Faith without fear

Today was another day filled with Wow moments as we visited the Temple Mount. We learned the history of the various temples that had been built, destroyed and built again. Prayed at the Western Wall and learned how the Walls of the Temple Mount were constructed.

Before getting off the bus to go onto the Temple Mount, our guide informed us that we could not bring our bibles with us, as they were forbidden by the Muslims controlling the Temple. We were even informed that we technically could not discuss Christianity on the Temple Mount for the same reason. The irony that the Temple Mount is such a significant physical location in our Christian Faith, and then not being able to be authentic in expressing or discussing our faith openly left me feeling frustrated.

This was the first time in my life that my religious faith had been oppressed. I realized today how much I have taken for granted the freedom we have in our Country to practice our faith without fear of consequence.

Written by Jon Read

Today was a whirlwind of emotions. First, we started our day at the Temple Mount which shocked me to my very core. This most holy of sites, the place where the presence of God had rested, the Temple of the LORD, is now the home of a gaudy and gigantic Muslim Mosque. No one is allowed to bring a Bible onto the premises, and any type of teaching must be only about Islam. I was angered. How could this be? And that's when I remembered the hundreds of years of history of God's people and His Temple and how many times it was destroyed. I have faith that God will restore this site to His people someday soon!

From there, we went to Hezekiah's tunnels which snaked through the mountain for over a quarter mile. Water filled these tunnels as high as 70 meters at some points while we trekked the path of David's men when they attacked the Jebusites and laid claim to the City of David. I wish I could explain to you exactly how amazing these tunnels were, but words cannot do it justice!

Finally, we ended the day at the Holocaust Museum, where we were cut deep to the heart with the somber reality of evil at work in the world. However, God is the Almighty and he takes such pain to orchestrate a plan grander than anything we could ever imagine.

Written by Ashley Serin