Among the Weeds

June 24

One great thing about this trip is the service projects we are participating in.  Today we drove up to Kibbutz Nir Am to bless the people that live there.  Before going inside we drove to the edge of the Kibbutz where we could see the Gaza strip about 1 km away from us.  A man told how his 9-year-old daughter is scared to play outside like a normal little girl would.  She had slept under her parent’s bed until 8 years old.  It broke my heart.

As we drove back to the entrance of the Kibbutz, I noticed many memorials.  We were told that there had been 800 bombs hit their kibbutz in the last 8 years.  We met inside a meeting room and got the instructions for the morning.  The man, who knows we are Christians, looked so excited to see so many young people coming to them to do whatever needs to be done.

Among the weeds I was pulling I could hear big boom noises.  Each time I heard it I couldn’t help but stop what I was doing and listen.  We were told everything was fine, but deep down we all knew this was just part of their life, the symphony they unfortunately hear every day.  Later it was confirmed that it was indeed activity that was going on in Gaza. 

Every new area we weeded we were pointed out which bomb shelter we would need to head to in case the alarm goes off that gives you a 15 second warning.  It’s actually enough time considering how many shelters they have.  Can you imagine designing your neighborhood and having to include an extra building for the bombs that may hit? 

It was such a blessing to bless the gardener of the Kibbutz, David.  He looked so happy and excited that he was getting help for his landscape.  The expression on his face was indescribable as we left.  He just got a glimpse of Jesus, His love shining through us to David.  What an honor!

After hours of weeding we met at the swimming pool on their campus.  We were warned right before heading over that the pool was half empty (or full- depending on how you look at it).  Someone must have forgot that we were coming and was emptied the night before.  It ended up being so much fun!  Later we were thanked for our attitudes, most of us jumping in and enjoying what we were given.  How could we complain after experiencing what they go through every day.  It was fun to bring the joy of our salvation on to the Kibbutz… hopefully leaving our mark that reminds them that “Yeshua was here”.