For Such a Time as This - part 10

„Gottes Worte sind starke Felsen in der Wüste, Felsen, aus denen Quellen fließen, damit die Seele nicht verdurstet.“ Dorothea Unbehend

“God's words are strong rocks in the desert, rocks from which springs flow, so that the soul does not die of thirst.” Dorothea Unbehend

Ursula, a German Hineni volunteer who was unable to fly back to Germany and is stuck in Israel for the time being, gave us this encouragement today. 

Despite the fact we didn’t have a delivery to make yesterday, the Hineni volunteers had been very hard at work and many meals were prepared.

Today it took a while before Kochava received the final order from City Hall – who continue to drive them crazy with changes in addresses and totals. “Two deliveries,” she texted. “One to Pisgat Zeev and one to Gilo.”

“We are on our way!” I texted back.

On our way to the center, we again passed two police check points. We see an increase in drivers being checked and read about the steep fines some people get when they are on the road when they were supposed to be home. Some are even arrested!

The volunteers, some new faces, were still busy filling the meal boxes with the freshly cooked food that was still warm. An official from the Municipality came in to check if Hineni was allowed to be open and told the workers to keep a distance of 2 meters.... Bit difficult if you are filling the meal boxes.

More and more people are wearing face masks, but the only one we have is a dust cap...

The Jerusalem Post reported this morning that the Mossad (Israeli Secret Service) was able to obtain 10 million more protective masks for Israel, a few dozen ventilators, tens of thousands of test kits, some 25,000 N95 masks.  

Mossad Director Yossi Cohen now heads a special command center along with other national security units and the Health Ministry. Cohen has taking over the country’s efforts to purchase medical equipment from countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations, (e.g. in the Persian Gulf).

The big question is: will they start selling the simple masks to the general public in the supermarkets? I decided to look for a YouTube tutorial on how to make them myself, but wondered where to buy the elastic that is needed. That kind of ‘non-essential’ shops are closed...

But first things first: write today’s blogpost.

In Pisgat Zeev’s ‘Golden Colony’ we put 50 meals near the entrance, where three female IDF soldiers appeared who are now assisting the general public.

“We only need 30,” the Russian resident said.

“No problem.” I set aside the 20 meals. “Can I take a picture, please? These meals were donated by Dutch people!”

“Wait, wait!” a woman sitting in a parked car called. “Can I also be in the picture? With my new yellow vest? Is there Gouda cheese in the meals?”

We love the quiet roads, but it’s an eerie quiet. From northern Jerusalem we drove south again to Hostel Gilo where we could bless Roslan and Israel with an extra 20 meals. They are always so grateful.

“What kind of hostel do you run?” I wanted to know.

“We look after people with mental handicaps, who live on their own, but in a protected environment,” Roslan explained. “We are expected to provide three meals a day, but how can we do that, if there is no help from the Ministry of Social Welfare?” Both men looked haggard and stressed. “We didn’t receive any meals yesterday, so today is such a blessing!”

I know that there are hundreds of people like Roslan and Israel, who have the responsibility over many special needs people, and have to make do with almost nothing. It’s about time journalists start writing more stories about the hardships many are facing on this side of society instead of constantly droning on about the political situation...

We know that Israelis are becoming more and more stressed because they are stuck at home and not allowed to work, (or who lost their job) worried sick about how to pay for food, rent, etc. Daily, we encounter the people that have to work, sometimes extra hard and long hours. These Israelis look tired and stressed, not because they are afraid to lose their income or their job, but they are worried about getting infected. Often, they also have their family at home. 

We try to encourage people as much as we can, but it’s so little and the needs are so big.

Today, we received our official “Mitnadev basherut Iriat Jerushalayim”- “Municipality Jerusalem Volunteer” permit which we’ll show if the police stop us.

We’re ready to do what we can, blessed and honoured to be able to serve the people of Israel.

Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 9

March 29, 2020

“You’re too early!” Chanah greeted me when we showed up around 11 a.m. “They are not ready yet!”

