Medical, Construction, and Kids… Oh My!

Shalom. Marhaba. Hello. Greetings in the two languages that are predominate in the part of the world I am writing to you from, and one that you are most familiar with. In case you missed it, that’s Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

We all arrived safely to our amazingly spacious apartment on Sunday evening. After long travel days and most of the team going on an excursion to Tel Aviv or Jaffa for the day, we boarded a bus 2 hours to arrive in the area where Jesus grew up and will be calling home for the next month, Nazareth in Israel. Our first three days have been spent getting oriented with the property we live on, our different types of ministries, and each other.

We will be working in three different ministries this month: volunteering at Nazareth Hospital, Nazareth Village, and helping run a kids camp. At the hospital, we’ve been asked to work in the maternity department (holding and caring for babies), dialysis (preparing patient stations, getting supplies, and providing a joyful spirit to those struggling), occupational therapy (interacting and doing activities such as cooking, games, and crafts with voluntarily checked in, non-dangerous patients struggling with some sort of mental illness), and chaplaincy (praying with and befriending those who need a little care in their day).

                               
Nazareth Village is a re-creation of 1st century Nazareth for people to come by on tours and get a feel of what life looked like at that time. Since it’s the low season of tourism because of it being the hottest time of year, they’re putting us 10 girls to WORK. While dressed to play the part of 1st century village women, we will be constructing new mud and thatch roofs. It will be rather hot and this is a new job for all of us. So pray for us. Haha. (But really, pray.)

                                

The second week we are here (July 9-15) we will be helping put on a kids camp. Science. Drama. Music. Sharing about various countries in the world. Water games. We are really looking forward to this.

We are living in an amazing apartment that used to be occupied by missionary doctors who worked at the hospital. They’re 100 years old and full of charm and space for all ten of us to spread out. Most of us seem to be most excited just to interact with and love on people. We are “people” people.

                                     

Thank you so much for following our journey even after The World Race and for being a part of what we continue to pursue. In the name of Jesus. Stay tuned to find out more about the culture here in Nazareth which is vastly different than elsewhere in Israel. We are excited for the challenges and opportunities.