On Our Way to Drill a Well in Nicaragua

Nicaragua
Drill, Teach Hygiene

Day 1 - Travel to Houston   

Saturday, September 5

Several people asked if we would be posting to a blog while we're in Nicaragua... here 'tis.

We're on our way to Nicaragua to help drill a water well. Phyllis will be teaching hygiene while Greg helps with the well. 7 people total are going, most women - don't know how many will be with Phyllis, and how many drilling.
Overnighting in Houston - usually we get up really early Sunday and fly with just a connection in Houston, but this year Living Water (the organization sponsoring the drilling projects is now putting people up for the night near the airport there.
Phyllis has been on 14 trips and Greg 22 - so it's not new for us. But we've found each missions group we're with is different, and each community we serve is different. So we're looking forward to some surprises!

Please pray for us - that we have a right mind to serve the people in the community, that we stay safe and have an uneventful journey, that we do find water, the community members learn good hygiene practices, and that the community see a reflection of God's grace in what we do.

Here's a map of Nicaragua, and a few pics from our trip to the same area last June.

Sorry the map isn't very detailed. But we're staying in Granada, just South Southeast of the capital, below the 'n' in Managua. We usually drill in a community generally South of Granada.

Drilling crew mixing drilling fluid - 'mud'.

Setting up the drilling rig. We had to move the rig later,
because the ground proved unsuitable.

Phyllis working with a grandmother in the community.

August 1 - Travel to El Salvador tomorrow

Wow this is late. And couldn't even remember my blog address!!! Good thing I don't go on coffee breaks - have to retrain.

Anyway, this is Phyllis and my 3rd trip to El Salvador to help drill water wells, teach hygiene (keep the live chickens off the dinner table, etc.) and demonstrate God's love. But, the first trip where the hotel where we're staying has a web connection. See if I can keep up - the work day's often long, and tiring.

I'll try posting a couple of maps...

And a couple of pics from last May...

Day 10 - 11: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, back home

Oh, what a trip!

We're all back now, still trying to 'process' everything we saw, felt, heard, smelled. That'll take a few days.

On Saturday we drove from Jerusalem (this was the Sabbath, so the Orthodox were home while the Secular were out picnicing, hiking, etc.)...

...first to a hill overlooking Bethlehem and a field perhaps similar to where the shepherds were minding their flock... A Palestinian lady brought her small herd and a lamb, which all the women had to hold, and give a tip to the shepherd lady...

On to Bet Guvrin - some caves in soft limestone/ chalk that had been mined a long time ago. Discovered by a soldier who fell through an opening while on a night exercise.

To the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath. Gathered rocks in a river bed, had the teenagers reenact the rock throwing. (If they'd been Palestinians, would they have been arrested? ) And on to Bet Shemesh, where Samson and Delilah lived. Then to Tel Aviv... mainly in the old section, and in the old sea port of Jaffa. Pretty, small port. And had a Palestinian/ Lebanese meal. Either you loved it (very tasty, lots of different savories, spices, etc.) or hated it (problematic cleanliness - I'd venture to say more in our imagination). No one got sick, that I know of. More depends on what you're used to.

Then back in the sardine can for the overnight flight to Newark. Stand in line after line after line there. And back in a smaller can for the flight to Dallas. HOME! There is no place like it... perhaps Jerusalem, eventually.

Here's the web site for more pics (if you can stay awake for even more...)

http://cid-f4486a935d4a5aa2.photos.live.com/summary.aspx?sa=751499131

Thanks to each of you for bearing with this, and I hope you've enjoyed travelling with the Crossroads group. I don't think there will be any more posts for this series, but if something happens regarding the trip, I'LL BE BACK!!!!

Greg

Day 9: Jerusalem

Day 9, Jerusalem - Model of Jerusalem at Herod’s time, the Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls), Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, the Garden Tomb (and the Place of the Skull).

The Jerusalem model is huge - probably 70’ x 70’. Shows the relationship of the Temple with the other structures in the city - Herod’s palace, Pilate’s palace, the other spots. Doesn’t show where Golgotha would have been - that’s not known for sure. But the model illustrates how the temple dominated the landscape in Jerusalem.

The model is next to the Shrine of the Book, where the Qumran scrolls are housed and copies displayed, and the Aleppo Codex is displayed. Until the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, the oldest Jewish bible known was the Aleppo Codex, written around 1000 AD. For whatever reason, no Torah (Law) or Tanech (whole Old Testament ) older than 1000 yrs is known of, other than the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is interesting that 20 copies of Isaiah were found in Qumran, and one copy is virtually complete. A copy of this is displayed in the Shrine of the Book. (The Aleppo Codex, original, is also displayed. No photography allowed inside here.)