Indeed, I noticed that in the restaurant downstairs the volunteers were waiting for the cook to finish so they could start filling the plastic containers. One of the volunteers had been questioned by the police and then sent back to his home because he could not show any permit to be out on the street. It wasn’t enough when he told them he was volunteering at the Hineni humanitarian restaurant.

On our way to the center police set up a roadblock on the other side of the street. They were definitely looking for someone specifically – perhaps a Corona positive person who escaped from quarantine. In the last couple of days, police have made several arrests and fined people for disobeying or violating the restrictions.

While we waited for the meals to be ready, I interviewed Benjamin to be posted on FB. Benjamin, Channa and Kochava, the Hineni office workers were constantly on the phone with government officials, trying to obtain permits for the Hineni staff AND the volunteers. It seemed a total lockdown was imminent because a large segment of the population (orthodox Jews and Arabs) continue to disobey government orders. What makes it extra hard is that the Jewish population is preparing for Passover, beginning next week, while the Muslim population prepares for Ramadan. At least the Christian population doesn’t have too much preparations for Good Friday and Resurrection day because those holidays don’t involve special meals.

11.45 a.m. we were ready to roll – only 2 addresses today.

Canada Hostel in Armon haNatsiv was to receive 130 meals and from there we drove again to Gilo, where a hostel for special needs people received 90 meals. Roslyn, the house father and his assistant Israel, expressed their gratefulness on a short video and later sent me a message that they had already distributed the meals.

“We’re able to get permits,” Kochava texted me, “but I need your ID numbers and the car number a.s.a.p.”

That was good news, but the trouble was getting hold of the ICEJ volunteers who also wanted to help.

Our local supermarket was busy as ever. Some people wore masks, others only gloves. The food products are changing to ‘kosher le Pesach’. In Israel, I haven’t noticed people hoarding toilet paper, etc. They probably are too busy trying to stay afloat financially and prepare for the Pesach holiday.  

Wednesday, we have to pay our rent, and we’ll have to ask our landlord if we can pay 2/3 instead of the full amount, otherwise there’s not enough to live on. At least Wim receives a small pension, that is more than many people who lost their jobs and now have no income at all.

During these troubled times, we are to remind ourselves:

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 8

March 26, 2020

Even though we had a day ‘off’ yesterday, Benjamin continued working very hard – mostly by being on the phone for a big part of the day. The infighting at the Ministry of Social Welfare and the lack of communication, the elderly and Holocaust survivors were in danger of falling between the cracks.

Thanks to Benjamin’s persistence he finally, around 8 p.m. got the green light to continue delivering meals. And then so many requests came in he had to turn most of them down.

Hineni is only a small restaurant with a few staff members and volunteers, not a big catering service. 

Jose and her son Yoni were willing to be additional drivers, which helped deliver the meals around lunch time because we now could share the load.

Jannie (ICEJ-Aid) arranged for two other volunteers to help prepare the meals for delivery. Happy to have a good reason to be out of the house, they loved helping out!

We encountered two roadblocks on the way to the city center – it seems the police were looking for someone. Thankfully, traffic was light the rest of the way.

With so many hands, the cars were loaded quickly. Jose took the Armon haNatsiv delivery, and we drove north to Pisgat Zeev.

“No, I don’t need the 80 meals,” Galina said. “I already received a double amount from City Hall today.”

After a few phone calls, the answer was that she HAD to take the meals... ?!

Galina decided to call a friend from the nearby Community Center who came to pick up the meals and distribute them to other needy people.

Our next address was in Gilo, on the south side of Jerusalem.

Hostel Gilo was part of the Community Center who had phoned 90 people on the list to come and pick up a meal. Ruslan was a very friendly (Russian) man who gratefully received the meals and then offered us a cup of coffee.

“No thanks, we have to go home.” 

It was wonderful that we were already done for the day and even had time to go to the post office to pick up a package. After taking a number I had to join the people waiting outside, as no more than two people were allowed inside. The clerk looked very unhappy to say the least. The glass dividers were barricaded with an extra layer of plastic and chairs put in front of the counter to force people to keep their distance. It was quite a challenge to sign my name on the electronic device on the counter to receive the package. It had been for one of our Dutch guests, who told us we could keep it – licorice, chocolate, coffee, cookies....

