Pray, Sing, Remember

After 12 hours, my feet are swollen, my ankles hurt, and I am a tad stinky...but what a glorious day.

First stop...the Mount of Olives. This is where JESUS will be coming again - Nothing is left to be fulfilled. First the Rapture- Whoop whoop! All GOD'S redeemed will be taken up to Heaven! Second - the touchdown- the feet of JESUS will touch down on the Mount of Olives. But, no time to ponder on that magnificent image as we are on the road to...

The Pool of Bethesda. We saw the pool where JESUS healed the man who had been lame for 38 years. "Pick up your mat and walk," he told the man. I love that JESUS tells us "do it," "go," "believe." Direct, no nonsense - what a Savior. As we left, walking down a path we could hear singing coming from a small church. As I looked inside, I thought the choir must be practicing. It sounded so beautiful. When they were finished Rich brought our group up to the front of the church...and we sang...and we sounded beautiful! It was such a special heavenly moment. My heart was overflowing!

The Garden of Gethsemene. Several years ago, I had a good friend who came to Israel and prayed in the garden for a heavy weight I had been carrying. I have never forgotten the joy I felt when she told me later how she had poured out her heart to GOD for me and my family. Today, as I stood at the garden I was blessed to pray for a friend of mine going through a deep trial. The Garden of Gethsemene invites prayer. I could easily picture JESUS on his knees, under an olive tree praying to HIS FATHER about the time coming when all life would be forever changed. Next up...the Israel Museum.

The museum is a 1:50 scale model of the old city of Jerusalem. It was great to see what we have only been imagining come to life. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit was wonderful as well. From the museum we went to...

Lunch! In the park our wonderful driver Meir and our fabulous guide Ronen made us a lunch of Jerusalem bagels (foot long) with sour cream and date honey, and humus, and goat cheese, and olive oil. Yummy! Last stop of the day...

Yad Vashem - the Holocaust History Museum. What to say about this? From the time I was a you girl and first heard about Anne Frank, I have been fascinated by Holocaust stories. What makes some people good and some people evil? Why do some people survive against all odds and some quickly succumb? Why do some find their faith deepened and strengthened in unbearable situations, and some lose their faith forever? Our new friend Ronen said something I found so profound. We care about what happens to others, even if they are our enemies, because we all share life together, because to do evil to one is to do evil to all. "To save the life of one, is to save the world entirely." It was a powerful moving experience I will never forget...ever...

It was a very full day, filled with joy and truthfully some sorrow. But look up - JESUS is coming again - Whoo hoo!

Linda Burr