I have just finished my first work week for Sar El (volunteers for Israel) working for the Army.  I am in Eilat, Israel which is as far south as you can go without wading into the Red  Sea.............which I have done many times already to let the many fish tickle my toes. 

 

We sleep in an outpost on the Jordan border and work on a base on the Egyptian border.  The two bases are only 8 kilometers  apart, so a bus moves us each day.  We are packing field equipment for the army this week but might do some border fence work next week.  These people are the kindest and nicest people I have ever met.

 

  I am not a stranger in a strange land.  I am stationed here with 12 other people from all parts of the globe........Finland, England, Australia, Sweden, Canada and even the USA.  The ages range from 20 to 76.  The 76 year old out works us all...........he is amazing.  All but two of us have done this many times before and I can see why I will join the list next year.  I have met so many Israeli's that I am beginning to struggle with the names which are hard to say in Hebrew.

 

The soldiers on the bases are all babies (18-21) but the real army (and believe me when I say REAL army) is among the general population.  They serve three years beginning at 18 (no exceptions whatsoever) and then 30 days every year until the age of 45.  Within hours the entire nation, men and women up to the age of 45 can be on the job of defending their nation.

 

The town of Eilat is a very popular tourist place for Israeli's and is very beautiful.  I have just finished a well earned weekend off here, but I go back to work tomorrow.