Essence of Rock

Six Days of Miracles

2010-06-12T10:42:00.002+03:00

Excerpt from “Irene’s Story” (working title)
by Petra van der Zande

Prelude to the Six Day War

In June 1964 Israel had inaugurated the National Water Carrier. The 94 mile long pipeline that pumped water from the Sea of Galilee all the way to the Negev, caused uproar in the Arab countries – they immediately put their armies on high alert. Fatah’s first (failed) terror attack was against the water carrier.
The Arab Summit debated about the diversion of Jordan River’s tributaries, knowing full well that Israel’s main water source fed the Sea of Galilee and the rest of the country. The Syrians immediately went to work.

During the summer of 1966, when the Syrians increased the tension on the northern border, then Chief of Staff Yitzchak Rabin responded with force - the only language the Syrians understood. Having to deal with so many security problems cost money the State didn’t have, so little Israel had to undergo another severe recession.
While keeping a weary eye on their Arab neighbors, Israelis tried to live their lives as normal as possible and hoped the threats of war would blow over.

May 1967 - Jordanian King Hussein and Egyptian President Nasser signed a defense pact. The USA balked, for they had armed Jordan under the assurance that the weapons would never to be used against Israel. Jordan promptly broke off ties with America. Egypt then signed another military alliance with Syria and Iraq. Because of an earlier agreement between Iraq and Jordan, Iraqi military units quickly took position on the West Bank and in the Hebron area. Egypt closed the Strait of Tiran to Israeli shipping and told the UN troops that were stationed in the Gaza Strip to get out.

The only thing Israelis wanted was to be left in peace. Not much had changed since the time of Queen Esther. The enemies of the Jews were still determined to annihilate the Apple of God’s eye. The young nation had to prepare and brace itself to fight another war.

“Remember how the enemy has mocked you, o Lord…. Rise up, O God, and defend your cause. Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.” Psalm 74:18, 22,23. NIV

With war looming on the horizon, civilians rushed to the shops and began to stock up on food. Soon there was not only a food shortage, but a cash shortage as well -panicked civilians withdrew huge sums of money from their banks. Bomb shelters were prepared and ditches dug to be used as emergency shelters. Along with most of the reservists in Israel, several teachers from Haifa’s Bible College and the Mount Carmel School were called up in the middle of the night.

June 5, 1967 – a black-out was in force from sunset to sunrise. Refusing to listen to Israel’s entreaties not to engage in war, the Jordanian King attacked Jerusalem from the east. Soon, the wailing of air-raid sirens was heard throughout the country, prompting civilians to run to the shelters. Especially Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were heavily shelled.
The first day of the war was the beginning of many miracles. That morning, Israeli pilots destroyed the Egyptian Air force on the ground. In the afternoon, the Jordanian air force followed suit. Within one hour, 2/3 of the Iraqi air force was in shambles.

For Irene, it was a time of ‘triple-duty’. In addition to her own tasks [principle of Mt. Carmel school in Haifa] she had to take on extra duties of teachers that had gone off to war. Like Queen Esther had done for her people, Irene too felt the need to fast – Israel’s future hung in the balance – again. Whenever she could, she went to Dr. Churcher to pray with other believers.

The parents of the children in the boarding school were contacted. “Would you like your child to come home, or stay at ‘Bethel’?” [boarding school]. The only child that went home was hurt when he was out riding on his bicycle. Because the situation grew tenser each day, Irene didn’t want to leave the school, even to go to prayer meetings. So instead of walking to the CMJ, [Church’s Mission to the Jews] the believers began to meet on the school veranda.

During the war, schools continued as usual, so every hour, the teachers opened the classroom doors for everyone to hear the latest news. “Haifa’s oil refineries are bombed,” the newsreader said. Everyone rushed to the window overlooking Haifa Bay. From what they saw, this was not the case.

The American government was afraid that aid to Israel would lead to an American oil crisis. “We prefer to stay ‘neutral’ in this conflict.”
Israel was blessed by 3,600 international volunteers who arrived to help her fight this war. (Some were disappointed to find that the war was already over by the time they arrived.)

June 6, 1967. It was afternoon, English lessons time, and Irene decided to tell the flannel graph story of David and Goliath. She had reached the point where David defeats Goliath, when the radio news came on, “Israel has turned back the enemy at the Sinai desert and has almost reached the Suez Canal.” The children’s mouths fell open. “The West Bank is now in Israeli hands,” the announcer continued, “including Nablus, Ramallah, Jericho and Bethlehem.”
“Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord!” Irene lifted her hands. It was a time to praise and thank the Lord for so many miracles.

