Day 6 – Friday 28th March

Supporting the Israel Defense Forces

We drove to the IDF Base in the Golan Heights, where we assisted the soldiers. Ginny and I joined a group folding and stacking uniforms in a small warehouse. When this was done, we went to the garden of their Memorial and helped some others weed. They were having a Memorial service on the following day. People on other tours Chuck and Dan had taken there, had originally planted the garden around the small building with photos and effects of the soldiers from the base who had been killed on duty. It was very sad to see these faces. Glenn helped to paint a store-room during this time.

We knew that there are other non-Americans on the tour, but had only met Brett from Melbourne, who is currently working in London. Glenn met Rex from New Zealand whilst painting. We had lunch with Rex and Rozy. Rozy had been born in England, but her family emigrated to Australia when she was a child. She came out on a flying-boat, which took 9 days. Well, I guess two flights adding up to 20 hours or so, is really nothing much to complain about!

At lunch-time, the soldiers served us, and then we went outside to sing to them their National Anthem in Hebrew, the Hatikvah. We had practised this a couple of times. Jonathan, our Worship Leader, is on staff at Grace Church in Tennesee. He had listened to it many times prior to coming on the tour, to ensure we got it right. It was very moving to sing to these young men and see their faces as they realised that we do support their defense of their nation.

We then drove to the Golan Heights, and Jane pointed out Syria across the border. Damascus is 40 miles away. Jane explained that Henry Kissinger told the Israelis not to give up the Golan due to its strategic position, and their ability to watch for an invasion from the north.

After this we went to Caesarea Philippi, where Chuck spoke on Matthew 16:13-20. Peter recognised that He is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God”.