An Au Pair In Israel. An Inspirational Free Story 🇮🇱

 

Author's note: This story has been translated from the original Afrikaans. Translation can be a tricky thing, and sometimes things get lost. :) I hope you are still encouraged by this Haifa inspired read. I lived there for a while as a little girl.

An Au Pair In Israel

It sounded as though the doves in the fir trees knew that it was nap time. Their soft and tender song echoed through the garden, a fitting soundtrack for a toddler to nap by. Adeleen Pelser was relieved to reach the apartment as she carried a sleepy toddler on one hip whilst carrying the stroller. Here in Haifa, she thought, you had to be fit. It's a busy city built on a hill, that even has a cable car. But Adeleen was young, and she'd excelled at netball at her South African school. For most of her life, she'd dreamed of seeing the world and writing and vlogging about her adventures. She'd saved nearly all of her waitressing money from the age of sixteen. With a bit of help from her parents, she'd made it to Haifa. Noah and Abigail Bichler had been searching for an au pair for their little girl, Eliana. It was the perfect opportunity for Adeleen.

***

The flat was old, yet luxurious, with cool marble floors. Perfect for hot summer days. There was even a library stocked with Hebrew books and a balcony with a view of the garden's fir and cyprus trees. Adeleen placed Eliana in her high chair. The cute redhead smiled sleepily at Adeleen. "Chalâv?" Eliana nodded and Adeleen poured her a cup of milk, which she placed along with yogurt and fruit on the highchair's table. "So, what do you think of my Hebrew, Eliana?" She felt less self conscious when she practiced on the toddler. Eliana babbled something she couldn't understand. Adeleen sighed. It was a difficult language to learn.

Once the toddler was sleeping peacefully, Adeleen prepared her own lunch carefully in the kosher kitchen. She used a knife and plate only used for dairy products. She also had to remember to wash the items she used in the left hand sink. On her arrival, Mrs Bichler had placed labels on everything to prevent mishaps. It was certainly challenging, yet at the same time, a huge privilege to be living in their home. She pondered her new life as she enjoyed her meal. Her responsibilities included taking Eliana to the neighbourhood playground, as she had just done. The Israelis loved children, and their playgrounds were full of fun equipment.

***

At first, she'd had every intention of writing about her experiences, but she never got time to do so. She was either taking care of Eliana whilst her employers were working, or she was going here and there with them. Dado and Carmel beaches reminded her of the coast of Durban, and the German Colony intrigued her with its beautiful old buildings. She also accompanied Mrs Bichler to the Quiet Beach. On that day, only women were allowed on the beach and in the water: the men had to wait their turn. She'd also celebrated the Passover with the family. Something about the strong family bonds, firm traditions, and fellowship surrounding the festival drew her. In the quietness, Adeleen reflected on her childhood as an only child. She'd been given every material thing she'd wanted, but she'd gradually become aware of the spiritual barrenness of her and her parent's lives. A few of her friends went to church on Sundays. Her family never went. Sundays were for going to the mall, going out to eat, or camping. Her parents never prayed or spoke about God. Strangely, she now found herself living in a home where God was central, with everyone living according to His rules. Adeleen wasn't sure whether she believed in God or not, but somehow, she wanted to believe: to be part of His family.

***

The following day was her day off, and she decided to visit the Baha'i Gardens. She'd seen them only in passing, and wondered now whether the restfulness of the serene place would still her own heart. She felt almost like one of the pilgrims who came from all over the world in search of peace and oneness. Perhaps God could be found here. She enjoyed the exercise and fresh air as she followed the steep pathways, climbing higher and higher until she reached the famous temple. Unbelievable. The view flowed downwards across the city  towards the harbour and The Mediterranean. She even saw some naval ships out at sea. But the tempel was only a building sitting on a hill, and it held no answers.

***

When she arrived at the apartment later, Mrs Bichler was preparing a cold supper. Being the Sabbath, no cooking was permitted. "Did you enjoy the gardens?" She arranged the pastrami artfully on a plate. "I especially love the trees." Mrs Bichler was a young woman, yet her hair was carefully covered during the day.

"May I ask you something?" Adeleen placed the serviettes neatly on the table. Mrs Bichler's smile was warm. "Of course."

"How do you know that God is real?" Adeleen's voice was soft, yet hopeful.

Mrs Bichler's hands stopped moving for a moment. "Well, we believe in Elohim because we believe His Word. It's simple."

Adeleen nodded respectfully and the two women continued with the task before them. The Word. Thought Adeleen. She knew that Jewish people  read the Old Testament. She remembered that her friend Natasha read both the Old and New Testaments. Maybe I should get a Bible.

***

A couple of weeks later, she caught a bus to Jerusalem. The drive took one and three quarter hours. The Bichlers had given her some time off whilst they visited family on a kibbutz. Adeleen opened the Bible she'd bought from a little old shop near the German Colony. She paged to the New Testament. So far, she'd read several books of the Old, but she wanted to find out more about Jesus. Her friend Natasha, had always ended her notes with, "Jesus loves you." She'd never thought much of it until now. She'd only thought that her best friend was a bit weird. She figured on finding Jesus in the New Testament. She was right. Absorbed, she read the whole of the book of Matthew, and she cried for this Jesus she didn't know as she read about the crucifixion.

With help from Google, she found the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was full of people, and its rich grandeur took her breathe away, but she didn't  find Him there.

Then she walked along the Via Dolorosa, with its noise and tiny shops, and it's old, old stones. But He wasn't there.

Adeleen stopped at a café and bought something to eat and drink. She sat at a minute table and saw and heard nothing for a long while as she searched for Jesus at the end of Matthew.

Then, as though led, she made her way to the well known grave in the garden. Even though she was surrounded by people, she could feel the peacefulness of the special place. The olive tree leaves whispered the incredible story of a man, who was actually God, who died and was buried. The bright red geraniums reminded her of blood, yet they spoke also of joy. How can it be?

And then, she neared the grave. Empty. Jesus was also not there. But Adeleen remembered the ending of the Book she'd just read. He has risen!

***

Back at the student hostel, she opened her Bible again. She read deep into the night. When she reached the Book of John, she felt a change in her heart. Her questions were answered as she found Jesus there. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Quickly, she whatsapped a message to her friend Natasha, knowing that she'd help. "What must I do now? I've found Jesus."

***

Do you too want to know what to do now? Do what Adeleen did, and read the Book of John in The New Testament. There, Jesus explains that we must be born again. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." 

We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. We need to repent of our sin, and trust Jesus to save us. Trust in Jesus, His death on the cross, where He took all of our sin upon Himself. Give Him your whole life as you trust in Him. Jesus will save you, and you will become His child and gain eternal life.

Bible quotes: English Standard Version

A note about Israel: Bible believers should acknowledge Israel and its God given right to existence. We must pray for Israel and show love in practical ways. We need to share the Gospel with Jewish people by various means. This obviously does not negate the need for believers to show love to all people and to share the Gospel with them whether European, Palestinian, African, and all the world.

This story was translated from the original Afrikaans story, 'n Au Pair in Israel. It is available in Afrikaans as part of a small compilation on my Afrikaans site.

Find it here

Copyright: Alison Lawrence.

Photo, my own.

Thanks for reading! Hope you have a blessed day and week.