Special Edition: Israel Reflections

It’s been too long since I have written. WAY too long. However as some of you may know, I had an amazing visit from friends and family over Christmas. They were even sweet enough to help me with a blog post. So here it is (:

Marilyn, Betsy’s mom:
Since this is such a jam packed 2nd year for Betsy (who gets to study all the body systems in depth over a short period of time), the whole family decided to accept Betsy's invitation and spend 10 days of Christmas break in Israel.

First, many thanks to Betsy and her friends for all their help and planning. We stayed at Betsy's apartment, friends places, and Air B&B's. We mostly traveled in 2 KIA Picantos with Betsy and Matthew doing most of the driving. Friends Wesley and JC joined us for most of the trip. It was a whirlwind tour but so much fun doing it together. Wesley, Jacey, Matt, and Tami left earlier than the rest of us on different flights.

A favorite part was getting to go to Betsy's church. Sermons were in Hebrew with "in time" translation into English in earbuds. Songs were sung in Hebrew with words on the screen in Hebrew, English, and Russian.

It was great meeting Betsy's classmates and friends. We spent an evening enjoying a very delicious meal of lamb, salmon, salads, soup, hot tea, and more with wonderful conversation at special friends of Betsy's. Our first morning in Beer Sheva, we heard the life story of a Bedouin woman who became a nurse and all the cultural obstacles she overcame in that process.

A favorite place would be the Sea of Galilee. It had just rained and the sun was shining through the clouds. It brought back the stories of what happened here in Bible times. We visited many churches and here we sometimes had a chance to sit quietly and reflect on what had happened at each special place, It was during these times that overwhelming thankfulness for what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us happened for me.

Greg, Betsy's dad:
This trip was probably the biggest adventure other than getting married and (trying) to raise a family. At 69 years young I finally made it out of the United States.

Thank you Betsy for humoring your wacky Dad. The best part of the trip was seeing Betsy and spending time with her, our family, and her friends. The worst part of the trip was saying goodbye to Betsy in the airport at Tel Aviv, many tears.

I was glad to visit church and worship with fellow believers in a foreign language. The Christmas Eve service was very special.

My favorite place was also the Sea of Galilee. It was so peaceful there and it was easy to picture Jesus sharing the Beatitudes. Also it was easy to picture the disciples fishing here. I am so thankful for the finished work of the cross so we don't have to be rule keepers.

Tamilyn Payton, Betsy’s future sis-in-law: 
I loved getting to be in Israel and see so many different places. One of the coolest moments for me was at a place called the Garden Tomb which is one of the places people believe Jesus to have been crucified and buried. While we were standing at the tomb with a gentleman who was giving us a tour (and sharing his story of coming to know & see Jesus himself), I just kept hearing the words in my head that the angel spoke to the women who found Jesus’s tomb empty. “He is not here for He is risen. He is not here for He is risen”. I felt overwhelmed at the amazement of how real & tangible that was - that Jesus, though He was dead in the fullest sense, is alive. 

It felt difficult as well in some moments as there were some places where you could feel the heaviness of the people there desiring to appease God and trying to fulfill the law themselves. I remember it made my heart ache and desire for them and for us all to continue to realize more fully that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law for us and His mercy truly does cover it all. This reminder was evident sitting at the Sea of Galilee too as we got to quietly look out and think about all that happened there and what Jesus was really up to during His time here and what He is still up to today. I am incredibly grateful to have gotten to be in Israel and to see & go to each of the places we did!

Matthew, Betsy’s brother:
Going to Israel was refreshing, revealing, and challenging. I mainly loved getting to spend time with Betsy, I am always encouraged by her. It was a breath of fresh air getting to see the many ways she is serving and showing the love of Christ to the people around her there. I enjoyed getting to worship in a church that speaks different languages. It excited me knowing there will be a day when we will all worship together as a group of many tribes and tongues. 

I was left with a heavy heart seeing a people group waiting for the coming of a messiah that has already come. They are stuck in a way of life that makes me feel empty and helpless. It reminded me of a wise word from one of my good friends I get to do ministry with. He has shared “we no longer have to do business at the altar, we get to do business at the table with a loving Father”. I clearly saw the picture of Christ who has made a way for us to now join Him as co-heirs that get to sit at the family table with a father who delights in his children. We alone do not have anything worthy to present to the Father. God knowing this, sent his son who sacrificed his life on our behalf, so we can have a right relationship with the Father. We couldn’t earn our status with Him even if we wanted to. He gives freely to us in the midst of our sin. The Father is delighted in His Son. When we are in Christ, He delights in us no matter what we are doing or are going through. 

