Blogging- This is one concept on a normal basis, and it is a whole other concept when you are on a technology fast. You think of things, and then you forget. You know of amazing pictures, but you can’t go through them all to find it. It just isn’t the same…
Buuutttt…. I am in ISRAEL!!!!
My month started by finding out we would be on a month long technology fast- not an internet fast, but literally all technology. Computers, iPods, you name it. It has had its moments of total frustration, like when you really NEED an escape from everything around you, or when it is December and all you want is Christmas music!
Buuutttt…. we have been given a ‘fast break’ for a few hours on Christmas day to call home- YAY!!! So family, be waiting for that call J
Back to Israel now.
Upon arriving into Tel Aviv, the Lord was already guiding our steps. As all 42 of us exited the plane, we had ONE person questioned. I personally was asked ONE question. And as for customs, I think it is safe to say the officers were all on break. We literally walked through an empty customs office area, and about ten minutes after we were all through, the main doors shut as about fifteen officers in white uniforms took their spots. Makes me think the Lord did some blinding there, something along the lines of how the Egyptians were blinded by fog and fire as the Israelites escaped (Ex. 13:21-22).
Shortly after that we arrived in Israel, we had a two hour bus ride to Arad, where we would be staying in southern Israel. This ride became story worthy when we had a minor accident, with a donkey. Yes, I said a donkey… Our charter bus hit this donkey while on the freeway type road, so we were going rather fast. Lets just say the bus’s windshield cracked, headlights shattered, bumper cracked and broken- you get the visual. But yes, we pulled over, well more like feared we were going over the guardrail, then the driver got out and checked things out for ‘insurance reasons’. After about twenty minutes, we decided to pray for the donkey, and Bethany and I decided to write a rock ballad about ‘Donkeys on the way to Jerusalem’.
(PICTURES LATER)
The teams that night split into three groups for ministry reasons. My team is currently working with refugees doing a computer lab and teaching English. Ralph and I also got to do some work for some local sculptors, and that was amazing. We did some manual work, as well as worked on some tools for them. The random hands on labor was just what the two of us needed.
Aside from ministry, my team and a few others have been able to do a good amount of sightseeing which has been amazing! Our second day here in Israel, we took a squad trip to Jerusalem. We went to see the Temple Mount, both the Mount of Olives and check of the Mount of Zion. We wandered the Western Walls, various city gates, and checked out the City of David. We then walked through Hezekiah’s tunnel, which was very eye opening and just wow. It was a 45 minute walk in an underground tunnel with water anywhere from ankle to thigh deep. It was pitch black, minus our headlamps. We were able to walk in this piece of history, which was once used to keep the blind and lame form reaching this area. As we did, we sung praises to our Savior, which ran through the tunnels… A moment to remember for sure.
(PICTURES LATER)
Then yesterday, we took a day trip to what seemed like all over the country. We started at the Jordan River, where Birkleigh and I both were baptized! This was something I had in mind from the moment I knew Israel was on my route, little did I know it would be that day in which we would go. So without much hesitation, the two of us changed, and into the freezing water we went. It was breathtaking to know we were in the same waters, doing the same thing that Christ once did. It was surreal, and still is. Much more processing needs to happen on this one.
(PICTURES LATER)
Then we headed off to the Church of Multiplication. This was the site at which Jesus was able to take a few fish and a few loaves of bread and feed the masses. While the church there is newer, the concept and site were amazing to visit. From there we went to Capernaum, where we walked the grounds of Peter’s house and the synagogue. The ruins there are amazing to see, and to know they were the foundations from the real time of Christ makes your jaw drop. Behind the ruins sits the Sea of Galilee. It was early afternoon when we were there, and the sun over the water was beautiful. To sit on the rocks at the waters edge and know that is where Christ walked on water, holy cow.
(PICTURES LATER)
After leaving the Sea of Galilee, we headed onto Nazareth. While there we went to the Church of Annunciation. Today it is a massive church, but under part of it sits the ruins of the Virgin Mary’s house, where the angel came and spoke to her.
(PICTURES LATER)
This was our trips conclusion, and it was an amazingly overwhelming yet unforgettable series of events for sure. On our three-hour bus ride home, we decided to break out in song, and not just any song, but any Christmas carol we could remember.
So this is my brief summary of my first week here in Israel- so much to take in and I can’t wait to be off this fast when I can share more with you all.
P.S. Since I can’t really go through pictures, the places there should be ones, I will put up in January, and you can check them out then!
P.S.S. Parentals- Can’t wait to talk to you on Christmas!! I love you!!!
