Well, here I am back in the Land at last. It took just over 3 months rather that just the 2 months at the most including working, that was intended. You will have seen the last letter with the photo's of mums 80th. As it turned out, mum had a couple of health crisises after her birthday which led to me delaying my return. I could not work for the 1st month and a three quarters as mum needed me to be with her most of the time. At night I was able to sleep on a fold up bed in her room.They realised in the home that she couldn't be alone at night but needed someone to see she was safe getting to the bathroom, getting up as often as every hour. Anyway she is well on the way to getting back to her old self since I left. It was such an answer to prayer but then I had had such assurance from the Lord, years ago, that He was going to look after her, and He has proven Himself faithful again. In Ps 138 it says that He considers His word above His name, that is how important it is to Him, so He is teaching me exactly how faithful He is in new and incredible ways. I think I have already mentioned how it was a visit that was just so obviously in Gods timing in so many ways. It was not easy to leave but had very definite conformation that it was time to come back.
Leaving was not without its challenges either. I arrived at the airport to be told that I had no seat booked from Singapore to London. I was also told I had excess baggage to pay. I was told to go and sort the seat out with ticketing before they booked my luggage through. When I got back from doing that the girl who I saw was changing shifts with a man who after he took over booked me through and waived the excess !!! Praise the Lord for these little gifts.
Some of you know the trouble I had with being told that I could not get my Australian Passport and that I was no longer eligble to apply for one. Well as it turns out, as I went through customs I was questioned by a couple of people as to why I had no visa and why I had no Australian Passport. When I explained I had been told by the Dept of Foreign affairs that I was not eligable. they told me that they had advised me incorrectly and must have presumed I was a British citizen with Australian residency and as such needed to be there 2 years out of every 5 to keep my residency.....I was eligable after all.
The UK
Spent a few days with Marta in London, which is alway wonderful. I also got to go to Speakers Corner again with the group, which I alway enjoy, both because I really like the group, and because I always learn something about sharing with the muslim people. Before we went to the corner, we were discussing the cartoons which have caused such trouble. The ones that actually caused the problem were not published but were used behind the scenes, by a muslim cleric, to whip up the anger with some of the Muslim leaders in various countries. We went to the corner and there was an orderly debate between a muslim and Jay (leader of the Speakers corner group). I also had the opportunity to catch up with my friend Jan, who I have known for many years. I first met Jan in Israel and we have been friends ever since. She is now living in Deal in Kent.
Back in Israel
Personal
I arrived back to an incredible welcome from my little darlings Hun Bun and Kiki, who have been shut in my for 21 days and have also since picked up my Benjie from where he has been staying. I am glad to have them all together again and have enjoyed being back with them.
I have taken a week just to rest and catch up with friends , although it ended up I deliberately stayed incognito not really announcing my return to all but a couple of people, because I needed to spend some time with the Lord, get my dog back and clean the apartment. . My friend Helick called me this morning from up north and is in his words "waiving at masked men with guns across the border." He is doing army reserve duty until the 29th of March. He also told me how beautiful it was up there with brilliant red and yellow feilds with all the wild flowers at the moment . I would love to get up north and see them before the end of the Spring but will have to see. I will be seeing some other friends (Sheli, Limor, Effie and Yigal) very soon. They live a little away from Jerusalem and so will wait a couple of weeks before travelling to see them. They have been in touch by phone but it will be good to see them in person. Daphna, a friend from the JSPCA. called me from Czech Republic (Sorry for the spelling) where she is studying to be a vet. We spoke for about 45 minutes which was good and she will be coming back for 3 months in May. She is finding it REALLY tough and lonely there, but she is doing well in her studies. I will be ready for work again next week hopefully. Got to get back to the clinic to finish sorting out the stores and back to the hospital. Will need to find another flatemate also. Barbara has moved out into the student dorms and is looking for someone to take her place on the contract. Meanwhile a lovely girl has temporarily moved in. Her name is Margo and she is with House (Tabernacle) of Praise ministries here in the land. She is Egyptian but was brought up in Australia after her family left because of the persecution Christian Arabs were experiencing there. Anyway I need some stability for the rents sake so will be looking for something more permanent to come up unless the Lord shows me otherwise.
Have been toying with the idea of full time Ulpan though. This is Hebrew classes. I am going to find out how much it costs and when the next class starts and maybe to that in the mornings. Don't know if it will work. Have been told that you can't really do anything else apart from the classes for the 4 months you do the class. Anyway it is just a thought anyway.
News in the Land
I arrived back here in time for Purim. That is the feast of Esther, where they celebrate the saving of the Hebrew people from the plans of Haman back in Queen Esthers day. The people dress up in costume (children and adults), parties and there has been firecrackers going off all over the place. Parties are going on both in homes and also in the street. One of my local synagogues was celebrating with the kids pouring out onto the street in costumes. I passed someone in the street today dressed in a dog costume, and there are many Queen Esthers walking around. not to mention alsorts of small animals (children dressed up) running around. I always enjoy the feasts.
Go to March 2006 2nd page Back to Newletter home page
Go to March 2006 3rd page