Today we went into the Old City of Jerusalem and got to see so many holy and sacred sights. We first went to Saint Anne’s Church and tried out the awesome acoustics as we sang How Great Thou Art. Then at the Pools of Bethesda we were reminded that it was the place where Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 38 years (John 5:1-15). After this we went to the Western Wall or the Wailing Wall. This is the last remnant of Herod’s temple and it is the closest to the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, so the Jews pray there because they believe that is the closest place they can get to God. Since the destruction of the temple the wall has been nicknamed the Wailing Wall because of the devastation it brought the Jews because they were without place to worship God. At the wall the Jewish people are separated by men and women, and each person prays and writes a prayer on a piece of paper that they then stick in a crack in the wall. When they are done they walk backwards away from the wall so they do not turn their back on it, as they believe that would mean turning their back on God.

We then went to the Temple Mount (on top of Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple) which currently has the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock on it. After this we went to The Temple Institute where the items that will be used in the new temple are being built. The exact place and timing of the Temple being built is unknown, but the Jews believe that when the peoples’ hearts are right God will reveal this to them. Then we went to see the tunnels that run along the western wall of the temple remains. This gave us a greater understanding of each temples’ construction since much of it is underground. We learned a lot through the tour but many mysteries still need to be unveiled about the exact location of many things.

Layla Tov! Israel Team 2007

Today we traveled to Jerusalem and stopping at some sites on the way. First we stopped at the Jordan River in which John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Six of our team members were baptized as well as three Spanish-speaking Christians. One of our team members was able to interpret, which was really a blessing.

We then went to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a Shepard boy who threw a rock into a cave and heard a piece of pottery break which contained the Dead Sea Scrolls. This find was very relevant to us as Christians because it proved the accuracy of our bible today. When the Scrolls were compared to the Messaretic text the only inconsistencies were small words such as to or it.

After this we went to the Mount of Olives where we were able to get a clear view of the old city of Jerusalem and learn more about the layout of the city. We then walked down the road of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This is when He rode on the donkey and the people were yelling “Hosanna, Hosanna” or “Save us, Save us” and the Pharisees asked Jesus why He was not rebuking them, and he replied with “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40). At the bottom of the Mount of Olives we went into the Garden of Gethsemane and had some time of prayer. This is where Jesus had his greatest battle when he prayed to His father before He was arrested (Luke 22:39-46 or Matthew 26:36-46).

After dinner we met with a missionary couple who ministers to the Arabs population in Palestinian run areas. We were greatly encouraged and challenged by what they had to say about ministering to all Israelis and all faiths.

Layla Tov! Israel Team 2007

Shabbot Shalom! (Today is Shabbot, which is the Sabbath Day for the Jewish people). We started helping with a clothing outreach that started in the town of Qiryat Shmona. Many Lebanese Christian Refuges live in this area. We set up the tables with the clothing and started worship. We were met by opposition from the Orthodox Jewish for disturbing the quiet and their Sabbath. We then decided to move on to another location nearby. We again were setting up the tables and clothing and met opposition yet again by an Orthodox Jewish woman who was shouting out her window for us to leave. We moved for the last time just a stones throw away and set up the clothing. God opened the door for us in this final location. So much so that the people said they were blessed and invited us back. They also blessed us in return by giving us fresh mint lemonade and treats.

We transitioned into site seeing by traveling to Tel Dan. This is the place where the tribe of Dan settled after disobeying God’s allotment for their tribe. Also they built an altar to worship idols and golden calves. We saw the gate where Abraham entered into the area which is now Tel Dan.

We traveled back to Tiberias to attend a fellowship in a home with all English speaking Christians. Many countries were represented as we worshipped as one body. We fellowshipped together and got to know each other and what God was doing in their lives.

Tomorrow we will do some site seeing in Capernaum and around the Sea of Galilee. Please pray for continued strength and opportunities to serve the Lord.

Layla Tov!!! Israel Team 2007

Today we left Tel Aviv and traveled to Tiberias. Our first destination was Beth Shan, which are ancient Roman ruins that were built on top of many layers of ancient civilizations. It has Biblical significance because it is where King Saul and his sons were hung after their death in battle (2 Samuel 31:12 …all the valiant men arose and traveled all night and took the body of Saul and the body of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and they came Jabesh and burned them there).

After this we traveled to the Sea of Galilee to stop for lunch at a restaurant on a working kibbutz. A kibbutz is a community of families that live together and share their resources and tasks on the farm on which they live. The restaurant serves fish that is caught fresh in the Sea of Galilee and is served with the head, eyes and tail. We then stopped at the hotel briefly and traveled to Qizrat to worship with a fellowship that meets in a home. The congregation is mainly made up of Russian Jews and the message was interpreted as it was spoken in English. There was a group of children that then worshipped with us in their Russian language. We left them much of the clothing that you donated and the children were wearing them and they were so blessing by them!

We then did some street witnessing near the hotel right along the Sea of Galilee. The atmosphere started off intense but after much prayer the Lord presented many opportunities to witness.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.

Layla Tov! Israel Team 2007

Today we returned back to the local church in Tel Aviv to help out with their weekly soup kitchen which ministers to the poor and homeless in the area. The men finished building the walls, which is a huge blessing to the congregation. The women chopped up vegetables all morning for the salad and soup, and they prepared the meatloaf. Approximately 70 people came in to eat and receive clothing donations. There was a group of students from a Bible College in Jerusalem helping out also, which was a huge blessing. Our team had many different roles including, serving the meal, cooking the meal, handing out the clothing, clean-up, leading worship and fellowshipping with the people.Tonight we did street witnessing across the street from where we were last night. We met up with other missionaries, one of who played the cajon beat box with the singers, what a blessing! This evening provided many new opportunities to share God’s word to a whole new group of people. There were many times that we felt the devil attacking us, but God protected us and gave us awesome opportunities to share about Him and His love for the Jewish people. Tomorrow we leave for Tiberias and ask for prayers for continued guidance and ministry opportunities.

Layla tov, Israel Team 2007