Last Day...

I'm sad to say it's our last day in Israel...I'm excited to go home yet very sad. I've had an amazing time here, learned so much, and just had a chance to make memories that I'll remember always!
I didn't think I would be going on this trip, my friend Mandy pretty much told me I was :) I was scared, for I have never been outside the US before. I also had no idea how I would even be able to pay for this trip, but God provided a way. He's opened so many doors for me and I hall rejoice in that always.
I had many ideas in my head what would happen when I got here, and what it'll be like. Reading the Bible I've just come up with these crazy pictures in my head of what Israel looks like, but it's not the truth. But even though it's become very modern over the past few thousand years, I can still picture what it would have been like when Jesus was walking the Earth, when David killed Goliath or when Elijah called down fire from heaven to show how powerful our God is. It's amazing, beautiful and leaves in awe. This country, people and way of life will stay dear to my heart. One day I'll come back and relive it all again, but until then I'll have my memories close to me. You can take me out of Israel, but you definitely can't Israel out of me!!!

Day 25!!!

So, the plan was to start off the day by going back to the Temple Mount, but unfortunately when we got there it was closed off. Instead we went to the Pools of Bethesda. This is the very same pool mentioned in the book of John, where Jesus healed the paralyzed man. The man was laying by the side of one of the pools, waiting for someone to help carry him in. He had enough faith in these pools, that he risked drowning, to be healed. But God had other plans, Jesus was the one who came and healed him instead, not by the "powers" of the water, but through the magnificent power in God. Fun fact~ this is also the place where Mary was born...
But anyways, after that we walked along the Via Dolorosa or "the way of suffering," it's basically some sort of path that one follows with 14 different station, representing the way of the cross. Even though some of the stations aren't biblical, it was still interesting to scope out the Roman Numeral Signs hanging on the buildings. My favorite part was being in the spot where Jesus was beaten, not because it was fun, but I can now have a clear picture of what it would have looked like to Him, as the Roman Soldiers mocked, tortured and humiliated him as the played the game of the kings. It's given me a deeper understanding. I'm not more in love with God, or more thankful for what he did for me, I don;t think I can be, but what I do have is almost like an understanding. Why Jesus would want to die for me, I have no idea what so ever. But what I do realize now, is that the least I can do is live out every second of everyday for him...that's all he asks for, yet I wish I could give him more, I love him that much. God is mysterious in that way for a reason, his romance to humankind is unfathomable. What better way to worship Him, than to give up yourself, and testify his love?

A Day To Never Forget...

Today was so much fun!!! We started out by going to the City of David, where Jerusalem actually began. We were able to see the valley where Solomon was crowned king, and learn about a wall that was found dating back to the time before King David, showing that there was a city there years before. But one of the main reasons for going to this site was so that we could walk through Hezekiah's Tunnel. It was basically this cave/ tunnel that was built under the city and led to the valley so that the people could obtain water, especially during times of war. When we first went into the tunnel it was just above our knees in cold, natural spring water. It was very dark (which is why we all had to carry these little flash lights), and as we continued the water only went to our ankles or calves the rest of the way. The only thing that was tricky, was that you had to pay attention to the ceiling because it would just become super low out of no where! Needless to say, I did bump my head a few times! Towards the end, we ended up being a little further away from the group, so we thought it would be fun to turn off all our flash lights and just walk in the dark...it was fun, yet scares at the same time because all you could do was feel the water rushing against your feet, and feel the cool damp walls surrounding you.

After Hezekiah's Tunnel we broke off to eat lunch,, and then met back at the school to go to the Garden Tomb, which is suspected as being one of the two places where Jesus' tomb was. It was interesting, and we did have the chance to go inside the actual tomb that was discovered, I'm just not sure that that was Jesus' Tomb. Many things just didn't add up...but I guess it is nice to commemorate a spot for it!

Scavenger Hunt!!!

