In Israel--Visiting a new Prospective--and Visit to Hebron

On Sunday, Sept 21--the three of us (Clay, Clint, and myself) flew to Tel Aviv and took a sherut to Jerusalem. While the both of them were able to get around a lot to do some filming of the Old City of David, Hezekiah's tunnel, Kidron Valley, Garden of Gesthemmene, Garden Tomb, Western Wall/tunnels, Temple Mount, and the Mount of Olives--I spent a good bit of time with a new person that was interested in the Church of God.

Rahm is a young man that was brought up Jewish, a native Israeli, but has had much experience and study in US/BC issues and Christianity. We spent many hours visiting and talking over the 3 days. One day, Rahm convinced us to take a bus to Hebron. This area is of vital significance, as it is the early HQ of King David. Many of the patriarchs are buried there (and we visited the locations, albeit around barbed wire and with gun-toting Israeli army surrounding us!

Recent HISTORY: On February 25, 1994, Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli physician and resident of Kiryat Arba, opened fire on Muslims at prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque, killing 29, before the survivors overcame and killed him. This event was condemned by the Israeli Government, and the extreme right-wing Kach party was banned as a result.

Hebron mayor Mustafa Abdel Nabi invited the Christian Peacemaker Teams to assist the local Palestinian community in opposition to what they describe as Israeli military occupation, collective punishment, settler harassment, home demolitions and land confiscation.

An international unarmed observer force—the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) was subsequently established to help the normalization of the situation and to maintain a buffer between the Palestinian Arab population of the city and the Jews residing in their enclave in the old city. (we saw the THPH many times...) (this DARK picture I took as we waited for our bus--Israeli soldiers were going out for a "sweep" of Arab neighborhood...)

Anyway, getting back to the recent background--on February 8, 2006, TIPH temporarily left Hebron after attacks on their headquarters by some Palestinians angered by the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy. TIPH came back to Hebron a few months later. In December 2008 Hebron settlers angry at the eviction of occupants from a disputed house rioted, shooting three Palestinians and burning Palestinian homes and olive groves. Video footage of the attacks was recorded, leading to widespread condemnation in Israel. The attacks were characterized as "a pogrom" by then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said he was ashamed "as a Jew".

NOTE: This is the political and media view of things recently--not my assessment!; however, the "divide" is palpable as you walk the streets. Area "A" -- Arab/muslim....Area "B/C" mixed and Jewish. All barbed wired and Israeli Military surrounding you. We visited Jesse's tomb high on a hill but had to go through a military outpost to get there. It wasn't orginally on our intinerary--but was a good afternoon having a local/Rahm take us there and see both the conflict and divide--coupled with the patriarch "holy" sites that abound in Hebron.

All in all...a fascinating day and afternoon there. As you can tell, I've included some Misc pics from Jerusalem and Hebron. (this picture of Clint looking through wall in area "C" over barbed wire to area "A" (arab section))

In any event, we had a very productive 3 days in Jerusalem. Visiting with Rahm, and giving Clint and Clay a chance to see some of the more significant sites in and around Jerusalem (and video tape). It’ll be good to be home tonight and see my wife and look forward to the Feast!

~D. Horchak

Trumpets in Amman

I surely hope all of you had a wonderful Feast of Trumpets. We surely did in Amman yesterday. I'll keep this short; however we decided to "sleep in" and then all meet at and have an 11am where the girls setup and hosted us all for the service in their apartment on the 4th floor. A great cross breeze and view of Amman in the morning!

Eduardo Elizondo began by leading three hymns for us all. Our "podium" was a side table upon a coffee table, and everyone sat on the front row (only one row!). Clay Thornton gave the sermonette focusing on one fundamental question--what was the most memorable moment of your life? He gave many examples in his life, and some from the sports world, then focused on what will be the most memorable moment for mankind--The resurrection to life at Christ's return. We then had a few announcements and the HDO picked up (that was quick), then Eduardo again gave special music--singing "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" in Spanish. It was beautiful. Then I presented a sermon for the holyday.

Services were followed by a wonderful lunch of lasagna, salad, that Stephanie had prepared. We chatted for a couple hours, fellowshipping much of the afternoon, enjoying some tea and coffee. We ended the afternoon with a bible study discussion on the Book of Ezekial and its relevance to the work of the Church at this time.

Last night we all walked down to a famous Arab restaurant--Reem Albawadi. We ate under bedouin tents--the traditional food of the middle east. A wonderful ending to a memorable Feast of Trumpets in Jordan. Tomorrow we interview the current volunteers, meet with Dr. Muslih Najjar, then Clay, Clint and I go on to Israel late today.

~D. Horchak

All Day at the Nabatean City of PETRA

On Friday, which is a "day off" in Jordan, we made plans for all 9 of us (the volunteers, Tine Banda, the two videographers from the Home Office and myself) to make the 3 hour trip to southern Jordan to visit Petra.