Only last week we began our Hineni adventure – wow, so much has happened that we’ve lost track of the days.

Tonight summertime begins and according to the calendar we are now officially in Spring.

Judging from the yellow dust on the balcony chairs, pollen season is now also in full swing!

We are looking forward to some R&R the coming days. I have to prepare a special magazine edition for our church. The blessings of the internet – who would have thought we’d been using it so much these days? And would not be able to function without it anymore... 

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 7

March 24, 2020

Kochava (from the Hineni office) sent me today’s list via Whatsapp early in the morning. That gave me time to add the new contact persons to my growing Hineni phone group, look up the new addresses and see what the best plan of attack would be for the day.

The meals were ready to be picked up around 10.30 a.m. It was great to find two new faces helping out the two ‘regular’ ladies. 

Armon haNatsiv was the first area where we started off with a new address: Beit Canada, an absorption center for new immigrants with 200 meals! The problem was that the contact person didn’t pick up her phone!

Instead, we drove to the other side of the mountain to another Beit Canada, but this time with elderly people. Zina, the contact lady, looked surprised at the 30 meals. “We don’t need so many. Perhaps three? I don’t have room in my fridge for so many....” Frustrated about the communication between City Hall and the organizations, I told her to take the 10 and we’d take the other 20 back to Hineni.

In the meantime, Kochava had been in touch with Ziva from the other Beit Canada, who promised to wait for us at the gate to the compound. We were not allowed to enter and had to unload the 20 bags near the guard post. The meals were carried inside by young American new immigrants.

“Thank you!” Ziva called from a distance. “We’re happy to receive anything you can spare: cake, cookes, etc!”

As we were already on our way back to Hineni, Kochava told us that there had been a misunderstanding at the other Beit Canada. “Can you bring those 20 anyhow?”

We told her that we were too close now and didn’t waste any more time.

The next batch was Pisgat Zeev – another 160 meals for 3 adresses.

This time, we really had to stop at Moshe Dayan to deliver 100 meals. Malka didn’t mind me taking a picture of her, and was very grateful for the nutritious meals.

Galina, from Hostel Golden Colony, waved enthusiastically from afar after delivering her 30 meals. “Todah rabba, rabba!”

Lastly, we didn’t have to enter Hostel TUnik because someone already waited near the entrance to receive the last 30 meals. “These are distributed at the community center to poor people,” she said.

The challenges Benjamin faces for the coming days are only becoming more and more. The restrictions will worsen and today’s volunteers were wondering how they would be able to reach Hineni when public transportation would halt altogether.

And then there is the upcoming Pesach holiday.

Benjamin’s plan is to begin the deep Pesach cleaning Friday morning, April 3; on Shabbat evening, the rabbi will come to check if the restaurant/kitchen is ‘kosher lepesach’. Sunday April 5 and Monday 6 the cooks will literally cook up a storm while a team of volunteers start preparing the 300 yearly Pesach boxes which also have to be are distributed, on top of the extra meals because of the Pesach holidays the kitchen is closed.

Depending on the municipality’s policy, Hineni will be open for three days during Pesach. I hate to think what will happen to the elderly if it has to stay closed.

I’m in touch with a few people who know others that are willing to help out. This year, the locals will have to pitch in, because there are hardly any volunteers from the Netherlands available that are still in the country. Corona halted the steady stream of Dutch volunteers and nobody knows how long this situation will continue.

So... in the meantime, we try to do what we can to help out.

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 6

March 23, 2020

Thankfully, the weather is getting warmer, which makes driving also a bit more pleasant.

Today, Kochava and Benjamin were kept on their toes because the ministry of welfare kept adding more orders for meals, changing them and driving them crazy! The present two Dutch and one German volunteer just took it in their stride and kept filling the plastic meal boxes until there was no food left.

After a lazy start we drove to the center of town to start loading the biggest order of the day for Kiryat haYovel – 135 meals. As we began filling the trunk of our car, we decided to add a few other deliveries as well. We ended up with 290 meals, divided over bags of 10 each.