Well today was a pretty eventful day...to start it all off we went to a very small Baptist church. And after that we all got split up into teams of 4-5 people. We were all given a sheet of paper, with 10 different riddles. Describing various places around the Old City of Jerusalem. My group didn't have a problem figuring out the riddles themselves, and we also had an idea of where everything was in the city, needless to say we weren't too worried. As soon as our group was allowed to leave we run out of the building, to the mall, and towards the Jappa Gate to get a picture in front of it. The point of this was to not only get a picture in front of the landmark, but also try to get everyone in your group in the the photo. And if your group was able to make the picture creative, you received extra points!

So after our first stop, we actually passed one of the other groups that was ahead of us, and Ran the the Church of Dormition. After that we needed to figure out a way to get to the Western Wall. Well...instead of just running through the city, on the map we had it looked quicker to just go on the outskirts of Jerusalem and follow the wall all the way around until we reached the Dung Gate and then be at our destination. So that's exactly what we did, only we didn't take into consideration eh topography of the valley we were going through! Not only was it very hot out, but we tried to keep a good pace going down and the straight up this "mountain!!" ANd to make it all better once we reached some civilization, we were practically in the slums of Jeruslame,with trash everywhere, people running around with guns, and when we finally asked an Isaraei where the Dung Gaate was, he had no idea what we were talking about. Apparently the call it something sle in Hebrew. But in the end of getting lost because of our stupid mistakes and just not going the way we knew originally we came in last place! But I still had a blast and really did have a great time running around the city of Jerusalme like a complete idiot :)

September 17th...

So today was one of our slower days. We stayed in Jerusalem, and walked down to the Old City. We would mainly stop at different spots, and learn about the history of the city, and how it's come to be what it is today. After walking around for a little bit, we went to an Orthodox Church, which was actually the first Christan Church to be established. It was commemorated as being the place where the Upper Room was...which was actually in the basement of the old church.
After that we wen to see the burnt house. Which is from the time when the 2nd temple was destroyed and all that was left from the house was the basement full of ash and many products covered in the ash as well. It said to have belonged to a Priestly family because the items that were found in the temple were used to make the incense for the temple. Also, a piece of a pot had a family name on it, unfortunate that isn't enough evidence to prove that it was that actual family who owned the house.
After seeing the burnt house we went to a shop hat was owned by an Orthodox Jew, and we had a chance to ask him questions and find out the differences between our beliefs. It was great because it was a chance to have questions and thoughts come out in the open and have no one be offended. One thing he said really effected me though. He said that what ever thought we have in our minds for being here, they're all wrong, God has brought us here and once we leave and go home, we'll all be different. We might not be more spiritual, but in a sense more patient for we're going to want to work and wait upon God. Overall it was great listening to him speak...and I'm glad we sopped in his store on the corner!!!

Pretty interesting day...

Our day started off in at the Bedouin Museum, where we learned more about the Bedouin culture. To be honest it was pretty much redundant, yet we did go in more depth about their beliefs and the way they live. The part I found interesting was the way their boys and girls, meet and how they interact before they get married. What he mainly talked about was how if a boy goes to the well, where the girl would be, he can ask her for water. If she gives it to him, that means she somewhat accepts his intentions, but she does have the right to completely ignore him by refusing him water.
Such things as what color a woman was wearing established what her social status was. If she wore red she was married, blue she's single and green meant she was either divorced or just elderly.
After that we went to the place where David Ben-Gurion lived. He was the first Prime Minister, and part of the labor party, as well as a leader of the defense unit.
We didn't do too much else besides visit Abraham's well, supposedly it was a well that Abraham had actually dug out himself.
Over all we really didn't do too much today, but it was still pretty interesting nonetheless.

Great Day!!!

