The Adventure Begins!

In our world, where women are doing so much more today than they did yesterday, I found out once again that it is not the same when a mom travels as it is when a dad.

My day began at about 1:00a.m. I could not sleep any longer. I had millions of things to do... email my friends to pray for me, my husband, and daughter while I am gone, email friends near by that my husband might call them for help when I am gone, wax my hands, pack my cell phone and lap top wires, write out a check for my daughter's book orders, etc. etc.

By 4:00 in the morning, our 8 year old was up. She wanted to make sure that I had seen the Mother's day card she had made for me. In just 45 more minutes we were driving down the quiet Plano neighborhoods to get on the toll way to get to the airport. I sat with our little girl in the back, while she laid her head on my lap holding me tight... not wanting me to go... yet allowing me to go.

Soon we were on the air, flying to Newark, and then to Tel Aviv. The first glimpses I had of Israel was from the air... the country side looked arid yet well irrigated. The long, side by side, multiple lines at the immigration showed that Israel had many guests. The people were great! As we stepped out of the airport, I took a breath of fresh air. I love it as the air in each region smells different! Here it was crisp and warm.

We had arrived four hours before our hotel check in time. Our guide decided to take us to Joppa instead of forcing us to cramp into the hotel lobby. The slopping roads of Joppa reminded me of Bangalore. Then we went to an old house, where Simon the tanner is believed to have lived. An Armenian woman with a wrinkled face welcomed us to her home. She was a gracious host, and told us how the house was given to her husband by the French.

In the house was a fig tree. The figs were just coming out. Our guide told us that these new figs could not be eaten. "In a few months new figs will once again come", he said, "and that is what is edible". Jesus cursed the fig tree when it was on this stage of growth. He had wanted some figs, but they were not ready to be eaten.

There was a statue of a fish in the middle of Joppa to remind us that we need to obey God... else we might land up where Jonah did! God had asked Jonah to go to Nineveh, which is present day Iraq... but Jonah chose to go to Tarnish, which is in today's Spain! As a prophet Jonah knew that it does not pay to disobey God... soon he learnt first hand, how bad it can get when we disobey God.

Joppa in Hebrew is Yoppa. It means "beautiful". That is how this little town was - beautiful. The waves of the turquoise Mediterranean Sea were gently caressing the beautiful flora and fauna on the other side. It was simply beautiful! The paved stones were easy to walk on, and the floors of homes were cool to the feet.

In the evening we went to the open market. Its cacophony reminded me of India! Folks were boisterous, happily shouting their wares or making a deal. The shopkeepers are generous. They let you sample all their foods! The food here is delicious! I tried out various types of Olives. It is nothing like the packed bottles on department store shelves. We had freshly baked bread for 3 Shekels only! And we tried a variety of desserts!

There were lentils of various colors - just like India... and beans. There were spices including turmeric! The rhythm of people’s feet, as they shop their wares from store to store was beautiful sound.

People were easy going, just our normal day folks... with one difference... they wish you Shalom. Yes, Shalom to you also my friends. Shalom.