So here I am back in YWAM Kona, wow what journey the Lord has taken me on!! We have begun staff training and it has been incredible! I know that all of you are wondering what happened in Israel. I will try to explain as best as I can.
On May 11th, Kristi, Chantal, and I flew about a 20 hour flight from Kona to Israel, The Holy Land," with much anticipation!!! I honestly had no idea what I was in for. The only thing I had under my belt were the few things God had placed on my heart in going and the amazing reports I heard from close friends. We flew El Al from LA straight to Israel... we had a connecting flight so, we already had our boarding pass and getting to our gate. To our surprise.. we were supposed to go through some intensive security. Since we didn't, when we approached to entrance to our plane, we were taken aside questioned and searched. To say that I was not a bit nervous would be a straight up lie. I slightly felt like I was a criminal... After trying to seem intense and scary (to make sure we did not have a bomb) they kindly gave us back our passports and said "enjoy your visit to Israel." All I could do was laugh inside.
Our long... very long 14 hour straight flight, with very good food and fresh bread I might add... we MADE IT TO ISRAEL. Sleep deprived and crazy hair, we landed in a place that is unlike any other. The Holy Land!
My heart didn't know what to do. All I knew is that I was ready! Whatever God had in mind.... I hope that I was ready! We arrived in the airport and had to go through customs, which surprisingly was easy... and they automatically give you a 3 months visitors visa... INCREDIBLE! We then gathered our things and headed for a taxi and rode to our hostel in Tel Aviv. I couldn't get things straight in my head. I could tell that we were no longer in America... but it was nothing like India. All the signs are in Hebrew or Arabic, but the streets are clean and the roads are organized! We spent the first day just cleaning up and making sure we did not fall asleep to adjust with the time difference but we had not slept for about 2 or 3 days! Oh but if felt so good to be where we were. It was beautiful. Every part. Our team, the place we were staying, the country... just everything. My heart was getting so full. After a full nights sleep, we headed for old Jaffa. We walked along the Mediterranean Sea which is supposedly where Jonah had sailed and just took in our atmosphere. There is so much rich History there... and I wish I could tell you more about it.... This trip as you will see made me extremely hungry to know more about this place and the people! We walked along very old cobble stone streets and walked through old stone buildings. I couldn't wrap my mind around the things that had taken place on those roads and in those buildings.
God told us that there were going to have wonderful surprises on this trip and one of them was that I was able to run into my friend Jan, whom I did my DTS with, at a coffee shop that does ministry. Along with
finding out I had family that we could stay with! God is so faithful!
Finally after 2 days, our friend Sam arrived and joined the team! We met up with a few contacts that we had and heard what their heart was for the people and what sort of ministries they have. We went to a prayer room that over looked the city! I was blown away! How INCREDIBLE! They are the real deal out in Israel! A little side note... I think Israelies are HILARIOUS! While we were waiting to see our contacts, I met an older man in the coffee shop who didn't speak English. He asked me what my name was... I told him Shawna... he responded " Shoshana.." I said no... Shawna... and he said "YES! Shoshana!" Oh I said and he began to sing a little tune to Shoshanaaaa ohhh Shoooshannnaa. I found out with a translator a few minutes later that it means good smelling flower and there is a song about it... ahhaha I felt the Lord just blessing me through that... besides it just being humorous!
While in Tel Aviv, we would worship and pray for the nation, the people, and each other. God was so gracious. He repeatedly kept telling us to just enjoy ourselves. We started out one morning just laughing at things for about an hour... God gave us so much freedom and JOY! I was amazed! I was loving it... all we could do was laugh. Mind you, we were a bit delirious with jet lag and lack of sleep... we thought everything was funny... we have a whole list of random quotes we said... that most don't make sense or are just ridiculous in a little barbie notebook... haha if you want to know... just ask me.
Being in Tel Aviv for a few days, we took a shrut to Jerusalem. We got dropped off at the wrong place... but quickly met up in the right place with my family, that I had never met before... talk about interesting moment... haha. We arrived at their place and quickly went to bed. Lots of moving around and laughing so much takes a lot out of you. This trip was such a faith journey. We had a few contacts but a lot of it was just trusting the Lord and allowing him to guide us where we needed to be. Especially with finances! To be Continued!