Well...where to start? We started off the day at the a Holocaust Museum. And I just have to say, that it was one of the most heart wrenching experiences I have ever had at a museum. In the United States, whenever I had a class on the Holocaust, or went to a museum on one, they always taught me about the camps and what happened at that time, but it seems like they would just go over everything quickly to get right to the involvement of the US. When we went in we were given 2 hours to explore and learn on our own. At first I really didn't think that we would need all that time to go through everything, but once we started going through the different rooms and reading the stories of the people I couldn't help, but stop and take everything in. These were real people, who had lives, hopes and dreams. These were also all their possessions all across the museum. For example at one point there was a pile of shoes in the ground, covered by glass, taken off a group of Jews after they were exterminated, and it just hit my like a ton of bricks. Someone actually walked around, saw the world and experienced different things in those very shoes. They hoped for someone or something to save them, yet all that remains of them were a pile of worn shoes.
i read stories of fathers, mothers and children...they were just regualar people, living regular lives, but because of their beliefs and backgrounds they were singled out and punished. I now pray for those who went through this horrible time in history, and that the world will never forget what happened all those years ago...for all we know, as Christians that can very well be us one day. Having our picture in a museum, because we were Christians and someone didn't believe in our cause, so they felt it right to do the same to us.
Overall today was quite the eye opener...the Holocaust wasn't just something that happened during WWII, but it was a time in history where a generation was killed off. It's said that if all those children hat were killed, were still alive we would have things such as the cell phone over 60 years ago, and would have been so much more advanced than what we are today. At the end of the museum, they have building commemorated to all the children that died during the Holocaust...when you walk into this dark building, resembling the night sky a child's name and the age that he/she died is said. If the recording were to play nonstop, for 24 hour, t could play for over 4 months. I know, that's a a ton of lives lost! Yet, the only thing we can do is remember, and pray for those who died, and hope that this memory lives on in everyone's mind, so that something like this never happens again.

Bethlehem!!!

Well today was very exciting!
We started off the day at the Herodian National Park. It was a fortress that Herod the Great built, surrounded by mountains to hide it from being seen. It was also the very spot where his tomb was found. It was still being excavated when we got there, but what they have dug up so far was great! Just the size of Herod's sumer palace was enough to make anyone stop in thier tracks. After looking around the tel, we went under the mountian, into a cistern that went across the palace. I think walking through that was one of my favorite parts about this spot.
Then we went off towards Bethlehem...a designated area given to the Palestinian people, even though it is part of Israel. When we got to the inspection we actually had to switch buses, and tour guides since Israeli's cannot go in.
Our first sight was the Church of the Nativity. There were actually three churches there, Amerindian, Catholic, and Christian. When we went inside, we walked down some stairs and into what appeared to more like a cave. It was the actual spot where the manger was the night Jesus was born. They even had it marked off on a spot where Jesus was actually born.
I always had an idea of what it would have been like to go to the actual place of Jesus' birth, even as a child, I would create imaginative stories of what it would have been like to even walk on the same ground of such a great man, whom everyone followed. At that time I never understood Jesus and his mission, yet I knew that for some distinct reason he was a great person. Now that I have had the chance to visit the place of his birth, nothing has really changed. A great miracle didn't happen while we were there, I didn't gain this huge spiritual revelation, but it did help me come to the revelation of t=one thing. Jesus is as much alive today as he was yesterday. He might not have been in the manger while we were there at that very moment, but he was still right there with us in a sense, but just in a different way. God is always there even when we visit such a significant site, where something occurred so long ago. I learned a lot today, but what i mainly learned was that Jesus won't be in every sight we visit, yet it's still dear to my heart.

So much can happen in a few short days...

Well, where do I start?! This weekend we all had the chance to help a local Messianic Church volunteer at an all girls Jewish orphanage. At first I really had no idea what we were getting into, the only thing I was told was that we'd be going to work in the garden at the orphanage. I never truly thought about the affect it would have on me. I've volunteered many time s before at a numerous amount of places, but as we were in the hot sun, ripping out bushes, picking up garbage and cleaning out a small lot for an actual garden...it was just so rewarding! As the work continued many girls would come op to us saying "Toda!" Hebrew for thank you. A group of girls around the age of 13, came up to me while I was picking up some garbage, and simply asked if I was getting paid for the work I was doing. When I told them no, they had the most confused expression on their faces. One girl finally got enough courage to ask why I was doing it...now you must understand that before we set out to do our work, we were told that we couldn't be the "Great American Evangelist..." The Messianic community has been working so hard to have some type of relationship with the Jewish community, that we just simply couldn't go around being extremely flamboyant about our faith and then ruin all the work the church has been doing. So when asked such a simple question, the only thing I could say was that we were just here to help them...all because I just wanted to...they were so happy, yet astounded.
As we continued our work, a man that runs the orphanage came up to my friend Mandy and I...and just started talking to us. He wanted to know why we were in Israel, what made us decide to help out..and finally how happy he was that we came. He thought my friend and I were around 25 years old, only because wee were so eager to help that he couldn't fathom the fact that young adults around the ages of 18-21 were actually wanting to help someone that they didn't even know! He asked if we would have time to come back because all the work that we were able to do in that one day, took a company the hired a month. i am hoping that if we do have time that we could go back because I really did have a great time, and just being able to help brought such a joy to my heart.
After we did that on Saturday...there really wasn't much left for the weekend, except free time!! We used that time to basically just go down to the market, and get some shopping done, and that's about it.
Today we went down to the Old City in Jerusalem...it was really just a review day. We went back to the Upper Room, on the roof, to get a good view for pictures, and then basically went over the history of Israel.
But tomorrow we're going to Bethlehem...and I cannot wait!!!!