June 7. At the Mt. Carmel School, classes continued as usual, with an hourly break to listen to the latest radio announcements. Irene was surprised to see Mr. Ben Maier entering the building. His face beamed when he announced, “All of Jerusalem is now united under Israeli rule!”
That morning, Motta Gur and his paratroopers had been able to break through the Old City’s Lion’s Gate and liberated the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.
“The Temple Mount is OURS!” Israelis would never forget Motta Gur’s words coming over the radio. Shlomo Goren, the Army’s Chief Rabbi, blew the Shofar. With tears in their eyes, the weary, dust covered soldiers reverently touched the ancient stones. Many stood with their heads bowed, reciting psalms. “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its cunning.”

The rest of the country still found it hard to believe that after 19 long years Jerusalem was back into Israeli hands! Two weeks before the war, during Israel’s 19th Independence Day, Naomi Shemer’s song had touched many hearts. Now, it was heard everywhere, “Yerushaliyim shel zahav, veshel nechoshet veshel or, halo lechol Shirayich ani kinor.” “Jerusalem of Gold’ was heard coming from cars, shops or people singing it. When the songwriter heard the news that Jerusalem had been united, she immediately added another verse. This song, set on a beautiful melody, became a kind of second national anthem.

“The wine-clear mountain air and the scent of pines are wafted on the winds of dusk, together with the sound of bells. And with slumbering tree and stone, the solitary city, with a wall through its heart, is held captive in its dream.

Jerusalem of gold, of light of bronze – I am the violin for all your songs.

The wells are dry, and the market place empty. No one visits the Temple Mount in the Old City. Through the caves in the rocks, the winds howl and no one goes down to the Dead Sea by way of Jericho.

Still, today as I come to sing to you, and fashion for you crowns, I feel smaller than your youngest sons, less than the least of your poets. For your name will scorch my lips, like a seraph’s kiss. If I forget you, Jerusalem, City all of gold.

We’ve returned now to the wells, the market and the square; and the ram’s horn from the Temple Mount in the Old City. And through the caves in the rocks, a thousands suns do shine. We can go once more to the dead Sea by way of Jericho. Jerusalem of gold….”
Yerushaliyim shel zahav…

Irene was thrilled and awed, when she realized that prophecies had been fulfilled right before her eyes. Israelis walked with a new spring in their step and a wave of contagious joy spread over the country. But the war wasn’t over yet, and because of their wounded pride, the enemy fool heartedly continued to fight. Israeli soldiers were still risking their lives up on the Golan. Irene continued to fast, but because of the heat, did drink water.

While reading her Bible, Irene was amazed how many times she came across the words “Adonai Tzavaot” (The Lord of Hosts - the Armies). The prolonged fasting had weakened her, but something happened when Irene began to proclaim God’s promises. “The Heavenly host fights alongside Israel.” The words spoke to her heart. “Lord, I can feel it – You’re strengthening the Israeli soldiers!”

June 8 –the Syrian positions on the Golan, which for so many years had made life a living hell for the people living in the valley below, had been captured by Israeli soldiers.

June 9 – After the ceasefire with Jordan, volunteers from Tel Aviv and Haifa rushed to Jerusalem, to help the city return to normal. Irene would have loved to join them, but knew she had to stay with the children.

Egyptian Nasser and Jordanian Hussein were licking their wounded pride. “We’ll blame the Arab defeat on US and British air intervention,” they agreed, and vowed to never forget, nor forgive Israel for this humiliating defeat.

June 10 – The Golan Heights were now in Israeli hands.

June 12 - That Saturday night, believers from the Bethesda fellowship assembled on the veranda of Mt. Carmel School. While they were having communion, someone began to sing, “It is finished, was His cry…”
“It is finished!” A shock went through Irene. “The war is over!”
Feeling weak from fasting, she leaned against the wall. “At least I’ll be able to eat again after the meeting,” she thought. Later Irene learned that the last cease fire had come into effect exactly at that hour. When Jesus hung on the cross and cried out “It is finished”, He accomplished her salvation. That same Jesus was also the “Captain of the Hosts”. Yeshua was alive today!
“We’ll be able to travel to the Golan Heights again!” Irene clapped her hands for joy. “Oh! And all the other areas Israel conquered.”

After six days of heavy fighting, the magnitude of the Israeli victory gradually dawned upon Israel and the world. The “Six Day War”, as it became known, surely had been a ‘miracle’ war from beginning to end. This is an excerpt from the soon to be published book about the life of Irene Levi – an extraordinary woman of God.

