Prayer journey for Aliyah – Part 4
We travel by engine past the northern tip of Denmark, then hoist the sails and continue without the engine noise south-west along Denmark and Germany to the Netherlands. Hoisting the mainsail and mizzen requires many willing hands to pull the lines. The journey to IJmuiden near Amsterdam takes just over three days. After a watch until midnight out in the wind and, to some extent, the cold, it’s really wonderful to lie down in the narrow berth and listen to the sound of the water along the hull before sleep takes over.
Elida sailing with the genoa out
The fresh air and all the movements I’m unaccustomed to yield a voracious appetite, and the food tastes so good. But it’s a challenge to get to the galley where the food is served when the boat is tilted in the wind and moving in unexpected ways by the waves. A bowl of soup or oatmeal and milk doesn’t behave quite the same way at the kitchen table at home.
Often when we are sailing it can start to lean.
Both Samuel and I are thankful that we are not seasick and that we are able to take time for prayer, Bible study and proclamation. We pray for the Church in the countries we pass, that eyes will be opened to see God’s love for Israel and the Jewish people, and all His promises in the Bible to bring them back to Israel.
Samuel steering the boat
Ebenezer’s team in the Netherlands has expressed a wish for Elida to make a stop in the harbor of IJmuiden. A few days before, Stefan gives the go-ahead. The Dutch team organizes a berth and a couple from the team welcome us at 11 o’clock in the evening. The next morning a group from Holland comes onboard with fresh bread, fruit and Dutch waffles. Then we have a time of worship, reading the Bible and praying together.
Prayer with the Dutch Ebenezer Team
Henk, the coordinator, says that just before World War II, a Dutch Christian sister, Truus Wijsmuller, travelled to Austria to see if she could save Jewish children. She met Adolf Eichmann, and he eventually gave her permission to take 300 Jewish children, on the condition that they left two days later. She managed to organize a train for the children and took them to Holland. These children were shipped off from the very harbor of IJmuiden to safety in England.
Philip Holmberg
Ebenezer Operation Exodus
If you want to continue reading, you can go directly to Part 5 here: Part 5
Or if this was the first one you read and want to get to the beginning, click here: Part 1
A few extra pictures for Part 4:
Captain Stefan behind the steering wheel during a lunch prayer
Beautiful sunset out on the North Sea
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