But before I was able to glide in the wind, I had to jump.  There was this rickety old ramp (seen in the picture above) on the top of the mountain where you had to run across and just jump off of.  It was the scariest moment of truth.  Over the edge of that ramp was nothing. No safety net, no wires attached, just a drop of death.  It was a leap of faith, putting trust in the gilder that the wind would pick you up and send you soaring peacefully in the air.

Today I woke up and felt like I was standing on that cliff again.  That same feeling I got right before I jumped off that rickety ramp all those years ago came rushing back.  I was nervous. I was scared. I was self-doubting.

This was a different type of cliff diving.  This was a real life, dream accomplishing, future making type of diving…and I started feeling overwhelmed about it all.  I had received news that the bid I placed for the building of the youth center was accepted!  I was officially about to embark upon the vision God had placed in my heart for ministry, and it sent butterflies to my stomach.

This is a HUGE step for Shine, the first of many.  Funds must be secured, volunteers acquired, renovations completed, etc. etc.  but the first step is complete, and we’re about to jump.

Yes, I’m diving off the cliff right now….. but I KNOW that soon I’ll be soaring with the eagles who are flying all around me.

I’ve been spending time looking at places for the youth center, but to be quite honest its been torture.  I haven’t found one

single place that I would even consider, yet alone want to live in as well.  Today I even went inside a place with no floors… NO FLOORS!  There were just piles of dirt all around, and I’m talking about the 3rd floor no less.

After seeing this place, and being horrified by the thought of living there, it struck me…. There are thousands of people living there right now. Most of them are refugees and foreign workers, who can’t afford NOT to live in places without floors.  They do not have the luxury of saying ’NO’ when they are given a place like that.  And it humbled me.

This is why I must find a suitable place for the center.  I’m determined to make this place a beautiful respite for these kids…. a place to get away from what they experience day to day…. a place they can feel comfortable and at home in.

And though its frustrating and painful, looking and dump after dump, I have to keep on looking.  I have to believe that somewhere out there there IS a Needle in a Haystack!  I just need the endurance to find it.

I haven’t really played that many games since I moved to Israel, but I’m hoping that will change soon.  One thing I want to include at the youth center is games.  I want to teach these kids all the games that I grew up playing.  I want them to experience the joy and laughter that come from getting together during game time.  I’m hoping it will help build relationships.

So here’s my challenge for anyone out there that loves games as much as I do:  If you have any games you don’t use anymore or have outgrown or just plain got sick of, please consider sending them my way.  They don’t have to be in perfect condition, or even brand new (though I would hope all the pieces would be there), just able to be enjoyed by others. I understand shipping can get expensive, so even anything small and light would be amazing. Something is better than nothing.

I will send my shipping address to anyone who is interesting in helping….just let me know.

Oh, and by the way….. what are some of your families favorite games???

Lately at the Food Distribution more and more kids have been coming, not just to pick up food for their moms, but to stay and chat (and sometimes help out!).  Last night we were graced with the presence of our two little “translators”, a term and position they have appointed themselves.  Since most of the mothers only speak Arabic, and I only speak Hebrew, they like to be the ones to communicate all the in’s and out’s of the procedures.  It’s very cute, actually.

They sooooo need this youth center, to have a place to go.  I’m getting excited about the vision I have, and this week I will be looking at some potential buildings for the site.  In the meantime you can see my adorable, little helpers for yourselves.  These girls are two reasons why I am passionate about future plans…..