Random Thoughts from Jerusalem

No pictures - just some things that come to mind from Don as we serve in Jerusalem.

• A bomb went off recently in Jerusalem and rockets continue to be launched by Hamas in the Gaza strip and fall in the Negev - but we feel very safe here right now.


• We are used to most of the sounds around us - the call to prayer five times a day, lots of sirens, and the busyness of the city outside of the garden - but I do need to buy an alarm clock for the rooster that lives outside our bedroom window, so he can tell the time of day.


• We still feel the need to pinch ourselves often - and we say to each other - "can you believe we are in Jerusalem having a flafel" or "can you believe we are privileged and blessed to be serving at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem ".


• Sarah Palin from the U.S. visited recently. The Mayor of Jerusalem also came to visit the Garden and inspect the controversial "wall" the Muslims have been constructing without permission right next door and on top of the Garden Tomb wall. The wall has been shabbily built, not according to permit, and over our protestations. This week, part of it fell down onto one of the worship areas. Forunately it happened while we were closed - but it could have been disastrous if people were worshipping underneath. Ironic that Sarah Palin was standing in that exact spot a few days earlier. Our director took pictures and emailed them to the Mayor, informing him the wall fell down exactly where the Mayor had stood three days earlier.


• There is a wide spectrum of people that visit the Garden. One day last week I walked by one of the worship areas, only to hear a pastor praying, " Thank you God for bringing us to the holiest site on earth". Not more than five minutes later I overheard someone at the front entrance ask, "So this is Jesus tomb? What did he do?"


• I read the book "Burkas and Beards" by Martin Goldsmith, on witnessing to Muslims and Jews. He said you have to understand the Muslim thought process before you can witness to them. One of several interesting examples - he talked to a group of high school students and afterwards was confronted by a group of Muslim students who aked how he could believe in a Bible where people would delete all the references to Mohammed from the book.


• From the Palestinian neighbourhood with women wearing long coats and scarves to MeaSharim with Orthodox Jews wearing black suits, white shirts, and sporting long wringlets and beards...just blocks away from each other...to Eilat by the Red Sea, a close resemblance to Cancun, Mexico....sometimes we feel we are on a different planet.


• Still I continue to learn from other guides who are genuine servants and examples of Christ's love on a daily basis.


• I have had opportunity to grow in Christ, share my faith, and give testimony to over 5000 visitors I have guided over the past 9 weeks - God continues to teach me that I can do better when I get home with my friends, relatives, and co workers.


• The day we left for Israel Glenda showed me the verse from her daily devotion. It was Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many." It meant a lot to us as we departed for Israel - it means even more now that we can see first hand. We have no excuse for not serving when we have seen His example. God bless you and thank you for your prayers.