Gam ani!

"What do you do in the laundry department?," I'm often asked. My day starts with a hug from Ronen, a young man wearing a white uniform, kippah, tzitzit, and a big, welcoming smile. In fact all ​of ​the laundry staff greet us with smiles, pats on the back, and sometimes a snack. My teammate Pam and I help fill laundry orders from various hospital floors and departments.​ ​The orders might include blankets, towels, hospital gowns​,​ and non-laundry items such as Huggies disposable diapers.

The laundry staff use their cell phones for translating their instructions to us from Hebrew to English, but sometimes ​they ​try on their own to communicate in English. This results in a lot of laughs​,​ like when they ordered "eight" gowns, only to check back with us a few minutes later and realize they meant "eighty!" I enjoy trying out my Hebrew on them​,​ but got some laughs when I pointed to an order I had filled for "ten dresses​,​" when I meant to say "baby blankets." The words are similar in Hebrew.

By 10:30 ​AM ​we are offered food, coffee, and water for break time. After break we wash shelves, fold towels, and try to help the staff with whatever they are working on. While we work, we converse with the staff. Ronen uses his phone to communicate​,​ "We are glad you are here." I respond, "Gam ani! (Me too!)​"​

My favorite experience today was our visit to Kiryat Jearim after work. This is the village where the Ark of the Covenant rested for twenty years (see I Sam. ​7​). We ascended to the top of the hill where there is a church and churchyard overlooking the village and facing Jerusalem. Surrounded by the serenity of the flowers, palm trees, olive trees, and pines​ we sat on benches enjoying the exceptional view​. Bruce read the story of the travels of the Ark, and Nathan pointed out the likely route that King David took when he brought the Ark from Kiryat Jearim to Jerusalem. Present day roads have been built on previous roads and paths​,​ and this route would have been the easiest way to travel.

Inside the cavernous church we saw 5th ​c​entury mosaics, statues, and relics. The nun who greeted us encouraged us to sing something. We sounded like a huge choir​,​ rather than merely ​thirteen voices​,​ as our notes resounded across the open spaces.​ ​Then Bruce granted my request to sing a solo,​"Jerusalem of Gold,​"​ a beautiful song I had heard him sing a few years ago. All I could say was, "Wow!" My heart was so full!

I walked outside for one more glimpse of the beautiful, golden city of Jerusalem at sunset. What a blessed way to end the day​!​

Cathy Bell
​Valparaiso, IN​