HaAyir HaAtik (The Old City)

Shalom from Israel! I apologize for not updating sooner, but I have a post from yesterday that I'll put up after this one. To sum it up, I'm here in Jerusalem safe and sound. Today was the third day of classes. After having two awflu days in Hebrew class that was way over my head, I transferred to an easier level of Ulpan (The Hebrew teaching system). I can now understand what the teacher says- which is an incredible benefit when youre trying to learn something.

I found a few more Christians in the group. This afternoon we headed down to the Old City, which was about a 45 minute walk (a Jew led the group, so we took the long way around the Palestinian areas- when I walk by myself or with other Christians, I'll definately go the easier way through Arab neighborhoods). Our group of about 9 was half Chistian and half Jewish- not a bad mixture. Things are going well with my room, David- he's a pretty likeable fellow.

My trip to the Old city today was INCREDIBLY excitin. I've never been so thrilled I dont think. We entered at the Jaffa gate, and proceeded through an Arab shook, market, until we reachd the Jewish quarter of the city. We then went to the Wailing Wall (Kotel, in Hebrew). Me and the other Christian guys were allowed o go right down near it, as long as we put on paper yalmulkas (sp?). It was incredible to be there- our Jewish friend got us a Jewish prayer book, which we all looked though as he went through a round of prayers with a gorup of Israeli soldiers. I said a prayer, and asked that Israel might find Christ. The Wailing Wall was really really really neat, though.

After visiting the kotel, me and another Christian fellow, Elliot- a Catholic from Chicago, went to the Church of the Holy Sepulhre. On the way, we asked an Arab vendor where it was, not knowing the church was only around the bend. He took us there as our official tour guide, being a pushy fellow looking for some easy American cash. I knew we were being hosed, and I wasnn't about to give him much money. Still, he took us in aorund the chuch, which is incredibly beautiful (very gothic and iconistic- an Anabaptist's worst nightmare). There were many sites in the church from the Passion account (who knows how many are real), but I saw the place where Christ was crucified, the stone upon which they laid his body to wash it, the Holy Sepulchre itself, and the place where the soldiers scourged Christ, among others. Although our Palestinian guide was kitchy, he showed us aroun well. I plan to spend a lot of time in the church (maybe tomorrow?), as it is a great (and Christian, as opposed to Jewish) place to pray and contemplate Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

At the end of the tour, the fellow I was with gave our Arab guide 100 shekels- about $23. I offered the fellow 5 shekels.

We got to see the church close at 7:00 pm. The key to the church belongs to a Muslim, since the denominations (Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Coptic, Armenian Orthodox, and one other- I cant remember), arue over it. So, we watched as a Palestinian Muslim (whose family has guarded the key for 250 years) closed the door to the great church. It's a shame, because the fellow acted like he could have cared less.

Tonight, we go to town in Jerusalem. Everyone has a nice time on Thursday nights, because tomorrow is Friday night and the Sabbath begins, and the entire city shuts down.

Thank goodness we were't in Tel Aviv today- there was a bomb there that wounded several. I called Mom after I first heard about it (we were on our way to Jerusalem, and someone's mom called her and told her, so we all called our parents).

I got a piece of honey baked goods in the Palestinian market for about 23 cents. Great deal.

I also found group of Evangelicals to hang out with. They're here for the year, and go to church together and have Bible study, I believe, on Tuesday. For as great as it was to visit the Old City, the best moment of my day was after I spoke with one of the Christian guys I'll be going to church with on Saturday night. I'm sooooo thankful to God for this fellowhip.

Well, I'll be going. Have a good evening - Love, and all the best, Jason.