ISRAEL

Blowin' in the Wind

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Being an ambassador certainly has it’s own share of adventure! Just look at CARE EE kneeling on the streets of Beit Jaila with Palestinian children curious to know what a clown would be doing in their part of the world?

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend’, and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that.

We were certainly challenged in March. There was a bombing in Ashdod the day before we were scheduled to be in East Jerusalem at the Jerusalem School, and in Beit Jaila at the Jemima House Orphanage. Mary McPherson, Director of the Jerusalem School, had to make special arrangements for our transportation from the school to the orphanage, because Israeli cab drivers will not drive into East Jerusalem or Beit Jaila. Afraid that the recent terrorist attack would shut down security checkpoints, we took the back way – through no man, woman or clown’s land!

I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. Matthew 5:43-48

Let out on the side of the road, we climbed over a ridge to wait for our ride to the orphanage. Go ahead, laugh at the thought of a clown crossing over into "enemy" territory. We were quite a spectacle. Everything was fine - there were lots of Arab men standing around waiting to take people into the territory - but "WHERE WAS OUR RIDE" we stood there waiting and waiting - drawing quite a lot of attention.

What does a "clown" do in enemy territory? She practices "diplomacy" blowing up balloons and handing them out to the growing number of gathering children - of course! Our transportation finally arrived - after one car stopped and asked "what are you doing standing out here in the middle of the road? Giving out balloons - give me six for my children at home!"

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, the answer is blowin' in the wind. Bob Dylan

After the performance – at the Jemima House, we were taken back to the crossing where we waited for the cab we called from the orphanage to arrive. The sun was setting in the West - toward safety, the people around us on the road were sensing that it could be a dangerous place for foreigners (even a clown) to be standing after dark. Several, asked if we wanted their assistance to leave the area. Mary said the only "safe" cab would be on the way soon. There we stood, in the growing dark - three Americans and a CLOWN huddled together against the brisk cold wind blowing across the mountains. An hour seemed like an eternity but our ride finally appeared and we were on our way back to safety - another adventure as special ambassador for the King completed!

In a word, what I’m saying is, GROW UP. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. Matthew 5:43-48 The Message