Heartfelt encouragement 80ft underground

The story behind this pic

It was a hot day of intense sun near the valley of Elah (where David killed Goliath). Too hot to be carrying our gear on a sunburnt and brown hillside with nasty sharp thorny bushes everywhere. With a couple new friends, we were looking for "the spot".

We soon found it. An unassuming hole in the ground with a few large rocks around it.

The new guy roped up his harness, put on his headlamp helmet and slowly disappeared into the hole to prep for the rest of us. I was next.

With a harness on, I went in feet first, until my feet touched nothing. From there, it was a slow repelling descent about 80ft (25m) down to the dark cave floor. It was refreshingly cool, like natural air conditioning, but almost chilly.

Some of the caves were natural, some were hand dug by 1st century Jewish zealots who were hiding and later fought the Romans there. IN the caves.

Hand to hand underground combat in the caves near the valley of Elah and 2000 years later, we are spelunking the same caves for fun on a Sat afternoon. Israel is full of these surreal places.

We spent the next hour exploring the mazes by the light our headlamps, crawling through narrow tunnels that led to cathedral ceiling rooms and getting dirty in the very best of ways.

Then as Israelis do, at the first mention of a break, the "pakal cafe" came out. This is the infamous "Israeli coffee kit" to make coffee- any place, anytime.

If you've ever been hiking with an Israeli, its what happens when you get to the summit or a beautiful spot. You stop, break out the coffee kit to make a strong shot of "mud coffee" and enjoy the time with people you're with. It really is the best.

As we were sipping our hot coffee that could double as "jet fuel", our new guide asked his friend if everything was ok.

The guy we just met, began openly sharing about the unpleasant exchange he has with his wife that morning that left him feeling sad. His sharing was transparent and vulnerable, with a tinge of heartache in his voice as he shared the misunderstanding they had.

Just like that, we went from adventuring strangers in a cave to a supportive family in an underground living room. We listened and encouraged the one who needed it, knowing that at times, we all need it.

It wasn't trite, contrived or awkward. It was meaningful, sincere and life giving.

When people ask me what I miss most about Israel when I'm not there, its relationships like this: where friends unapologetically share life together, the good and the bad, knowing we all experience the same things. After Oct 7, the family pulled together even more.

He asked if we thought he should find some flowers on the way home to express his love for her. With a camera, we had a better idea, with a personal touch.

This pic.

From a husband to his wife, 80 ft underground. A photographer, one of us holding the light behind him, while others made creative suggestions. It was a group effort, to lovingly help repair whatever was needed. With the guy we just met hours before.

This is the Israel that I know and strive to introduce to each Ezra Adventures traveler that comes. The biblical sites you'll remember; the people you'll never forget.

I love this shot. I hope she loved it too.

Shabbat Shalom. Am Yisrael chai.
(pic by Elise Theriault)