My personal experience living in Israel - Willie

Cornelia and I arrived in Israel on 28th September 1997 for a short visit in Israel. We were here only a few days and we arrived during a festive time. This was my first visit to Israel. As a tourist we saw some things but when you live here, you really experience the culture and lifestyle.

I arrived in Israel on 25 November 1997. God initiated this move in events that happened before. This whole move to Israel was a step in faith and all though we as a family know faith this was the biggest test for us.

In a church meeting, just before we left South Africa, it was prophesized that the first six months will be very difficult and at times we would like to return to South Africa but we need to hold on because He will carry us through. This was like this; it took seven months before things started to change. Cornelia and our daughters left for Israel first and I followed one month later. It was very difficult. Israel has a different culture, different lifestyle, opposite seasons; a different language and many people do not speak English.

One of the most important things we have learned since the beginning in Israel is to be alert. You need to be alert all the time and when you receive something in your spirit you need to re-act immediately. We learned to be "supernaturally natural". You cannot wait for confirmation and then re-act. If you do not feel easy about a situation you need to re-act on it. This was very new to us and we had to get used to it and apply it in our daily lives. We have seen it and experienced it many times during our stay in Israel. We as a family learned to obey and react on the Holy Spirit immediately. On many occasions we changed plans and stayed at home just to hear that another attack has taken place at a location where we intended to go earlier. We prayed daily for our protection.

During these five years I saw people gripped by fear for another attack against them. When something like this happens they get very emotional because the Hebrews suffered again. I have seen God's hand in protecting His people many times when a bomb is discovered before it went off. I have seen God's hand in attacks when people has minor injuries or only one, (suicide bomber) dead. Many attacks failed. There are many stories about mortars, which fell and did not explode. This happened on a daily basis where God protected people, but it does not get publicity.

I was also shocked to find that many do not know the Tanach (Old Testament) and some know the Torah and observe the rules and laws in the Torah. Many know about the Talmud (The oral law) but few know the contents thereof. Those who know the Tanach will tell you that they never read Daniel. They will tell you it is a closed book for them and they are not allowed to read it.

They observe the Sabbath and in some places people do not drive cars or allow cars in their areas where they live. One of the things you are not allowed to do is to kindle a fire on Sabbath. Normally the Sabbath starts an hour before sunset on Friday and it ends an hour after sunset on a Saturday. They are not allowed to answer telephones, switch on lights or any electrical appliance, light candles, etc during this time. You will find security gates open to apartments, lifts or elevators going up and down stopping at every floor, apartment lights on, many electrical appliances on timers during a Sabbath. Many families will use plastic plates, knifes, forks and spoons etc. just to throw it away after Sabbath. The above, according to the Talmud, is all based on the fact that they are not supposed to kindle a fire during Sabbath.

I found the Hebrew families to have a very close relationship with each other. They love their children. In Proverbs we read of family relationships more freely than any other book in the Bible. For their own good, Hebrew children were expected to respect their parents and pay attention to their teachings and advice.

When we were invited to a Sabbath meal they carry out all the rules and things they need to do which includes reading and singing. The father will then bless everyone and that include the guests.

Every visitor to Israel and foreigners will tell you that Hebrews are impatient and one of the first words you learn in Israel is "saf-la-nute" which means to have patience. They just do not have patience. Wherever you go this stands out like a sore thumb, in traffic, standing in lines, waiting for service, etc. The religious Hebrews wanted to be treated special and prefer special treatment. To them rules like this do not apply and you will find them jumping to the front many times. Even on the busses. Many times I saw them taking seats with elderly woman standing.

Tourism is and remains the biggest income in Israel. The *Intifada (Holy War) of the Arabs, started when the prime minister, Sharon wanted to go to the Temple Mount to pray. We knew they were preparing for something before. They were only looking for a reason to start it. Since the Intifada started, tourism dropped causing a lot of hotels to close their doors. This contributed a lot to unemployment. Tourism is the main income to Israel, therefore tourist are treated excellent and with much respect.

Lastly, I learned a lot in Israel about the people living in Israel and the land itself. What the people and the nation achieved since becoming a state hood in 1948 is amazing. They can be proud of it.

I recently applied for my German working visa and submitted my application. I am waiting for it to come though then we will move to Germany. My CV was already sent to the company and I was accepted. Soon we will leave but we will have some great memories of Israel. We met some great families and will try to keep up with them.

For 2000 years the Bible has inspired, guided, helped and comforted people all over the world. Its attraction is as greatly today as ever and with all the translations available today, many read it today for the first time. For many readers the Bible is set in a foreign country, against an unfamiliar background and lifestyle. This makes it difficult to understand and interpret. Many questions arise while I was still in South Africa. After living in Israel made me understand the Bible better. I visited many holy places and the Old Testament, the entire Bible has a new meaning for me.

*Later it turned out that, that was the first Intifada.