Peace and grace to you in Jesus name!
Well, here we are in the city of the great King! Lot's of people, lots of clutter, lots of history. Layer upon layer of people groups and Kingdoms who have lived and died here over many centuries. If you could peel away the layers of ground---somewhat like you would peel back the lid of a sardine can, you would literally see and feel peoples lives from multitudes of cultures and ethnic origins.
There is simply no other place on earth that draws so many people from so many religions, like one huge multifaceted magnet. We have done the normal tour things that all visiting groups do but also much more. Brandy and I have prowled the back alleys, had coffee and swarma's, talked to folks and renewed our "feel for the land" in places that tourists do not normally go. It is truly amazing to walk into a hotel, falafel stand---or just run into people on the street who remember us from past visits. Of course, truth to tell, it is normally Santiago that draws attention. This little guy NEVER forgets someone he has met in the past and seldom do people forget him. What a trooper he is on these trips. He NEVER complains, always has smiles and hugs and kisses for everyone we meet.
My comments will be brief today since it is just after 4 a.m. We were high up on a rooftop yesterday overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. It was a doomed roof and I stepped on a slippery area and hit the ground pretty hard. Lots of initial pain but praise God nothing broken.
Fortunately it was a very long day with lots of miles walking and climbing stairs so I was able to "work out the kinks". Brandy doctored me up last night so other than being stiff and sore, I am fine and getting ready for another day leading our group to Yad Vashem. That is the holocaust memorial so we know that it will be a very emotional time of facing reality for our group members.
Brandy has been exhorting our group as no one else can do but her. Also doing testimonies and short teaching times as the Lord leads her. I am doing daily teaching times at various sites plus talking about Biblical prophecy as it relates to the (past, present and future) events and areas we have visited. Our guide Allen is a walking encyclopedia of historical facts and Aaron the bus driver (who has fallen completely in love with Santiago) is a master behind the wheel. We all work basically as a team.
We are still having problems with internet availability but when we arrive back home I will write more about our adventures.
Now, my eyes are getting a bit heavy so I think I will try and "snooze out" for a while before breakfast.
Brandy and I sincerely wish you could all be here with us but who knows what may be possible in the future??? In the meantime, as they say here in Israel, "NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM"!
May the Lord bless you all in the great name of Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
Signing off for today from Jerusalem,
Pastor Rance.
No comments:
Post a Comment