© 2010 Petra van der Zande

Irene's Story

2010-06-12T10:30:00.001+03:00

Writing projects come and go, such is life. Sometimes it’s sad, like when the History Radio program had to close down. Suddenly, I didn’t have to come up with four history pieces about Israel each month.
But now I had more time to devote myself to the Children’s Writing Course. It’s fantastic, and I’m learning many new and exiting things.

The two Novel manuscripts were still ‘out’ there, but I didn’t have the time nor energy to do a lot about them.

And then came the request to write a biography of Irene Levi, a 90 year old American lady who came to Israel in 1948.
I’d seen Irene in passing, but never met her.
It was a slow start (as usual), with several false starts (as usual) but when I finally got up to speed I couldn’t stop. For a few weeks on end I wrote from early morning till evening. I ‘lived’ Irene’s story (working title), and even dreamed about it.

Now the first draft is finished, and I’m exhausted (as usual), so now it’s time to relax a little and pass the work on to Irene to read through it, mark mistakes and fill in the many blanks that are still there.

It’s such a privilege getting to ‘know’ this precious servant of God, whose life is an example for young and old.

It will be a self published book, so there will be more challenges ahead, but we trust and believe that Irene’s story will touch many lives.
And it’s her and my prayer, that God will be glorified!

A Closed Door and Open Window

2010-02-13T14:19:00.009+02:00

“God had planned something better for us” (Hebr.11:40)

After Na’il passed away, so many things changed.
Suddenly, there was time (and energy) to make short day trips and visit places we had never seen before. More writing opportunities opened up. I began a course “Writing for Children”.

And then came a totally unexpected request: to give a presentation about the life of Huram Avi. I was excited and terrified at the same time. But on the other hand, I had written a novel about this Biblical figure, so there was plenty of material available. The only thing I had to do was make an outline, order the material and create a presentation.

Being a writer, not a speaker, I didn’t have a clue how much material would be needed to fill 2 hours. For weeks, I made this project my highest priority, and when the whole story began to take shape, I finished it off with power-point slides. And was thrilled with the result.

A few days before D-Day, anxiety set in. But then I realized this wasn’t an exam, I could read from the notes, and knew what I was talking about. Peace returned.

Friday, February 12, 2010, we drove to the beautiful student centre in the centre of Jerusalem. In order to keep an eye on Nadia while I spoke, Wim had taken a day off, and Elsje, our house guest, helped me set everything up.

It was so wonderful to see the Dutch leaders of the student group again ~ Paul and Rina van de Laan. After a short introduction from Paul, it was my turn.

This was it! Would I be able to find the right English words? Would I stutter, experience a black-out (which often happens when I’m tense)? How would the students respond?

God did a miracle on all fronts. I even received a compliment that the lecture was on an academic level (!); that the idea of an object lesson was so fresh and a wonderful way to dig deeper into the time of the Bible. Paul told the students this was such a good idea to approach a subject.

Wow! I was so encouraged, as I’m a self-taught woman, a nurse of profession, with only 4 years of high-school and no academic degrees. What I do have is an insatiable appetite for learning new things, and a love for history.

My grandfather and uncles had been teachers, but I always thought that wasn’t for me. However, after this lecture I realized it was so much fun to be able to share and pass on the interesting titbits I had learned and gleaned from years of research.

Had Na’il been alive, I would have never been able to take on this project. Then, I had lacked the time and energy to spend on research and sorting of all the material.
Then, with Na'il's death, God had closed a door; now, He opened a window, with new opportunities that I never would have thought or dreamt possible.

But there was more to come: I’m already invited to give a similar lecture, God willing, next year, in 2011.

Writing is a continuing process of honing ones skills. I'm beginning to wonder if I did inherit some 'teaching genes' through my mother. It's another exciting area in which I can learn more and hone my skills. It's such a privilege to use the talents God has given me, and to share them with others! Soli Deo Gloria!

Unexpected Encounters

2009-07-31T11:24:00.002+03:00

It was in May this year that I felt prompted to order a book that was mentioned on a flyer that I had already for over a year in a research file: “Letters from Jerusalem 1947-1948”.
However, the lady, Zipporah Porath, wrote back that as I lived in Jerusalem, I could get the book through someone living not too far from us. Also, she wanted to know why I was interested in MACHAL.

An intensive email correspondence began, and I it just ‘clicked’ between Zippy and me, who is more than 30 years my senior. One thing led to another and I ended up creating brochures from two of the Jerusalem Letters, translating them into Dutch, and finding myself revived in returning to ‘active’ life.

You’ll find more about this special lady on my Website – I’ve created a special Zippy’s page, because the story of this eye-witness to Israel’s birth, must never be forgotten!

