February 27, 2017

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-27-2017.html

    After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Matthew 17:1-3

          Monday February 20 th ~

     Started this week in the small town of Arad, Israel. Drove east to the "Dead Sea", then south along the border with Jordan to Eilat. The southern most city in Israel on the shores of the "Red Sea". Blue Blue Water!

     A little over 200 kilometers today.

          Tuesday February 21 st ~

     Drove north through the Negev (rocky, mountainous desert) to Be'er Sheva. Known as the "Capital of the Negev". Fourth largest city in Israel.

     Another couple hundred kilometers.

          Wednesday February 22 nd ~

     Another couple hundred kilometers to Nazareth. Took half the day. Encountered stop and go traffic several times near Tel Aviv. This is a very small country. Heavily populated in many areas. Obviously not so much in the desert regions.

     The room I booked in Nazareth online for two nights is one of the cheapest in town at $80 a night. My fourth floor room has an awesome view of part of the city. As I'm writing this, the Muslim call to prayer (which occurs several times a day) is blaring across the city by loud speakers. So, I brought the guitar in and spent time singing praises to the Lord.

          Thursday February 23 rd ~

     Drove around the heavily congested old city area of Nazareth. Then several kilometers to Mount Tabor. This is a big mountain. It would be quite a chore climbing it on foot.
     I drove to the top, walked around a bit, and as I stood looking over the surrounding countryside, thinking about Jesus being transfigured with Moses and Elijah, I got a little emotional.

          Friday February 24 th ~

     Finally got to minister for some folks. While in Nazareth I googled nearby nursing homes and only one showed up. In a small kibbutz (Kfar HaHoresh) not too far away. The English name for the little home is "The Old House". A few of the staff spoke some English and very graciously brought the residents (eight) out onto a courtyard patio on this sunny, mild day.
     Three staff members and several local neighbors living next door, stopped by as well. Pretty neat.

     Spent some time visiting with a fella who'd been wounded in the war fought here back in the seventy's. Told me he'd married a girl from New Jersey, had six kids, five living here and one in Finland.

          Saturday February 25 th ~

     Yesterday afternoon I arrived at the "Panorama Hotel" on the south side of Tiberias which I'd booked online. A relatively cheap ($64) hotel/hostel. For some reason they gave me one of only two rooms available with private balconies overlooking the "Sea of Galilee". Spent evenings sitting out there, soak'n it up.

     This morning I paid for another night, then drove north along the shore to the "Mount of Beatitudes". Wondered around the grounds among other tourist and even bought a T-Shirt. Someone had brought a Drone and was filming from above.

     Continued north to Capernaum. An area of archeological ruins with sections for tourist to roam. Saw many different tour groups with guides speaking in native tongues. Groups from India, Asia, Italy, America and others.

     Drove on around the circumference of the Sea, back to Tiberias. About an hours total driving time, not including the stops.

          Sunday February 26 th ~

     Drove down to the "Yardenit Baptismal Site" on the Jordan River. Watched a bunch of folks (Tour Groups) getting Baptized. Took a hike along a nature trail leading in the other direction and stumbled onto a secluded amphitheater by the river with no one around. To the car to get the guitar and back to that quiet place and started singing, with doves cooing.

     After a little bit a lady with her three children came and sat down. She spoke fair English and had the kids clapping and even requested the one song they were familiar with, "Swing low Sweet Chariot". They took some video with the smart phone and asked if they could Instagram them. I said, "Sure". Pretty neat!

     Drove a bit north to the site where it's believed Jesus did the loaves and fishes thing. and nearby where he appeared to Peter after his Resurrection. And did the "Upon this rock, thing".  

     

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

February 20, 2017

Western Wall Jerusalem

Western Wall Jerusalem

In the West Bank

car rental

Masada

Masada

Jordian Desert

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-20-2017.html

    I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 104:33

          Monday February 13 th ~

     Awoke this morning in Tel Aviv, Israel. Still pumped, operating on very little sleep. Spent the first half of the day walking around the area south of the apartment I'm renting, thinking it was north. A bit turned around.

     Found a place nearby to get some pita bread and fruit. At noon a very short cat nap. Then wondered on the north side of my location. Got semi lost coming back. Just about worn out. Feet, back and brain aching.

          Tuesday February 14 th ~

     Rained on and off all day and night. Heavy at times. Got out in it for about five hours. Now know where I can rent a car and also where I can buy a guitar. At the last minute I had decided to leave mine in the States, not wanting to pay the extra baggage fees. Looks like I'll have to spend about the same amount after all. Lesson learned.

     Still dealing with sleep patterns out of wack. And struggling to manage blood sugar highs and lows.

          Wednesday February 15 th ~

     Walked to the music store and bought a low-end Fender acoustic guitar with a gig bag you can carry like a back pack. May or may not be able to minister while here, but now I've got the tool, if the opportunity arises.

     Walked to a High Rise nursing home. No luck. Activity director only there on Sundays. Prominent language barrier.

     Walked back to the apartment, just about worn out. Got online and ordered the rental car (20% discount online). Walked to their lot an hour before they close for the day. And got mobile.

          Thursday February 16 th ~

     Packed up. Checked out. On the road again.