As I sat beside the sea of Galilee, it reminded me of the story of Peter on the water. When he realized he was sinking, Jesus grabbed on to him and Peter responded by clinging tightly to the one who holds the world. I was reminded that Jesus is holding me and continues to make a way when I fail to believe. I am continually left without words as He reveals His heart for us. I’m thankful for the time I got to spend in Israel and will always be reminded that the perfect man who walked the streets there, is very much still alive, sitting at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the day He will return to make all things right.

Jacey (and some Wesley) – some random couple that joined in on the Giles’ family vacay ;)
Betsy Giles has been a constant in the last 3.5 years of life – from living in the Yellow House to traveling all over Israel, I couldn’t ask for a better friend, encourager, and supporter. It was SO much fun to see her corner of the world. I’m so grateful for the Giles’ willingness and generosity in letting us tag along on their Christmas break adventure. The Giles have always welcomed us with open arms, and we love their whole family dearly.

Besides spending time with Betsy and the excitement that comes from dusting off the old passports, a few highlights come to mind. When in Jerusalem, Wesley and I got the chance to walk through King Hezekiah’s water tunnel—an incredible story of the Lord’s sovereignty and faithfulness to His people. A story I have glanced over reading through Scripture many times. One of the best parts of visiting in Israel is the way that geography comes to life; speaking as one who is geographically challenged, it has been eye opening to re-read Scripture and have a deeper understanding of where the events took place. This happened when visiting Ein Gedi, the waterfall in the middle of the desert. It is thought that this is one place David hid when fleeing from Saul. The refugee and oasis that this waterfall provided David…it is incredible to have seen that with my own eyes. And so incredible to think about it all being made new one day when Jesus restores all things! Seeing the Holy Land gave me such hope and perspective for what is still to come. Thank you, Jesus!

Betsy, ME (:

I honestly don’t think I have the words to express how blessed I am to have family and friends willing to travel across the world to visit me. This year of school has been incredibly busy and it feels like a constant battle to find the time and energy to stay in touch with the people nearest and dearest to my heart. Not to mention the physical distance separating Israel and the states.

There is something special and irreplaceable about people from home, people who know you more deeply than you know yourself sometimes. The days flew by as I showed them some of my favorite places, explored new areas, and introduced them to my community and incredible support system here in Israel. I know they had to endure the long trek here and back, adjust to changing time zones and new cultures. I am so proud of each of them for taking that leap. The best part was waking up every day with all of them here and getting to be with them regardless of what each day brought.

There are countless moments I could say were my favorite. One of the most special things in life to me is when all my people know each other. When all my favorite people are friends. While I wasn’t able to completely accomplish this, I made some progress. One moment in particular was on Christmas Day. After a long day of hiking and exploring the southern part of Israel, I subjected everyone to hosting a few friends for Christmas dinner. It may have been a little ambitious, but Praise the Lord it worked out beautifully. It was so sweet to get to share my people from home with some of my people in Israel. I don’t think my heart could have been any fuller. My dear friend Fatmeh and her family hosted my family for dinner one night, serving us delicious authentic Arabic food. I loved seeing everyone get to know each other and begin to understand pieces of the other’s world. We were able to share a couple meals with a few more of my other friends as well and I pray there will be future moments when connections as sweet as these will be shared.

While my family and the Grogans were here, I felt God reminding me of His love for all the people who live in this land, no matter their religious or political affiliations or anything else. He just loves them. And God reminded me that I do too. Sometimes I find myself becoming easily frustrated by many of the situations here. But I have been abundantly blessed and all my needs have been provided for. My cup constantly runneth over, even when I don’t realize it. I’m thankful for family and friends who walk alongside me, both from home and in Be’er Sheva, and remind me of His goodness.

The time went by much too fast and before I knew it, we were at the airport saying goodbye. It was weird being the one staying. I always hate saying goodbye. Each moment was so precious. I’m so thankful for everyone who has visited and for the time we get to share while on this Earth. Praise the Lord for His perfect plan.

****disclaimer: only the smallest fraction of all the joyful moments experienced were captured by these photos