The new address in Kiryat Hayovel (we skipped yesterday) was not far from our house. Ilana was very grateful when we arrived. “’Keep two meters distance!” she greeted me near the front entrance. “What kind of kosher is the food?” she wanted to know. Good question. Benjamin was able to answer all her questions, but it showed us the need for some info, also about Hineni, to be given with the meals.

Seeing all the empty space in the car, we decided to return to Hineni to pick up the rest of the deliveries. It would also give the volunteers and workers the opportunity to go home. Otherwise someone had to wait until we came back from our second round.

Golden Age Home - Ramot

Traffic was still light compared to a ‘normal’ day, and by now we knew how to get to the address in Ramot without waze! 65 meals we put on a bench near the entrance. Usually, those benches are occupied with elderly keeping each other company and talking. Now, you hardly see them outside, nor in the corridors.

Next stop hotel Tunik in Pisgat Zeev. This time, the 100 meals were for soldiers. Due to the virus, they must stay on their army basis for a month on end instead of going home every weekend.

 

Retirement home in Pisgat Zeev - Tunik street

This time, Armon haNatsiv was last on the list. At Hotel Diplomat the shopping cart was already waiting for us, but we could only deliver 60 instead of their requested 70 meals. The ladies were not too happy about that!

At Canada Hostel, on the other side of the valley, Ruti received her long-awaited meals and was so very grateful. Even though we could only give Irena 35 instead of 50, she thanked us profusely.

Wow, we were done for the day! And it was only 1.30 p.m.!

As we drove home for some R&R, we thanked God for His protection and mercies – that are new every morning!

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 5

March 22, 2020 

The social media is buzzing with humoristic cartoons, puns and things, all related to the virus-crisis.

Sometimes you ‘stumble-upon’ a real gem, like this story:

This is what happened to a woman named Tami in Israel. As the country is on lockdown we are helping each other:

“Had to drive to Jerusalem bring food supplies to my mother. On the way home, on Highway One, I get pulled over by police. Policeman: "Is everything okay? Do you have an emergency or something that makes it urgent for you to drive?"

Me: "I was bringing food to my elderly mother for Shabbat and the coming days."

He reaches into the police car and takes out a bouquet of flowers.

He: "Take. I bought some bouquets of flowers before starting my shift to give to the people I stop who have heartwarming stories of why they're driving."

Me: "What a shame! I already brought the food. I'm on my way home."

He: "OK, so listen to me. Not while you're driving - you hear me: not while you're driving. But when you get home, you call your mom and tell her that Rafi wishes her a Shabbat Shalom."

O.k., we knew it was Sunday because yesterday there were no busses at all and the supermarket was closed, but nowadays I have to check my agenda to remind myself what day of the week it is.

Yesterday was already very strange because I usually spend most of the Shabbat preparing for the Sunday church service, like bulletin, powerpoint and music sheets. Because there is no church, I was ‘free’ and used my time to cook many meals and a Dutch apple cake (which we shared with our downstairs neighbours.)

One German and one Dutch lady are the only
volunteers at the moment. Together with the
staff they work VERY hard to get the
meals ready for distribution. 

So today, instead of going to our congregation, we waited for a phone call from Benjamin Phillip (Hineni) when we could come to pick up the meals and deliver them. 

11.30 a.m. we arrived only to find they were not ready yet, as more orders had come in and they had to cook more food.

We took the first batch of 130 meals to Armon haNatsiv (East-Talpiot) which happened to be two addresses, instead of one. 

The well-known shopping carts arrived with 2 ladies to receive part of the order; the largest batch was picked up by a jolly man who greeted me in Italian. 

He also wanted to practice some other languages, like English and Dutch and asked what “Thank you” meant in Dutch. 

“Do sweedanya! – good-bye!” I said to him in Russian.

“Ah, Russian is EASY!” the man said in English.

Yes, for a Russian, I thought, remembering the frustration I felt trying to learn the language when I was in my twenties... The only things I remember are a few words and at I least I’m able to recognize the different letters and how they are pronounced...  

We drove home to eat our lunch and then returned to Hineni, where the rest of the meals were packed in bags of 10 each, which made it much easier to handle than those big, heavy cardboard boxes.

