Day 09 - Ayalon Institute, Jaffa, Farewell Dinner

Our group knew our last day in Israel was going to be special. It started out with rain drops – something that is listed online as 0% chance! By the time we reached our first destination, the sun was back out. We visited the Ayalon Institute. What a fascinating place! This museum is built on a former working kibbutz, which began in the 1930’s. Between the years of 1945-1948, there was a clandestine ammunition factory underground here which manufactured nearly 5 million bullets, all underneath the noses of the British soldiers. Ultimately, this small band of 46 people helped Israel win their war of independence to become a nation!

Read more at https://shimur.org/sites/ayalon/

Our second and last stop was Jaffa. It was an artsy, eclectic town whose homes resembled Italian villas. As it sits right on the ocean, we enjoyed the breezes and the smell of salty sea air. Jaffa is ancient Joppa. Does this name sound familiar? As my son’s favorite childhood book read,

“A town called Joppa is by the sea.

That’s where Jonah tried to flee.”

As we know, Jonah could not and did not outrun God. To be fair, if God called me to leave my home in Israel and go all the way to Iraq to share the gospel, I would be scared for my life too! But as we were reminded this week, we are not responsible for the outcome, only to be obedient to God’s call.

There is a New Testament connection to this city as well.

Jesus had told his disciples to take the good news of who He is and what He has done first to Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. The disciples were doing a great job in Jerusalem, but it was time to begin moving outward. God instructed a devout Roman named Cornelius to seek out Peter at Jaffa. So, Cornelius sent men to retrieve Peter and bring him to Caesarea Maritima. 

Peter, meanwhile, was receiving his own instructions from God. God gave him a vision in which he made clear that this good news wasn’t reserved for the Jews. Gentiles, too, were to be welcomed in. When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home, he began to preach the gospel. He’d only just begun when the power of the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his entire household. The gospel was finally going forth - from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

After lunch, we came back early to the hotel to have a free afternoon. Most of us walked across the hotel to the beach and at least dipped our toes in the Mediterranean.

We’ve had an incredible time here in Israel. We traveled from the Judean desert to the Golan Heights, from the border of Jordan to the coastline at Tel Aviv. We herded sheep, planted trees, worked at an archaeological dig, and stomped grapes. We took a boat ride around the Sea of Galilee, rode donkeys, and tried to fish with a 1st-century style net. We celebrated the Lord’s Supper together in the Garden of Gethsemane. We celebrated Shabbat together. Tonight, we shared a farewell dinner together.

We learned so much about the love and grace of God. We experienced His Word in powerful ways. We enjoyed fellowship and encouragement with each other, a group of individuals who started as strangers and ended as family.

To my fellow-travelers and friends who have followed along:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, ESV)

Heather