Sunday, 26 Mar 2006

Location: Israel

Greetings with love,

It is hard to believe that it has only been a month since I wrote a newsletter!

First of all, I want to thank you who have been praying for the Druse situation. They are no longer staying here. Two families went back to their village and two families went to stay in other villages where the persecution is not so great. One man gave an amazing testimony at our fellowship. About a week after he and his family returned to the village, a group of men came to their home in the evening, armed. One of the group started calling for him to come out and talk with them. He did not want to go out so he stayed in and watched from a hiding place. What he witnessed was amazing. As the group stood in his yard, they kept pushing one and another forward as if to approach the house with the weapon. Each one would start forward and then stop at what seemed to be an invisible line. This went on for about 45 minutes and then they dispersed and have not come back. Who prayed for the hedge of protection!! Your prayers were heard. Theses families are some of the sweetest brothers and sisters I have ever known.

We have a wonderful event in process as I type. Jenny Johnson, Emily’s sixth grade teacher, is here visiting for 2 week. Emily and Jenny are camping with Emily’s class in the mountains around Jerusalem. It is a yearly, 3 day event for these very dedicated teachers. It is cold this time of year in the mountains, so naturally I hope they are staying warm and having enough to eat. They are also hiking every day. It was an amazing packing experience because being a minimalist doesn’t come easy for either of them. Before the event Emily’s home room teacher wanted to meet Jenny, so we went over to her house one evening. She lives up in the Golan Mountains on a Moshav (gated, agricultural community) We had a wonderful evening. The next morning Jenny went to school with Emily. (catching the bus at 6:30 and riding for 25 minutes up the mountains.) Jenny spoke in three English classes about the differences in the schools between Israel and America.

Things are quiet here on the political front. Elections are in about a week (28th) Lots of signs around and people with literature. Hamas has been sending land to air rockets with great frequency into Israel from Gaza. They are aiming for power plants but have not yet hit one. Israel continues to supply power and water to Gaza, as well as give money for hospitals and schools. It is a strange relationship. Gaza is becoming more and more of a hot bed of terrorists. Please try to read other news sources than the Arab owned ones A.P., Knight Rider and others. Israel always sounds like the aggressive bad guy and the continual PA,(Palestinian Authority, which now equals Hamas) attacks never get reported. When you saw the bulldozers in Gaza that was per PA request to destroy the communities. Israel was only going to destroy the synagogues so their wouldn’t be desecrated.

Now with Samaria being poised to be given over to the PA. All for the goal of gaining peace and stopping the continual barrage of attacks. It seems Israel is a slow learner that their destruction is the only goal, not peaceful co-existence. If the Israeli government gives over Samaria, 200,000 Jews will be displaced and have to be relocated. The area is only an area of about 45 miles by 15miles. It is a strange concept that Arabs can stay in the Israel but Jews cannot stay in the PA territories. Where we live the population is about 50/50. No one is trying to move the Arabs from their villages.

You probably heard about the Jericho jail raid. It was a peaceful and safe ending to a day standoff in which the prisoners were armed. Only one death.

I better send this, the campers got back safe and sound. We are going on an adventure today. (It is our day off and tomorrow is Shabbat) We are going under the foundations of the Western Wall and will see the wall section constructed during David’s era. Them perhaps to the Garden Tomb.

Jenny leaves tomorrow evening. For any of you fence riders about coming to Israel. Let me sway you, please come!!

Here’s our updated contact information.

Address:
Beit Bracha
Box 345
Migdal-14950
Israel

Phone: 651-815-0522 (It is linked and a free call)

Travel log site Geffert.info

Contact thru e-mail: Anderberg@usfamily.net

Love,
Tasse and Emily