What Just Happened?

Today was a really short day. We went to see Samuel’s tomb. We went up on a roof with a beautiful view of the city and we could look down and see Samuel’s tomb. Unfortunately, people were praying so we were unable to actually go into the area and see his grave. Our new guide, Aton, gave us a lot of information on the areas and wars surrounding the grave area. It was very long and boring, but I was trying to keep up.  I miss Mark, and his crazy commentary.

After lunch, we were supposed to go sift at the Temple Mount Antiquities Sifting Project. It is like being on an archaeological dig! They have been sifting through the remains and dirt from the Temple Mount for the past five years and they are still only about twenty percent into the project. Unfortunately for us, they didn’t have the proper water and conditions for us to sift today, so we have to go back another time. So instead, we had a very long lecture on archaeology and how the project is going, as well as some of the items they have found. It was incredibly long. Actually both places we went today there was a lot of talking and very little action.

We went shopping this afternoon. I found some really great gifts for some of my friends and family. I love exploring Jerusalem. There is so much life and color and culture everywhere you go! Tonight we are going to get coffee and then watching a movie.   

What a fun and insightful day. We went to the Nature Reserve of En Gedi.  En Gedi is the desert area where David hid from Saul when Saul was trying to kill him. As we explored the extensive rock formations and fresh water springs you cannot help but wonder if you are on the same path as King David! David also wrote many of the Psalms in En Gedi, too. So… we took some time out of our exploring the desert to each write a Psalm of our own! I really liked taking time to just sit in the desert and write a song/poem to God.

After that we went swimming! We swam for a little while in the small Spring the guide showed us, but then we decided to find a larger one some rock climbing possibilities.  We found a deeper spring and Caleb, Lauren, and I climbed up to the (near) top to jump. It was amazing. It definitely reminded me of all the incredible waterfalls I went to in Mexico and all the cliff jumps we enjoyed during that trip. The waterfalls and springs are so refreshing here! This afternoon we had a lecture on the Cultural Aspects of Reconciliation. We discussed the Jewish and Palestinian worldview—which I honestly think is very important to know for people spending time in this country.

Tonight I think we are going to go shopping and get gelato after dinner and review time. We had a delicious and very authentic Arabic dish for dinner tonight. “I have a feeling… That tonight’s gonna be a good night.” That has been the Jerusalem theme song. 

Walking Where Jesus Was

When you visit Jerusalem, arrange to visit the Western Wall Tunnels! The excavations lasted about twenty years, and have revealed so much history and discovery of life during the Herodian period as well as the history of the Temple Mount. We visited the Western Wall again—but this time it wasn’t on Shabbot so we could go down and touch the wall. Many people were still there for their morning prayers. It was really moving to be there as Jewish people cried out to God. People leave prayers and tuck them inside the cracks in the wall. Security removes the prayers twice a year, but evidently the ink is all washed away from rain, but they are all buried in a Holy Place. We also visited the Dome of the Rock. We are not allowed to go in, because we are not Muslim, but it is a magnificent structure.

Lastly, we visited Jerusalem Archaeological Park. The park includes the steps p to the Hulda Gates (a place we know Jesus was!) from the Second Temple Period. Remnants of the stairway that led to the Holy Temple remain here. People used to make sacrifices to God right there! We also watched a short video.

Today we had a little bit of the afternoon off. I attempted to nap but the girls were laughing way to loud and I ended up just chilling with them and talking. Dinner was delicious, as always. After a review downstairs in five minutes, we are going out!!

So tired!

Today was awesome. We were able to see the 2000-year-old wooden boat that very well could have been the boat that Jesus was in on the Sea of Galilee. We rode on a boat over Galilee! It was gorgeous! We also went to Capernaum, where the incredible story of Jairus and his dying daughter was raised from the dead. Jairus’ house was right by the Synagogue of Jesus. Peter was also lived in Capernaum. We visited two churches and the Synagogue today.  At the Church of the Primacy we talked about the significance of Peter and how Peter was chosen and set apart and later became the first Bishop of Rome. This place is remembered in John 21:15 as the place where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him.  The correlation is found when Jesus asked Peter three times if he loves him and then Peter later denies Jesus three times.

We had a delicious lunch of “Peter’s Fish” on the Sea of Galilee. It was actually the whole fish, with the body and head and everything. It was so good! The last place we visited was the Church of the Beattitudes. We talked about resistance without evil intentions. It was such a beautiful church. I loved how it was on the water, and there were beautiful flowers everywhere. It was so windy because we were right by the water.

Lastly, we went to the Jordan River and people were baptized. I have personally already been baptized, but I was very excited for everyone who made the decision to be baptized. It is a really awesome opportunity to be baptized in the same place as Jesus! We stayed up until past 2 am talking so 6 am came really early today. It was an incredible day. 