When we arrived at the first address in Pisgat Zeev, I learned that they didn’t need the 20 meals because the mayor’s office had provided all the senior citizens in that house with a meal. Thanks, but no thanks....

Instead of using the GPS, I thought I knew which address came next, but despite being in touch with my contact, I didn’t see anybody arriving. It so happened that I had been waiting in the wrong building, that had been on the list on Thursday, but not today! Mea Culpa! Waze brought us to the correct address, where I was greeted by an enthusiastic woman named Galina. “Oh, I wish I could give you a hug, but that’s forbidden!” she laughed.

Benjamin called when we were on our way to Ramot, the other neighbourhood. It was getting too late for the largest order of 110 in Kiryat Hayovel. The volunteers were already leaving. Oh, boy! Should we let go of the 10 in Ramot and head straight in the direction of home? He told us to deliver the 10 and then drive back to Hineni to store the meals in the cooler for tomorrow.  

However.... when we arrived in Ramot, the woman in charge asked if we could spare more meals. They needed another 80, because somebody had not delivered that day.

And thus it happened that we were able to bless this home eventually with 140 meals instead of 10.

We were tired after the long day, but I felt elated and happy that we were able to make a difference during these hard times. And that’s why we were called to Israel in the first place: to comfort God’s people!

I had it on my heart to show our gratitude to our local supermarket, and printed out some big posters which we pasted on the wall of the owner’s office. Nobody saw me doing it, and I wonder if more people will start adding notes to that wall. Hope so. Those hard-working people need all the encouragement they can get!

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 4

Friday, March 20.

Our new daily rhythm is: firstly, find out what the latest restrictions are. 

There were quite a lot this morning:

The new orders to be signed tonight, March 19, tightening restrictions on movement will reportedly permit citizens to leave their homes for the following activities - for the next 7 days:

1. Going to work and coming back

2. Stocking up on food, medicine, necessary products and to receive essential services

3. Receiving medical treatment

4. Donating blood

5. Participating in demonstrations (when there are too many people they’ll be fined between NIS 500-1000)

6. Going to court for a legal hearing

7. Unorganized sports activity in groups no larger than five people

8. Brief walks for a short time and to a place close to the person’s residence, without coming close to people they don’t live with

9. Going to a wedding, funeral or prayer (while adhering to rules limiting such activities to just 10 people maintaining a distance of at least two meters, or six feet)

10. Helping a person who due to their age, medical conditions or a disability, requires assistance

In addition, no more than two people will be allowed to be in a car at any time, unless they live in the same household. The restriction will not be relevant to cases when there is a necessary reason for more people to travel together or while driving a person to and from a vital workplace.

Because we had to buy medicines in the Old City Pharmacy, we figured it was a ‘legitimate’ reason to be outside.

At “Shachar” our neighborhood supermarket, I asked owner Chaim how they were holding up and praised their dedication and continued service. “Will you be closed as usual during the Pesach holiday?” I asked.

The tired looking man responded they had thought about it, but he decided to stay open. “Otherwise it would be as if we turn our backs on the people needing groceries, especially during this crisis.” I had expected nothing less from this special man whose staff always diligently works to keep the store running.

The streets were deserted – we had to remind ourselves it was Friday, usually a busy morning for Jerusalemites.

Wim stayed in the car while I walked through the Mamilla shopping area towards the Jaffa Gate.

Knowing the bustling pedestrian mall on a regular day, it looked like a shabbat – all the shops were closed and no people in site. 

Mamilla before and during the crisis

Even when the weather is cold and rainy, like today, the plaza in front of the Yaffa Gate is full of people. Now it was deserted and so were the always busy street outside the Old City Walls.

Our pharmacist didn’t have much to do because there are so few people outside. Yes, life definitely has come to a standstill.

The cats like to keep him company and explore
the usually 'forbidden' room

Back home I rearranged one of the guestrooms and turned it into a workplace for Wim. He usually worked at the dining room table, but it would be too cold to sit for a long time without the heating. So, each of us now has a ‘quiet’ place to write.

