David lives in a Kibbutz with 1000 caves...

It's laundry day friends!!!!! What a glorious day indeed! I woke up this morning, brought down my laundry and got ready for another day. We loaded the bus around 8am and drove just a few minutes outside of Jerusalem. We climbed this stteeeeeeppppp mountain with steps made out of limestone, like everything else is, and got the top which had a beautiful view of the land. We could see in front of us hills and tels with green green grass on them and a dried up river bed and to our left off in the distance, the shore of the Mediteranian Sea. We were told that this is the very land where a young boy named David slayed a giant named Goliath with a sling and a stone. You see the very mountain I was standing on was the mountain the Philistine armies were stationed at looking down at David and King Saul. It was amazing to be there in that moment where God made history. We walked down the mountain and drove a little more but made a pit stop on the side of the road, walked down a dry river bed, and collected 5 stones from the very river David collected his from. WOOOWWW!! I can't believe it. It makes me smile to think that I was there. We then went to one of Israel's National Parks where they have the Land of 1000 Caves. There are more like 5,000 caves there, but hey. Our tour guide, Uncle Kenny as he like to be called (who, by the way, reminds me of the father on My Big Fat Greek Wedding. He doesn't look like him, but he sure speaks like him) too us into caves that were dug thousands of years ago. These caves had many different uses such as holding oil, water, etc. They were amazing. We would walk down a small set of stairs and all of a sudden it opened up into a huge cave with hundreds of pigeon holes cut out on the top for the pigeons to nest in; pigeons were a great sacrifice to pagan god's as well as a delicacy-they also served as fresh fertilizer. We went through several other caves in which one I crawled down a hole. It was quite humorous because it was just big enough that I could fit far enough in to where people thought I fell down into a pit of nowhere! I had quite the time getting out though, seeing as getting in is a whole lot easier and I was 15ft off the ground. I got out but was covered in white chalk from head to toe!!! Hey you only get to crawl in to cave holes in Israel once right?! We then went around Uncle Kenny's Kibbutz which was pretty cool. I was extremely tired, so I didn't really understand it all, but the theory of a Kibbutz is amazing. They have them all over Israel here and it is basically a community that lives together and by each one of his or her gifts contributes and they survive as a community. It seems so farfetched as an American but is so normal here. Why can't that kind of community and closeness be normal in America? I think when Jesus said fellowship, this is what he was speaking of rather than our weekly meetings of 10 minutes in between the 2 sets of worship songs at church and an occasional Bible study on Wednesday night. After the Kibbutz we came home and rested before dinner. I have learned a lot about myself as I have been on this trip: #1- I can sleep pretty much anywhere- I think anytime we have a free 5 minutes I fall asleep. #2- The sound of a bus motor lulls me to sleep- I fall asleep at least within the first 10 minutes of the bus starting everytime. #3- I need protien to survive!!!- I have had a way lack of protien while I have been here and just crave a piece of meat!! haha We went to dinner (rice and noodles again :) and when we walked out it was POURING RAIN. We walk about 8 blocks to dinner everynight, which means we have to walk 8 blocks back. As soon as I stepped out it started raining so hard, and by the time we got home the back of my pants were a definite different color from the front of them. Did I mention that it's laundry day? That means these are my last pair of pants... and they are now soaking wet. The dedication of our building is tomorrow morning at 10:30am and we will be the first students to see it! I'm pretty excited. Other than that, it's a relaxed day!

Jessica

A Day I Wish I Was Well...

