GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

We had our School of Ministry (SOM) No.30 'graduation' ceremony yesterday night. It has been an amazing time here, and it feels so very different to be here. It is the Lord's land and God has always shown throughout history that He is a covenant keeping God, and we can clearly see that as to what has happened to Israel and it is THE country to watch if we want to know what God is doing both in the natural and spiritual. Peter shared that he believes we were brought here for a purpose, and something has taken place where we will see this time together as a platform for God to work in a greater way in our lives, as we take hold of what God is saying and doing. Most important of all, we are to continue to pray for Israel.

That is the Malaysian group which is about 45% of the total SOM students

This was taken from my camera...not as nice but with Rita, Peter's wife, in the photo. We appreciate the time of this couple. Peter will be going off to UK tomorrow...we have been blessed to have him throughout the trip, and this is his commitment, twice a year. The other SOM is in November. But he is an international teacher/speaker so he travels all around the world, yet he was with us throughout our time there.

Some of my newfound friends!!

There has been many 'firsts' in this SOM 30! There were hailstones in one of our trips to Tel Dan (Hill of Dan),someone getting lost at the airport even before the trip started, and of course the intrusion of the thieves (it is believed that there were more than one.....oh my!), someone tumbled on the bus and knocked her head....but we were told that we were the BEST group ever! Peter said it always gets better! I have had a great time... I only got to know a few of the Malaysians of our group (I didn't make great efforts to get to know the others from Australia, Singapore, UK), we always have small chats over meals, but I do stand amazed at what God is doing in their individual lives!
This morning, I woke up with Psalm 57 in my mind. So I read it....felt that it is as if that is the cry of this nation, Israel, to the Lord. It is the Lord who said that He bears the people on eagle's wings.
Exo 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 
One day, the nation of Israel will be filled with the Jews, God's chosen people that will indeed whose heart is steadfast, and will sing and give praise to the Lord among the nations! (Psalm 57:7-11)

Something totally unexpected happened when we went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was before he was taken away to be crucified :
Mat 26:36  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Mat 26:37  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Mat 26:38  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 
Mat 26:39  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. 
The schedule of the tour has been very tight and it's always ON THE DOT, and we have, what we call 'a sheepdog' for each bus (there were 2 buses of people) who was responsible to round the people and hurry them along when they slack or are left behind. Tough job!! So I was in the washroom (I just HAD to go).... when everyone disappeared when I came out. I couldn't see a single person of my group. I have been here before so I thought that would be the same route taken to go and see the garden. But no, no one was there! So I ran frantically to another side....still no sight of them. so I went back to where I came out...and heard Stephen calling me. Phew! He was behind this locked gate. They have booked a private part of the garden to have a time of teaching and prayer, and it had to be locked while people were inside. So I could not get in, but it was ok, I said I will just stay in the garden where there were these beautiful thick-trunked olive trees believed to be from the time of Jesus, therefore the trees are more than 2000 years old. 

Boy! Look how thick the trunk of this old olive tree is!! How could someone get rid of this tree?!?

There were many Arab Moslems selling souvenirs...old coins, silver necklaces, cards, bookmarks, etc. I went to buy some old coins as Nethanial collects them. Then another man who was selling silverware came and said, "Please buy from me, I have 4 children, and no one has bought anything from me......." He kept at this, while I was trying to tell him I don't want them and maybe others want it. He said so many visitors have passed by but none bought from him. So my heart was softened (though I told myself don't be fooled by some sob story) But as he talked...I thought, it is ok to just buy something though I don't need it. So I did buy one. So he thanked me for having such a good heart to hear his need. I just said thank Yeshua as that is who I believe it. I ended up talking to him for about 20 minutes. He said he thanks Allah. I said, "Just call upon God and ask Him to show you who is the true and living God" He said He does pray everyday. I told him that God loves you, and asked him whether the Quran has the word LOVE. He hesitated, and said, an unsure...Yes. I said, "God loves you and knows your every need." I could see that he was touched. Found out that he has 6 children, but 2 died. I asked what happened, he said they didn't have food for them, and he was emotional, and said he just has many problems. He said he prays everyday that what he sells will bring food for his children. I asked why don't you get a proper job as this peddling the silverware seems insufficient? He said he fell down from a high place, and  hurt his back badly, so he cannot work carrying heavy things. I told him that I will pray for him. He told me to pray for him at 2am, explaining to me that this is the time that the Moslems believe God will hear (??), so I said, 2am Israel time. His name is Bilal. Straight away, I felt, this man's salvation is more important than the money you are trying to keep for your shopping! I have been calculating mentally what I have as I had some things to buy. This time, I intentionally brought very little money...part to give to the ministry at Kehilat HaCarmel, and the rest to buy cds, books, kipa(s) (skull cap), camel skin sandals for the boys, and T-shirts. That is all. So I had money just enough for the sandals and the T-shirts which I have yet to get. But I took out what I felt I should give him and put into his hand. I really don't know whether what he is saying is true, but I was just sharing with Mrs Lee (Swee Chun) on the bus earlier that it is NEVER WRONG to give someone something out of your heart to bless them. When I related what happened, she exclaimed, "That's is why you cannot get in!" I believe that was the reason...so that this man will know that there is a true and living God that cares and loves him, and knows his every need. I told him that he can call upon Yeshua if he has a need. 
Later in the day, we visited, the Garden Tomb, where Jesus was believed to have been buried and rose from the dead. At the end of it, it really does't matter where Jesus was buried and rose again, as there are many possible places...but that He certainly did! As we were going to leave, we were asked to give a small donation for the upkeep of the place as we are not charged anything. Mrs Lee shared later with me that she had in mind what to put in, but she felt totally uncomfortable, and the amount that was 5 x the original amount came into her mind. She obeyed, and she felt a sense of relief. And as she was walking away, she heard clearly, "You came here to bless others, not to buy things (as in buying for herself)." So that is what she did and will be doing with her money! 
God is truly a great God...and everyday it is about learning to hear His voice and OBEY.