Day 10 - June 18

Saturday, June 18

First thing this morniing we were able to go to Bethleham. I guess the Palestinians are trying to conqure Bethleham right now fromt eh Israelites. Israelites are not allowed across the border. They put up a huge wall (200 Miles long) across the Gaza strip or something to prevent suicide bombings. It is patroled, so that was interesting! I never pictures Bethleham to look like this! Once we got in we drove up to Herod's palace up there. He "built" a mountain on top of the highest hill, where he could "watch over" all of Bethleham, Jerusalem and see Jordan as well. We talked again about the differences between Harod's kingdom (king of the Jewsm thought he was messiah) and Jesus's kingdom. One was a kingdom of power, prestige and fame - the other, a kingdom of humility, gentleness and faith. Look where each stand today. One is rubble, the other is all over this world! Baruk Hashiem! next, we went to Jonney's shop. He was our tour guide in Bethleham since our other ones couldn't cross the border. His business has been suffering lately because of the war and no tourism for the past 5 years. Next, we walked back across the border and drove to the Mt. of Olives. We tried to go to the temple Mount (even though I don't know what it is) but it was closed off for some reason. We walked through "Old Jerusalem" to lunch, streets were covered with meat markets and people selling all kinds of things. Very tight spaces. We came out at the Jaffa Gate, then walked to St Ann's Cathedral. It was a beautiful building but intentionally built so nothing on the two sides was symetrical. They did this to remember that only God is perfect. Kent wouldn't allow us to talk but had us all stand on the front steps and w started singing the Doxology. It has the most beautiful acoustics! We sounded so good and it echoed and everything. Woah, that was beautiful! Next, we walked down the Via De La Rosa (Way to the Cross). We ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It didn't look all that big or grand from the outside but I guess some lady built this huge church building around what was believed to be Jesus's burial place. It was a really big, decorated, and dark place. We all felt a little more awkwardness than anything else there. It kinda came down to no matter what denomination those people are, if they were Christians, they were brothers. So we need to watch the way we are treating others and thinking of ourselves. Also, just something to think about... we remembered how just this morning we talked about how Herod as king wanted glory, fame and praise. Jesus cam ein humility, not the same type of king at all. All the stuff going on at the church seemed to be making Jesus into the king He didn't want to be. Tonight I was able to e-mail Esther and call Jen, I enjoyed that (they miss us!). After dinner a bunch of people came over to hang out on our cool porch off our room. We played catch phrase and talked for a little bit. that was a blast for our last night in Israel! Aw...sad to leave but so excited to be home at the same time. Rob bought us (Beka and I) these really beautiful necklases. He put them in our room and we opened them after everyone left. We were so excited we ran down and hugged him. That was very nice of him! Barok Hashiam!