Adult Volunteer Service Trip - Hesed

February 26 - March 15, 2015

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Help support our friends in Israel in their time of need.

My turn to be moved

What a spectacular day the Hesed team and I had!

First stop was Caliber 3, a counter-terror and security academy. This was the first year that any Hesed team has ever visited Caliber 3. I was very excited, as I have always wanted to fire a weapon while in Israel. Today I got my wish!

Our instructor was Eitan Cohen, along with two assistants. We were shown different tactics used for different terrorist attack situations. Then we each, with a wooden replica of an M16, were taught the stance and position to use to neutralize a situation. We were then taught how to fire a 9mm pistol, and an M16 that fired 22 ammo. They then divided us into teams, and put up balloons as targets from a distance of about 50 feet. The team to burst all their balloons won. I burst my ballon on my first shot. I'm not sure which team won, but boy did we have a fun time! I didn't realize two hours could go so fast.

At the conclusion, before we left, Eitan talked to us about the misconceptions the world, especially the news media, has of the Israelis. Israel's soldiers don't want to kill anyone, but they will defend their homeland. The latest Gaza war is a great example. Israel was attacked by Gaza, but, not wanting to kill civilians, the Israel Defense Forces dropped leaflets, called homes, and used bull horns to tell the Gazan people to get out of their buildings because they were going to be destroyed. Eitan also told us about Captain Hagai Hayim Lev, who was killed in a military action July 10th, 2002, and was the first to be killed in the Gaza Strip. Eitan asked us all to be diplomats in the States and tell the true story of Israel to family and friends.

As we were all saying our goodbyes, I approached Eitan, shook his hand, saluted him, and gave him my last lapel pin that I had of the Israeli and United States flags. He was so moved, that with his right hand he reached to his left shoulder, ripped off his Israeli flag patch, and gave it to me. It was my turn to be moved. A lump came into my throat and tears came into my eyes. What a truly blessed moment from one warrior to another.

Leaving Caliber 3, we were off to Tel Maresha to assist in an archaeological dig. We were approximately 60 feet underground, digging for old artifacts that had been left behind by the original 2nd century BC residents, who, after destroying their homes, fled. Several large pieces of pottery, animal bones, and teeth were found. It was exciting to find these items and wonder how people lived over 2,000 years ago.

After Tel Maresha, it was back to the hotel to get ready for the Shabbat dinners being readied by workers from Kaplan Medical Center. Each of us have been invited to attend one of these dinners. It will be exciting to see what God does during our time with these dear people.

Claude Jewett, Jr.
Texas

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