What a Day

Last night we had a delicious dinner at the Bedouin Camp. We all sat on the floor and ate from very low tables. It was really great. We walked around in the desert for a while by the light of the almost full moon. Unfortunately you cannot see too many stars, because the moon was so bright and reflects on the light colored sand. I love camping and hiking so this little trip was perfect! The camp was lovely in a very rustic sort of way. It reminded me of being at some sort of a camp for backpackers in Africa. We learned about some of the culture and customs of the people at the camp. 

            We had a campfire and sang songs and I had the most wonderful moment just being silent in the presence of God. I feel closest to God when I am outside in nature. I love taking time to be silent and just listen. We were sleeping across from the guys so we had a sugar packet war right before we all fell asleep. I am still in the rock assassination game so I fell asleep clutching my rock, because Kevin was just too close for comfort.

            We woke up just in time for the sunrise. I caught my breath as the sun came up over the mountains. It was gorgeous. Some things you just cant describe with words. Breakfast was delicious. We then climbed up a mountain to get to the fortress of Masada. Herod originally built it—but later on there was a dramatic story of the Jews revolting against Roman rule. The Romans came to attack and the Jews had to decide if they wanted their women to be raped and their children to be slaved. They killed each other off, except for a few women and children who lived to tell the story. What a tragic and moving ending.

 Lastly, we went on an open-air truck through the desert with the view of the beautiful Dead Sea. The driver freaked us out a couple times but I love heights and danger so it was exciting. Then Mark took us to a little fresh spring but no one wanted to swim at first. The spring was full of Middle Eastern men. Noelle and I put our feet in and Noelle slipped and got soaked… so—we decided to go in! A couple of the guys went in with us. Then one of the Middle Eastern men standing around told about a secret water tunnel that led out somewhere. It was i n c r e d i b l e! Definitely one of the highlights so far of the trip was this secret tunnel we had to crawl/swim through. It was pitch black at times. Then we found a little waterfall and let the refreshing cool water wash over us. Amazing. Mark told us to change into dry clothes behind a tree... however, one of the men offered to let us in his house or shed or something. It was sketch but we can laugh about it now! Dance party tonight. What a memorable day. 

A Paradise in the Desert

OH MY GOSH. The last two days have been incredible.  I will start with yesterday.

            Yesterday we went to see Qumram, right in the desert. Parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in caves in Qumram. It was a beautiful view, and we also watched a video about the place. After that, we headed to the Dead Sea for a swim! It wasn’t cold at all, and the water is so salty! It is made up of 35% salt, as opposed to the normal 3% salt in other oceans. So, your body actually floats to the top of the water on its own! I had so much fun floating around with everyone in the Dead Sea. Then we rubbed Dead Sea Mud all over our bodies and it was amazing. My skin was so soft and felt like silk after that (only for a few hours, and then it was dry again because we were in the desert!)

After that we had lunch in Qumram, and tried falafels with schnitzels in them. It was like a piece of breaded chicken in a falafel pita. I really liked it! I seized the opportunity to make my kill and get Shelly out of the game of Rock Assassination when she got up to get some sauce. After lunch we headed further into the desert, and drove to the Bedouin Camp, where we stayed the night. We went on a camel ride through the desert. I kept thinking Justin and Jeff’s camel (right behind mine) was going to take my arm off. They have really sharp teeth, and seem to be easily annoyed with people. It was so much fun, though. I love experiencing things for the first time. This night at the camp was incredibly fun... more to come in the next blog. 

Mediterranean Sea

Today I swam in the Mediterranean Sea! It was absolutely beautiful. It really wasn’t cold at all, as I imagined it might be. We swam out to these piled up rocks a little offshore. It was quite a swim out there… but the view was spectacular!! Swimming around in the cool, clear, bluish-green water was refreshing. This morning we started out with a Museum. It covered so much Jewish History. It was a little overwhelming, but very interesting to learn about all the Jewish Holidays and customs. We also got to see models of the Jewish Synagogues around the world. They were incredibly intricate and detailed. I definitely appreciated seeing how the different places around the world have their own style represented in their place of worship.

For lunch, I went with the girls to a lovely little place called LoveEat in Tel Aviv. Mark magically appeared behind us as we were ordering to make sure we weren’t having trouble with the menu. Mandy and I split a delicious pasta with chicken, herbs, olive  oil, and some vegetables. It was really, really good!

The last place we visited was called Joppa in Biblical times, but today is called Jaffa. Jonah visited Joppa right before Tarshish (Jonah 1:3) Jaffa is one of the oldest functioning harbors in the world.  It was a beautiful view.  Peter also came to Joppa from Lydda when he raised Tabitha from the dead in Act 9. While he was there, he stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner, where he had a vision on the roof. We went by Simon’s house.

Tonight we had coffee…again. There are some pretty adorable coffee shops near our campus. Coffee Shop is our favorite so far. Original name right?? : ) It is so much fun, though. We will be gone for a couple days on a little camping/safari trip. I am so excited!! I love camping. The club music has already started outside, but we have gotten used to the sound now, so it puts us right to sleep.