“Coffee In. Coffee Out.” - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Yehuda Hochman with Hannele Pardain 

(CFI-USA 2008 - photo by Steve Martin)

“Coffee In. Coffee Out.”

Yehuda was such an enjoyable Israeli tour guide. When he wasn't speaking Hebrew, Russian, or any of the other four languages he knows, in addition our American English, he would say some quite catchy phrases as he escorted our tour group across the Promised Land.

Having had the privilege and honor of being on three Christian Friends of Israel tours, I truly enjoyed Yehuda Hochman on my last one with CFI. He was the one guiding our "air-conditioned last days camel bus" back in 2008. That camel bus carried 40 men and women on the wonderful excursion.

If you recall that famous picture of the four soldiers standing at the Western Wall in 1967, after recapturing it in the Old City of Jerusalem, from neighboring Jordan, he is the one standing behind the other three more popularly known ones. You rarely hear of him though. At least I hadn’t before that trip.

It wasn't until the last night of that May 2008 travel, when we had our "last supper" (I love the Israeli dinner buffets in the hotels!) that the majority of us only then discovered who he was. When I saw a book with that historic photo on it, and he being asked to autograph it, my curiosity arose even more.

"Why is he signing that book?" I asked Hannele Pardain, USA Director of CFI-USA (or was it Mark DeVito, Chairman of the Board, my roommate?)

When the response was "That is him on the cover", I was disheartened that I didn't buy that poster on that trip, which I could have had him sign.

The title of this Now Think About This edition, "Coffee in coffee out" is one of his most famous sayings I am sure. When the bus made several needed scheduled stops, his words held true. What goes in must come out! Yehuda to this day is a great tour guide. I hope to meet up with him again on one of our trips, and introduce you to him.

The Aroma brand Israeli coffee, with cafes in and around Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beersheva, had outsold Starbuck's drink offerings. Our bus load was one of the reasons.

In November of 2010, after my then 24 year old daughter Christen walked down the aisle, and joined in holy matrimony to Andrew Blade (I got the honor of being both father and minister!), Love For His People started doing our annual Ahava Adventures trip to Yeretz Israel (Land of Israel.)

Primarily meant to connect our travelers with believers in Israel, we limit the numbers who go with us to just a few at a time. Because going in some sections where  "no tour bus has gone before", on foot, bus or train, enables us to touch the land and people in a more impacting way for each life. We do a lot of walking in the capital city of Jerusalem, where we spend most of our time. It is also a joy to have special meals with friends, building on those relationships established over the decade.

Whether you go on any number of wonderful annual Israel tours, with Hannele Pardain of CFI-USA, Cathy Hargett with Highway To Zion, Jonathan Bernis of Jewish Voice, Barry Segal’s Roots & Reflections travel delight with Vision for Israel, Myles and Katherine Weiss with Zola Levitt Ministries, Peter Wyns and Christians For Messiah Ministries, or on our special Ahava Adventures with Love For His People – plan on going to Israel soon, for a life changing experience! Walk where Yeshua (Jesus) walked, and on those places that you know from the Bible.

For your own spiritual and uplifting good, and to especially show your support for our only true friends in the Middle East – the good people of Israel – make it one of your life priority goals to go. As it is said, “You will never be the same again.”

Blessings will be on ye heads,

Steve Martin

Love For His People, Ahava Adventures

P.S. My 5^th book in progress, Now Think On This – The Inspiration Continues, will feature many photos of that Israel tour. I am planning on an early 2014 summer release date.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share this Now Think On This with your friends.