What a busy day!

Well, we're half through our trip, and we're all having a great time!

We started off the day very early, walking up at 6 to be at breakfast at 6:30, to get to Tel Magiddo. This is the very spot where John says in Revelation that the battle to end all battles will actually occur here. It was very interesting because so many things had been excavated, and there were just so many layers of history to learn about. A focus was based upon the chapter16 in the book of Revelation, but there was just so much to go over since there were over 25 layers of history with 17 different holy places.

After that we went to Nazareth to the Church on Annunciation, where it is said to have been the place where Mary lived on her own. What I found interesting is that Mary was originally from a different town, and then left her parents to live in Nazareth. This church, which had her home inside is also the spot where the angel came to Mary, telling her that she would give birth to the Savior of the world!

Soon after we ate lunch by Gideon's Spring which tells the story of Gideon in Judges 7:7. It was actually really cool to be by the same spring where he had chosen his army of 300 men.

But, out of everything today my favorite was visiting Beth She'an. It was an ancient Roman city, that had a huge bath house, columns, a theatre and shops, that were all excavated from this very site. It was like they just brought the entire city back to life, and after many years of being under ground because of an earth quake that destroyed the city, we were finally to go through it all! Walking the streets and running through the theatre just filled me with a sense of wonder!

Not much...

Well to be honest today was a short day. We started off by visiting Samuel's tomb. We had a beautiful view of this city, and were actually on one of the highest points around. We basically just listened in as our guide, Aton, described the history and landscape that surrounded us. Everything from the Scriptures to present day was mentioned. We were hoping that we could actually go into the tomb itself, but were unable to, since people were praying inside, and the site is considered a Muslim Holy place.
After we we were supposed to be a part of the Temple Mount Antiquities Sifting Project, and practically be a part a an archaeologically dig! What had happened (to make a long story short) is that When the Muslim's were wanting to put a mosque underground on the Temple Mount, they actually just started digging everything up ruining layers of history. What is interesting is that in Israel, if you want to do anything to build a house, to changing the layout in the land of anyway a archaeologist must be there overseeing the sight since every step you take you're practically stepping on a different piece of history. So what happened was that when the Muslims started digging, they took 400 truck loads of debris and threw it into a valley, leaving all this history there. After 5 years an organization was put together to collect those mounds of dirt and sifting through it all. And today we would have had the chance to sift through some of it, but we unable to. We'll be going back next week, which is great! So, basically all we did today was just collect information, and sit back and learn!

Short day in En Gedi

Well I'm happy to say that today was short and simple! We started off taking a drive to En Gedi, a park, with natural springs covering it. After we had a selected spring to lay out all our stuff we sat back and wrote a Psalm. The reason we had this assignment was because King David actually wrote many of his Psalms there. So with the two hours we had, we needed to write one of our own...it could be about anything. I chose to do a writing that reflected my life in a way. It needed to only be 6 lines, but I of course went of that because the feelings God put in my heart, just poured out of me. I didn't want it to be a Psalm full of praises and recognition, yet one that explained how my feelings of Him had come to change over the years. My life with Christ has been an up and down roller coaster, so naturally I needed to express those feelings...but in the end God prevailed in my life and I actually let Him take control, and I can't express how happy I am for that!
After we finished our Psalm, it was time to swim in one of the natural springs! We started off at a small one, but then finally took some time to venture out and find something a little more fun...and we did! Between the waterfalls and the landscape of the cliffs, the most beautiful atmosphere was created around us! Many memories were made today with my friends and I, I even had a chance to talk to new people I haven't really gotten to know on this trip, and it was all worth it!

