So I have officially started my month in Nazareth "alone". By this I mean my YL supervisor/host family has gone to the U.S. for the month of August to visit their family and friends while I remain here in Israel house sitting and spending as much time as possible with my new high school friends getting to know them more. Also going to be doing my best to improve my Arabic.
Nazareth, my new home city, from Mt. Precipice
I'm thankful for the last 2 weeks. Much has gone on...I've met a bunch of new people, all of whom extend a welcome to me and offer their hospitality in any way, we unfortunately had our Young Life camp for the Nazareth kids postponed because of the elevated conflict occurring, some celebration with the summer interns (Tanner turned 21!) and then saying goodbye to the interns as they left to go back for their fall semester of college, a couple YL make-shift hang out days for the high schoolers because camp was delayed, and then seeing Hunter, Lauri and Haley off.
It's kinda cool being a foreigner. Having a couple people I know here definitely makes life a little easier and provides some sense of comfort. When they introduce me to their friends and say "Zack is from America" it's funny to see the "ohhhh no wayyy" kind of expression that shows up on their face. America still has a good reputation here which is a positive. After the pleasant introductions and use of the basic few Arabic phrases I know, I share that I am here for an extended stay. Usually the follow up question is "why would you ever come to Nazareth when you could be in America?"
Hmmm, interesting question. My chosen explanation has been:
"When I visited last year I really appreciated the people. Their hospitality and kindness really drew me in. Also, I was offered a job here...the opportunity to be a leader with Young Life. And, to get to call home where Jesus did is pretty freakin sweet. But at the heart of it, I know exactly what America has for me more or less. I've spent my entire life living there...I know the culture, I know what I'll do for the most part from day to day. By leaving and choosing to live somewhere in a new country, I have been opened up to so much more that exists in the world. New experiences, new ways of thinking, living, and doing life."
This comes with the youthful adventurous spirit I know, but could be attached to any stage of life.
- That last bit is sort of an extension of some thoughts I had during my senior year of college and the past year in Raleigh, NC. My best example is: sometimes I would pass by a house that was having a 'classic' college party...and I thought ''Dang that looks like fun. Maybe I could walk in, say hello and have a good time with the people there.''
Then I would stop and think for a minute. I know exactly what will happen if I walk in there. I've done it many times. I know what is going on inside, I know what I would see, I know things I would say, I know what my actions would be.
Typically after going through this, that attraction would fade. I'm not trying to be arrogant or elevate myself at all, please don't take it that way. I just have been there and for the most part at the end of the night or in the morning I'd realize it wasn't all that great. So recently in life I've been looking for those new experiences, or doing something where I don't know what may happen...and that has helped me trust God even more with my choices.
Anyways...
It was a huge bummer to have to postpone camp for the Naz kids. Luckily I am staying so I'll be here when we have it in September or October, but I felt for the interns who wanted to be apart of it. It was to be the 3rd camp they worked at this summer and kind of a last hurrah. However, we were looking at the positives. Better to be safe than sorry obviously, but also with camp being closer to the school year, maybe more kids will come who wouldn't have because they were traveling over the summer.
One of the things I love about YL is the ability to adapt and be flexible as an organization. We set up a day at a local hotel for the kids to come out and just enjoy themselves. There was a pool, volleyball and football (not American), and even did some paintballing with a group of guys! Afterwards we had dinner and then club just like a regular day at summer camp. (club for those who don't know is the most classic Young Life event. Everyone together in a big room...then we sing some popular songs, do a couple skits/games, sing a worship type song and then a 15-20minute talk on a piece of scripture is given). About 70 high school kids showed up and it seemed like everyone had a good time. This provided an opportunity to make some new friends, introduce those who had never heard about or been to YL, and start some good conversations.
Some high school guys at the YL hangout
Saying goodbye to the interns was...odd. Since we weren't having the camp, everyone decided to see if any earlier flights home were possible. There was a day where everyone was pretty much on the phone for a while and suddenly 2 were leaving tomorrow, a couple more the next day, and so on. In the words of Ron Burgundy all I could say was "well that escalated quickly" haha. However, hanging with them all for a month was such a blessing. I got pretty close with the guys and loved spending time getting to know the girls. They all of amazed me with their level of maturity in faith and how they were following hard after Jesus. When you're with people constantly for an extended period of time it doesn't take long to get to know each others tendencies as well as create some funny "inside jokes". It also can be difficult as everyone is different, but the fact that we all have a common goal in life to pursue Christ unites us. Grace was given abundantly, everyone served each other, and conversations about the "deeper" levels of life were commonplace (my favorite). I thank God for the time we had together and look forward to hearing where their lives go from here and how this trip impacts them now and in the long run.
Regarding the conflict in Gaza: I won't go too in depth here because it won't do justice to all that it encompasses. I'm still completely safe. Nazareth is in Northern Israel, a good distance from Gaza which is in the south near Egypt. It continues to break my heart seeing such hatred between neighbors, although the majority of whom I join in praying for peace daily. It is not my place to choose sides...I'd rather choose Jesus every day. Simply talking about it and increasing anger does not do any good either. Therefore, I do my best to live in love to all those I encounter. It is my utmost hope that the leaders of these nations, after 3 full weeks of violence and an unreasonable amount of blood shed, can work together and choose peace over power.
Well, that is all I got for now. I do want to say, 'Shukran Ektir' ('thank you very much' in Arabic) to you all! For having an invested interest in my life, for sending prayers and good vibes my way, and for being the great people you are (:
I am a product of my experiences, everything I've learned and all the people I've encountered.
Oh yeah, and I want to ask...Now that there aren't people around me as much...will you facetime/Skype/call me?? It has been one of the things I look forward to most, getting to see friends and family from home. I have lots of available time on my hands, so let me know if you would want to catch up or hear how things are going and we can arrange something. I also want to hear what's going on in your life...maybe we can share advice with each other or wherever conversation may lead. Please do, it truly is a blessing to me.
End of hike waterfall in Caesarea Philippi
Cheers, have a great day and enjoy the moment!
Zack
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