Here's an email I just got from a friend-from-church who's taking a vacation in Israel...
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Shalom! I am in Israel, in the city of Jerusalem, sitting on Mt. Zion
as I
write to you this week. I cannot tell you of all the things I have
seen, and
all the things that I am trying to capture on camera. I went to the
Dead Sea
and floated for a while, and also climbed Masada, and stopped at
En-Gedi for
a time of rest in the oasis.En-Gedi is part of the Judean wilderness
that
David hid from Saul when he was trying to take his life. I read Psalm
63 and
just tried to see the beauty of God in that place. This morning I woke
up at
5 am and climbed the Mt. of Olives and watched the sun rise over the
city of
Jerusalem. It was gorgeous, words cannot explain. I wish I could send
you
some pictures right now, but I will have to show you later. The Mt. of
Olives splits the land between the Arabs and the Jews, and it also
overlooks
a great scene of the Temple Mount. As we climbed the M. of Olives, we
kind
of stumbled inot an Arab community, and then in the distance I saw the
West
Bank and that wall that they are building that we hear about on the
front
page of the news in the States. It was absolutly amazing to be there
because
I was standing right in front of the place that they say is the most
dangerous. Something that I found interesting was all the graves of
Jews all
over the Mt. of Olives. The side that the Jews have more control over
is
absolutly covered with stone graves. It made me think of the verse in
the
Bible that says, " If you do not give praise and glory to the Lord,
then
even the rocks will cry out." I know that the Bible is probably talking
about the mountain rock os the literal rocks, but it was an interesting
sight to see all the stone grave rocks covering the hill and walk into
Jerusalem. Also, as I over looked Jerusalem, I could not help think of
all
the history here, and then of all the future events of God that will
take
place here. I looked upon the modern day Jerusalem and its beauty, but
then
I imagine and thought of the day that I would over look God new
Jerusalem,
which is Heaven on earth. WOW!
I could write to you for hours about all that I have seen, heard
and
learned here in the last few days, but I will try not to blabber on too
much. I have been walking around the city of Jerusalem alot, and I wish
I
could speak Hebrew so that I could fit in with the locals. I think one
of my
favorite sights to see while walking around the city is the Orthadox
Jews
that have so much reverence to God. It is impacting! But then I
think...how
do you tell people like this about Jesus, and how He is the only way to
God.
Or more importantly I ask myself.... these people already have a deeper
realtionship with God without believe in Jesus, so why is Jesus and His
blood significant to me, and how can I tell these people? I am still
thinking all of these issues out.....
I love it here, I wish I could just tell you all to hop on a bus and
come
here too. It is amazing! I am soaking up every second that I have here.
Please pray for my safty and protection, I believe that God has and is
and
will be there. I love you all, and pray that CRUX will be an awesome
time in
the study of the commandments of God. Go to CRUX, you will learn so
much
about who God is in comparison to you and your life. I pray you will
have a
great time of worship and study. I will be here enjoying the Shabbat,
which
is the Sabbath. If you want to write me back with any questions, cares
or
concerns, please do.....
Until I see you again in the States.....
Shalom!
Stephanie
Author