As I was growing up, I loved to read my Bible. It was there that I learned that the Bible was written not as an instruction book but as a book of relationships between God and man. God could have just said this is how it is and that's that. But instead he chose to reveal himself by the history of His involvement with man. The more I read the Bible, the greater my appreciation for Israel and God's chosen people. I remember as a ten-year-old asking God to make me a Jew. I desired to have that same heritage.
My earliest meaningful encounter with a Jewish family occurred when I worked at my first full-time job at Avery's Men's Wear in Flint, Mi. A nice Jewish family owned it. I loved the job and the people. They must have liked me, too. Just about every penny I earned, I gave it back to them as I bought clothes. (I told you I have always been a shopper.) I was the best-dressed 17-year-old around. It was the '70s and the clothes they had were the "coolest." Since we were right downtown, we were the favorite spot for all the pimps and hustlers. I thought that this was the way that everyone dressed so I dressed the same. I looked like the love child of John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever and Shaft. Nobody told me different.
I can't remember the name of the little man who ran that shop but he was a pleasure to work for. It was there that I learned sales and later became a sales manager for another company. It was there that I discovered all people are the same. One of the greatest sins of our society is the barrier we put up between people. God loves them all.
I have a great desire to visit Israel some day. This comes from my readings and studies on the history of the Jewish people (I just spent 8 months studying Isaiah and I am so impressed with the love that God has for His people) and through my involvement in the ministry. I hope to get there in this lifetime. In the meantime I guess I'll just have to travel through the Internet. One of the best ways is through shopping. I have included not just sites in Israel but throughout the Middle East.
We begin our trip to the Dead Sea. Here at http://www.shalom-usa.com/, you can purchase mud from the Dead Sea for your complexion. There are many other items they offer including beautiful Jerusalem stone art.
