Update from Philip

Philip Norris is a support worker that has taken a year out and is being sponsored by Exalon during his time out there.... this is an update of his time there so far.

This month has been rough for me, I failed my truck driving test. Although I was told that my driving on the other side of the road is good, I was too obliging to other traffic and need to drive more aggressively like the Israelites. So with failing that my emotions nose-dived and I then hit what they call "culture shock" which usually happens about the 3 month mark and then again at 6 and 9 months periods. I have been really low and emotional with even having thoughts of coming back. I have felt very lonely these last few weeks and my roommate and I are on two completely different levels and in fact have nothing in common at all. I have not made any friends here in Karmiel but have a couple of friends near Tel Aviv which i have been traveling to see on the odd weekend but although the travel is reasonably cheap, when you don't have a lot it kind of eats away into it. I have been told that my low emotions are apparently normal in this type of work.

I am amazed at how much I took for granted like my car and regular money and new clothes when I need them, and here I don't have that.

Because I live in the north, in fact 15 miles from the Lebanese border, just before the holidays we were all given an evacuation leaflet and what to do in the event of war. The Lebonese like to bomb Israel when its their Holy time of the year. So a few days before i saw the military everywhere, helicopters, tanks, jeeps all over the place and on top of that everynight I hear the jet fighters fly over my apartment patrolling the skies. In the event of war we are meant to evacuate into our bomb shelter in the basement and pack provisions for at least 2 days but if this happens it is my job to deliver food to the people who can not get out of their homes, so in fact I would have drive into the war zones to help others. Scary thought isn't it?

So I have my 2nd driving test on monday at 8.00am (6am uk time) and hopefully this time I will get it. I have to get it as its the reason I am here, to deliver food.

So we are now delivering 60 tons of food all over Israel to the needy. When I am not delivering with the other driver who is leaving soon due to his visa coming to an end, I am packing wooden pallets read to deliver. I pack a few tons of food a day so by the end of the day I am tired.

Anyway, please say a pray for me for Monday, I have to pass.
Philip Norris