Today was devoted to shopping in Jerusalem. We usually hope on weekends to get some rest. Going to Jerusalem is not restful, at least the way we do it. We estimate that between the daytime activities in Jerusalem and the walk to dinner, we walked 8-10 miles. We call it "fat-burning"!
I'd like to introduce another friend, Roger Reeck. Roger started with us in the Ruth class and is continuing in the Samson class. He had studied more Modern Hebrew than biblical Hebrew before he came. His speaking proficiency is pretty amazing to me. He is a Bible translator for Wycliffe Bible Translators. He and his wife Marilyn have raised five children. Marilyn is the Scripture in Use Consultant (helping people use the translation after it's finished). They have been in Honduras since 1990, and before that spent 18 years in Mexico. Roger is the class clown of our group, frequently making jokes inside and outside of class. He is a lot of fun to have around and has added a great deal to our class.
In the evening, after resting up from our day in Jerusalem, a group of us walked over a mile to a restaurant called Tall Burger. Amanda (mentioned with her husband in an earlier blog) had gone with her husband David and said this was one of the best hamburgers they had ever had. David, as you know if you kept up, had to return to England last weekend. Since a number of people are leaving this Friday, some even before the session is over, we determined that this would probably be the last time we could all be together. So, about 10 of us went to Tall Burger in Castel. The burgers are 1/3 pound, unless you get the double (so much for the low fat), flame grilled, choice of spicy or regular meat, choice of numerous toppings and sauces - no cheese, to keep Kosher. You can get fries, onion rings, or a salad. It was delicious and a great time of fellowship.
The walk home was the same way we go each time, along a busy road for a 1/4 mile or so, but then off-road following a path on the Kibbutz property. It is after 8:00, and the sun has gone below the mountains in the west; it is dusk. We walk past valleys and up hills; we walk next to the hill topped with Tel Tzuba. At one point we thought we were hearing sirens on the highway and half-mile or more away. But as we stopped to look and listen more carefully, and we hear more "voices" join in. The sound is of a pack of jackals howling somewhere in the valley.
Conversations ranged from Hebrew, to biblical topics, and other matters. The day was tiring, but not one to be missed. I will miss seeing these people. But if I never see them on earth again, we have expectation of being together again beyond all time.
Todah lAdonai (Thanks to the Lord)!
No comments:
Post a Comment