Different Aspects of Life...

The Western Wall, this has been our second time visiting it, but I must be honest and say that today I actually had a chance to get a better feel for it. As I approached the wall, walking on to the side for the women, I have sense of overwhelming come upon me. These people have such a grounded faith that it leaves me in awe just to think about them. The closer I came to the wall, the more I can sense a longing and aspiration, vibrating off the women around me. All their faith, compassion and devotion can be seen reverberating off of them in just a quick glance. They are all facing the wall, and for those lucky enough, are actually leaning up against the wall crying, shouting or even mumbling their feelings to God, as they pray over their families, life and most importantly the country of Israel. I couldn't help but want to find my way towards the wall myself! As I put a prayer in the wall (just something that I wrote quickly), I prayed as well. Not only for Israel itself, but most importantly for its people. The devoted people living in this beautiful country.

I guess the most important aspect of today, was being up close and personal to the other major religions of Israel. Not just the Jews but the Muslims as well. The only thing we Americans probably ever learn about the Muslims is that their a bad people group, who are believing the wrong things. I on the other hand was fortunate enough o grow up with some friends who were of the Muslim faith. Even with that, I could still never grasp why their faith was so deep. They're people just like you and me, yet they are treated as scum of the Earth not just by Americans who only base their views by what's being shown on the television, but also by we Christians as well. Muslims are just as faith, if not more devoted to their faith than many of us are yet we're the one's always casting the stones. I don't think Jesus would have ever wanted us to be living out this way.

We call ourselves followers of Christ, yet we can't except people for who they are. Yes, I know we all can get a little excited and want to proclaim the gospel to every single person we come in contact with. After today, I see Muslims, Jews and any other person of a different religion than I as a brother or sister. In my eyes they still have the same heavenly Father as me, they're just being miss guided, if you will. God works are great, and have gave us all freewill, so we can't hate another group for not believing in God the only thing we can do as Christians, true followers of Christ, is to love them with all our hearts, pray that God will open up their eyes, and then maybe one day, by God's grace they'll come to terms with Him.

Religion s a funny thing. They're so many of them, yet everyone thinks they have the right one picked out. We think we have the dominant religion. But what I think is that the people who are the most devoted, faithful and willing to pursue their God, are the true followers and believers. Today my eyes were opened, and I praise God for that blessing!

A day to remember!

We started off our day, by visiting the Sea of Galilee. Just knowing all the stories that I’ve read in the Bible, especially the one talking about Jesus walking on water, and helping his disciples, left me with a joy in my heart. Once we were on the shore, we went into this museum, which held a boat that dates back 2,000 years, around the time of Jesus. It was found in the sea at a time when it was receding, and it took many people to try and dig it up, before it was destroyed. Since it had been kept under water for so long, the wood was water logged, and acted as a sponge, so much to the point that it would just peal apart in one’s hands. The team of specialists had to dig it up, while spraying it with water, so that it wouldn’t dry out, and then had to fill it with foam to preserve its shape as they lifted it out of the sea. Today it’s on display in the museum, for all to see. After we saw the ancient boat, we took our own boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was an amazing, fun experience that I shall remember always…especially since it was very hot!
Out of everything we did today, I would have to say that most remarkable experience was getting baptized in the Jordan River. At first I never really intended on getting baptized again, when I thought about it…I mean I had already been baptized, so why should I pay $10 to be able to do it in the Jordan River? But God has been speaking to my heart so much since I’ve been here, and I couldn’t help but just be re-baptized. I don’t see it as a re-dedication of my life to him, in a sense I see it rather as an agreement to follow his will. He’s called me into the ministry and as of now I am following Him with my entire heart. All I want to do is live out my life praising, worshipping, and pleasing him…and if there’s more I can do, of course I’ll do it. As of right now I have put my life in his hands, his spirit is upon me, and I’m willing to put all my faith and trust in Him.
I’m excited to see what he has planned out for my life…where he’ll take me next, I have no idea. But what I do know is that no matter what he decides for my future, it’ll be ok because his will is more than enough for me. Having God in my life is more than anything I can ask for. Right now I write to tell you all about my faith in Christ, and that he’s done so much in my life, that I want to run out in the streets and shout his name!
So, as I look back to the arguments I’ve been having with myself these past few weeks about getting baptized again, I can’t help but laugh. God speaks to me in so many ways, yet it takes something to smack me in the face in order for me to listen. With this life-long commitment I have, a covenant if you will, I’m going after God’s own heart, for he has just filled mine completely!!!