Today was a busy day. I wish I was feeling better than I am, but that didn't stop me from the amazing things that happened today. We left the house at 7am and I'm pretty sure once I stepped on the bus I fell asleep. When I woke up I looked right to a beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing. Out of all the things I have seen, this is the only one that fit the image in my mind of what I thought it looked like. We went to the Mount of Beatitudes where a beautiful Catholic church sat and right below it was the spot where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. This place is a "Grade B+/A-" Place, meaning they are fairly certain this was the exact spot where it happened. We then went to a museum that held the 'Jesus Boat.' This boat was found in the late 80's (I believe) and it is said to have been Simon Peter's boat that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount in, but again, there is no way to prove that for sure. Even so, it was breathtaking. We then took a boat ride across the Galilee to Caperneum. This boat ride was phenominal. It was cool to think that out of all the places that they tell us "we believe this was the spot," the Sea of Galilee is IT!! It's the same sea, with the same water, with the same sand. I sat and looked out over the boat and thought to myself "This is what Jesus saw..." We got off at Caperneum and then went around to see Simon Peter's Mother-in-law's house. This is where they had house churches, and other things and also where Jesus was at some point. We sat inside the synagogue that Jesus was at and Dr. Paul van der Laan gave an amazing message about Jesus' reading from the Torah in Isaiah that is written in the gospels. We then went to the place where Jesus returned to the disciples and found Peter fishing and expanded on the Great Comission for him. It was just amazing to stand on the beach where I knew Jesus was... this was the spot. It was like I could feel the guilt and anxiety of Peter and the compassion in Jesus' voice. Oh how I wish I could have been there for that conversation. From there we got on the bus and drove to the Jordan River. Today, March 22, 2009 I was baptized in the Jordan River. What an unforgetable experience!!!!!! While we were on our way over there, I was praying and thinking about what this meant and when I got there it all hit me at once. I can't believe that I was baptized in the same river of the one I've committed my life to. The one that I've said I am willing to lose my family, my finances and my reputation for. I've given it all. It was a great feeling to be baptized. I was baptized when I was 2mo old, but this is the first time where I made a public confession of my faith. I have been going through a time in my life when I'm realizing who I really am. I've always struggled, as most do, with finding my own identity and clinging to that no matter who is around me. The 5 weeks that I spent back at Southeastern before this trip was something that God definitely wanted me to do. The girls I was around have really taught me that it's OK to be me and only me. (If you girls are reading this you are probably laughing with how much ourselves we really are haha but it's very true in every way). I tend to conform with those who are around me and never really find myself... today when I rose out of the water I realized that God has called me a NEW creation one that is not like the rest. He formed me in my mothers womb to be fearfully and wonderfully made in his image. An image that is not duplicated or repeated but is all its own. My prayer is that I realize this.

Please be praying for the people on this trip; one of my roommates is very sick and I'm not sure what to do for her! I too am getting sick but am fighting it with every part of me.