I’ve decided to collect stories, encouraging quotes and testimonies to put together a weekly online ‘magazine’ to send out to people who are connected to Jerusalem Baptist Church. It’s wonderful that in this day and age we are able to reach out to others via the internet, especially when we can’t meet in person.

Each and everyone of us has to find ways to cope with this crisis. We feel it’s important to keep a steady, daily rhythm and keep order in our days. Even though we still have enough food in the fridge and pantry, but not knowing how long it’s going to be, we’ve also decided to start living more frugally.   

Composing the ‘newsletter’ and starting a regular blog with personal news and updates helps us to use our time in a constructive way and at the same time be an encouragement and blessing to others.

Personally, I try to read the news twice a day, not more and not before we go to bed. It will only create anxiety and we need our sleep. And how grateful we are for our treadmill, which is being used several times a day now.

Because the living room and kitchen are getting colder, tomorrow I'm planning to cook and bake - that definitely will keep me warm. 

The plan is to only write a blogpost when there is something to share, so it's possible the next one will appear on Sunday evening. 

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 3

Thursday, March 19, 2020

“We have three addresses for you,” Benjamin texted me.  “What time can you be at Hineni?”

Because traffic was so light, in record time we reached the center of town. The streets were deserted and also the usually bustling restaurant was empty of people except the workers and a volunteer.

each box contained 50 warm meals

Now we heard that we had to deliver 220 meals to five addresses.

Benjamin received a call for help from the office of the deputy mayor. Due to the restrictions, caregivers no longer were permitted to cook for the elderly people in their care. “Of course we’ll do our best to help you!” Benjamin promised.

Via whatsapp the coordinator sent me the list and contact persons. 

Kochava, who works at the Hineni office, had been working since 7 a.m.  When she called someone on the list to verify the address, Marina profusely thanked her for the great help. “You have to send us the names of those people,” she said. “We want to thank each one of them!”

a challenge to walk backwards
 without being run over by a trolley with food. 

With great difficulty Mohammed and a collegue manage to ‘bump’ two trolleys with 100 meals each down the stairs. Then they traversed the steep pavement backwards to the bumpy, uneven parking garage floor. I was awed those guys managed to stay on their feet and we safely reached the car. The big boxes were stuffed in our car and we were on our way.

The Diplomat Hotel is in East Talpiot, not far from the new American Embassy. The hotel guard refused to open the gate. 

“Shall I call Irene?” 

He thought that was a good idea. An icy wind blew around the building and I had a hard time calling the number. By then the guard was convinced I came with good intentions, and we were waved through. When an elderly lady (Irene) appeared with a rickety trolley, I ‘shlepped’ the heavy box from the car and helped her back to the hotel lobby.

 “Oh, are you from a catering service?” a passerby asked. “Can I order meals through you?”

Well, a flying bird always catches something.

How grateful we were for the ‘quiet’ roads and that we had ‘Waze’ (GPS) to show us the way. Otherwise it would have been a stressful trip, having to find all those addresses.

At Hotel Tunik, an senior citizen home in Pisgat Zeev, two elderly Russian ladies came to ‘help’ us with two shopping carts. The box was too heavy to lift that high, therefore we stacked the 50 meals in the cart.

“Spaseebah! Bolshoye spaseebah! Toda rabba! – thank yo uso very much!”

Hostel Moshe Dayan, also in Pisgat Zeev, was hard to find because there were no house numbers on the street with a lot of shops. Thankfully, we had those contact numbers! Handyman Alexander had no trouble lifting the heavy box out of our car and put the 50 meals in his shopping cart. Number three was ready – two more to go!

We realized that we had passed the fourth address on our way to the previous one. But even though we had the correct number, the building could not be found. An icy wind blew over the open spaces of the Pisgat Zeev neighbourhoud that was built on hills.

Galina sent an elderly man from hostel Golden Colony to the car to receive their 20 meals. The plastic bags had fallen over during the drive causing some of the meals to spill gravy.

In a car that smelled like a restaurant we drove to the last address. 

House "Golden Age" Ramot

Hostel Ramot, a neigbourhood on the other side of the Begin highway, was situated in a street that teemed with ultra-orthodox people who clearly didn’t keep the tightened restrictions. 

