Bars in the Kitchen

Here's a pic of our Jerusalem  apartment kitchen/livingroom.

Isn't it beautiful? Bright, light, attractive and we're thankful. It's been comfortable and easy living here.

What?The bars on the windows? Oh, right. Yep, all the windows have bars. What's funny is that I didn't notice them when we got here. It wasn't until a day or two later that I said to myself, "oh. bars. " I remember the first time we lived with bars in Mexico when it was a little unnerving wondering as to the reasons they were necessary. Then there was the year of barred windows in Tanzania where Tim would say, "You realize we're well protected from burglers with those bars, but if a fire ever starts during the night and we can't get to the door...." That helped me sleep well. My actual introduction to home-security-a-la-bars came years ago when we picked up our Chilean exchange student from the airport and brought her home. As we came in sight of our house, she froze in her seat and stared. I said, "What???" She said, "Where is the wall around your property?? And you have no bars on your windows!" I think it's safe to say (ha! nice pun) that much of the world lives with bars as the norm - if you have a house of much value at all that is... which is an entirely different subject explored while in Tanzania.

So we're secure here in our little home away from home. I guess we must need the bars, but I feel very safe walking around our neighborhood after dark, keeping to the same policies I have with large cities in the U.S. - avoid parks and certain areas. What I do have to watch out for is people barreling down the sidewalk and not moving aside to pass.  It's a cultural thing that we haven't figured out yet. Last night I got taken out by a baby stroller - very embarrassing - in the narrow stone streets of the Old City. (no baby, just the stroller)... And I had been so proud of myself that I was learning to play chicken with the best of them! I have figured out that walking behind a stroller is a good way to make headway down a crowded street. In one way it's like driving behind a Hummer. People tend to make way.

Speaking of security, news headlines in the U.S. and also here have the Iran nuclear situation under discussion. One American expat expressed great impatience with the American media as tending to blow everything out of proportion. The property managers visited briefly the second day we were here. Tim asked their opinions about the Iran situation. One said, "Nothing will happen. Iran might get nuclear weapons but they would never use them," The other said, "They would use them. Somebody has to take out those sites before they get to that point." So, the same debate that is happening at home is happening here.  If you're concerned, please know we're registered with the U.S. Embassy, so if there develops a serious need for us to leave, they'll let us know. 

Mostly, people are just living their lives, working, going to school, kids playing outside, parents taking their babies for a walk in the stroller (usually avoiding mowing down visitors). It's been the time of the yearly high Holy days and so there are many people visiting the city, flocking to the Western Wall and the Old City, visiting family, laughing, going to synagogue, talking, eating, strolling the streets - retirees, children, young couples, students.

We  did a field study to Samaria soon after I arrived. It's in the West Bank, which you're aware has been the focus of much of the unrest concerning a homeland for the Palestinians. The West Bank is a mix of Palestinians and Israelis, Jews, Christians, Muslims with a world of loss and pain on all sides.

Speaking of bars and the West Bank - now there are some bars for you.  As you know, it's currently walled in with strict controls over who travels in and out.

This pic taken from the bus while inside the wall. You can see an Israeli guard tower on the hill beyond.

 We've met a few Westerners who volunteer in the West Bank and travel back and forth to nearby Jerusalem. They've been comfortable being there and have had no problems. One said she holds the hands of the Israelis there, and holds the hands of the Palestinians, and listens to both and takes no sides. She is busy volunteering, taking kids to the dentist and helping in the schools. The love of God is what she's busy living out. Being the hands and feet of Yeshua. To everyone. Because "God so loved the world" - and that pretty much includes everybody. 

It's a fascinating country. We feel privileged to be here. We don't feel afraid, we feel at peace. Thanks for your prayers.