I Like Uriel. Steve Martin, Love For His People

Moving into our Jerusalem apartment, provided by Christian Friends of Israel during our three-month volunteer service here, there were just a few things I wanted to supply, after the first two days of getting settled in.

I needed a few extension cords. They made the list.

Getting off each Friday at 1:30 pm from the office works for me. I wasted no time trying to beat the Shabbat (Saturday) rush to the corner pharmacy and then squeeze into the light rail train on Jaffa Street with everyone else on their way to the shuk (open market) or other critical last-minute stops.

I had Laurie stay home today because her ankle, broken 7 weeks ago while on our Charlotte, NC area neighborhood home pond path when she fell, was still swelling up. Her mission service the day before at CFI, helping to prepare the 25 staff/volunteer crew lunch with Elisabeth from Germany, meant she was on her feet in the kitchen most of the 7.5 hours of work.

The shuk was crazy! I had heard it many times before “not go to the shuk” on Erev Shabbat (afternoon/evening before) but “seeing is believing” certainly was applicable in this case. 

But I enjoyed it! Seeing everyone, young and old, filling their grocery bags or carts with fresh challah bread, colorful fruit beyond measure, beautiful flowers for the good wife, and certainly some candy (chocolate!) for the kids…I loved it in fact.

What I didn’t find though were the extension cords.

”Across the street,” an older man said to me, who was also standing at the counter, when I asked the shop attendant, still pondering to himself when I had asked in English, “Where can I find…”

So across Jaffa and the train tracks I went. There was the hardware store in the place so accurately told. Unlike Home Depot, but if they had extension cords, it would fit the bill. (Midwest USA saying?)

”What size do you want?” asked Uriel, after also asking him his name. Uriel Zada, owner in fact, was about 45 I guessed.

“This long” I replied, in my best English, stretching out my hands.

I ended up getting a 20 meter (feet?) and a 10 meter, just in case the good wife needed one too.

And…when he saw the white plastic cutting board in one bag I had, which Laurie had on her list, Uriel, with a big smile, explained the hazards of it and swapped it out for his metal one. Plus a bit more in price. 

And of course I bought another size, just in case the wife later would tell me, “I actually wanted that size.” (I am a smart, wise man. Having been married 48 years thus far tends to do that. If you are wise.)

I like Uriel. I like his smile. I like the Jewish people. I like Jerusalem.

I love the Living God of Israel who has brought them back to their Land, as the Bible prophets spoke centuries ago, for this time. As a Christian who believes the full Bible, we are here supporting and blessing them.

“Behold, He who watches over Israel never slumbers nor sleeps.” (Psalm 121:4, NASB)

”This is what the Lord God says: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My flag to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.” (Isaiah 49:2 NASB)

Ahava and Shalom, Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry - Jerusalem, Israel



Ariel Zada, Jerusalem hardware shop owner

The shuk (outdoor market) on Friday afternoon. The Hebrew name is Mahane Yehuda.