We carried the heavy box to a large room of the senior citizen’s home from where the meals would be distributed. Ilana, wearing a face protection, thanked us warmly for the 50 meals.

No rain had fallen during the three hours it had taken us to deliver the meals, but when we arrived home, the darkened sky began to drop its wet load. Warm and dry, with grateful hearts we enjoyed a bowl or warm soup.

Benjamin, who had coordinated everything from his home in Ashdod, was grateful everything had gone well. We offered our help for future needs. “Thanks, but we have to wait and see what the government is going to decide.”

“I read in the paper that essential services will continue,” I told him.

“Ah yes, and Hineni is also an essential service,” Benjamin reiterated.

Thus, we’ll expect a call Sunday morning if we are available to make another run.

 ‘Hineni!’- here we are, Lord.

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 2

Because I was behind with my reading schedule, that morning I read a few days from my devotional. They were from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles Swindoll. March 17, about queen Esther, read as if it was written for me: 

• What does it matter if I get involved or not? ...
• When we have been called "for such a time as this," how tragic it is if we don't stand up in that hour.
• Numerous needs and issues surround us. They summon us to stand up and be counted. While we will not be able to respond to all of them, the solution is not to respond to none of them! So let me ask you: What are you doing to stand up, to stand alone, to answer the call of God in this hour?

Swindoll then sums up many worthy causes worthy considering, to which I added: What about the Corona Virus crisis? This is an urgent hour of need. 

• Are you there, ready to be salt and light, in this hour?
• Not until you believe one person can make a difference will you be willing to take a risk. Quit being so careful about protecting your own back. Stop worrying about what others will think. You don't answer to them. You answer to Him. He will help. He will give you wisdom and courage. You may be only one, but you are one. So, take a risk!

You can read the full text here: https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/risk-it!1

And the devotional of March 18 read:

“If anything, the sovereignty of God makes me active. It drives me before Him as I plead, "Lord, involve me in the process, if it pleases You. Activate me in Your action plan. I'm available. [Hineni – Here I am, Lord] Speak through me. Use me."

Well, after reading those very timely words, my doubt disappeared like the morning mist.

Life in Jerusalem during the Corona Crisis - part 1

Thursday, March 19, 2020      

Today, our last guests returned to the Netherlands. Before the Corona virus began creating its worldwide havoc our occupancy was 100% until the summer and 75% in reservations and booking until the end of the year.

Now it’s just Wim and myself and our cats and nobody can predict when life will return back to ‘normal’.

To save money, we turned off the floor heating and live mainly on the top floor where our private study/living room and bedroom is. It continues to be too cold for the time of year and they even expect snow on Mt. Hermon and the Golan Heights.

Last week was emotionally draining because nobody knew what was going to happen or change and which new regulations were set in motion. Then, we had to dig through many often-contradicting news stories that began circulating on social media. It took a lot of energy to get used to this new way of life which seemed to be without head or tail. I found it hard to get in some kind of daily rhythm – everything was turned upside down.

We tremendously enjoyed the company of our last four guests, knowing full well that it would end soon because they had to fly home when there was still time.

I want to do something. Help! I often thought in the midst of all the unrest and uncertainty. But what. And how?

We didn’t know of needy elderly people in our neighbourhood nor about specific needs.

Lord, please show us, I prayed. Something Wim and I can do together. What we can handle physically and won’t be dangerous to Wim’s health.

Tuesday evening, March 17, Benjamin Phillips wrote a letter to Christians for Israel about the humanitarian restaurant “Hineni” he runs in Jerusalem. ( the English article can be read here:  https://www.c4israel.org/support-israel/what-is-the-situation-of-hinenis-soup-kitchen/

these pictures were taken March 17, when there were still volunteers around...

Social workers contacted him about 80 elderly people in need and a request to deliver meals to their homes. Logistically, he wrote, it is difficult due to the lack of transportation and volunteers.

This is it! I knew after reading that call for help.

Benjamin was grateful we offered our services and told us he would get back to us when he had more information.

However, after reading about the latests restrictions in next day’s newspaper, doubt began to creep in.

Is it wise what we are doing? Are we going to harm ourselves if we help Hineni?