Shabbot #2

Shabbot Shalom all! Well, it's actually over but for you, your still have a couple hours left! Friday night at 4:30 a group of us walked to the Western Wall from our house. At 5:12 Shabbat was finally opened and was signaled by the ringing of bells. It was crazy because also at that time the siren for the Muslim call to prayer went off... it was quite phenominal. Being at the Wall for Shabbat was probably one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. There were so many orthodox Jewish people there to pray and the "secular Jews" (which are people of the Jewish faith who are not orthodox) had parties going on everywhere! They were mainly young kids from Hebrew University. There was so much singing and dancing; it was a very joyous occasion. I had been to the wall before, but I was more amazed by the beauty of the people there than what it actually stood for. I was more interested last time in taking pictures than realizing the significance of where I was standing. This time there was a sign that said NO PICTURES! Ugh... but this brought me somewhere where I never would have gone before. (I still snapped a few though :)). While others were watching the traditional things going on, I decided that this was a great time that God and I could have together. I walked up to the wall, very intimidated by all the people and the dress. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do, but I knew that I needed to be there. As I got closer to the wall, it was like as if everything slowed down. My steps became slower, my breaths became shorter and I was noticing things as if they were in slow motion. I walked up to the wall and because of the day, there was no room on the wall to pray; that was OK. I stood right where I was and began to pray. Since I've been here I've had such a burden for the Jewish community. One girl who was giving a devotion last night said something that really struck me. She said "It was as if they are seeking so fervently and so revrently, but they are seeking in vain." And it breaks my heart to know that. It makes my heart hurt to realize that my own family doesn't get it. That hits so close to home. I wish I could tell them "Jesus has come! Jesus has come for you! To love him, to have conversation with you! You don't have to do things to be right, you just have to BE!" Dr. van der Laan was speaking last night also and told us this story about his son and said "I don't care what my children do, I will love them anyways! I will support them in all they do as long as they just know I love them." That made me think so much about God's "perfect will" for our lives. I feel like so often as Christians, we search for the exact path that God has made for us, that if we miss the boat there's no hope. It's like we search just for God just as hard as the Jewish people, but the difference is, we've seen the hope! Why must we search? Can we not just live? It's hard for me to understand the depths of God's love, but as I've been studying within the Jewish community, I seem to grasp more and more everyday. I was readin in Psalm 120-134 which are the Psalms of Ascent. These are the Psalms the Jewish people would sing when they were making their up to Jerusalem for the holidays to make a sacrifice in the temple. As I was reading I was remembering all I've learned about the culture: The Exile, the Diaspora, the Holocaust and other things that has happened to break up this population and how time and time again God has been faithful to bring them back to Zion! These are just some thoughts...
It's 11:00pm and tomorrow is Galilee. I have to be up by 6am for breakfast and we leave by 7am. I am very excited for a few reasons; #1- I'm in Israel (still blows my mind) and #2- I'm getting baptized in the Jordan. I was baptized as a child at 2mo. but this is the first time I've been baptized having a knowledgeable relationship with Christ. I am beginning to be very sick though, and I'm thinking 60 degree water might not be the smartest idea :-/

Psalm 128
Jessica

Today we went to Tel Aviv.. that is a world of difference! I can't believe what a city that is. This year they are celebrating their 100th anniversary! Woo hoo! Everyone seems very excited. It was a little more slow paced today, which I enjoyed. I think I am beginning to get sick, but I am determined to fight it!!! My throat just hurts a little bit and I'm drinking water and eating fruit like CRAZY! So far so good...
We got into the bus and drove up to Tel Aviv and we ended up in the hustle and bustle of a market. I had a love hate relationship in the market. If you knew me you would know that one of the things I hate the most and try to avoid at all cost is looking like a tourist, and that's EXACTLY what we were today. We stood in the market... all 43 of us. I quickly took off as well as a few of my friends and began to love the people and the smells as we walked through. We would walk past a Falafal stand and that smell is AMAZING and then would walk a little more through all the fruits and vegetables and herbs and it was amazing. We bought some strawberries (which are very cheap and delicious!) and ate them as we walked. A beautiful thing! We left the market and went to Joppa and to the "house" of Simon the Tanner. They think it's his house, but again, no one is too sure of anything. Just being on the ground and roads where these people walked is awesome enough as it is. We switched tour guides so there wasn't as much information relayed, but he was only for a day. He had really bad jokes... Why was Pharoah's daughter into investment banking? Because she went to the bank and withdrew a prophet. ahahahahaha. I know.. he had them all day.
We went to Tel Aviv on the beach and ate lunch there. The tour guide told us that there were a lot of resturants one way, so we went.... and there were none. We ended up eating at this semi-pricee place which ended up being SOOOO good! The beach was beautiful. We headed back to Jerusalem, which I don't remember too much of because everytime I step on that bus it seems to knock me out. haha. A lot of the boys are quite jealous of my seat because I'm at the back in between all the seats where I can streach my legs out on the seats in front of me. I also make a little bed on the floor which is quite nice for long rides :) pays being short!
Tonight we had a debriefing meeting which happens every night, and this one was good. We had great worship. Simple songs, but God really has been speaking to me in so many strange ways. A question Dr. Van der laan asked us tonight was: What are your top three favorite things about this trip so far? I started to think about them and realized that mine are not the usual experiences but simple moments in which God has broken so much of me and my thinking.

