing inside the Old City

                Walking through the Old City markets

                          Entrance to the Tomb of David

                    Entrance to the room of the "Last Supper"

                                                               Room of the "Last Supper"
                                          

                                                          We love our Israeli Soldiers

                                                  Western Wall the Eve of Rosh Hashannah

    Of course we found the shoes! Nike shocks were going for NIS 100 ($30) –WOW!!! 

Markets are the places to go for shopping!

Ein Gedi Youth Hostel- Pictures posted are of our Hostel and balcony, and the morning view of the Dead Sea from the balcony.

 

                

            

 Our first stop. The Masada, which is a flattop rock isolated in the desert. One of Israel’s most stunning archaeological sites.  This place was originally built by King Herod over 2,000 years ago.  He used this as his desert palace, and fortress.  This location was chosen not only for its natural and stunning beauty, but also for its incredible location as a defensible fort.  Masada is built on top on a desert mountain nearly 1,400 ft high with a flat surface on top that provides breathtaking panoramic views in all directions, including one overlooking the Dead Sea shores.  We chose to take the sky lift up to the top of the mountain, instead of the grueling hour long hike up the mountain side.  Once on top were able to tour the ruins of Herod’s Mountain Kingdom.  Really amazing how advanced they were back in these times.  This fort however is more famous to the Jews as a place of heroism to their people. Years after Herod had abandoned the Fort, and after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 72 AD the last remnant of Jewish survivors traveled to Masada to seek refuge and protection provided by the fortress.  They were able to hold out, and live inside Masada for many months as the Romans struggled to conquer these desert walls.  Eventually the Roman’s breached the walls only to find all the inhabitants had killed themselves choosing rather to face death than slavery at the hands of the Romans.  These warriors are regarded are hero’s because of there bravery.

 

 

Second Stop-Surrounded by sand and dessert rocks the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve Oasis leaps out in vivid and unexpected contrast. This Nature Reserve is said to be one of the most stunning places in Israel. It is mentioned in the Old Testament in both the Song Of Solomon for its incredible beauty, and also by King David as his hideout while fleeing from Saul.  There are many hiking paths you can take, starting with a half-hour hike all the way up to a nine hour hike. We chose to hike for an hour round trip and see five to six different water falls, one being the Nahal Arugot. It’s hard to be impressed by a waterfall after having sliding rock, and the Callausaja falls in your backyard, but what made these waterfalls so spectacular was they were all hidden in the middle of the oasis in the dessert! Driving on the roads and staying in our hostel you would never image that you would find fresh water spring, much less beautiful waterfalls!!! 

Last stop- The Dead Sea. This the lowest point of dry land on Earth, at 1,373 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea holds a salt concentration of about 32%, the water is almost 9 times saltier than the ocean. As you lean back slowly into a sitting position the water overtakes your control and brings you to a floating position. Your child would be a confident swimmer in this water, However your instructed not to lie on your stomach and get water anywhere near you eyes or mouth because of the high salt concentration. Thomas flipped over at one point and got water in his eyes, and said it burned terribly.  They have fresh water showers all over the beach, for this reason.  As the Dead Sea is fairly small were able to see the country of Lebanon from across the water.  I though that was pretty cool.

           

After a long day of touring and traveling, I must say I was excited to return to our home in Megiddo to rest and relax for the week! The pictures below are taken inside our village...