     Cold, rainy day. Drove to Jerusalem. Navigated through the heavy traffic to the "Jerusalem Gate Hotel". Parked in their underground garage. Got checked in and wondered around the immediate area getting my bearing's.

     A few days ago at the airport, and again here at the bus station, I was approached by taxi drivers (hustlers) and cursed by them when I wouldn't bite.

          Friday February 17 th ~

     Up early. Took the light rail train to the Old City. Entered through the Jaffa Gate. Met a locale who gave me a personal tour. Paid him a hundred Shekels ($27). Probably saw and understood more than I would have alone.

     Being there so early, I was able to beat the crowds which arrive later. And was able to enter places (like David's Tomb) before they close to tourist at noon on Fridays for Shabbat.

     After the Western Wall, I came out the Dung Gate overlooking the Kidron Valley and the City of David. Back into the Old City through the Lions Gate. By the time those crowds were showing up, I was pretty much worn out from all the walking. Left through the Damascus Gate. Caught the rail train back to the hotel for one more night in Jerusalem.

          Saturday February 18 th ~

     Shabbat! Didn't sleep well. A high pitch beeping sound near my room occurred throughout the night. Got down to the breakfast room at 6:30 am.

     Shortly after I was back in my room the power went out for about an hour. Felt for and prayed for anyone stuck in the elevators.

     On the road by mid-morning. Light traffic (due to the Sabbath?) Drove south, my route taking me through a check point into the West Bank. An armed soldier was nearby, but no one was manning the booth. Further south, crossed another check point leaving the WB. This one was more populated and did check my passport.

     Eventually arrived at Arad, a small town east of Be'er Sheva. Had some difficulty finding the Guest House I'd booked online. More of a language barrier here seeking directions. Once found, turned out to be a nice place in a nice neighborhood.

          Sunday February 19 th ~

     No churches around here that I can find. So, I drove a short way (17  Kilometers) and spent some time climbing "Masada", overlooking the Dead Sea. Back at the guest house I took the guitar into the courtyard and sang for a bit.

    

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

February 13, 2017

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-13-2017.html

    In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 71:1-3

          Monday February 6 th ~

     Published from my friend (Richard's) wifi here in Austin, Texas. Spent the rest of the day doing research online for the upcoming Mission Trip.

          Tuesday February 7 th ~

     Ministered at the "Monte Siesta" nursing home for a few folks. Then to the windshield repair place. They removed the old one, the new one was the wrong size, they replaced the old one, they'll have the correct one when I return from Israel.

          Wednesday February 8 th ~

     A bunch of last minute errands preparing for tomorrow's flight. Then towards evening learned flights had been cancelled due to a winter storm in New York.

          Thursday February 9 th ~

     Along about 5:30am I was able to reschedule the flight for Saturday. So, called the windshield place. the correct part had arrived. Got over to their shop mid-morning and took care of that chore.

          Friday  February 10 th ~

     Ministered at the "Senior Care at Onion Creek" for a large group of folks.

          Saturday February 11 th ~

     Slept fairly well. Up at 4:30am. My buddy Richard took me to the airport. Flight left for New York at noon. Seven hour layover at JFK. Then through Israeli security screening. Grueling! Passed! Headed for Tel Aviv midnight (New York time).

          Sunday February 12 th ~

     Arrived in Israel at 5:45 pm Sunday. Relative ease going through customs. Took a 140 Shekel ($40) taxi to the studio apartment I'd rented for 3 days at $50 a day. Here it is about 8:00pm local time. I'm wide awake, so I decided to publish the newsletter.

         

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

February 6, 2017

Super Bowl Party

Adult Singles

 

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-6-2017.html

    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."
Psalm 122:6, 7

          Monday January 30 th ~

     First thing this morning was a dentist appointment here in Yoakum, Texas where the Doctor smoothed the back side of a tooth. No charge.
     Then over to "Yoakum Health & Rehab" where I was able to sing for some folks.

     Back to cousin Ricci's for some visiting and to Publish the newsletter.

          Tuesday January 31 st ~

     Spent the day with Ricci and his 2 year old grandson (Hank). We did some running around including a visit with his dad, my uncle (Wesley) who is celebrating his 87 th birthday.

          Wednesday February 1 st ~

     Drove to Austin Texas. Attended mid-week services at Jubilee Christian Center.

          Thursday February 2 nd ~

     Two years ago, a Brother gave me a nice big check ($3000) and said, "Take a vacation, go on a cruise, do whatever you want with the money." Well, what I wanted to do was minister in Australia. So, I did some online research and flew to Brisbane. Spent the next month working my way down the coast to just above Sydney, and back. Ministered in 16 nursing homes and 2 churches.

     Well, the resources are again available for a mission trip. So, the past few days I've done some online research and this evening bought a ticket to Israel. Leaving next Thursday and returning a month later.

     I appreciate your prayers and petitions.

          Friday February 3 rd ~

     Ministered at the "Southpark Meadows" nursing home here in Austin.

          Saturday February 4 th ~

     A rainy day of rest.

          Sunday February 5 th ~

     Attended services at "Hope in the City" here in Austin. Lunch with an old friend (Kevin).

     Afternoon at Sarah's adult singles super bowl party.

    

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!