Yad Vashem. I really don’t know what to say about this. Physically, the museum walks you through the prejudices of Christians through the ages, including mass murders especially by the Crusaders. Then through the vicious turn the prejudices took with the Nazis in Germany. Ironically, ‘only’ about 250,000 German Jews were left to kill there. (Roughly half saw ‘the hand writing on the wall’ and escaped). But 3,000,000 in Poland. Almost 1,000,000 in Russia. Another 2,000,000 in the rest of Europe, and some in North Africa. Altogether 6,000,000 people killed. Unfathomable. Yet somehow, out of this absolute horror, something good has come. After 2,000 years of the Diaspora, the Jews have a homeland. Who can doubt God’s hand?

The Garden Tomb. There’s nothing definite saying this was the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, but it fits the description in the gospels. The hillside looks very like a skull, and it’s just outside a 1st century gate (where the Romans would have wanted to display criminals). There was a tomb discovered, in what would have been a garden. It felt right, and it’s in Jerusalem. But He’s not there - He is risen!

Concluded with communion in a chapel on the Garden Tomb grounds. The Nunns (all 5) did an excellent job of readings and explanations from Luke, Mark, and John. Nuns don't usually preach, but this was fine, as long as they don't make a habit of it. (Only the Catholic/parochial graduates are expected to get that. But BOOO anyway!)

No more blogs ‘til we get home. It’s fly time tomorrow! But we do have some sight seeing scheduled - Elah Valley where David slew Goliath, possibly Bet Shemesh, maybe Old Jaffa. We’ll see. I'll write one last blog when we get home.

Greg

Day 8 - Jerusalem

Day 8, Jerusalem - Dome of the Rock / Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, St. Anne’s, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Cardo St., Herodian and Byzantine ruins, the Southern Steps … Information overload.

Up early (6:15) to be on the Temple Mount before it closes… the Muslims, who control the Temple Mount, close it to tourists at 9:00 AM, so you have to be there relatively early. The Temple Mount is a very large area, probably ½ mine one direction and ¼ mile the other. At the South end is El Aqsa (sp?) Mosque, and in the middle is the Dome of the Rock. The Mosque is where worship takes place; the Dome of the Rock is a shrine over Mt. Moriah where Islamic tradition has Mohammed ascending to heaven (temporarily, in a dream) - but he came back. The North end has an Islamic school for what looks like Jr.. High and High Schoolers. The Israelis captured the area in 1967 but gave it back, presumably so the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world wouldn’t declare Jihad to regain one of their holy places back.

We sang in St. Anne’s, a crusaders’ church with amazing acoustics - the others enjoyed singing, and I enjoyed listening. Walked along the Via Dolorosa. No reason to think it was Christ’s actual path, but it’s been the traditional one for a thousand years. Arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher… there have been churches on top of the traditional crucifixion and burial sites since Helena, Constantine’s mother, declared this the place in 325 AD. Lots of icons, statues, candles, incense, and tourists.

During the walk along the Via Dolorosa and from the Christian Quarter to the Jewish Quarter, we walked through the Bazaars (Soqs) or shopping areas… for people used to the Malls of Texas, it was slightly claustrophobic, but interesting nonetheless.

The Jordanians controlled the old city of Jerusalem from 1948 to 1967 and leveled the Jewish Quarter… actually, a good thing for archeologists; they could dig for older ruins. To rebuild, the Israelis built new strructures on pillars, and exposed older, Herodian and Byzantine ruins. Cardo St. was one of these areas - Byzantine.

Had lunch overlooking the Temple Mount. Falafels, salmon.

Last tour stop was the Southern Steps. This was the main entrance to the 2nd Temple, and had been buried when the Temple Mount was destroyed in 70 AD. This area was just reopened a couple of years ago. It was the main public entrance during Jesus’ time; a triple arch entry gate, and a double arch exit gate.

Then, for those who could still walk, some more shopping. Not enough time (or inclination) to revisit the Western (Wailing) Wall.

As I said before, information overload. So much history over nearly 4000 years - the Canaanites originally settled the area, and it may have been the home of Melchizedek (Salem?), the Jews from David to 70 AD, Romans/Byzantines to 800 AD, Muslims/ Crusaders/ Marmalukes/ Turks/ Jordanians/ and, finally, Israelis. And it’s all there, in stone.

Tomorrow, the Holy Land model, Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, Shrine of the Book, and the Garden Tomb (and Golgotha). Short day. (??!!!!!)

I may not upload a picture for today… lots of visuals, but nothing can capture the range of things we’ve seen.

Day 7: Up to Jerusalem

Day 7 - Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, City of David, Jewish Quarter, Western Wall and tunnels, Water Works

The day was too full!!!