We were able to secure a very nice mini-bus (which was gratis from the tour operator that assists Cory Erickson for the Feast in Amman) and left the flats by 6:30am. It is an interesting drive, as you soon leave the environs of Amman and find yourself on the main North/South highway in Jordan traveling through what is, barren desert hills. An occasional small town or village, but pretty desolate otherwise!

We arrived at Petra about 10am and after getting our gear together, proceeded to get our tickets and take the 1/2 mile to the sique (the very narrow opening into Petra) and the additional 1/2 mile through the sique. We were able to get a group picture at a very famous location (Indiana Jones officiandos will remember this!) as the sique opens up into the first major site in Petra--The Treasury.

After some talking and looking at the camels and tourists, and eating at early lunch (on the porch of the Treasury...can you imagine that!) we decided to divide into two groups. One group took the longer hike up to the Monestary--a high location carved out of rock about 4 kilometers away. The others of us who had been there in the past, took the shorter but steeper hike up around the Royal Tombs to the top of the mountains above the Sique looking down the Treasury. It was a very steep walk in the middle of the day (in the 90's); however, Jamie Franks, Kelly Schreiber, Tine Banda and myself made it to the top. Tine used the assistance of a horse as well to get up! The view was amazing. We hiked back down and eventually met the rest of our group and headed back to Amman about 4pm. We ended the evening by stopping at a local haunt--famous for take-away middle eastern food. We did as much and enjoyed the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets with shwarma, kebab, turk salad, tabbouleh, pita, and hummus. Tomorrow we look forward to a wonderful holyday together.

~Doug Horchak

Visit with Princess Sarvath at the Royal Palace

Today was a particularly interesting and special day! Not only did we meet with and even breifly interview the former permanent secretary to the United Nations for Jordan, Hasan Ali Nimah (who is the new director of the Regiona Human Security Center) and the former directly (Dr. Muslih Najjar--a great supporter of last year's volunteer in his area, Tine Banda).... but we had a chance to meet with and video some comments from HRH Princess Sarvath in her personal residence on the Palace grounds.

We arrived the palace grounds about 10:25am, and were escorted by Khadijeh Siraj (Princess Sarvath's personal assistant) out of the royal offices through their gates to the Prince Hassan residence. A beautiful home (which actually very old) but refects the experience and dignity of the royal family. We were escorted to a library room where there were chairs a couch and side chairs. Room was filled with pictures of the royal family, and many of the dignitaries and heads of state they have hosted over the years. ...and there we were!

Anyway, Cliff and Clay set up in the lights and cameras. While we were waiting for the princess, her husband HRH Prince Hassan popped into the room and briefly intruduced himself and wished us well. That was an unexpected pleasure for sure!

Siti Sarvath arrived about 11:10am, and after being seated and miched, she responded to my first question and gave a wonderful 20 minute talk about her beginnings with the royal family, her efforts to help the poor handicaped of her country almost 30 years ago when beginning the YMWA center for the mentally challenged, and later the Amman Baccalaureate School. She discussed the timeline of Mr. Herbert Armstrong's presence in Jordan meeting with King Hussein and ultimately with Princess Sarvath and her husband. She spoke very fondly of the Ambassador Foundation volunteers in the past and how their example of attitude and character were central to the unique contribution they made to the schools and to the Jordanian people.

She came across as a confident, experienced woman that has a determined committment to helping her people and has the leadership qualities and vision needed to get the job done! It was an impressive talk and much appreciated. To our surprise, right after the interview, she invited outside to the garden patio to visit. After she insisted we have a refreshing drink (they are fasting...as it's Ramadan, but she wanted to host us graciously) of hybiscus tea, lemonade, or iced tea, we talked for well over 30 minutes about everything from the world conditions, conflict and selfishness between peoples, family, and even Tine Banda! She was truly engaging and having that short time with her was a wonderful blessing.

That afternoon, we were driven to the RHSC offices where we met the new director, Hasan Ali Nimah. While Ambassador Nimah was only recently appointed the new director of the RHSC, our talk and his interest in our program led to a wonderful disussion on globalism, conflict between peoples, and the deep values of volunteerism. We also met with and interviewed Dr. Muslih Najjar--the outgoing former director who came to value the work of our own Tine Banda last year. Tine's work led to her being asked to work in the royal palace the past 5 months!

Our day ended with an evening at the apartment of Tine Banda and a wonderful meal prepared by Tine for myself, Clay, and Clint. We had a 30 minute interview with Tine which told her inspiring story of her education, her dedication to the United Youth Corps, leading to her current role in the royal palace. An inspiring story and wonderful interview! Tomorrow a "day off" travling 3 1/2 hours south to Petra at 6:30am!

~D. Horchak

Visit to the ancient Roman city of Jerash

After the day of taping and interviews at the Amman Baccalaureate School, and after our volunteers finished their day--in mid afternoon all 8 of us made the hour drive north of Amman to the ancient Roman city of Jerash. Built in the 1st Century and before, this city was one of the occupying Decapolis cities of the the Roman empire in the area--this one well preserved.

