Sunday and Monday, January 24-25

Since i am not able to blog everyday (computer priveleges here are at a premium, with many of us trying to share one computer), i will probably post as many days as i can at once.
yesterday, sunday, we began the day with worship at the english speaking service of the redeemer lutheran church here in jerusalem. it was wonderful to be able to worship here in the "holy city". after church we met with the pastor of the church to hear about the work that redeemer lutheran does here in jerusalem and their efforts to work toward peace. we came back to the guesthouse to change clothes, then headed into the marketplace of the old city for lunch, which was delicious. the marketplace of the old city is fascinating, colorful, and noisy! many cultures and languages blend together to provide a wonderful experience of sight and sound.
following lunch, we walked to the southern wall of the old city and the southern steps. it was very moving to sit on the steps leading up to the old city and gaze out over jerusalem, imagining what it must have been like thousands of years ago and realizing that i was sitting in front of a wall that was built before Christ was born.
our journey then took us into the old city again, to the western wall. once again, i find myself at a loss for words in describing what it was like to place my hands on the only wall remaining of the temple of Jesus' time, lean my head against it, and pray to the almighty. i had written my prayer on a slip of paper and, along with many others, slipped it into a crack of the wall. i wept as i leaned against the wall, feeling the coolness of the stone and hearing the voices of the ages join with the voices of the present lifted in prayer to Almighty God, creator of all that exists. Yahweh, Adonai, HaShem, Lord, Father, Savior, King of Kings, Imanuel. an experience i will never forget and treasure always.
today, monday, we heard from an israeli agency that works for peace and ending the conflict with the palestinians over this land that both peoples call "home". it was encouraging to hear how israeli voices are joined in condemning the injustices that are being done here and their efforts in working for peace and justice. after that, we went to a qibbutz for lunch, then to Yad Vashem, the memorial to the victims of the holocaust. i am speechless as i try to convey how moving this experience was. it is something i hope to share with you in person. we were not allowed to take cameras in, so no pictures, which is fine with me because i would have felt like i was violating something by taking pictures.
i am tired. tired of sleeping alone, tired of missing my family, tired of pita bread and yogurt and vegetables. but i am also grateful for the time i have had here and for the opportunity to experience the land that Jesus called home while he walked this earth and the people that he ministered to. i am renewed in my call to "come and follow" and "go and tell".