In His Steps - Days 2 - 3

Looking for the Good.

Everybody we have met has treated us like honored guests in a luxury hotel. Over the last three days it’s been 30 miles of incredible landscape, sights and new people. We have heard stories of those who have family in America, and hiked with a third grade class whose teacher had just returned from fighting in Gaza.

Every day we have adults and children wave to us, say hello, and want to meet us as we hike through towns with our backpacks. 

Once, when I asked for directions, someone overheard and led me there himself. When an ice cream truck driver asked where we were going, he said he lived there and offered his phone number if we needed anything. While at a pizza place, they were so encouraged to see us they gave us a free calzone! At the Druze Tomb of Jethro, someone saw we were clueless, gave us appropriate coverings and a tour, and then even shared coffee with us. 

There are a lot of hard and brutal things going on in the world, but if we focus on that we will miss out on the good. In this region the population is 46% Jewish, 46% Arab and 8% Druze. We have been greeted with the warmest of hospitality by members of each of these groups. 

On a personal note, it’s been so great to build my relationship with Jose. Although we’ve been together for many years, I feel like we’re just starting to really know one another. As a person that doesn’t naturally do well with relationships, I’m so grateful for God‘s plan to make them work.

Reflection: Think about something in your life where you may be focusing on the negative, and then try to focus on what is good instead. 

”Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.8.NIV

I have been asked for better descriptions of the photographs so here is a listing. I will go back and amend my earlier post. 

1. Eddie's Pizza gave us a free calzone
2. His son works at Eddie's and his daughter, who was born in Miami, works next-door at the market. 

3. Hiking
4. Eran, the third grade teacher. 

5. Hiking with his class
6. Looking over the Sea of Galilee

7. A group from Estonia doing part of the Jesus trail
8. A Druze worker at the Tomb of Jethro, who gave us clothes to cover our heads and arms,

8. He also gave us a cup of very strong coffee.

9. A fourth century synagogue about 100 yards from where we're staying

10. Jose's birthday dinner

11.  Watching church live at 8 PM local time