Monday, May 1, 2017

Jerusalem Log #2 - Monday 7 p.m. 05.01.17 - Steve Martin

Jerusalem Log Monday p.m. 05.01.17
Jerusalem, Israel
#2

Greetings once again from Jerusalem!

My first full day back in the Land. This Monday it was Memorial Day, with the sirens going off all over the country at 11 am, causing the Jewish people to stop everything (driving included) in honor of the memory of fallen soldiers. It was awesome being right in the heart of Jerusalem and seeing Jaffa Street totally shut down, with people, trains, buses and all stopped, remembering their friends and fallen. Everyone in Israel has lost a close one over these 69 years.

And tonight at sundown begins Independence Day, when the annual celebration begins!

Bus #74, before it got packed

I began the day getting on the city bus #74 on south Hebron Street, taking it to the Central Bus Station at the end of Jaffa Street, before catching the light train back down Jaffa to Ben Yehuda. (Just for the fun of it.) In between I stopped in at the Distribution Center of Christian Friends of Israel, which has for more than 25 years been helping Jews making Aliyah get settled in Israel. Other projects provide needed humanitarian supplies for IDF soldiers, Holocaust victims, wedding dresses for those lacking funds, and much more.

Visiting shop owner friends on Ben Yehuda is always a joy. David, Dahlia and the Saiden family, owners of two shops, always give me special deals at Golden Jerusalem and David and Dan. I met their father Avraham over 10 years ago when I first walked into his Judaica gift shop. We have been friends ever since.

Dahlia Saiden

My good friend at Shkalim Fashion blesses me as I bless him, filling my hoodie, fleece and t-shirt orders from family and friends.

               Hoodies and t-shirts at the Shkalim Fashion shop on Ben Yehuda

Leaving the shopping center, I made my way to the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, I first walked on the Ramparts, which I had never done. This is a walk on top of the outer wall, formerly used by Jordanian soldiers to fire their guns at Jews prior to the 1967 Six-Day War. This end of May marks the 50th anniversary of when the Jews took back control of their city for good, reclaiming what was theirs in the beginning, when King David made it the capital of Israel.

The Western Wall (Kotel in Hebrew) has always been close to my heart. Last night a Memorial Service was held in its plaza, remembering the fallen soldiers who fought the many wars of defense during these 69 years of present day Israel’s existence.

Memorial Day at the Kotel (Western Wall)

It was good spending the afternoon at the Liberty Bell Park with a family of seven whom our ministry Love For His People has supporting going on seven years now. We are grateful for these relationships, giving us the opportunity to bless Israel and the people.

Until tomorrow…

Ahava (love) and Shalom (peace) from Jerusalem!

Steve Martin
Founder/President

Love For His People

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA