Israel Diaries # 5: Rooftop Conversations, Mineral Mud and Galilee

Thanks for all that are following along with Janny and I on facebook and here on my blog. It has been great sharing the memories and experiences.

This has arguably been one of the most intense classes I have ever taken in any context. I just finished my second exam (only one more to go!) this afternoon after putting in around 50 hours of lecture/study/field study in the past 6 days. Janny (and the baby!) and I were able to rest yesterday back at our hotel in Jerusalem and tomorrow we shove off for a 4 day trip to Galilee. We are REALLY looking forward to this leg of the trip. We will visit 17 different significant locations, which are highlighted by Caesarea, Nazareth, Bethsaida, Sea of Galilee (apparently we will be staying right on the water) Capernaum and Sepphoris. Will be taking plenty of notes/pics to share.

Our time in the Negev was amazing. We stayed in youth hostel in Arad, about 20 minutes from the Dead Sea. Walking up the Roman Ramp to Masada was a stunning scene. Jewish Zealots held Masada until 73AD (3 years after Jerusalem had fallen) and the Romans built the ramp for 3 years in an effort to take the city.

Floating and “exfoliating” in the Dead Sea was Janny’s highlight of the whole trip to date. All the girls in the group followed her around like a mother hen as she covered herself (and yes, I might have followed suite:)) in the mineral rich Dead Sea mud and floated at the lowest place on earth.

Walking through the community and caves of Qumran could have been my highlight of the trip so far. Having studied the Dead Sea Scrolls and their significance, it was surreal to be sifting through the same caves that held these scrolls for almost 2000 years. Gosh, I could talk/share about these for hours, but I’ll stop there…

As I have mentioned a couple times, we are doing our best to develop our understanding of the tension that exists between Palestine and Israel. Standing on the roof of our hotel around 11pm, I had one of the most insightful and painful conversations of my life. One of our Palestinian friends who works at our hotel, also has a child on the way and lives with his wife on the other side of the Mt. of Olives in the West Bank. Not long ago it would only take him 10 minutes to get to work in Jerusalem, now (after multiple security check points) it takes him 45. His wife is only allowed outside of “the walls” twice a year for Christmas and Easter. In the afternoons, he works with local teenagers promoting reconciliation and peacemaking. Often speaking with tears streaming down his cheeks as we looked over Jerusalem, he shared his story(some are paraphrased):
“I don’t want to change your mind, I am only one man. I just want you to hear our story.”
“I am a Christian, I love Jesus, but I am treated like a terrorist.”
“I try not to be angry when I see Americans praying for their meal, while you forget the oppression of those of us right here. Thankfully I have the love of Jesus in my heart.”
“You can’t oppress a whole nation over the terrorist acts of a few.”
“The Berlin Wall was 3 meters high, this wall is 8 meters. Our oppression only builds hatred and terror.”
“I will never leave, but I don’t see how there will ever be peace.”
“Don’t feel sorry for me. With my wife and child, I am very happy.”