Israel: from the West Bank to the Old City and back again

Wow, we have seen so much since leaving Tel Aviv. We went to a city in the West Bank to visit some friends. It was so fun to see them and see how the kingdom of God is coming to their city, what an honor to spend time with these people who have given their lives to Jesus with such surrender! I cannot share details to protect them and their local friends, but I am thankful to have seen the way they  love and how they communicate the gospel of peace and forgiveness to their local friends in this place of tension. 

We experienced the tension in this area first hand at the checkpoint and realized that tension has become a part of people's daily lives. They carry it almost subconsciously in all they do, like a person would carry stress. Can you imagine? We drove through refugee camps where people have lived since the war of 1967, hoping to eventually get their homes back. They don't want to carry the shame that it would cause to give up on the idea of ever moving home...so they remain in refugee camps...with terrible schools, and no jobs and desperate for their old homes. Homes and land most of them have never seen but just heard stories of from their parents or even grandparents..homes which they believe would be their restored dignity. 

After a few days with our sweet friends we came to Jerusalem, "the city of peace". What a special thing to be in this city, this city that Jesus chose and is so close to his heart. As we walk the streets, we can't help but wonder and ask where Jesus would be walking in these streets today. Who would he be spending time with? We found ourselves in the Old City having a conversation with a man named Joseph. I recognized him from last time I was in the city. He owns a jewelry store and made necklaces as a gift for Amber and I. Joseph shared with us his heart, which is so wrapped up in the occupation. He said that the people groups live next to each other by address, but are not neighbors, and far from brothers. There is no peace in their hearts. He loved the Jew, did not criticize, put no blame or fault on either side, but just desired peace. We spoke with him about the Kingdom of God, the hope of Jesus ruling and reigning, the prince of peace. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there The Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore!

We are leaving today to go back into the West Bank. Pray for people of peace to stay with and for Holy Spirit to lead us. For us to be careful with our words and actions and for favor as we go into this land. Pray for his gospel of peace to go forth and to be sewn into the hearts of those we talk to. We love you guys!

It is SO rainy here! Drying our shoes...

All the people at the church of the holy sepulcher are waiting in line to see the tomb Jesus was maybe buried in... We found him there...just not in the tomb!

Pray for Israel!