#1- Western Wall: We went to the Western Wall and as I was walking out, I saw women walking backwards away from the wall. It was in that moment that I realized the reverence the Jewish community has for God and how little American Christians do.

#2- Gelatto: Alexis, Katie, Kara-Leigh, Ryan and I often times after dinner walk to get Gelatto from Max Bruners. Amazing. One night we went and there was a man who was serving us who was very happy and joyous. We had been conversating for awhile and then he asked:
Gelatto Man: "Are you Jewish?"
Me: "Nope."
Gelatto Man: "Are you Christian?"
Me: "Yes."
Gelatto Man: "Well, we still believe in the same God right?"
Me: "This is true..."
At this point I realized that Jews and Christians are not worlds apart, but in the same family. They are God's chosen people, but we are all under the same covenant. The same family. I desperately desire for my family to see Jesus...

#3- Yad Vashem: We took a trip to Yad Vashem, The Holocaust Museum. Before we walked through and saw the inhumane things that went on in Germany, Dr. Van der laan spoke to us about people. About what happens when people are labled, as numbers or items or things. When people's names get taken away from them and how they are now equal, but equal in a sense that they have no identity to call their own. They become the same face when in fact they are not. This is the moment that I realized that Israeli's are people with names. Israelis are people with children who serve in the army and come home every Friday night for Shabbat and their family goes out into the market to buy their favorite foods. Israeli's are people like you and I who cry when people die and are sensitive to crude remarks and who laugh and are full of joy when life is beautiful. I had a stereotype about Israeli's when I came to Jerusalem that I am not proud of and now I realize that the Israel is God's land with God's people.

I could write on and on about the things God has been imprinting on my heart that will never be forgotten. We sang a song in which the lyrics are "No sweeter name is the name of Jesus, no sweeter name have I ever known." These lyrics have never rang truer in my life than now. How sweet is the name of Jesus and how I long for this Jewish community to hear it.

Jessica

everyone's sick!!!

Last night was the first night I got to actually talk to people on Skype! I was very excited! I got to see Aaron, Alison, Gracie, Wyatt and Dad. Woo Hoo! I finally got the mic on the camera working.

Yesterday we went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a HUGE model of Jerusalem. It really help me put together the pieces in my head of what the old city looked like from the City of David up until the 2nd Temple Period. The Dead Sea Scrolls were amazing. It's crazy to me how we are able to find something so important to our faith that was written SO long ago! 2000 years old and still in great condition!!! They found a whole manuscript of Isaiah in there, but it was a copy in the Museum.

After that we went to the Jewish Market, which was quite fun and then a Synagogue. We were able to speak to a Jewish Rabbi and pick his brain a little bit about how the Jewish religion works. It was so interesting. One thing I found COMPLETELY amazing was that in the Synagogue there has to be at least 2 Torah's for them to read out of (which is the first 5 books of the Christian Bible). These Torah's are all hand written by a scribe. In hebrew, vowels are not words, but marks (kind of like dots) but above or below a letter. In the Torah, all vowels are left out because the Rabbi should know it so well that he should know how it is said. These Torah's cost between $20,000 and $60,000 depending on the neatness of the handwriting!!!

Today we go to Tel Aviv, which should be fun. I'm not sure what we're doing there but hey, it's always an adventure right??

Ecc. 3:1-12

Jessica

ancient history at my feet...

Today was a long day. We woke up and were on the bus by 7am. Ceserea Phillipi was our destination today kids! On our way, the tour guide explained so many things about ancient Israel along with present day Israel. I don't think I've ever been so interested in learning as I have been since I've been here. We were able to see Lebanon, Israel and Syria all in one day. How amazing is that? We went on an hour hike to a waterfall to see a main spring that feeds the Jordan River and after lunch in Ceserea Phillipi, we went over to Tel Dan to see another spring that feeds the river along with more amazing things. We saw the altar that Jerboam was instructed to build in Jerusalem, but instead built it in Tel Dan. I touched the altar, sat on it, it was amazing. We also saw the gate in which Abraham walked through 4,000 years ago. Abraham.. that guy who God made a promise to "you will have descendents as numerous as the stars." Remember him?? My foot was where he walked. I can't even believe it... The gate was in great condition. We then went on the another part of Tel Dan where the Judges were. "Dan" means "Judges" and this is the place that if anyone needed any legal matter taken care of, that they can find someone to settle it. I saw the throne where the judge sat. Wow.
We came home and had a party for a girl's birthday that was today. It was fun. We played musical chairs and I broke a chair. Awesome. Aparently I was pretty adamont about getting to that chair.. should have just let it go Jessica. Haha. I also fell in the water. I need to stop. :)

