First Day/impressions in Israel
Qumran (dead sea scrolls); Jericho; and Bethlehem tomorrow. Our guide can’t go with us to Bethlehem bc its currently controlled by Palestinians muslims and they’ve harmed other jewish guides recently. Palestinian Christians are the “least of these” here and being slowly stamped out economically by jews and palestinian muslims. This place reeks of religious history and you can cut the tension with a knife between the jews and muslims that are constantly battling for sacred sites. Its so tense that it requires another level of commitment. People are devout (jews all over air plain standing up and going through morning prayer routine on way over), it made me weep for us where we live in a culture where being christian doesn’t necessarily mean something is at stake (for the average believer). For the people here it is Life or Death and there is nothing more serious then their faith. Tomorrow, Jerusalem stores close at 3pm and do not open up till sundown on Saturday evening because of the sabbath.
Peace,
Pastor P
Chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com
www.wedesiremore.com
Very interesting. Looking forward to more posts and hearing about it. Enjoy!