Hello All,

Today I made an attempt to return my rental car to Lisburn (9 miles away from where I am staying) only to find myself in the Falls/Shank District in Belfast (20 miles away from where I should have been). It’s time to come home.

I hope you can tell that I had a marvelous time! If you want to see more pictures I have about 3oo more of new and old acquintances, castles, sheep, Roman roads and so on.

I have been studying the lives of the Patriarchs while in Northern Ireland and have been able to wonderfully apply the patriarch narrative of connectedness to perhaps a different application of what I thought my time off would produce. I think my original intent at vacation was to labor towards forgetting two years of  bumps and rough roads that came about in both considerable amounts of professional and personal transition. This week I learned that the Hebrew word often translated future in Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 comes from the same root as the word translated behind. The Hebrews felt that the future was not whole without the past.  The very season that seems least likely to bear fruit may be place of a greater portion then imaginable – I think this message is ultimately what was in store for me during this month.

Cheers to all!

P.S. I am sorry, I JUST learned how to do spell check in WordPress!

I have known Colin since 97. This time around it was so fun to meet the lovely women in his life, Catherine and daughter Beth.

I know this may sound cheesy, but it is amazing to me how scenery like this can change the scenery of your heart.

I stayed at this house my first visit to Northern Ireland. My last day here, back in 1997 I left with the overwhelming sounds of  police helicopters conducting exercises across the bay …it was eerie but as you remember quite necessary. It was upcoming marching season for Northern Ireland and no one was anticipating peace anytime soon. I remember being so challenged to pray for the peace of Belfast. I also remember watching a few months later Bill Clinton managing the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. (I wonder how many other college seniors were watching House of Commons at some crazy hour just to see it really happen) Of course, that didn’t completely stick but just in the last couple of months Northern Ireland has been finally seeing good days! The local report so far has been very exciting as well. I don’t think anyone ever thought Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley would be working side by side. Many people are grateful – and thankful to God for that matter. All of this came to my mind while hiking around the Murlough Reserve the other day. All of these events were just what I needed to be reminded of after departing Jerusalem. Quite honestly, I was  a bit over stimulated  trying to wrap my mind around everything surrounding Israel that I really did not know how to pray for the city that needs it desperately. It was  good to take an afternoon and hike around sorting it out through a prayer time in a land that has had its own recent peace process. Praying for a city does matter. It matters greatly.

I was bugging this poor fellow so bad I had to give him credit by posting his photo.

Michael’s a bit skiddish about pictures too. This is Karen.

This is Michael of Karen & Michael whom I am staying with. I have known them since 1997 when I knocked on their door to invite them to an event that my college group had organized. They are a lovely couple. 2 years ago Michael finally stopped putting it off and got his driver’s liscense! He’s a great driver but his reasons for waiting so long would put you in stitches. He is now 43.

The nation of Israel is one of the world’s top producers of citrus among a few other items. Not bad for being a nation of only 60 years old.

My final view of the Old City…someday it will be NEW!! I have been painfully trying hard to not stick politics or theology in the blog but I was wondering about the new city and whether the mosque on the right (currently and respectively still apart of David’s citadel) will look the same or, just in general what will the improvements be. Maybe I should ask Randy Alcorn. Either way, I was trying to figure out what the New Golden City might look like and figured that I haven’t a clue!

Somewhat of a common site – this was in the square where only the men may come and pray, beyond the divider is the  area where women may pray.

Incredibly fascinating! The original layer of the temple mount wall.

I sat by myself for a couple of hours with coffee and just read my Bible with this view of the Sea of Galilee. Overwhelmed with yesterday’s visuals I was amazed by reading in and around Isaiah 30… nothing is new for the Lord. Most importantly however, I reviewed Jesus’ ministry through Scriptures. I am so thankful that my heart was revealed a greater understanding of the sacrifice it must have been to leave such a beautiful place and travel to Jerusalem to be crucified. The miracles that took place in and around this area are still happening -  my burden was lightened.

Lunch!

Traveling only a short distance north of the Galilee one is quickly reminded of the mess that Israel must contend with. In the above photo Syria is on the left and in the center is the UN compound stationed between countries. Traveling to this area through the Jericho Valley one is also reminded that only 20% of Jordanians are at peace with Israel being so close as well. Jordanian villages are as close as they can possibly be up and down the neutral zone. On our way back down to Tiberias, we drove through a couple of cities that also reflected Lebanon’s opinion on Israel last summer.

A Druze Community- residents of the Golan which have changed hands from Syrian to now Israeli residents.

One of many Syrian shelled structures left from the war.

I sensed much grace around this particular Russian Orthodox church – it was beautiful inside and out.

We spent most of our afternoon around Mount Beatitudes.

Nicole and I traveled North to spend Shabbat with a family that has clearly adopted her as their own. The parents are American Israeli’s that aliyaed 15 years ago from New York. The above are their youngest daughters. On the right is Rebekah who is 17. Last year she received her “first draft” papers from the Israeli Army. Girls automatically serve 2 years out of high school. Our conversation was extremely interesting. She says she is ready – she loves Israel and wants to serve.

The museum itself is the triangular building. Architecturally designed above and under ground – in this photo you see about a fourth of the building. This experience was like looking intimately through a family album – it is done with excellence. Not an easy afternoon to participate in but very important. The exit passage archway has Ezekiel 37:14, ” I will put my breath into you and you shall live again and I will set you upon your own soil.” www.yadvashem.org

Formerly the Ivory Coast Embassy, Nicole is in front of her work building.  The ministries 50+ staff work towards multiple efforts from bringing Jewish people home (Aliyah), news & radio broadcast from a Christian perspective, large social assistance program that aids all people groups in the country, Israel awareness around the world among a few things! Check out www.icej.org for more info!

As if making this trip isn’t incredible enough, the Lord throws in an amazing time of praying with this meek and and gentle woman. Natalie is the French Liason for the ICEJ.

Nicole’s associate and very dear friend in Nicole’s office.

In the middle is Raja- one of the 1.5% of Arab Christians in Israel. I had the opportunity to sit in his office and hear MIRACLES of how God is moving in the Old City and in his life. Through his leadership and God’s grace, unity between orthodox and catholic priests are taking place and social needs are being met for both Christian and Muslim Arab women, among a few of the things happening! It was such an honor to pray for him.

Many prophecies point Jews and Christians to bury their dead here due to the belief that this will be the ultimate gathering on Judgement Day…interesting concept of trying to be first?! Anyway – BIG Cemetary – very expensive to be buried here. My fantasy of this area of the Mount of Olives has been diffused however. This cemetary – in an Arab section of town has been significantly littered and upkeep is at a minimum.

The cone shaped grave in the Jewish Cemetary is Absalom’s and next to it (you are not able to see from this angle) is also the Tomb of Bene Hezir & Zecharia’s. The association with Absalom, David’s rebellious son, was made in the 12th century based upon 2 Samual 18:18 reference: “Absalom in his lifetime set up a pillar for himself that is in the King’s Valley. Visitors still throw stones at the tomb, symbolically castigating Absalom for his disobedience. I was advised not to go alone in the valley but if I would have I would have thrown a stone.

Directly east of the Wall, the 6 pillars represent the 6 million Jews destroyed under the Nazi regime.

Since I was by myself this time I went into the bathroom nearby to cry… only to find that I joined about 4 other women doing the same thing.  I was really thankful to be apart of this. One more example why women go to the restroom in herds…more bonding time. 

Security check point at the Western Wall

Most extravagant and complete surviving ancient Roman siege system built by Herod, King of Judea. It was also the last home for Jewish “rebels” against the Romans at the end of the 2nd Temple Period. Masada has been transformed into both a Jewish cultural icon and a symbol of humanity’s continuous struggle for freedom from oppression. ASK ME ABOUT THIS! 

South of Jerusalem – the Judean hills. Layer upon layer of events…Jesus was tempted, Amos retreated, David hid from Saul, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found here…incredible beauty.

I spent the evening in the home of the priest of Christ’s Church along with three Hebrew scholars and their spouses. I kid you not – we drank Israeli wine, ate unleavened dessert and watched a 1972 Bob Dylan concert – it was awesome! Nicole is with a one year old who speaks two more languages  then I do.

Yes, I am really here! Just a quick breather while walking through the streets of Jerusalem.

 The Jewish way of dealing with Passover – just COVER the leaven items in the store! 

That tomb is empty! This was a great service!

Palace Pool dating back to Roman and Byzantine periods

Joppa – Peter’s vision that really helped us Gentiles!

 - the only remnant of Herod’s Second Temple. The large stones of the lower part of the Western Wall are part of the massive retaining wall built by Herod the Great in 20 B.C to support the Temple. 3rd & 4th Century Jewish pilgrims arrived to lament the destruction of the Temple by the Romans. When the Muslims built on the Temple Mount in the 7th century, the Jews were denied access. From 1948-1967, access to the Wall from Israel was prohibited. In 1967, 57 meters of the Wall were exposed. 7 courses above and 19 courses below. 

I am unable to fathom the pressure and loneliness He went through in this garden.

This was the view after a 30 minute hike through the Kidron
Valley in the dark! The same walk Christ took when he and the disciples went up to pray. The road we traveled was the dividing line for the eastern side of the city – my first view of Palastinian communities. On our left had been a significant amount of people, tour buses, and vehicles hurrying to various Jewish, Christian & Orthodox sites, simultaneously while  the call to prayer was coming from the minarets. My head was spinning – it was really loud! This would not be something one would do alone but we were in a group of about 60…it was safe dad!

The only thing I find intimadating about being in Israel at this time is the electrical outlets!