Joppa - Not Just Southern Tel Aviv

I went to Joppa last week, which is the city exactly south of Tel Aviv. I'm moving to Tel Aviv in 4 weeks, so it was nice to get another view of where I'll be living:

Joppa also happens to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) continuously populated city in the world. There is evidence of many different kingdoms ruling over Joppa, including an Egyptian arch. Joppa is the port city from which Jonah tried to flee to Tarshish. Peter was in Joppa when he had a vision of a sheet descending from heaven full of animals.

So, it is kind of a historical city - as these guys like to point out.

It's also a nice city in which one can enjoy tamarind juice (a drink introduced during the Ottoman Empire) and waves (a joy introduced by God that has been delighting and soaking people since forever).

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Last week I got to walk through a 533-meter-long, nearly 3000-year-old, tunnel; Hezekiah's tunnel.

It is believed that this tunnel is the one mentioned in 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20. Diggers (probably using stone tools) started digging from either side. Miraculously, and truly it is a miracle, they met in the middle. They still can't really explain how they were able to meet in the middle instead of missing each other.

When I lived here before I never visited this tunnel. I was admonished by my dad afterwards because this was one of his favorite attractions in Israel. So, to make up for my oversight years ago, I went twice in one week. I went once on an official tour so that I could learn about it.

Then a few days later I went with the family that I'm staying with and acted as tour guide for them!

There were some nerves at first but everyone really enjoyed it in the end!

Father Benjamin?

If someone were to describe my family they would likely mention our love for these two things: Israel and wolves.

Even as adults all of us kids feel a close tie to Israel and wolves. Three of my siblings even have part wolves as pets.

Since being in Israel these last several months I've discovered that the tribe of Benjamin can be represented by a wolf!

This has led me to the conclusion that my family is very possibly descended from Benjamin. The love of wolves and the land of Israel has been passed down from generation to generation in our DNA! (or at least, I kind of hope that this is the case...)

Friends, Windmills, and More

What should one do if their visa is about to expire and they need to leave the country?

Visit friends in The Netherlands, of course!

I worked with the Kamphuis family in Tanzania for nearly six years and I was really glad when I realized that their furlough in The Netherlands coincided with my need to leave Israel for a bit.

My goals for the trip were as follows:

1. See the Kamphuises - CHECK

2. See windmills - CHECK

3. Eat and buy cheese - DOUBLE CHECK

4. Have Joppiesauce - CHECK
(This is a Dutch dip that a few colleagues in Musoma and I became a bit obsessed with long before we ever tried it).

5. Use the Dutch that I've been studying in Duolingo for nearly two years - check?
(I failed at ordering "poffertjes" but I succeeded in laughing at the appropriate time for a couple of jokes).

It was a successful trip and a perfect get-away with friends.

Oh, I also tried herring - slimy, yet satisfying!

Hillsong in Israel

Have you ever gone to a worship concert in a 2000+ year old amphitheater?

Well, now I can say that I have. In Caesarea there is an amphitheater that was used by Herod and Pontius Pilot. Behind the amphitheater, now mostly covered in water, was the palace where the apostle Paul was likely held for 2 years before being sent on to Rome.

It was honestly one of the most surreal experiences. I was sitting in rebuilt Roman ruins listening to a modern worship concert by Hillsong United. The amphitheater was full of people from around the world, native speakers of many different languages, all singing together.

It was surreal and beautiful.