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Published: November 20th 2008
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The Exodus banner and the gala
Mitchel and Pamela Bell at the Gala. Greetings and salutations, dear friends and family!
Many of you have been on our minds and hearts and we just haven't had the greatest opportunities to get to the computer. This evening we have decided to "lay low" and try to rest a bit, and to get a blog entry in so you know we're still kickin'! 😊
Where to start up again...
We have had a most amazing time the last week of the Tour. We rubbed shoulders with the mayors of cities, Members of Knesset, and leaders of the government is Israel. We were special guests at a preview showing of a movie that is scheduled for release in Israel just before Passover this next spring. It was produced and directed by men from Minnesota and is called, "The Exodus Conspiracy". It is a scientific documentary following the evidence for the Exodus from Egypt and the likelihood of a G-d that is a covenant keeper because of new evidence and happenings in the Land. Quite profound. It will be released in the states afterward. We recommend it for all of you to see. Even Mitchel was content throughout the showing, which lasted two hours. The men who directed
Sderot singers
In the background were the Sderot singers, and in the foreground the lovely tables and some of the guests' backs. :) and produced it spent some time with our tour and shared testimonies about some of the things they experienced during the filming. Their stories were as good as the movie itself.
The night before the movie showing we attended the Gala Event of the Tour where we had to wear our "best". That was incredible! Talk about the movies!!! This was the finest and the best! We were in a huge convention center and were treated to a genuine cocktail and hor d'oveurs ( I know I spelled that wrong!) experience ~ waiters and servers in black with white gloves coming by every two minutes with some exotic goodie (most of which Susie passed up, whereas Rob and Mitchel tried them all!), and hosting a full open bar. It was quite the scene seeing our seven-year-old sitting at a bar with his coke and munching fancy foods! He did so well and was welcomed by all. Mitchel was such a smooth and comfortable guest ~ no nerves, no airs. After the cocktails which began at 7:30 p.m. we were escorted to a dining and presentation hall where we were served a five-course meal and entertained with music by people
Sagiv
This is the up and coming member of Knesset, Sagiv Assulin. Surely a man appointed for such a time... from Sderot ( a town under constant fire from the Arabs) and were privileged to hear from officials running for the next election under the Likud Party. One of the honorary guests was Sagiv Assulin, whom we met in July in Portland, Oregon. This young man is filled with gentleness and the Spirit of the Living God. He has been the Israeli leader of university youth for the whole country, and will undoubtedly become a leader of far more as he continues to follow Hashem (a word which means "the Name" and includes the whole of Yahweh). He had the hutzpah to read the thirty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel before the people and humbly declare that it is time for the whole house of Israel to come together. AMEN!!! Benjamin Netanyahu is also running on the Likud ticket, for Prime Minister. These are two of the men who will do the country, and those who love it, good. Please pray for them if you will!
Our final day of the Tour was spent in a city called Hevron, also known as Hebron. This is the most commonly heard of hot-spot in the news. Less than one-tenth of 1% of any
Hevron
This wall is to protect the Jews from Hezbollah! Jews or Christians visit this most-tense city, where we had to go in bullet-proof buses, and our drivers were required to carry guns. Again, Mitchel was cool and calm. We visited the burial place of Avraham Avinu, our father Abraham and his wife Sarah. The patriarchs burial sites remind us of our history, while Arabs seek to claim the territory as their own by erecting hideous temples and blasting their eerie calls to prayer over the city. We walked through the streets under the protection of the Mighty One of Israel under hidden peeks from Arab windows. We were informed that the very morning of our trip a public statement was declared by Hezbollah that they would "clear out" the Jews from Beit Shalom this week in Hevron. Beit Shalom is a school that was purchased by the Jews and is used as a school for Torah study and a home for 8 families in Hevron. We saw building after building, as we made our way through the streets, that are now deserted and completely ransacked by the Arabs, just because. Did I mention that Hevron is the nesting place of Hezbollah? We were able to catch a glimpse of
Burial site in Hebron
This is the burial site of King David's father, Jesse, and nearby burial site of Ruth the Moabitess. their terrorist center just meters from us through the concrete walls of protection to divide the two peoples.
As of Tuesday evening, two days ago, we finished with the Tour and are on our own at a B&B called The Little House in the Colony. Actually, we are not alone, but have been joined by our best traveling pals, the Runyons, here at the Little House; and we have the best personal guide around in Bridgett. Bridgett was mentioned in one of the first blogs with a picture. She has lived here since June and is a super helper and friend. In an effort to give you readers a break, I'll stop here and add an entry in the next day or so to let you know about life "outside the tour". We hope you are all well, and also want to add that we are the proud grandparents of Nicholas John Bell Jr. Way to go, Shelby! We're proud and can't wait to kiss and hold your new treasure!!!
Love to you all from the city of the Great King!
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Karen Patry
non-member comment
Amazing
Susie, THANKS for including me on your posts! It has been amazing to see your pictures and follow your progress. Please holler at me when you get back home...I'll treat you to lunch if you'll tell me more.... Love, Karen