On the FOR THE LOVE OF HISTORY blog you’ll find two articles about MACHAL, which I wrote for Front Page Jerusalem Radio.

You can also listen to it: (a very revised version of what I wrote)
log into: http://www.frontpagejerusalem.com/site/index.php
Go to FPJ archives: this day in Israel’s history – machalnix

Speaking about Serendipities

2009-05-12T17:44:00.004+03:00

Last year I did research for a radio article about Israel’s struggle for Independence, and stumbled upon “Machal” – overseas volunteers who fought in Israel’s War of Independence.

Reading about those wonderful people whose WWII experience was such an important asset in all areas of Israel’s survival, something ‘clicked’ inside of me. I longed to know more about those people. I wanted to write a novel about them.

But in order to give the characters enough back story, I had to go back to 1938, and that’s where the series starts. The Machal part will probably only introduced in part three ~ a long way to go yet.

You can read the text of the radio article about Machal on the “For the Love of History” blog. Even though the Machal novel is still a long way ahead of me, I'm constantly on the look-out for interesting information, that is added to the ever growing Machal file.
Lately, the Jerusalem Post published several articles from Zipporah Porath, excerpts from her book. Since last year, I kept a printout of the flyer on file, thinking that I would order the book when the time came to dig deeper into research.
But this week I felt I should order Zipporah Porath’s book “Letters from Jerusalem” now.
Thus, I send her an e-mail, and a wonderful correspondence began. She linked me up with a friend who happened to live very close to us, from whom I obtained the book.

Many ideas to help Zipporah find an audience to share her first-hand experiences have sprung up, and I’m excited to with the prospect of so many possibilities. More info about her book will be posted on my website, on the book review page.

It’s so amazing how God leads!

An Encouraging Rejection

2009-05-12T17:37:00.004+03:00

After I sent out the Dutch manuscript to several Dutch publishers, a few of them responded rather quickly. One wrote they didn’t have fiction in their fund, another they couldn’t use the story, and the last one was another rejection, albeit an encouraging one.
This is what they wrote:
"Several of our editors have reviewed your MS and all agree that your MS is of good quality. We enjoyed reading it and are sure there is a market for it. However, we had to reject your MS because we don't carry this genre in our fund."

They further wrote they hoped another publisher would accept the MS, and even gave me another Publisher's name they knew carried my genre in their funding. (That one already wrote me they couldn't use it.) Now I'm waiting for the last two (big Dutch publishers) to respond. On the English front: This month I expect the result for the Rose and Crown (Sunpenny) Novel competition. I sent them 2 manuscripts.

I shared the news with Mary Rosenblum, Web editor of LongRidge’s e-newsletter, and she commented as follows:

"Ah, aren’t those near misses frustrating, Petra? But it means you’re close. And she is also working on other projects. Petra, you are a busy writer! Way to go, girl!"

The boy who lived up to his name

2009-05-12T17:27:00.004+03:00

Since Na’il’s death, three months ago, my life has changed in so many ways.

Mourning takes time, that’s what I’ve experienced. I’m easily overwhelmed by seemingly small things, and thought that writing about the 12 years that Na’il lived with us, would be a matter of a few weeks. But there were days I just couldn’t handle the overwhelming emotions and had to leave the manuscript for what it was. There was no deadline, and nobody told me to hurry up and finish it. I was the tyrant who wanted to have this project finished, before continuing with the novel that had been on hold since February.

Reading through old newsletters in order to remember the highlights, was tiresome and exhilarating at the same time. Because I now saw the overall picture, I realized God’s grace and strength during the often difficult and challenging years, in which one crisis seemed to follow on the heels of another. But we didn’t have a choice, thus we grit our teeth, and went on.

The raw version of the book about Na’il’s life is posted chapter by chapter on the website, and I’m now proofreading and editing the printout.

When I’m satisfied with the end product, we’re going to print it ourselves and those interested can order it via mail. At the moment I don’t know how many pages the book will be. In order to keep the cost as low as possible, the book will be printed in black and white, but include two pages with coloured photos.

Slowly, hesitantly, I’m inching my way back to continue with my stalled novel.

Taking the Plunge

2009-04-01T08:47:00.002+03:00

I sure did last week! Having two book manuscripts ready, (in English) I figured I wouldn't loose anything by entering a writing competition. Not only could the winners earn a monetary prize, but their novel would be published as well. The Biblical/historical novels fit their category, and so I sent them off. At least now they will be read by professional people and what's more, I won't have to wait for months on end to get the results: these will be posted already in May!