Fun in the Desert!

My day started off by waking up at 5:30 AM to get ready for the day, and make it in time to watch the sunrise! And oh was it worth it! To be honest I've never really taken the time out to watch the sunrise, but this was truly an awesome experience that I will remember for a lifetime.
I was pretty much exhausted from the day before, with the camel riding, a short swim in the Dead Sea and what not, but nothing could take away from the beauty of the desert. Of course it was unbearably hot, and I was sweating like crazy, just knowing the Biblical stories that occurred in the desert came close to home. A time with God, spent in glorifying him for his marvelous works,is a true inspiration for the soul to sing praises to his name!
After we ate breakfast and left the Eduino camp that we slept overnight, we headed towards Masada. It's basically an ancient fortress looking over the Dead Sea. The history there was amazing. The story goes that the Jews were at war with the Romans, and this fortress was the Jews' last place of refuge. And whae Romans started attacking and the Jews realized there was no way they were going to win, they committed a mass suicide amongst themselves because they would rather die than have their people become slaves to the Romans, since they knew what would lie ahead. So because of their beliefs they actually had the choice if they wanted to commit so not. So in the end when the Romans finally were able to breach the wall, theywere left with many dead Jews with only a few women and children left alive inside who lived to tell the story.
Even though we had to climb all the way up Masada, hich wasn't a pleasant task, once up there the view and history just enraptured us all!

Always a time for firsts :)

Well the highlight of my day was swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. We had the chance to just frolic in the ocean for about an hour and 45 minutes, and we all had a blast! The water was warm, and the tide low, enabling many of us to swim out to a group of rocks off shore and taking in the view of Tel Aviv.
We started off our "short" day, short meaning that there weren't many site to visit, by going to a Jewish Museum. We explored the history of a chosen people that was scattered along the Earth for 2, 000 years, and united with the same language and customs. We learned about their practices, holidays and major parts of their faith.
Another aspect of our day was visiting Jaffa. The site is most famous for its Biblical story of Joana and the Whale because it's the very place that Joana left from. But from a New Testament standpoint, the site was known for Simon the Tanner lived. Also it's known to be the spot where Peter had his vision in Acts 10.
Other than studying the history of the Jewish people and their religion, there really was not much today. It was more of a fun day, not that everyday is fun, but even though there was less of an educational stand point today, it was more relaxed.
But I'm very excited about tomorrow! We will be sleeping out in the desert, and taking a camel ride out there. Before we do that, we will be swimming in the Dead Sea! Can't wait to tell you about it :)

Some more from Israel...

We started off our day visiting the Soreq Cave (Stalactite Cave)...it was an absolutely beautiful experience. The cave, was very humid, and slippery, but what made it all worth it was seeing the stalactites hanging from the ceiling, which are basically pointy spike coming down off the ceiling. While on the other hand there were also the same thing coming up through the floors, but those are called stalagmites. These are caused by CO2 mixing with water, creating a carbonic acid, and then the carbonic acid seeping into the limestone, which then dissolves the rock.
After seeing the cave we went to the valley of Ella where David killed Goliath. Seeing this really meant the world to me. Of course there really isn't much of anything here today, besides the valleys ans fields...with a highway on the side...but it really helped my paint a picture in my head of what it looked like. After taking a Old Testament class back at school, I've had a pretty good idea as to what the valley looked like..but there was never cars going by in on the highway in this picture! What I found even more interesting was that the stream that runs though is dried up this time of year, and once winter comes it'll start flowing again, and even get to the point where it causes floods.
After spending some time in the valley of Ella, we went to the site where the Ark of the Covenant was once held when Eli's two sons decided to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle hoping that it would bring down the Philistines when it actually had the opposite effect.
Overall I really enjoyed today even though it was extremely hot! But I still did get a lot out of it Biblically and Spiritually.

