After an enlightening introduction to the Or Movement by Debbie Rolnick this morning, we headed onto our buses and set out to 3 different work spots between the two buses. Our work spots turned out to be 3 fully functioning farm lands within the sandy, sandy desert of the Negev! Who would have thought!?

Half of Bus 2 visited the Keren B'Har H'Negev Vinyard. Driving up to the vineyard, it was hard to believe that there was a functioning fruit farm just ahead of us. We got off the bus and were greeted by HeAlbaz who worked and lived on the vineyard all alone. He was so happy to have all 25 of us there to help him in getting the vineyard ready for season. We raked up the old, dried out vines and prepared the acres of vines with new wires to grow on. Soon shiras, petit vardu, cabinet suvinot, etc… would be growing in the middle of the desert, ready for harvest.

Half of Bus one arrived to Havat HaRoah farm in the middle of the rocky dunes of the Negev Desert. A husband and his wife, their goats, and a few dogs occupy a caravan at the edge of their extensive plot of desert that they now call home. Our group divided into three to till the land for planting berries, fix a roof, and build a barbed wire fence to keep wondering camels out. We pounded over one-hundred posts into the ground and over two kilometers of fence around part of the new home. The sun was high, the work was intense, and the satisfaction was immeasurable. The students really connected with the desert and their personal pioneering spirit. The family was so grateful for the additions we made to their home.

The remainder of both groups traveled to a vineyard/farm to help with a plethora of tasks. Some were assigned to prune grape vines, while others built a road. A few hoed the shrubbery that was growing around the vines, and others sifted through dirt that was used to create mud. While we broke for lunch, we were addressed by one of the seven people who reside on the farm. He told us why he and his wife decided to help out when the visionary for the area passed away. They made a commitment to stay on the farm until the work is completed. He couldn't fully express in words his appreciation for our help, but the motivation he provided lasted throughout the day. We all joined together at the end to make a mud house by throwing mud at a wall. It was a fun, messy and dirty day for all involved!