Israel Diaries # 2: Busted Cameras and Holy Pilgrimmage

Our folks hooked us up with a sweet camera as a combined bday present for Janny and I this year. With our travels and the baby on the way, we figured it was time to replace the duck tape ridden version we have been using. Unfortunately, we have either not figured out how to properly use the new one OR there is something wrong with it. We have a ton of sweet pics, but are unable to get them onto our computer. I was hoping to mainly post pics and only say a few words…not happening. Hopefully we can find a “techy” in our class tomorrow.

As I last mentioned, the class is really involved, but it is allowing us to explore the country academically and physically. Our professor has his PHD from the local Hebrew University and is an American citizen who lived her for 20 years. He is brilliant and has some great perspective. Is also quite devotional at times. We have really connected with our classmates (who range from 19 to 60 years old) as we go out to local restaurants and cafe’s most every night to watch the World Cup. It is HUGE over here.

Today we visited Bethlehem, Herodian, Garden(Orchard) of Gethsemane and the Mt. of Olives. Over the past few days we have stayed in Jerusalem and done extensive study and exploration of the Old City of Jerusalem (Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Temple Mount, the Upper Room, Calvary, Jesus’ Tomb, David’s Palace, etc…) Stunning stuff.

Our professor said something profound that struck both of us in a similar way. He spoke of the Western minds’ desire for accuracy, data and information in visiting these sites (questions like: how sure can we be that this is REALLY the place that…happened?) He went on to say that the religious of the Middle East (specifically Israel) don’t seek data, but instead they worship and remember. As we travel these grounds and ask the hard questions based on thorough scholarship, it is shocking how many places can’t be confirmed as 100% accurate locations of the original event/structure. The point isn’t accuracy, the point is worship. Such is the posture we hope to adopt moving forward.

Hopefully we get the camera fixed!