The Dutch translation of FIRST FRUITS IN JERUSALEM was also ready to be sent out, so there I took another step in faith, and sent them to several Dutch publishers as well. The 'waiting game' is always the hardest part, but like the professionals taught me - I just have to continue writing as always.

Depending on what's happening in my life (I'm still mourning our precious son) I've noticed that gradually things are returning a bit to 'normal', and I find myself able to concentrate better.

I'm networking with more people worldwide, (good for exposure) and see what doors the Lord will open up next. For now my greatest priority is the basic version of a book about Na'il's life on paper, which then will be translated into Dutch. Each finished chapter I post as an PDF file on the website, under Na'il's page. It pains me having to put my new novel on hold, but I can't work on too many projects at the same time, that drives me crazy. Even though people asked about a sequel to FIRST FRUITS, I feel the novel about WWII that's on my heart is important, especially with so much Holocaust denial sprouting up everywhere!
Step by step, day by day, we'll see how it goes.

Change of Course

2009-03-11T10:18:00.007+02:00

I loved it - writing history pieces for radio, which I've been able to do now for over a year. As a history freak I like to learn about new places, background information about people and how things were in the 'good old times'. Very often I have to admit that I'm glad not having to live in those times, because they weren't good at all.

Each generation has its own challenges, and nowadays we're having to deal with too many major things at once. That part of the past - the slow pace, the 'simple life', having time for each and everyone, that is something I can long for.

But not too long, for back in the old days computers were unheard of, and I like my 'help-mate'. Especially when you have to research a subject - what is easier nowadays to Google your way around the world, instead of heading out for the nearest library.

Changes in the radio program were imminent, and they asked me to start writing general informational pieces about Israel instead. Speaking of change! But I decided to see it as another learning opportunity to hone my writing skills. It also broadens my horizons, this time into the present. Now I'm scanning the newspaper each day in search for interesting subjects about Israel to share with the world!

Found a great website with POSITIVE news about Israel too: http://www.israel21c.org/

So, that's my latest writing avenue, together with working on the book about Na'il's life and my novel, which I hope to revive from hibernation soon!

Delivering the Goods

2009-03-03T17:48:00.004+02:00

In a bold mood I sent a history column proposal to an editor, together with 4 sample pieces and was stunned when he immediately responded. Yes, he was interested in a piece about the medieval carnival practices in Italy.

But… then he turned the tables on me by requesting a broader scope on the subject. And if I please could present him with a woodcut or pictures for the 1400 word article, possibly a 2 page feature, in the international magazine. There was no payment, only a by-line, but hey, this was a great opportunity! I was thrilled, but faced a terrible dead-line: I had only 1 day!

Frenzied research gave me the additional information and I managed to send the article in time. Got a “Thank you, I got it,” and that was all.

The article I sweat on was never published, and my ‘pay’ consisted of a nasty migraine the day after. This experience taught me that I should be ready to deliver the goods and ask myself beforehand if I would be ready (and willing to spend my precious time) to go the ‘extra mile’ if the editors should ask me.

So much for ‘boldness’ towards editors!
Writing the article was good exercise and I also learned a lot of things I dind’t know about that time period. But I could have done the same in a different way, without the anxiety/stress related migraine, by which I lost another writing day.

Looking back, I knew that this ‘urgent’ opportunity (at least, that’s how I saw it) had pushed away the ‘important’ ones that needed to be tackled too.
My priorities had been all wrong, and what might have worked for someone else, for me had been a disaster – I can’t handle too many jobs at once, that’s too stressful.

Kristi Holl writes in her book “First Aid for Writers” that different personalities need different working styles. She advises us to slow down and get more done, get ourselves out of the time pressure trap and invent our own rules, based on what we feel works for us, not what works for others. We should find and create our own natural writing rhythm that works for us!
Great advice to follow!

Got what I wished for

2009-02-13T10:50:00.001+02:00

The year 2009 began with many surprises, and seemingly God wanted me to write more about our ‘children’s ministry’, as several doors opened ~ an anthology was interested in our story, a new e-zine approached me, and I was a bit frustrated that all those good things, forced me to put my new novel on hold. I was stuck at chapter 5.

Grumbling about my lack of time, and longing for more writing time, I finally had made peace with my ‘lot’, and accept the fact that God had called me to be a foster mum of special needs children first, and then a writer.

And then February 4 arrived and our world came to a complete standstill when our precious 14 year old foster son Na’il died very suddenly.
I’ve created a special page on my website in his memory and also a blog called “Celebrating Life”.

I had my wish – more time to write, but at a great loss.
My novel is still on hold, and I’ve decided to use this time of mourning to channel my grief through the stories, articles and devotions I’m planning to write.
My prayer is that it may be a comfort, encouragement and blessing for others to read. In writing about our special boy, I continue to share the blessing that he was to us and those who met him.

