Every single day of our 2 weeks traveling around Israel was jam packed with exhaustive adventure. It would take me years to share about everything we did and experienced, so over the next few posts I will just share the highlights.
The first few days of our journey were spent entering into the Negev Desert. On our way there we spent time with local Messianic youth in Ashdod and then visited Banana beach. At this point I thought to myself, wow - "this is great".
Banana Beach
From there we moved on to visit the famous Sderot Police Station where all of the Qassams/Kassams (rockets) that have fallen on Sderot and the areas surrounding Gaza are held. We noticed that there were no children playing in the streets - they were empty. A rocket was fired into that area only days after we left. It's hard to imagine what it must be like for the locals to live in constant fear.
Some of the rockets stored at Sderot Police Station
It was amazing to go from there and stand looking over the Gaza strip. Israel as a Nation is often in the media - but sadly the Western media usually portrays a biased viewpoint, leaning towards anti-semitic. As a group of 150 young people from many different Nations, we stood together and prayed for peace - we prayed for both the Jewish people, and the Palestinians. It was very moving (and rather freaky knowing that the last time rockets were fired from the Gaza were only 2 WEEKS before).
Symon overlooking the Gaza strip
Our first two nights in the Negev desert were spent at the most beautiful desert camp - think hammocks, camp fires, pots of spicy tea and Turkish coffee, singing songs under the stars, snakes and no power. We went riding on camels, sleeping under the stars and eating delicious meals while sitting on cushions around low tables. I loved our time in the desert, but I also found it hard. The heat was intense (40+ deg C) - and our short trek in the dessert ended up being an hour or so longer than planned. I got really unwell (heat stroke) and started to pine for my children, my hair-straightener and our 5 deg C winter in New Zealand at one point. I realized that I was no different from the complaining Israelites wandering in the desert in the Bible.
Our desert camp accommodation
Camel riding
Cute baby camel
We met an amazing Jewish local (who had 8 children) and together with his wife had cared for 80 Sudanese refugees who had crossed the Egyptian boarder with no place to go. They were an inspiring family, and are currently in the process of building an orphanage. These are the sort of people that you never ever forget.
Overlooking the Judean Desert
Later that evening, one of the Mexican guys in our group got stung by a scorpion - it made sleeping under the stars in the desert even more exciting that night!
Canyon walk
The next day we spent time as a group doing community work in a local orchard that helps feed a local youth village nearby. It was hard work in the heat, but it was so worth it to see what a difference our group made.
Symon loved trying to learn some Spanish so that he could communicate better with some of the Mexicans in our group. He tried to say "good evening" to one of the Mexican guys, but accidentally said "good butt". It's times like that when you wished you had been more attentive to "Dora the Explorer" as a parent.
We finished our desert experience in the Judean dessert, climbing Masada before sunrise. Masada has such a sad story behind it, but was absolutely beautiful to be on as we watched the sun rise.
Our journey had only just begun, but already Israel and her people were having a major impact on my life.
To be continued...
To be continued...
Click here for Trip to Israel - Part 3
Click here for Trip to Israel - Part 1
