I wish I had more time to compile my thoughts and share all the stories I have from this month. So much happened and as always it’s crazy to think I’m moving countries once again.
One of the biggest things God taught me this month was simple. It seemed a weird place to learn this. I remember how excited I was to get to Israel. I experienced so much and was blessed to be able to see so many places in the Bible. It’s crazy how reading stories in the Bible seem so tangible now. Reading about Jesus walking on water is pretty awesome while dipping your toes in the very same water.
One of the things I love most about God though and He reminded me is He is everywhere. We can praise anywhere. I believe I felt this most when visiting the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. It was mass chaos, there were so many people. I waited for 15 minutes being pushed and shoved to even touch the wall. Women would rock back and forth and just cry. While there is nothing wrong to be moved, I realized I can experience God in holy places such as this. But, I can experience him just as powerful in not so holy places, like say my bedroom. It’s awesome knowing He is always there. Always available. Always listening. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I can meet with him anywhere.
This month also brought about more change. My team has had a rough ride and your prayers are appreciated. We hit a few rough patches and prayed a lot as a team, and were joined in prayer by our squad leaders. After hearing from the Lord, they felt it necessary to change things up a bit. Tres has stepped down as our team leader, and Bethany Brueggen was asked to step into a new role as our team leader. It wasn’t the change we expected and I had to spend some time praying and processing. I’m so excited to follow Bethany and continue seeking to understand what God is teaching me through my team. Please keep us in your prayers especially as we enter a new season of serving in Africa.
Here are some of my favorite memories from this month.
[The water on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked.]
[Wall on the Israeli/Palestinian border crossing leaving Bethlehem.]
[Young boy playing in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem.]
[Cross outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.]
[Beautiful girls Jen and Lauren outside the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashim) in Jerusalem.]
[Hands of people praying on the stone of anointing at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.]
[Israeli flag on the top of Masada, which are ancient ruins from the Jewish Revolt.]
[Praying at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.]
[Sign in the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, it reads: Pray for Peace in Jerusalem.]
[Notes of written prayers are places in every crack and crevice at the Wailing Wall.]
[Ancient stone in Hezekiah’s Tunnel in the City of David.]
[Wall of the White Synagogue in Capernaum, the stones at the bottom are from Jesus’ time.]
[Standing in front of the empty tomb at the Garden Tomb, ‘He is not here for He has risen!’]
[Trip to En Gedi where David wrote Psalms, mentioned in Song of Songs as well.]
[Jen reading scripture before Bambi and Birkleigh were baptized in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized.]