On May 11th, Kristi, Chantal, and I flew about a 20 hour flight from Kona to Israel, The Holy Land," with much anticipation!!! I honestly had no idea what I was in for. The only thing I had under my belt were the few things God had placed on my heart in going and the amazing reports I heard from close friends. We flew El Al from LA straight to Israel... we had a connecting flight so, we already had our boarding pass and getting to our gate. To our surprise.. we were supposed to go through some intensive security. Since we didn't, when we approached to entrance to our plane, we were taken aside questioned and searched. To say that I was not a bit nervous would be a straight up lie. I slightly felt like I was a criminal... After trying to seem intense and scary (to make sure we did not have a bomb) they kindly gave us back our passports and said "enjoy your visit to Israel." All I could do was laugh inside.
Our long... very long 14 hour straight flight, with very good food and fresh bread I might add... we MADE IT TO ISRAEL. Sleep deprived and crazy hair, we landed in a place that is unlike any other. The Holy Land!
My heart didn't know what to do. All I knew is that I was ready! Whatever God had in mind.... I hope that I was ready! We arrived in the airport and had to go through customs, which surprisingly was easy... and they automatically give you a 3 months visitors visa... INCREDIBLE! We then gathered our things and headed for a taxi and rode to our hostel in Tel Aviv. I couldn't get things straight in my head. I could tell that we were no longer in America... but it was nothing like India. All the signs are in Hebrew or Arabic, but the streets are clean and the roads are organized! We spent the first day just cleaning up and making sure we did not fall asleep to adjust with the time difference but we had not slept for about 2 or 3 days! Oh but if felt so good to be where we were. It was beautiful. Every part. Our team, the place we were staying, the country... just everything. My heart was getting so full. After a full nights sleep, we headed for old Jaffa. We walked along the Mediterranean Sea which is supposedly where Jonah had sailed and just took in our atmosphere. There is so much rich History there... and I wish I could tell you more about it.... This trip as you will see made me extremely hungry to know more about this place and the people! We walked along very old cobble stone streets and walked through old stone buildings. I couldn't wrap my mind around the things that had taken place on those roads and in those buildings.
God told us that there were going to have wonderful surprises on this trip and one of them was that I was able to run into my friend Jan, whom I did my DTS with, at a coffee shop that does ministry. Along with
finding out I had family that we could stay with! God is so faithful!
Finally after 2 days, our friend Sam arrived and joined the team! We met up with a few contacts that we had and heard what their heart was for the people and what sort of ministries they have. We went to a prayer room that over looked the city! I was blown away! How INCREDIBLE! They are the real deal out in Israel! A little side note... I think Israelies are HILARIOUS! While we were waiting to see our contacts, I met an older man in the coffee shop who didn't speak English. He asked me what my name was... I told him Shawna... he responded " Shoshana.." I said no... Shawna... and he said "YES! Shoshana!" Oh I said and he began to sing a little tune to Shoshanaaaa ohhh Shoooshannnaa. I found out with a translator a few minutes later that it means good smelling flower and there is a song about it... ahhaha I felt the Lord just blessing me through that... besides it just being humorous!
While in Tel Aviv, we would worship and pray for the nation, the people, and each other. God was so gracious. He repeatedly kept telling us to just enjoy ourselves. We started out one morning just laughing at things for about an hour... God gave us so much freedom and JOY! I was amazed! I was loving it... all we could do was laugh. Mind you, we were a bit delirious with jet lag and lack of sleep... we thought everything was funny... we have a whole list of random quotes we said... that most don't make sense or are just ridiculous in a little barbie notebook... haha if you want to know... just ask me.
Being in Tel Aviv for a few days, we took a shrut to Jerusalem. We got dropped off at the wrong place... but quickly met up in the right place with my family, that I had never met before... talk about interesting moment... haha. We arrived at their place and quickly went to bed. Lots of moving around and laughing so much takes a lot out of you. This trip was such a faith journey. We had a few contacts but a lot of it was just trusting the Lord and allowing him to guide us where we needed to be. Especially with finances! To be Continued!
Goodness, I CAN'T WAIT to know more!!
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YOu are so supportive and encouraging! miss you
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