We left under the direction of our able driver, Eduardo Elizondo! Eduardo was able to rent a nice minivan for the trip and we arrived at Jerash about 4pm. Clint Porter and Clay Thornton had never been to this location and they were also able to get some valuable footage of these telling ruins! Being that the lighting was late in the day nearing sundown, the pictures taken were wonderful.

After the 2 hour walk and tour, we took the advice of Jamie Franks (who had been on excursion to Jerash after arriving with some YMWA and ABS staff shortly after the arrived), and went to a great, quiet, authentic Lebanese restaurant in Jerash proper. It a very nice place, outside, and "quiet" (because it is still Ramadan--fasting for most until sundown, and we were there an hour before sundown!) It was rare to find a restauarant open at that time, but the waiters flocked to serve us a wonderful meal of squash salad, hummus, fresh pita, and kebab. We enjoyed this meal together before the drive back to Amman last night. Thursday is are awaited trip back to the Royal Palace grounds for a personal visit and video interview with HRH Princess Sarvath. More to report tomorrow!

~Douglas Horchak

Visit to Amman Baccalaureate School

Today we (the video crew and I) visited the Amman Baccalaureate School. The ABS is an institution that has been a project of HRH Princess Sarvath since it began in the early 1980's. For a number of years, the Ambassador Foundation volunteers served in differing capacities at ABS or its affiliate projects. More recently, we have had 6 volunteers serve here over the past 3 years (Matthew and Maryann Bates, Lewis VanAusdle, Zach Smith, and currently Audrey Bauer and Eduardo Elizond0). In the summer of 2008, we had 9 volunteers that served at two summer projects--one of which was the Kindergarten Day Camp in a rural town in southern Jordan that was sponsored by ABS.

Mr. Stuart Bryan, the new principle of ABS, gave Clay, Clint and I a personal tour of the entire campus. We had Mr. Bryan set up with a mobile microphone--and the two cinematographers took plenty of footage of the classes and programs, while getting personal comment from the principle! It was a wonderful tour along with background of the Royal Family (particularly HRH Prince Hassan and Princess Sarvath) have been committed to the growth and quality of this fine instituation.

We were also able to visit the two areas our volunteers are serving--Ms. Audrey Bauer is serving in the KG (Kindergarten) area of the campus and specialized in the Media class (formerly Librarian). We were able to get some footage of Audrey (which will show up in the video being produced about UYCorps) and she was doing a wonderful job. In addition, we visited Eduardo Elizondo (with his boss!) in the Finance Department of the School. Eduardo is assisting them with thier entire accounting system, and will be coaching the ABS girls JV Footbal (soccer) team!

We were also able to catch up to a long time friend of the Ambassador Foundation volunteers and our UYCorps program, Mr. Abdel Razzaq Najjar. We interviewed Abdel Razzaq in his office in the Sports complex, and were able to get some personal perspective from him of his relationship with our volunteers over the years. Abdel works with many of the alumni programs and the volunteer, public service, and outreach programs that ABS sponsors for their students involvement.

This afternoon, after the others get back from their classes, we all plan to take a rental van up the ancient Decapolis city of Jerash. We'll spend a few hours there before sunset and visit the ancient Roman ruins, before getting a bite to each and heading back to Amman this evening after sunset. Tomorrow we visit the Royal Palace and will have an audience with HRH Princess Sarvath--which we look forward to!

~D. Horchak

At YMWA Bunayat Center--Interviews and tour

Today, September 14, we all took the adventurous ride on the school bus in to the YMWA Bunayat School for the Mentally Handicapped. After picking up Jamie, Kelly, and I at 6:40am, we took the bus down the hill to the hotel and picked up our cinemetographers--Clay Thornton and Clint Porter. The ride through the streets of Amman was long and often bumpy; however, it was wonderful to see and greet these challenged children and young adults as they boarded the bus to head off to class! Clint and Clay got some excellent footage of the students and the bus ride in to the Center. And, I got a short be of video myself of our bus ride (attached).
We arrive at the Bunayat Center about 8:10 in the morning. Immediately we were ushered to Rasha Nashralla's office. Rasha is the director of the YMWA Bunayat school and we were able to meet for the first time. We discussed our United Youth Corps involvement in her school, and she expressed great appreciation for the volunteers they have had the past two years. After taping an interview with Rasha, she took Clint, Clay, and myself on a tour of the different schooling areas at the Center. We saw and many many of the women and men that teach these handicapped students, along with the work and involvement of both Jamie Franks and Kelly Schreiber. Jamie was assisting today in both the Music Class, and Kelly was helping in art and in the vocational arts area.
Later in the morning, Khadijeh Siraj, assistant to Princess Sarvath, came by the center and we were able to tape a short interview with her as well. All in all the day went extremely well. We were able to to witness the selfless, good work of the YMWA center in assisting the handicapped in Jordan--as well as get a bit of insight into the work and service this year's volunteers have to look forward to in the months ahead!

~ Doug Horchak