Some Extra Prayers

This is the sunset from out window at the Hadassah Hospital Hotel in Ein Kerem. Ein Kerem is a little valley and village believe to be the place was were Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Mary met one another when both were pregnant. Also believe to be where John the Baptist was born. Its is beautiful and quiet here.

Yesterday we struggled with jet lag throughout the day. We studied in the morning and then visited the International Patient Services. The lady in the office was the first very compassionate person we have come in contact with. It was refreshing. She probably understood a bit of our situation. We also talked with a  private company that help foreigners contact and receive services at Hadassah. Then we came back to the hotel room and fell asleep- again. Its like we are on the opposite time schedule or something. Oh wait, we are. :)
We got up later from our naps than we had hoped, and didn't feel so hot, but decided to go out to eat at one of the neighborhoods we had heard about. It was in what they call the German Colony, originally established by the Germans, but now a very multi-cultural area. The cab driver was very nice and asked us why we were here and after telling him that we would like to move here, he began pointing out neighborhoods that we shouldn't move into and some that we should. When he dropped us off on the main street of the German Colony he told us to call him and he will show us the neighbor he lives in and  others, for free.
We then walked the main street of the German Colony,  Emek Refaim Street. We stopped into the community center. We noticed how many families there were walking together and eating out. It was the first time I saw children out and about. It made me happy. We stopped and ate falafel (they are seriously good) and talked with the family eating next to us about the neighborhood. They said it was nice but too expensive.  Probably true. We grabbed a gelato and then called the cab driver who had dropped us off. This is the crazy awesome part is---His name is Pini. When we got in the cab, Pini, invited us to his home to see an Israel home. We accepted. He drove us through some more neighborhoods and into a quiet little neighborhood where he lived. His is from Iran but has lived here for 30 years. He says he is old, "more than 60", but as you can see in the picture below, he doesn't look very old. 

 He invited us for coffee and tea, but we told him we don't drink them because of our religion. He accepted that and got us some water. He had a nice apartment that he had just finished remodeling.  He introduced us to his son and his niece and the 5 of us sat on the porch and talked for about an hour. They asked us why were here. We explained and they said they too will pray for us. We talked about all the of the small miracles that had brought us here, including the Israel family that rented our home and helped us with some phone calls in Hebrew. Pini's son said, "It is what we call 'casting your bread on the water."He explained that it meant you seek to do good and good will come back to you in one way or another. We talked politics, work, and Israel. I asked a lot of questions about if we moved here. They were so kind and it was so nice to actually talk to those who live here. They told us to walk out of our door with "our right foot first" today when going to our appointment- for good luck. They said they would also be praying for us to be accepted into the trial. We will add the Iranians' prayers to the list. This little experience was a gift to us. It reminded me that we must always open our minds and hearts to those around us. And that no matter the language or form, God hears all of his children's prayers.

Pini's Son, Eyal and Niece, Liat