Getting on with Life

2009-02-11T12:49:00.001+02:00

It’s exactly a week ago now that we had to say goodbye to Na’il and yesterday was the last day of the so-called ‘shiva’, the seven days of mourning.
Here we were: a Christian couple, sitting a (Jewish) shiva, for a Muslim boy ~ that’s our family in a nutshell.
What a blessing this shiva was for us: the outpouring of love, comfort and encouragement from so many friends, neighbors and acquaintances was overwhelming, and it really helped us to process our grief. We experienced the wisdom of this Jewish ritual, which we also read about in the book of Job.

Kristi Holl, in “Writer’s First Aid” mentions how important writing is for our health. I feel privileged to be able to express my feelings through the written word, and decided to use the website as a platform to write about our special boy, and file the stories in a Blog called: celebrating a life.

Kristi writes at the end of the chapter called “Beauty for Ashes”,
“But something extraordinary happens to us when sharing our personal hurts also helps heal someone else’s pain.”
That is my prayer too.

Links: Blog Na’il: http://nailtheacquirer.blogspot.com
Website: http://christinaboerma.com/christinaboerma

Grieving a Loss, Celebrating a Life

2009-02-07T11:59:00.003+02:00

Our 14 year old foster son Na’il had been suffering from the flu, and when I visited the paediatrician that Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2009, at 3.30 p.m. she checked him and didn’t see anything suspicious, except for the usual flu symptoms of a high fever.
Around 9.30 p.m. I noticed his breathing became laboured, and his belly was huge and felt like a stone. Something was wrong.

During the drive to the hospital he sat up in his stroller and I think he realized we were going to his favourite place, but he was too busy trying to breathe. After dropping us off at the hospital Wim returned home, because we couldn’t leave Nadia alone.

At the First Aid of the Hadassah hospital in Ein Kerem we soon were directed to an intensive care corner were his health quickly deteriorated. I entered a living nightmare.
While trying to insert a tube into his stomach, Na’il stopped breathing. The anaesthesiologist intubated him and put him on a respirator, while several nurses and 2 doctors tried to stabilize him. Many sick children had to be admitted, and they had to ask for additional staff from the adult department to help out on the children’s First Aid department.

Nobody knew for sure what was causing this deterioration except that his belly was full of air. Normally, parents are not allowed to stay near when medical staff works on the child, but because they knew I was a nurse, I was able to stay with him and be ‘part of the team’.
In order to have a C.T. made, they first had to stabilize his blood pressure, which was almost impossible to measure. I saw the colour of his legs and in my heart knew we were fighting a lost battle.

The C.T. showed that all the major organs were surrounded by air, which also closed off the blood circulation to his kidneys and legs. Still, nobody knew what caused the air in his abdomen, for there were no signs of a perforation.

Na’il’s biological father, Chassan, arrived at the same time as the paediatric surgeon, who drove especially to the hospital in the middle of the night. One look at the little boy and the surgeon sadly shook his head. He told us Na’il was going to die, but there might be a chance of 1% that an operation could bring relief. However, he warned us Na’il might die during the operation.
Chassan wanted to take that 1% chance of a miracle, but I knew in my heart it was already too late for our Na’il.

Wednesday morning at 4 a.m. he went into Theatre, while Chassan and I anxiously waited in the empty waiting room near the Operating rooms for the world to wake up.
6 a.m. An exhausted surgeon told us that he had not been able to do anything to help Na’il. The necrosis of his small intestine, probably caused by a blood-clot, had caused the air in his belly. For an hour the surgeon had tried to close the wound, without success – the swollen mass could not be put back into the belly. Na’il had survived the operation, but we had to wait and see if he would be stable enough to be transferred to the ICCU of the children’s ward.
The hospital woke up, the morning shifts began to arrive, and we waited for news about our precious Na’il.

Wim arrived at 8 a.m. with the news that Na’il already had been transferred to the children’s ward. With the changing of the shifts they had forgotten us in the waiting room.
Paediatric surgery on the 4th floor of the children’s wing always had been Na’il’s most favourite place. He had been there during several operations, and now he was back, without realizing it.
Chassan, Wim and I were ushered into a room, where two doctors, a social worker, the head nurse and two other staff patiently permitted us to ask questions, listen to our stories, and prepared us for having to say good-bye to a dying boy.

