Thursday Morning

We were up and outside by 6:15 to do our bench cleaning and path sweeping for the morning, then back to our apartment for breakfast and showers to get ready for the day. As I mentioned earlier Scotty will be guiding and I will be mainly working in the shop. Pray for me as I learn their computer system and how to exchange 3 currencies (hope the computer does it all). I will need to recognize the money for what it is. There is a ten shekel and a one tenth shekel that both have a 10 on it - don't need to get those mixed up for sure! Scotty caught up on his journaling last night so I thought I would put in a few excerpts: From Monday: When we arrived at HSV airport and checked in, both Kathy's and my checked bag was precisely 50 pounds, which has never happened before. Maybe the LORD is watching out more closely for this trip. I know I have a lot of people praying for our safety and for a great time of refreshing of Spirit as we serve as volunteers in the Garden Tomb. We were met with warm hugs and handshakes by the others serving here. Richard Meryon, the Director along with his wife, Rosalind are some of God's choicest servants. After much pleasantries we were shown our home away from home for the next 3 1/2 weeks. The one-bedroom flat, as our British friends call it, is called the Penthouse. While it isn't a Donald Trump Penthouse apartment it is very nice and is going to be just fine for us. Grateful to the LORD and Westmeade for the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm out of time for now so will add more of his journaling later. Have a blessed day! Shalom!

Wednesday Evening 4-16-14

It has been a wonderful day! Since it was our first day here we did not have any responsibilities today except to attend a lunch meeting to discuss our busy Easter weekend here. Lots of details to be worked out for the thousands who will be visiting here over the next several days, especially Sunday. Devotion was given by Yoni who is the head of maintenance. He is a Messianic Jew and really brought a wonderful message that blessed our hearts. I can't tell you much about it because Scotty says he is going to preach that sometime. haha. Following lunch Ruth, a very nice volunteer from England, showed us around all the areas of the Garden Tomb (including the bomb shelter) and the best markets in the area for grocery shopping. This will be most helpful in the days ahead. We had a few hours free so we walked up to East Jerusalem and over to the Baptist House to see if any of our friends happen to be in. We arrived just after closing so we only spoke with one couple who we had not met before but have been working in Israel for some time and know many of the people that we know here. After a nice visit we headed back across town, taking the new lite rail part of the way back. Ruth and John who are volunteer coordinators here had us over for dinner so we had a nice visit with them and their friend, Mary who is visiting here from England. Tomorrow we will be up and out at 6:30am cleaning benches, sweeping paths, etc to get ready for the day. Scotty will get his training as a guide and I will be trained to work in the shop. They accept U.S. Dollars, Shekels and the Euro so it will be interesting. This will definitely be a learning experience. The proceeds are a large support for the Garden Tomb because they do not charge any admission. There are many people groups here and they all need Jesus. In the land where He lived so few really believe. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

Wednesday

After leaving Huntsville at 1:12 pm on Monday we finally arrived safely to Tel Aviv around 3pm Tuesday. Thats not as. long as it seems since Israel time is 8 hrs ahead of AL. Thst is long enough! The 10 1/2 hr flight from PHL is quite tiring but better than the 12 on the way back. It was good and we made it fine. We were picked up by another Garden Tomb volunteer who is from Dallas. We will be the only US volunteers here, most are from Great Britian. We were given time off until noon today to rest and get settled. We have already heard a group worshipping here this morning. Pray for us as we are trained today and tomorrow to srrve the Lord at the Garden Tomb. Its an exciting week to be in Jerusalem!