What can I say as I sit at my computer this morning, 1 January 2015? But oh, my, I’m leaving for Israel in one month, for a month, to serve as Head Cook at Biblical Tamar Park, study at Hebrew University and write about the ancient secrets and modern uses of the plants of the Bible, and Antiquity.
For those who want to read a few of the things that I experienced during the six weeks I spent in Israel in Oct & Nov 2014 I can e-mail or snail mail it to you. E-mail PreciousOils@aol.com. In the subject line write Biblical Tamar Update and either send your snail mail or postal mailing address. Here’s a portion of that letter.
The vision of Biblical Tamar is in part the reason I volunteered at Biblical Tamar; it is called The Garden of the Ages @ Biblical Tamar Park. It is part of the responsibility of park completion given to Blossoming Rose, from the IAA (Israel Antiquities Authority). After I returned home in March Dr. Coxon and I had e-mail and phone conversations so I knew the importance of spending time to interact and hear the vision of Tamar from him, and to walk the land. I captured short videos of Dr. Coxon as a group of us walked with him from one end of the 55 acre park, to the other, showing us the boundaries and explaining the future plans of the park that will include 20 of the acres as The Garden of the Ages. The park’s boundaries are to be marked with trees and are the first important step of the gardens so the park’s boundaries are clear as construction of two hotels is beginning soon. Israel depends on tourism and highlights 31 regions where tourists can go. Biblical Tamar is located in the region known as “The Arava”. There are many Biblical references of the past, and the future of the Arava. Tamar is named as one of the future borders of Israel (Ezekiel 47). The seven periods of history represented at Biblical Tamar, as well as the location of the oldest tree in Israel, is bringing busloads of people to this very special site. The Arava has a new welcome center located less than 10 minutes away. They’ve produced a movie that introduces people to the rich resource and history of The Arava. The ancient jujube tree (the oldest tree in Israel) located at Biblical Tamar is shown often in the movie. The welcome center shows how The Arava crops are an important portion of the economy of the region and how Europe benefits from the fresh food that is being grown there.
There are a lot of projects to complete at Biblical Tamar Park before the gardens can be planted, and of course being in the Shmita year allows for planning needed for the 20 acre project with a landscape artist.
You can be a part of the volunteer work team(s) that I will be cooking for in February, and in the fall. Volunteer duties to fit your gifting are available!! You also can be a part by helping with the needed finances to complete the current and future projects of Biblical Tamar. If any of you reading this love Israel, Biblical History and are of a willing heart you can be a part of Biblical Tamar Park! Info posted at the end of this blog.
Personally I wish my ministry had the finances to sponsor one of the last two historical periods that have been unearthed at Biblical Tamar. The one most suited for Precious Oils to sponsor is the Fifth Historical Period ~ 675 to 1916 ~ The Arab period, which was the longest occupation of Biblical Tamar. You may be asking “How does this “fit” with Precious Oils?” It does in an amazing way. Let me share this from the Nov 2014 Biblical Tamar newsletter written by Dr. DeWayne Coxon, President of Blossoming Rose.
The Arab Period, was during the years that the Muslims controlled all of the Middle East. Tamar was a vital link for the camels when the desert caravans hauled spices, precious ointments, and Eastern goods to the Mediterranean Sea and on to Europe. Water was the commodity that was critically needed by conquering armies who controlled Tamar. The largest spring in the entire Arava was here at Tamar. The rushing streams were perfect for providing water for the camels and other animals that sought the cool shade in a very hot desert.
The Desert Caravans were of great importance to carry the spices and resins through Biblical Tamar. I wrote this statement in my book, Esther’s Days of Purification.
The Arabs controlled the ancient spice markets of yesterday. Today, the prized myrrh and frankincense is still grown in the Arab world. Take note, the price of these essential oils are on the rise due to the unrest in many portions of the world where they are harvested. Building up your own arsenal of these precious oils for your health and well-being is recommended as they may become difficult in the future to obtain.
Are you aware during the Roman and early Arab periods of time 3000 tons of frankincense resin was transported on this ancient trail? Resin, my friends, not essential oils as the big mlm companies want you to believe. The ancient secrets of the value of not only the frankincense resin, but other resins, spices and other plants that were transported on the ancient trails is note-worthy. I look forward to sharing many new projects that my ministry of Precious Oils will be publishing in 2015 to teach you of these plants. I am also honored that I’ve been asked to be a member of the planning, planting, and maintenance committee of The Garden of the Ages @ Biblical Tamar Park.
The picture is the camel trough and is amazing to think that thousands of camels would have been watered here at Biblical Tamar. It is even thought that the Queen of Sheba’s “great train” rested at this historical site.
While I want to write more today, I must get on with my day. I have a lot of things to do to prepare for my upcoming journey to Israel, but I want to share one more picture with you.
These aren’t just “rocks” they are part of the ancient incense road of great importance that is part of Biblical Tamar Park in Israel. I can only tell you that as I walked this ancient trail last fall a whole new aspect of why Precious Oils is associated with Biblical Tamar came to life. I’m writing about the plants, resins, spices and trees that were transported on this ancient trail, some of the cargo may surprise you. I will be highlighting them through my www.ApothecaryMama.com blog over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. 🙂
The Ancient Secrets and The Modern Uses of the Plants of the Bible has been an on-going passion of mine. Honestly, I believe that the Lord “hand-picked” me and took note of my heart over the last 23 years since Precious Oils began. Last year, as Precious Oils began our 24th year, I sensed that the Lord was directing my steps into a special time, and into my (our) future. I pray that those of you who are reading this will join with me in 2015, and beyond as we will continue to bless Israel and educate the generations to come through the Precious Plants and Oils of the Bible.
As I prepare to go to Israel finances are needed for my journey (yes we pay to volunteer), to pay for the extra luggage of the things I take to bless others in Israel as well as finances and volunteers are needed for Biblical Tamar. Here’s how you can help.
Tax deductible giving is possible for Cynthia’s upcoming journeys to Israel. Please make checks out to Liberty Ministries, Inc., memo Israel 2015. Send to Cynthia Hillson, 107 Bradberry Street, Mooresville, NC 28115. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions!!
To learn more about Biblical Tamar Park, and how you can be a part, visit their web site www.BlossomingRose.org. Contact them to get on their newsletter mailing. Donations for the projects that will be worked on in Feb 2015 are needed, and welcome. At this time formal donations for the garden development and the trees/plants has not begun. If anyone wants to volunteer when I am at the Park either in February or in the fall of 2015, opportunity is available to you. Contact Dr. Coxon through the web site or by mail, 4707 Indian Lakes Rd, PO Box X, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 and he will find a place for you to use your gifts and talents at Biblical Tamar.
If you want to surf the web about the park be sure to search “Ancient Haseva (Hatzeva) [Biblical Tamar] in Israel” One other note, on the web, Bible Walks, is a wonderful explanation of what has been uncovered at Biblical Tamar Park. http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/BiblicalTamar.html. Biblical Tamar Park truly is an amazing place, and I pray that you will one day be able to visit and learn of the past, as well as enjoy the gardens that will soon be planted.
Want to hear more about The Garden of the Ages @ Biblical Tamar Park? Cynthia will come to your group to further share the exciting vision of The Garden of the Ages @ Biblical Tamar Park as well as the ancient plants that were transported on the trail. I will be in Texas in March, during Purim, sharing at a Women’s Conference.
With Love,
Apothecary Cynthia Hillson
Precious Oils Up On the Hill ®
PO Box 2036 Cornelius, NC 28031
Web site www.TheFragrantBride.com
E-Mail PreciousOils@gmail.com
704-664-7971
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