In the picture you see Kristen, Sarah (Scott), Bethany and Trish..we are exploring in the Old City.
FEBRUARY 16, 2009
Saturday—the Valentine party…actually was a dance…they had a big room,, strobe lights and loud loud loud music! I went because I had told Shane I would come, but I didn’t stay very long. They put on some Palestinian music, and a couple of boys were doing some kind of Palestinian dance…so much to the embarrassment of my girls, I jigged around a little with them…it was sorta like a round country-western dance.
After church, seven of us went in to Aroma’s and had coffee and cookies…it was such fun…
Then Sunday morning I went with the young girls—Kristin, Trish, Bethany and Sarah (Scott—Shane’s wife—he kept their little 3 year old to give her a day out). We had breakfast in the German Colony—at Talbagels…it was simply delicious and so enjoyable to just sit around and enjoy the food and the conversation. Then we strolled and went in the little shops for a while before going to the Old City. We took a tour of The Herodian Quarter—the Wohl Museum of Archeology. It is underneath—all these excavations that are just amazing. The compound consists of six houses, built on a hillside overlooking the Temple Mount (over 2000 years ago). The exhibit itself concentrates on 3 of those houses…in the Herodian Period these were home to some of the wealthiest aristocrats in Jerusalem, apparently from the priestly classes. They are designed in Greco-Roman style—there were numerous storage rooms, reservoirs, ritual baths, ovens and beautiful colorful mosaics…on the floor—like we would have an area rug—there are these mosaics. Many luxury items were found there—tableware, etc. I got a picture of the name of one piece: “Megara Ware”! Are you believing it! The picture is on Trish’s camera as I had forgotten my camera…This whole excavation was discovered by archeologists when the Jewish Quarter was rebuilt following the Six Day War…a definite place to visit WHEN YA’LL COME SEE ME!
Then we went to the Wailing Wall—Kristen and Sarah had not been there. That is definitely an experience we will want to have WHEN YA’LL COME VISIT!
We finally made it back home about 5—a lovely day and beautiful weather. I discovered we had hot water, and immediately jumped in for a shower-donned my jams and was ready for the night…UNTIL Wilma came and said she was taking her friend Chrissie to the airport in Tel Aviv—so I decided to go so she wouldn’t have the drive home by herself at 10:00. I just put on jogging clothes over the jams, went with crocs and no make up—and sure enough, I wished I had dressed. We went to Mod-i-in (?) a city between Jerusalem and tel Aviv that 11 years ago was not there—and has grown into a beautiful modern city…with beautiful apartments and high rises. Chrissie said that it is a place where “yuppies” would live—and we went to the mall…super nice…and so different from Jerusalem…everyone was dressed in regular clothes—like American…and the stores were so nice…it is new also…of course, we only just breezed through and got a yogurt/fruit cup…Chrissie bought a purse and then we went by the home of some of Chrissie's close friends (she lived in Mod-i-in for 3 years). These are Jewish believers--so precious...a family of a 17 yr and 10 yr old daughter and 6 month old son...they come to the states at times and travel and talk...they were just so nice. Then we were on our way to Tel Aviv.
Chrissie is leading a tour group—and they came in last night after having a 4 hour delay. the whole tour will culminate with a big banquet--with Arab and Jewish believers--she has a reconciliation ministry--and God is blessing it so much. So we went in to the airport and met this whole group of people—me and my fine-looking self!
Wilma and I buzzed home in the truck and arrived at 11 p.m.! TOO LATE!
Today was a difficult day at school—we had a meeting after school, and it seems there were problems all over the high school. I was looking for the place to turn in my name badge! I would ask that you pray for Jerusalem School—there are some major difficult issues…the heart of the ministry is so wonderful. Just pray the enemy is not able to distort and pervert and create chaos in the midst of all of us.
We also learned that they are definitely moving the checkpoint—which is good for us…it means we are free! They are closing the wall completely—like where I went in to the West Bank with the yearbook girls—that will be closed. The only way to go in and out will be through Kolonidia (???) and it is a maze for people walking—and quite difficult. We have students who will definitely have a much harder time getting to school—and also, there are teachers who live there. So once again, we surely need prayer for all of those people.
I appreciate your love and interest and emails—keep them coming!
Love
Beth