We drove from the Dead Sea to the Mount of Olives, bypassing Bethany because it’s a Muslim town which is behind the walls Israel’s built to prevent terrorists from entering Israel. First stop, the top of the Mount of Olives overlooking the Dome of the Rock, the Temple Mount, the Golden Gate, etc. Breathtaking. Down to a garden on the slopes (Gethsemane?) - some very old olive trees, and quieter than the streets. Prayer and lesson time. All this is in the Muslim Quarter, but several Catholic and Eastern/ Greek/ Russian Orthodox churches.

To the Jewish Quarter, and down to the City of David (I thought the City of David was a part of Jerusalem but it’s actually outside the old city, and below the Temple Mount). Down to the water works - a very deep tunnel built by David to provide water when the city was under siege by enemies). To David’s tomb which is also the traditional site of the upper room (under renovation, couldn’t get in).

After dinner, back to the Old City - through metal detectors (memo to self: self, leave pen knife home next time.) Looked at the Western (wailing) Wall - absolutely amazing - Jews praying at the wall - modern, ultra Orthodox, whatever. To the tunnels - originally a support structure to allow the Muslim quarter to be built above. The external Western Wall is only about 75 yards long, but it continues 1/3 of a mile North under the Muslim quarter, and the tunnels follow it there. Back to the hotel at 9:30, and …

…a 6:15 wakeup call to be able to go to the Temple Mount before it closes at 9:00 AM. Then Western Wall (again), Southern steps to the Temple, Via Dolorosa, St. Anne’s Church, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Bethesda (pools), and shopping (unfortunately).

This has got to be the most amazing city in the world, for its confluence of peoples and cultures. All monotheists meet here - Catholics to born - again Christians, ultra orthadox Jews with their ‘funny’ curls, coats, hats, etc. to conservative, reform, and secular Jews, and secular to fundamentalist Muslims. Probably a few radical/ extreme/ terrorist types, too, but I couldn’t spot them. This is God’s city.

Day 6.5 - Leadership

Day 6.5.… a tribute to our leaders
I’ve been describing the places we’ve been but that’s only part of what we’ve been experiencing here. There is truly a sense of getting closer to God - His Word, and what He’s done for us here in the Holy Land.
I wanted to take a break from describing things, and say something about the people who’ve put this trip together. (In no particular order.)
Cinde Keller, the travel agent, has done a wonderful job of coordinating all the travel, from the airlines through the agents here in Israel. She’d done this many time before from Dallas, but had only traveled along once previously. She’s gently and quietly guided us through the hassles of the crowds, getting tickets, bags, etc. As one example, she did a terrific job of getting our overnight bags rerouted when they had to be checked, then the plane delayed in Dallas (without her, I don’t know if we’d even have made the Newark -> Tel Aviv flight. Thanks, Cinde.
Steve has done a wonderful job of teaching, leading, and keeping us going. He’s been our teaching pastor for a while now, and I’ve truly enjoyed and learned a lot from his sermons. But he’s demonstrated a depth of knowledge and understanding here that is truly impressive. His teaching, guidance, and leadership has been spot on, and we all have been very impressed and appreciative. (When he leads another trip Phyllis and I may sign up again, it’s been so enjoyable!) Thanks, Steve.
And Leor. Words cannot express… but I’ll try. Leor has been absolutely amazing. He’s firstly a Christian (born Jewish), so gives us a faith based perspective on the things we see. He has a tremendous depth of knowledge of the history of Israel (from the Canaanites through the Old Testament times, Jesus’ time, and recent Israeli/ Zionist history. He’s given us and extensive background on the Israeli - Palestinian situation (from an Israeli perspective, of course.) He’s been an amateur (semi pro?) archeologist on some of the digs around, so can gives a perspective on how discoveries have been made, what’s significant and what’s not, why they don’t find some articles yet an overabundance of other things. He’s gregarious, and really enjoys the people he’s with. He’s also a part time jeweler, but that’s another matter. Everyone who’s around Leor loves him. His testimony is amazing… see below. Thanks, Leor
Ah, Leor… he’s Jewish, but accepted Christ many years ago. His testimony is too long to describe here, but a summary… he’d become good friends with those at Fellowship Bible Church in Dallas. About 10 years ago, a bacterial infection had attacked and severely damaged his heart, and he needed a new one or he was going to die. By faith, Fellowship decided to bring him to Dallas. One member had excess airline miles, and donated them for the trip. Another was on staff at Southwest Medical Center, and was able to get him into the transplantation program. A wealthy lady from England (separately from Fellowship) had known Leor from earlier trips, heard of his problem, and donated enough money for the transplant. And a heart became available just 10 days after Leor arrived in Dallas. Separately, fortunate coincidences. Together , a God thing.

ps - Remember that tree on top of the tel at Bet Shean? It formed the cover for the album for the musical, 'Jesus Christ, Superstar'.