Hooked up to even more wires, tubes and drains, Na’il’s face had already the colour of death. His blood pressure was almost gone, his pulse very low. Two of Chassan’s brothers cried at Na’il’s bedside, while I sat next to him, stroking his face, his short cropped hair, kissing his already cold forehead, his closed eyes, his beautiful formed ear that never heard, trying to imprint all his beloved features before it was no longer possible.

9.30 a.m. The doctor and a nurse approached the monitor near the bed and said: “Time of death: 9.30”, and turned off the ventilator. Due to that machine we even had not realised he had been gone from us.
Our beloved Na’il’s soul had gone to heaven, welcomed in the waiting arms of our Heavenly Father. Now he was free from his broken body, which he had left behind in the bed. We tried to picture him running and laughing and talking! And then looked at the white, still figure in the bed and cried. It was such a privilege for me to be able to help the nurse wash and clean our little boy, one last time. And then, after one last kiss, the body bag was closed, and I was never able to kiss and hug or look after our 17 kilo, precious little boy any more.
He had died in his most favourite ward!

Chassan had to make all the funeral arrangements, which was quite a hassle. In Israel, both Jews and Muslims bury their dead within 24 hours. Chassan had to get a special permit from the Ministry of Health to take the body to the Mosque on the Temple Mount. Women are not allowed during Muslim funerals, and because Chassan couldn’t say what time it would be, and Wim would never be able to find the place in the Old City of Jerusalem, we decided to let it be.

12.00 noon we arrived home exhausted, with a stroller, bags, and no child.
Fahima already knew and planned to come home as soon as possible, Nadia we had to tell when she arrived home from work. The social worker from the Fostering Agency arrived and gave us comfort and practical help, and e-mails from all over the world began to pour in, in response to Wim’s news and updates. Our neighbour doctor left his medical practice for an hour to comfort us in our grief.

Even though we’re not Jewish, we decided to have a 7 day mourning period, the so-called “Shiva”, which starts after the funeral.
At 4 p.m. Chassan called us that Na’il was buried in the family grave behind the Temple Mount, opposite the Mount of Olives. It’s in an area near the Golden Gate, where one day, Messiah will enter!

Today, Shabbat, is the 4th day of the Shiva. Many people already have come to visit us, to share our grief. We expect many more visitors in the days ahead. It’s such a blessing and comfort to know how much our little boy was loved by those who knew and worked with him. And what a blessing and example his life was for so many people!

For now, we are still struggling as we try to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss. The precious memories and the love of so many sustain us, also the knowledge he’s in the best place ~ heaven!

The picture at the top was taken exactly one week ago, last Shabbat. Na’il loved the print-out and had been tapping enthusiastically with his big toe on my face. (He couldn’t use his arms, due to his contractures). The glorious smile that lit up his face was such a joy to behold. I will treasure that memory forever!

Too many good things, too little time!

2009-01-26T10:07:00.001+02:00

It was a joyous birthday present: Cross and Quill, the hard-copy Newsletter from the Christian Writers Fellowship International, e-mailed me that they wanted to use both (!) articles I sent them in November 2008. One article, “For the Love of History” is about writing Historical fiction; the other a 400 words, edited version of an article about Writer’s Software that was published on the Website of the Long Ridge Writers Group. The news surely made my day!

I sent in a column proposal to the Jerusalem Post Christian edition. Thought they could use some history pieces about Israel and the Jewish people and sent in a few sample stories that I had re-written from the radio pieces. The editor turned the table on me and wrote back the same day that he was interested in a certain article, but could I flesh out some more info and give it a broader scope. The deadline for the article was within 2 days, and I had only one day to get it done. Still waiting if it will be published or not, but I decided not to do this kind of ‘stunt’s again. I’m can’t handle the stress that is involved.

JournEzine, who has published one of my biblical stories, sent their new Submission guidelines. On their page I noticed an advertisement calling for stories for an anthology called “Echoes of White”. Deadline: February 2009! Because I already had a general story ready, I sent in a short version to give them an idea. The same day I received a very enthusiastic reply: please, please, please! Send your story! Writing our life’s story and seeing how God’s mighty hand guided each step of the way, was already such an encouragement to me. But also the editor of the anthology was also touched, and wrote she recognized so much from her own life! She surely wanted to have the story included in the book!

A private message waited for me in the FaithWriters postbox. After reading my profile, the editor of an e-zine called “The More Excellent Way” wondered if I would be willing to be one of the contributors. I sent in an example of one of the articles I had written about the children, and wait and see what happens next.

Don’t know where this all is going to lead, but I have the feeling God is beginning to open the doors – unbelievable! The only problem is that my next book is on hold, as I first have to get the Dutch MS ready to be sent to a publisher. The English version of “First Fruits in Jerusalem” is waiting to be read at SunPenny Publishing. I still can’t believe it I wrote that!

