March 3 Bus trip to factory

On our bus trip this morning, our first stop was Magen Sha’ul to visit the factory, tech school, and the kindergarten. The country is still showing the effects of the wonderful rains we have had. There is much water still flowing in the ditches. Years ago this part of the country used to be swamps, but now the water is channeled by ditches into reservoirs.



Magen Sha’ul was established as a Jewish city in 1976 by Iraqi Jews. Plans were made for thousands of people, but only 45 families came. The city is situated near the unfriendly city of Jenin and a couple other Arab villages, but the Iraqi Jews were used to living with Arabs. They specialized in flowers and for 10 years it was a good business. Then African flower growers took over the European market and most went bankrupt. Today there are only two farmers left who grow flowers. Many of these greenhouses are empty, although the community is talking about renovating them and growing vegetables in them.

The community was not really looking for this place. They were looking nearby and had bought a plot in a nearby Jewish village. But when they found out they were believers, and not Jews, they were not welcomed there. At this meeting, the mayor of Magen Sha’ul was present and he encouraged them to come to his city. The Jewish residents voted and most agreed. One was against them and ironically he became their first employee. We were told that today this Jewish man would give his life for the community members in Magen Sha’ul.



The community planted olive trees along the road to Magen Sha’ul. Last year they harvested two tons of olives from these trees which produced 700 liters of olive oil. Today the community has 6 houses, mostly 2 family dwellings and rents two other houses. They are in the process of buying more properties.



The dedication for the factory occurred in 2003. They were given 5,000 roses from the Jewish farmers for the dedication. This was the verse that was read during the dedication: Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob.
Our brother leading the tour shared with us – The Jewish people welcomed us here. We can only say the Lord moves the hearts. There is a drawing towards one another here. There has been an economic crisis, but we’ve grown during that time. This is God’s blessing. We thank those who pray.





The community created a training center instead of learning at the factory. They purchased lower cost machines overseas for training. The course is somewhat sponsored by the government. Students get paid a little while taking the course. Last year was the first training course lasting 8 or 9 months. Several were hired at the end.



Quick stop at the kindergarten where they community takes care of both their own and the Jewish children.



Arab city of Um el Fahem



Army base in Samaria



Shakhak is an industrial park which is a combination of three Jewish cities come together. It is on the northern edge of Samaria. It would actually be in the West Bank, were it not that the government showed them favor and took the fence around their industrial park like a finger.

The first factory was dedicated in 2004. The community originally feared building up this property because if the government gives this Land away they will lose the factory, but the Father gave them this verse: Isaiah 54:2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.”

They now have two factories there and plans for a third. At one of them, they make injection molded parts for irrigation, electrical panels, and hospital equipment that requires a ‘clean room’ (a place where masks, overalls, booties, etc. are required). The other factory makes filters that are used anywhere air MUST be pure, such as where computer chips are made or in hospital operating rooms. Israel actually has a law that requires every public building to use their high quality filters. They had begun making filters to protect against chemical and biological weapons in the 1970’s!



One of the filter factories has a small park area open to the sky in the center of the 4 story building. It reflects the long term commitment to Israel industry.



This metal sculpture was created by one of the workers during breaks in his spare time at the factory. Obviously a talented artist!

Tomorrow we will be all day in the City of the King!