Western Wall

Today we started our day fairly early (again with Pita and hummus.. my favorite!) and went to the Western Wall or as people know it to be, the Wailing Wall. It was such an enriching experience. It started out where the guide was telling us about the Jewish traditions, but as she was speaking, a Barmitzvah traveled by, and if you know anything about a Barmitzvah, it is very loud and joyous! After this, the men and women split their seperate ways on the wall. On the womens side, there were orthodox jewish women praying fervently and rocking back and forth with the "rythm" of the prayer. Again, just the reverence and beauty the Jewish people have of God is unbelieveable. There was one woman who was holding up a cell phone to the wall to allow the person on the other end to pray at the wall. I also realized that the women were walking backward from the wall all the way to the main walking place, and when I asked our guide about it she said they do that because they believe that is where the Spirit of God is and they do not think they should turn their back on the Spirit of God. Completely Beautiful. If you dont know, the western wall was actually the wall built around the temple. This temple was greater and bigger than anything you can imagine. The steps to get into it were stories high. Inside this temple was the Holy of Holies. This was the Jew's sacred place. A ruler came in a took over Jerusalem and desecrated the temple (put foreign Gods in it) and renamed the city. He told the jews they were no longer allowed to come and pray at the temple, but they were allowed to come once a year to the temple to weep at the wall for what had happened. (Hints the "Wailing Wall"). The Romans soon desecrated the temple, tearing it down and taking the treasures inside of it. (Did you know: The treasures the Romans took from the temple were actually the money used for building the colliseum in Rome? True story.) The temple was completely demolished except for a specific section of wall. This part of the wall happens to be where the Holy of Holies are and is very special to the Jewish people today. This is where Jewish boys have their Barmitzvah's, Jewish men and women come to pray for hours, they learn the torah, etc. It is an amazing place. Just the beauty and power that was felt there was unbelieveable. Everyone in our group had an amazing experience. We then went to Yad Vashem which is the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. This was a very emotional place for me. I couldn't belive the things that happened. I knew about the Holocaust and what went on, but to see the actual car they used to carry bodies on, it just gripped my emotions like I've never felt before. Needless to say, I didn't walk out of there with dry eyes. It's amazing to me though how amazing God's grace is because if the Holocaust didn't happen, the Jewish people wouldn't have been able to call Jerusalem their homeland again... how awesome is God's grace even in the thick of hopelessness?

Afterwards we went to the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, which wasn't all that amazing . Haha. It was cool though to hear their theology of the organizations with the Jewish population.

After dinner we went to get Gelato (oh so good!) and then found an amazing book store! They have books there, ALL IN HEBREW like Cat and the Hat, The Wild Thing.. everything! It was so cool! It's actaully right by our SEU building in Jerusalem, so the future Israel-goers will have great places to explore! The woman in the shop saw us looking around and said "Here! Take free Jewish calander!" So we did! (It was only Ryan, Katie, Alexis, Kara-Leigh and I).

I'm here at the house and was able to talk to Jenna, Beky, and Sarah!!!! That was so awesome. I miss everyone so much even though I am having a great time. The hot water heater exploded tonight which means we have no hot water and all the electricity on our side of the building went out, but the heat turned back on. PRAISE THE LORD! ahhaa.

Going to Galilee tomorrow... and on a hike. :-/ These hills are killing me haha.