Israel Trip Wrap-up 2/23

Thank you all so much for your loving support while I was in the Land flowing with milk and honey.    I had an unforgettable, life-changing time in Israel and am very thankful to have had the opportunity to encounter God in new ways, to experience His Land, and the many beautiful people of that Land.  It was an honor and privelege to worship the One Who alone is worthy of all praise in the very heart of the earth, the place to which He will retrurn when He comes for the second time. 

The photos above – Me talking to an American born Jewish man on the street, me at the Sea of Galilee, a woman at our Jericho meeting who reportedly died during childbirth, encountered Jesus, and was restored to life, a time of worship in a home in Bethlehem with the Living Bread Team, the wall separating Bethlehem from Israel, an Arab family in Bethlehem.

I met so many amazing people from all over the world and was surprised at how many of the Believer’s I connected with are well acquainted with and very fond of IHOP-KC.  That was fun.  One precious young lady and her friend will be visiting IHOP-KC in March and she will stay in the home where I now live.  I met people from the U.S., Canada, Italy, Zambia, Ethiopia, Australia, Russia, France, Sweden, Poland, Norway, etc. 

A beautiful sister who prayed for me before I left the U.S., shared that she saw me with a large basket of bread in my arms and I was handing out bread to children around me.  She felt that I would be leaving a rich deposit in the Land.  That was one of my many prayers while I was there, and I do hope I was able to make an eternal impact in that special place. 

During my last days in Israel, I ventured out some on my own around the City.  I was able to spend some time alone, just walking and taking in the sights, sounds, tastes and everything else that I could absorb. 

I got to know many of the other volunteers who have been serving with for some time, along with those who came to serve at Living Bread for the month of January.  That was a joy.  We all enjoyed time together, meals at Foccacia Bar, sunshine on the roof, talks about Jesus and His wondrous nature, and meeting others in the Land during our last week together.  One precious lady from Rome invited me to her home in Italy.  The Lord knit our hearts during the short time we were together and hopefully we will be able to spend more time together in the future. 

During my last week in Israel, we traveled to Bethlehem to worship and pray in a place Living Bread rents there,and visit with the family who lives downstairs.  Later in the day manhy of us found our way by walking along one section of the walled city, until we found our way to Rachel’s tomb.  That was an interesting venture interesting. 

There we met and conversed with a Druze Israeli soldier.  He was a very warm, kind man and we found him to be very helpful.  As so many of the Arabs do, he invited us to his home in Haifa and gave us his contact information.

Sorry again for the unprofessional formatting when it comes to posting photos.  Haven’t got it down quite yet. 

The 22 hour trip home (flights and airport time) went very well.  I “flew” through Israeli security, for which I am most grateful.  I ended up being awake for about 48 hours and am still recouping. 

I flew back to Colorado Springs where I was able to spend time with friends and family for a few days prior to heading back to KC.  Am now back at work and ready to step into a new role helping a new gentleman who joined the IHOP staff recently.  This will be a temporary assignment - I will be helping him with annual business planning / budgets for 60 plus departments.  Should be fun.

Thanks for joining me on my trip.  Blessings to you all. 

Love, Val