May 5, 2013
Maranatha Chapel in San Diego deepened its longstanding friendship with the City of Ariel through an afternoon tour of church leaders and congregants on Monday, May 5, 2013.
Pastor Ray Bentley and his wife Vicki have been leading Maranatha missions to Israel, and Ariel in particular, ever since they developed a friendship with late Mayor Ron Nachman fifteen years ago. They were joined Pastor Robert Mawire from Ft. Worth, Texas.
“What Ron did isn’t just a local success,” Pastor Ray Bentley told the group at Ron’s burial site at the top of the Ariel National Center for Leadership Development (ANCLD) where they were greeted by Ron’s widow, Dorith. He marveled how Ron’s vision has impacted the entire country, as evidenced by his receipt of the Israel Prize, the country’s top honor, in April 2013.
Through a microphone reaching the group of 70 strong, Avi Zimmerman, Executive Director of American Friends of Ariel, started the tour with an overlook of the construction activity that began ever since the government building freeze was lifted. Of particular interest to the group was the apartment complex designated for the evacuees from Netzarim in Gush Katif, Gaza, who found a welcome home in Ariel since their displacement in 2005. It’s slated for completion next year.
“It’s a city. It’s alive. It’s not just a ‘settlement’,” remarked Vicki Bentley of Ariel’s growth.
The tour around Ariel, which included a hike to
Ron’s grave site through the ANCLD, culminated at the Ariel Regional Center for Performing Arts with a special performance of Ariel’s youth dance ensemble who dashed off after school in time to entertain the group before their return flight to San Diego. The ensemble, consisting of Ariel students ages 6-18, imparted Zionist and Jewish folklore through colorful skits and dances that had the crowd jumping in their seats, scrambling to record the performances on their smartphones. Marantha’s tour of Israel came to an end with a standing ovation for these talented youth—and, in essence, the Zionist dream that Ariel represents.
“Ray, Vicki and Robert are more than friends,” Dorith Nachman said of the church leaders at the ANCLD. “They’re like family. I’m lucky to have them as part of what Ron has left.”