Updates

We are thankful to God for our opportunities and the amazing things we have gotten to witness as we have been here. There are no limits to His love for us, and we are daily reminded of the grace and mercy He shows us by offering free will, salvation and hope for our futures.

We are still (!) waiting for entry to Gaza. We attempted an entry two weeks ago when we had heard back from Israel that we were granted permission, but were stopped at the border by Hamas when we did not have up-to-date permission from the Gaza government to enter. This is in many ways, a very backwards place, and it seems as though there are multiple layers of occupation and oppression from all sides. It is confusing, and we have heard horror stories of the bureaucracy that it creates. Now we are once again waiting for permission. This is especially difficult for my parents, as it has been nearly three months that their friends in Gaza have had to wait patiently for their visit.

This last weekend we all went on a day-trip to the Dead Sea region and hiked through En Gedi nature reserve. En Gedi has a long Biblical history, but is most well known for being where David and his army hid from Saul. We took a short trail, and saw a few of the famous waterfalls and springs that David and Solomon wrote about in their wisdom literature and Psalms. After our short hike we took a quick swim/float in the Dead Sea.

We have also taken time to visit two schools that are seeking volunteer teachers. One school is right here in Beit Hanina, about a two minute walk from where we are staying. The other school is in Bethlehem and is run by old family friends and Eastbrook veterans. We've enjoyed touring the campuses, meeting staff, sitting in on lessons and volunteering in classrooms. We have never considered ourselves as teachers, but we are seeing these schools as potential opportunities for the future, as the need is great and there are so many roles needing to be filled.

We ask that you will all continue to pray for clarity and peace about the decision making process for us, as that has been stressful. Also, please pray for our Arabic lessons, that we would have patience and energy to learn and focus, and the English Coffee Hour lessons we are teaching, that we would be gracious and thoughtful teachers.