In the meantime, I stumbled upon another wonderful network: “Christian Women Take Root”. Check it out for yourself – a wonderful opportunity to bless and encourage others, even when you’re often ‘stuck’ at home, like me. My problem now is that I have to ‘guard’ my hours even more, as these networks are wonderful, but can also keep you from using it for other, important tasks. Like getting that article ready, with a deadline breathing in your neck!

Writing a novel is hard work

2008-08-12T20:25:00.000+03:00

… but also lots of fun.
My first Historical/Biblical novel consisted of 78,000 words, and was written in 4 months. Don’t bother to look for it, it needs a lot more revisions!

I know that now, because I just finished the Novel Course from my favorite organization - the Long Ridge Writers Group.
The second novel was written simultaneously with the Course, which promised to have 3 complete chapters ready by the 8th assignment.
My wonderful teacher, Mary Rosenblum, gave me free reign, and therefore I was able to finish the complete book – 120,000 words.
Now, THIS is a manuscript that will be revised till it’s ready to be sent out to an agent.
This book is about Huram-Avi, the skilled craftsman from Sur (Tyre) who is called to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Solomon’s Temple.
I started doing serious research for the story in February 2008, wrote the first chapter around the end of that month, and typed “THE END” in the third week of July this year. Pffff! At least it was out off my system.

The next step was to let it “cool down”, begin major (!) revisions and find people willing to “critique” the manuscript.

God is so good!
I’m blessed with three people willing to read the chapters and give me feedback – “critique” is positive, constructive feedback, to help make the book stronger.

I’m waiting for my second diploma to arrive and will post a picture of yours truly, with my “trophy”.

In the meantime, I’m debating whether to start revising the first novel (the blundering attempt) or start researching the other one that’s cooking in my mind. Ah! The wonderful, creative writer’s life. Never a dull moment!

FINISHED!

2008-07-23T10:56:00.001+03:00

It was Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 that I was able to type “THE END”.
It was finished, the first draft of my novel about Huram-Avi, the artist from Sur (Tyre) who was sent to Jerusalem to create the bronze objects for Shlomo (Solomon’s) Holy Temple.

It was such a wonderful feeling, to have it finally “out of my system”.

The first finished draft contains 120,000 words in 29 chapters. I began seriously researching in February 2008, wrote the first chapter the end of February, and finished 5 months later.
I did it, but know that it wasn’t my doing for…
It was God Who put the story in my heart
Mary Rosenblum, my wonderful teacher, taught me to write strong prose
And again it was the Lord who gave me the desire, will and stamina to work hard and get it all on paper.

But this isn’t it. More work needs to be done. Tons of work!
I have to let it rest for a while, begin another book in the meantime, then return to the manuscript and revise, revise, revise. Then have to find some people willing to proofread a historical novel, do some more revisions, and when it’s finally presentable, the long, arduous journey begins of finding a literary agent willing to present me.

I have to trust the Lord to open the doors, for it’s quite a jungle out there.

We’ll see. First I’ll take another, very critical look at the manuscript of the “Eliyahu and the widow of Zarephat”, for I’m sure that, after this novel course that is almost finished by now, there will be more revisions on the way…. Sigh. A writer’s life isn’t easy.
But how I love it!

Persevere!

2007-06-25T09:41:00.001+03:00

After the good news of my first sale, I told the the Web-editor she had made my day/week with that wonderful news. She wrote back I was to persevere, and are going to start selling regularly. "Trust me," she said, "I'm not just saying nice things to you.:)"

My First Sale!

2007-06-25T09:22:00.000+03:00

The E-Newsletter from Long Ridge has lots of interesting and helpful articles for writers, but I noticed a gap in the market - there were no articles about health and writing. So, I gave it a try, and wrote an article about the dangers of computer related injuries. Lo and behold - this was the reply:
"Lovely article, dear! Here's the contract! I'll be posting it at the end of July/early August. Thanks! Mary."
My first sale! Wow!

A diploma!

2007-06-25T08:46:00.001+03:00

The promised diploma from the Long Ridge Writers group arrived in the mail. Wow!

"In recognition of successful completion of the requisite Course of Study BREAKING INTO PRINT, a professional program of instruction in writing articles and short stories for publication and on nomination by its Faculty
Petra C. van der Zande is hereby awarded this Diploma."

This course was worth seven College Credits, which I don't need, but still nice to know!

And... as a P.S. was written that Mary (my teacher) has recommended me for the new advanced NOVEL writing program. They will let me know within the coming three months if I'm accepted.