Yesterday our whole family went to a hospital to sing to lots of kids who we thought had cancer. My brother brought some juggling balls, but I thought at first that we were going to sing for a bunch of old people, so I didn’t bring my Chinese yo-yo. but for some reason I brought my soccer ball that I had gotten for Christmas. arriving at the hospital, we were surprised to find that no one there actually had cancer, there were just an assortment of kids with fevers and other sicknesses. We sang, juggled, beat boxed, slap boxed and Renae played the flute and dad played the banjo and Nathan played the guitar. My dad had other little children play the banjo, (strumming) and many faces were lit up with a smile that night. On the way home we stopped by and got falafel’s (big sandwiches) and interviewed the Messianic Jew who invited us in the first place. It was a great experience for us and great fun for the kids at the hospital.
Here’s some history from dad: Update:
The hospital we went to in late December was in the town of Ashkelon. On January 4, 2008 the Islamic Jihad, fired a Katyusha rocket from Hamas controlled Gaza that landed in northern Ashkelon, a city of 120,000 people. Militants likely acquired the 122 millimeter rocket from Iran, and smuggled in through Egypt. They have used this type before in attacks hitting southern Ashkelon. The rocket landed in an open field and did no damage, but it traveled more than 10 miles, the farthest of any rocket so far from Gaza, the Israeli police said. The Katyusha has a range of up to 13.7 miles. There are thought to be fewer than 20 of them in Gaza. Most often, Hamas fires Qassam rockets at the western Negev Israeli town of Sderot. Palestinians in Gaza launched seven Qassam rockets this past on Friday.
We were walking back from a church when I saw it. A little boy was taking of his shoes, preparing to jump around in a little puddle in a large gutter. I took it all in with a quick glance and then turned my head and kept walking.
Then came a scream.
Renae and Dad were behind us, and they rushed toward the sound. I came back, seeing Dad run up to the child. Dad saw blood pouring out of a cut in his foot. The child’s frantic father rushed up and just picked up the boy, without heading to the cut. Seeing this, Dad told him he needed to put pressure on the deep cut, or else the boy would loose a lot of blood.The man was frantic and only spoke Hebrew. Dad pressed the cut closed. “Go tell the consulate and have them call an ambulance!” Dad shouted at Nathan.
Off Nathan went, sprinting across the park, to tell the guards at the American consulate about the emergency. “Hey! We’ve got a kid with a deep cut, and we need an ambulance, they are bringing the boy here.” Continue reading ‘Bloody Feet’
Ben Yehuda Street, named after Eliezar Ben-Yehuda, lies in the heart of Jerusalem, Israel not far from Jaffa road and the old city. This street is also called the 5th avenue of Jerusalem. It’s a great place to experience a variety of new and mixed things. Ben Yehuda Street brings a unique experience filled with music, people and flavors to taste.
On this unique street, Jews, Gentiles, Christians, extremists and people of all backgrounds come to shop, taste the many foods, or simply take a walk and stare empty eyed at things in windows they could not buy. Cyclist’s wiz past leaving startled people staring after them, jumping over and off anything in their way. Jews wearing kippas, the traditional Jewish head cover, come out to take an evening stroll after the Sabbath. Celebrations thrive on street corners, stopping strollers to stare at Jews waving flags. Hundreds of humans walk down this street every day unknowingly creating a new and spectacular atmosphere. Continue reading ‘Ben Yehuda Street’
