Sovreign

So we woke up today, pulled the curtains back to see something that they don't see in the Holy City hardly ever. Snow! In fact it'd been four years since Jerusalem's last snow. It wasn't just dusting either. Big heavy wet flakes, you know, the kind of snow that makes great snowballs? It was beautiful. Children on seemingly every corner making miniature snowmen and young students throwing snowballs at each other. What a blessing to get my favorite kind of weather that is so rare, and especially while I am here. It was an added blessing to our last few days here.

We started our day at the Holocaust Museum. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not much of a reader. Yet I found myself immersed in the stories, testimonies, and history of this heartless act. It blew my mind. I'd read the story and been taught in school about this when we covered WWII. But there it was in front of me, tangible evidence and testimonies no one could dispute. I sank deeper and deeper emotionally as I continued through the modern shaped building. The collection of artifacts was overwhelming. We were given 2 hours to walk through by ourselves, this simply was just not enough. I found that I had to breeze through the last third of the museum to just be able to spend a minute in the children's memorial...but I'm glad I did. Millions of reflections of candles burning in a dark yet seemingly unending room. A women's voice read the name of a child and the age they were when they were murdered. I fought tears most of the morning and came away with a solemn attitude. In hinds sight I look back and know that this wasn't the first heartless act, and (till Jesus comes back) it won't be the last. Not to discount or belittle it, but to trust more in the sovereignty of God. A God that no mater how many attempts there were to remove this race of Jews from the earth, they are alive and thriving today. They are not forgotten. They are mourned. They have left a legacy.

After the museum we had a special treat as we traveled to our tour guides home for lunch. It was a blessing to be in Eti's home today. Our bus driver Husam and his wife had prepared an amazing meal for us of authentic Jewish cuisine. The home was beautiful and built in the part of the city where John the Baptist was born. Beautiful overlook of a valley with other amazing traditional homes. Gardens all around with trees of all kinds. Walking up the pathway to the house you got a different sense of a neighborhood community that you don't get by just driving by. It was unique and charming, wish it was warmer, but still it was a wonderful time of fellowship and great food.

After that we were done touring for the day. Because of the weather many places were closed. So we headed back to the hotel and were surprised to have some free time on our hands.

So several of us hopped a cab and headed to the old city to hang out in the market, and we strolled down to the western wall. It was raining so hard yesterday when we were there ,that we didn't get to go down there to the actual wall. Dave and I took advantage and went down with our jarmikles on (men have to wear one). It was neat to be at this historical place and even more neat to pray there. Not that God could hear me better, or that there was some extra spiritual feeling I was having, but the fact that this was an international prayer spot for thousands of years. Soggy notes fill the cracks of the large limestone bricks that were there from King Solomon's time. Notes that have prayers written on them from visitors that have come from near and far.

Prayer can be such an afterthought in the Christian church today. So it was powerful to me to be at a place where conversation with God was a priority.

After that we walked the market and hopped our cab back to the hotel. It was a relaxing yet meaningful day.

I can't believe that tomorrow is our last full day here. 2 weeks flew by, but I'm sure it will take at least 2 more to unpack all the great things God has shown me on this trip.

Blessed,

Justin