As I look back on my visit to Isreal way back in 1969 I can’t believe that as our ship was sailing into Haifa, I had the feeling that I was arriving home. Since I was in my early twenties and had not done much travelling other than in my country, Canada, and a few places in the United States, I was quite suprised. Had I visited this place in another life time I wondered?
My travel friend and I stayed in Israel for about three months and ended up working as volunteers at a Kibutz. Fortunately we had a lovly man, Joseph,who knew his small country well and wanting to show it to us would take us on trips to the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. I wasn’t a strong Chrisian at home in Canada so these trips he took us on where much more interesting than anything I ever learned in Sunday School.
I also developed a liking of classical music while staying at our Kibbutz which by the way was named Naot Morticai located in the northern part of Israel about ten kilometers south of the Lebanese border. These days this kibbutz is known for the shoes they make and ship all over the world called Naots. I felt very comfortable and at home while living in a small community such as the kibbutz. We got to know everyone since we all ate in a large dining hall and there was always something going on at night such as movies, classical music or just getting together in each others rooms for tea and talk. Our volunteers were from various countries such as Holland, Denmark, the US, India and South Africa. Then the Isralies hemselves who had come to live at the kibbutz after the war often would invite us to their homes for games and chat.
Yes, it was definitely a wonderful experience for me so strong that I briefly contemplated staying there and become a permanent resident. However, I would have had to learn the language which looked and sounded very difficult and study the torah. Nope, I knew then Israel was not to be my future home.
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