Jerusalem: Day 6

This morning we started the day off by visiting a church which represented the part in the Bible when Mary went to go and visit Elizabeth, while both women were pregnant. In Luke 1:39-56, it tells the story about how when Mary first learned that her cousin was pregnant in her old age, she went to visit her. There she had some type of revelation and somewhat of a confirmation as well, that everything was going to be OK. It was at that moment that Elizabeth spoke aloud about Mary caring the Savior of the world in her womb. Walking into the church dedicated to this story in Luke was a beautiful experience. The church was covered in large, colorful murals depicting the stories about John the Baptist (before his birth) and when Mary went to visit Elizabeth.
After that we went to the Israel Museum. We started our discussion on a huge model of the city of Jerusalem. I found his beneficial because now I have a better understanding of the changes the city has gone through the past two thousand years. It had a clear view of the walls that Herod had built, and the temple itself, and what it would have looked like in about 66 C.E. On e aspect that I found very interesting was the size of Jerusalem during David's reign...I never realized how small the city actually was, and what it has become today!
After a lesson at the model, we went into this huge, white dome to see the Dead Sea Scrolls. I've always wanted to see them, and had a clear picture of what hey looked like in real life, but I still can't fathom that I actually had the chance to see documents that were written thousands of years ago...God's words on paper, lasting through all the ages! His power is great, and the miracle of those four scrolls surviving keeps me in awe. An interesting fact that I learned was that most of the scrolls found were from the book of Isaiah, the only one's not to even be recovered are Esther and Nehemiah.
Today was a great day, and I'm happy I've had another chance to see things that I've oly read about in books.

Sorry it's been so long :)

Sorry I haven't been on here, but even though it's the "weekend" here, we've still been pretty busy. On Saturday we had the chance to sleep in! Which I'm sure we all needed. After we got up and went to lunch we were allowed to explore Jerusalem on our own. I really liked that, only because going around in such a small group let's us have a better feel for the city itself. That night we were all able to walk down to the Western Wall together, which is the Jew's Shabbot (their day of worship) We had to dress properly, be respectful as we watched the Jewish people pray at the only part of the wall from Herod the Great that is still visible. While there, there was a bat mitzvah going on, and we got to see the men sing, dance and rejoice with the young boy, during this important time in his life. As we moved closer to the center, and had a better view of the Wall in the far left hand corner. The men and women were separated on either side, as they took turns singing praises. It was such a beautiful moment to see, such a committed people, putting their faith out in the open, worshipping with all their heart. It brought me to tears seeing how devoted these people are, yet back home we put our faith aside because we're too afraid. While these people mix their faith with their culture...it was an experience that was awesome.
Today we had the chance to go to a Messianic church service. And this really made my heart flutter! To see God's chosen people worshipping the Messiah, is amazing! The service was in Hebrew, with some English....yet we were able to have it translated. And it was a very moving experience! This is the chosen people...running after God with all their hearts. Now this was a group a people who should have a fear of showing their faith..yet that's not how it is for them...there was this one particular man who asked us all to pray for him, because his family was Muslim, and they didn't know that he was a believer, and since it's the month of Ramadan it's been very difficult for him. That was a opening for me...Good showed me how fear must be surpassed in order for us to look upon Him fully. While being in the minority of religions, with people coming against them from all angles...these people are really after God's own heart!

