A Tuesday Evening Entry
Shalom mYerushalayim (Peace from Israel),
Today (Tuesday) marks the end of the third day of the week. It's strange, because at home Wedenesday is the half-way point of the week. Needless to say, I definately feel like a half-week has gone by. I'm feeling more and more at home here, although there are still moments when I ask myself why I decided to travel hal-way around the world. If it weren't a near-miracle that I am here in the first place, it would be a lot more difficult. As it is, I know for certain this is where God wants me to be.
My diet has changed significantly since I've been here. My typical day starts off with some fruit (bought incredibly cheap around here) and oatmeal (not so cheap around here). Around 10:00 am, the time we have a break from our Ulpan, I get a hoagie sandwich from the deli. costing around two dollars, I feel incredibly Israeli eating this delightful sandwich of soft cheese and fresh vegetables. Since the deli I buy it from is kosher, though, they don't have anything meaty (Kosher laws forbid the contact of meat and dairy products- see Ex. 23:19). For lunch, I'll eat whatever I have lying around my room (humus, pita, bread, fruit, veggies, chocolate spread, cheese). Then for dinner, I've had a lot of felafel. My diet changes a little bit if a go out to eat, but it basically remains without much meat, full of fruits and veggies, and without much processed foods. It will be a wonder if I don't come back the healthiest I've ever been.
My classes are going well- as I mentioned earlier, the material is mostly review, but I am beginning to pick up the language a little bit. I'm pretty quiet in class- justifying my small desire for conversation in Hebrew with the fact that I am a biblical literature scholar. I look at the texts, not the modern conversations. I'm sure I'll pick up both the written and spoken word with time, though.
My Christian identity has become something that I've been thinking a lot about here. Christ is what sets me apart here spiritually, emotionally, and culturally. I find myself clinging to my faith in Him, recognizing that He is Lord, Savior, and above everything else. I've known this much of my life, but it's becoming more and more real to me as I spend time in a place that doesn't recognize Christian faith. I feel like I want to wear a giant cross around my neck to let everyone know that I am a beliver in Yeshua haMeshiah- Jesus Christ- and that they (and the entire nation of Israel) too, can have a personal relationship with God through His Son. There have been a lot of opportunities for me to share my faith, and I'm confident that there will be many more in the upcoming months.
I'm almost positive I saw some Apostolics in the Arab markets the other day. I heard there is a community of them here, but I also heard they speak Serbian. I almost approached them, but I have no idea what we would have talked about (I know no Serbian, they probably knew no English or Hebrew). I regret not approaching them now. If I see some ACers again, I should be able to communicate the name "Samuel Froehlich," right? Ah well- I've considered carrying my Zion's Harp around with me too, just in case.
Talking about the AC Church, many of the Orthodox Jewish girls here wear long skirts like the ladies in the Sister church do. Most wear full head coverings though, with hair entirely wrapped up to prevent the peaking eyes of jealous fellows. I think the modest girls are the prettiest. There are a lot of cultural similarities, I've found, between conservative Christians and conservative Jews (in practices of holiness and dress, at least).
Well, I'll be going. All the best and Layla Tov (Good Evening),
Jason
Today (Tuesday) marks the end of the third day of the week. It's strange, because at home Wedenesday is the half-way point of the week. Needless to say, I definately feel like a half-week has gone by. I'm feeling more and more at home here, although there are still moments when I ask myself why I decided to travel hal-way around the world. If it weren't a near-miracle that I am here in the first place, it would be a lot more difficult. As it is, I know for certain this is where God wants me to be.
My diet has changed significantly since I've been here. My typical day starts off with some fruit (bought incredibly cheap around here) and oatmeal (not so cheap around here). Around 10:00 am, the time we have a break from our Ulpan, I get a hoagie sandwich from the deli. costing around two dollars, I feel incredibly Israeli eating this delightful sandwich of soft cheese and fresh vegetables. Since the deli I buy it from is kosher, though, they don't have anything meaty (Kosher laws forbid the contact of meat and dairy products- see Ex. 23:19). For lunch, I'll eat whatever I have lying around my room (humus, pita, bread, fruit, veggies, chocolate spread, cheese). Then for dinner, I've had a lot of felafel. My diet changes a little bit if a go out to eat, but it basically remains without much meat, full of fruits and veggies, and without much processed foods. It will be a wonder if I don't come back the healthiest I've ever been.
My classes are going well- as I mentioned earlier, the material is mostly review, but I am beginning to pick up the language a little bit. I'm pretty quiet in class- justifying my small desire for conversation in Hebrew with the fact that I am a biblical literature scholar. I look at the texts, not the modern conversations. I'm sure I'll pick up both the written and spoken word with time, though.
My Christian identity has become something that I've been thinking a lot about here. Christ is what sets me apart here spiritually, emotionally, and culturally. I find myself clinging to my faith in Him, recognizing that He is Lord, Savior, and above everything else. I've known this much of my life, but it's becoming more and more real to me as I spend time in a place that doesn't recognize Christian faith. I feel like I want to wear a giant cross around my neck to let everyone know that I am a beliver in Yeshua haMeshiah- Jesus Christ- and that they (and the entire nation of Israel) too, can have a personal relationship with God through His Son. There have been a lot of opportunities for me to share my faith, and I'm confident that there will be many more in the upcoming months.
I'm almost positive I saw some Apostolics in the Arab markets the other day. I heard there is a community of them here, but I also heard they speak Serbian. I almost approached them, but I have no idea what we would have talked about (I know no Serbian, they probably knew no English or Hebrew). I regret not approaching them now. If I see some ACers again, I should be able to communicate the name "Samuel Froehlich," right? Ah well- I've considered carrying my Zion's Harp around with me too, just in case.
Talking about the AC Church, many of the Orthodox Jewish girls here wear long skirts like the ladies in the Sister church do. Most wear full head coverings though, with hair entirely wrapped up to prevent the peaking eyes of jealous fellows. I think the modest girls are the prettiest. There are a lot of cultural similarities, I've found, between conservative Christians and conservative Jews (in practices of holiness and dress, at least).
Well, I'll be going. All the best and Layla Tov (Good Evening),
Jason
posted by Jason | 9:03 AM
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