After a good night of sleep, we awakened to a beautiful day in Haifa. Such a beautiful city, with a large harbor less than a mile from our hostel. For those who have been to Israel with me, you may remember the quaint little hotel in the German Colony in which we stayed (just down the hill from the Baha’i Temple). Our accommodations this time were just around the corner, so I was excited to be back in the German Colony. We started our day with wonderful egg and salmon breakfast sandwiches at Aroma, Israel’s famous coffee shop chain.

A hearty breakfast prepared us for hours of gardening work and cleaning up a very cute courtyard area. We were guests at the Bethel Pilgrims Hospitality Home associated with Bethel Bible Community), and home to Bethel Women’s Shelter. Because most current residents of the women’s shelter are not English-speaking, communication was a barrier, so we turned our attention to the courtyard project.

Our hosts, Maxim and Karina, were wonderful and so very gracious. During a break in our work, Karina explained the history of the hostel. Originally the building was purchased from the Germans and made into an orphanage. But because those who ran the orphanage were evangelical Christians, the government didn’t take well to the evangelization of children (which is still illegal in Israel) and shut the place down. Later, the property became a men’s rehabilitation home. Maxim brought drug-addicted men into the facility to help free them from drug use by caring for them and providing spiritual guidance. One of the men who was freed from addition and gave his life to the Lord is now a worker at the facility.

During Covid there was a larger need for women’s shelters than for men’s rehab, so the facility was converted to a shelter, serving the needs of woman with difficulties ranging from new immigrants to those escaping abusive situations to those who simply don’t have the means to support themselves. The Word of God is taught and the love of Jesus is shared. Many come to saving faith in Jesus!

Maxim is of Russian descent and pastors a Russian-speaking church on site at Bethel. His journey is an interesting one. He carried his strong Christianity into the judo world and became a world class judoka. (If you follow judo at all, you know Israel is very strong and prominent in the judo world!) Max medaled at major competitions until elbow and knee injuries sidelined him. Because all Israelis serve in the IDF, his injuries prevented him from certain positions and he happens to be a chef, so he spent his military career in the kitchen preparing fabulous meals for his fellow soldiers.

Max prepared mid-afternoon lunch of homemade chicken soup, complete with cilantro, lemon and other goodies on top. It was wonderful!

Meanwhile, I was able to spend quality time with Karina. A soft-hearted Moldovian-born Israeli, Karina was insistent on blessing us with gifts. Israeli hospitality is second to none, and Kristina embodies that sweet spirit!

I’m not sure who blessed who, but it was a wonderful time at a wonderful place!

We have now transitioned to the Galilee area where we will work with Pastor Israel Iluz and Congregation Kiryat Shmona in preparing and providing lunch to those in an Israeli city that was hit with missile fire from Hezbollah several months ago. Things are quiet there now, but the city is still evacuated. We will be serving those few who are working in Kiryat Shmona to repair the city, and IDF soldiers coming in from Lebanon.

As always, thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Please pray also for the delivery of the lost luggage!

(For those tuned into detail, though today’s header says “Day 3,” the next one will say “Day 5.” The headers were prepared before the lost day of the trip, so this will be the adjustment that keeps headers relevant!)