Jerusalem: Day 3

Today we started our day at Gallon Heights having lots of fun taking in the scenery and interacting with the Israeli Army. From the top we could see bordering countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. But the most meaningful sight was the valley where the road to Damascus would have been. After taking some beautiful shots of the landscape we went down into a military bunker, now used for tourists, to get a feel what the tranches, and rooms underground were actually like. While here, there were many Israeli soldiers around, some even eager to talk with us. One group of guys actually came up to us, asking if we would say their squadron's name in Hebrew and English and film it. This group was known as the "Best of the Lions." After that we went out to get our lunch, today I was able to try a Druze Pizza, which was basically a pita with cheese and olive oil. Personally I wasn't a fan...but I'm always willing to try new things!
Speaking of the Druze, I was very lucky to learn about this people group today. As we were driving out to Gallon Heights, all across the way you see these huts/tents in individual com unities. My first thought was that these people were just homeless, but the fact is that they choose to live that way. As part of their secret religion they are patrons to the country of Israel. One of things that they believe that I thought was pretty interesting was that they believe that once a Druze dies, their soul is put back into another Druze. Because of this they make excellent soldiers since they are not afraid of death. You must be born into this group in order to even be a member of it, having both parents being Druzes themselves.
After lunch we went to Caeserea Philippi where the Gates of Hell were. This spot was so vital because it is where Peter actually proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. All along the area there were this holes of where idols would have been placed at the Temple of Pan.
To be honest out of everything I saw and experienced today my favorite was in the National Park, where there was still a gate dating back tot he time of Abraham, and it being something that he actually used. To have something to intact, and old still baffles me.
It was an interesting filled with tons of new things, and I can't wait to learn even more tomorrow...

Day 2 In Jerusalem

Today was our second day in Israel, and was it a great one! I learned so many new things, and saw things that I've been reading in the Bible for years, only now being finally being able to put a real perspective on everything. We started off the day by going up the Mount of Olives and visiting the Teardrop Church, where it stands to represent when Jesus wept. The view was amazing, but kind of sad in a way. Only because nothing really stands there except the church and many Jewish graves waiting for the Messiah to come. Back home, I never really put a thought to the Jewish of Muslim faith, but after seeing sights such as this, and being with the people in the streets I see how devote they are to their faith, and my heart can't help but go out to them. Afterwards, we walked down the steep hill to the Garden of Gethsemane. Before coming here I had created such a beautiful image of what it would like, and after seeing it today I don't really know what to think. A grassy area was fenced in on the side of a huge Catholic church, with flowers, and an olive tree from the actual time of Jesus. To be honest, it looked more like a regular courtyard than anything else. But just knowing what had happened there with our Savior I couldn't help but feel my heart tremble. Taking a few moments to pray, in the middle of the chaotic scene, full of people from all over the world, to see the same thing I was, helped me to remember, that even though the garden itself has changed tremendously, my God has never, and will never change. And I praise him for that. I would have to say that my most favorite site was the House of Caiaphas, mainly because I have been picturing in the worst way possible all my life. What I mean to say is that it was not what I expected a all. Knowing that this was the place where Jesus was brought to be tried, and then brought in the dongeon to be wipped, already made it a special place to me. But it was not until the whole class crammed into a small "room" that was excavated and in the basement of this building that I felt overwhelmed in God's power, and promise. It was dark, hot, and the noises from the floor above us could still be heard. hat's when our professor had a student read a scripture out loud, reminding us what Jesus felt like when he was down in the dongeon. He knew what he was going to be facing, yet he still endured it all. He could hear the peopl out side, reminding him of his friends and family, who were now denying him, and no one was comoing to save him. All he could do was sit, wait and hold onto fiath. It was at that moment that the entore class started singing the worship song "I Love You, Lord" and I couldn't help but start to cry. For in my heart I know what he had gone through, yet as a human I feel no better than those who denied his nme that very night. BUt the glorious thing about my God is that he doesn't seem me in the way. He loves me, and I him; at that very moment I could finally sense, and come to a better understanding what Jesus had to go through to die on the cross. Movies, won't do it justice, pictures could never help us see it clearly, and words will never be able to interpret that kind f struggle he had to have gone through. But tonight, as I write this I have a joy in my heart that I can't explain, for my Savor has died for me and one day will return!