Down to Earth.

where do I start?
 So much happens in one day that I can't pack it all into my little brain, much less describe it all to everyone.
I can't even describe it when I journal.
But this trip isn't describable.
We all experience different things;
 different things stand out to us and meet our own personal needs, and  hopefully change us.

At home, I would imagine the events and places in the Bible in a sort of fantastical way;
everything was romantized and dramatic.
When you're here, it all comes down to earth. 
THIS is actually where it happened. THIS is when it happened, and HOW it happened.
Conditions weren't ideal; the distances people had to walk to get anywhere, the dusty clay that cakes onto your shoes, the oppressive heat; it wasn't pretty.

And into that dirt and grime, my Jesus came. 

And every little thing that He did, every seemingly insignificant thing that the Bible records:
it ALL had meaning. 
At home, when I would read the Bible and come to places where Jesus did something or some strange random little recording that didn't make sense to my little brain,
I would skip over it and move on.
but, EVERYTHING that the Bible records had meaning. 
Why would it record something that didn't have any meaning, or story behind it?
THAT doesn't make sense.
And there are so many things that have been incorrectly translated, or misunderstood, that in the Hebrew language, land, or literature would make complete sense!
Brian and Donavon (our tour guides) gave us so many examples...

FOR EXAMPLE:
 John 14: 2
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

I've always thought this means that in heaven, everyone's going to have their own giant, grand, and glorious mansion all to ourselves, and we'd go around and visit each other very now and then.
But when the Bible was translated in 1611, the word "mansion" actually meant a group of rooms in an estate.
We would all have our own ROOMS, but we'd come together in the central area for fellowship; sort of like a giant house.
SO much better, right?
Who wants to live alone in heaven anyway?

Okay, I'll stop "schpealing" now.
Everything is just so rich.
I'm learning so much every day, and there have been so many things about the customs, city, and experience alone that need gotten used to:

Keepas  (yarmulks) worn by most men all the time,
all the women dressing like you; covering their head and wearing skirts and dresses,
having your language as secondary, 
living in a tiny apartment with 8 people, 
going going going every day,
the smothering heat,
the harsh beauty of the land, 
security checkpoints stationed on the roads and in front of malls, 
humus and pita bread all. the. time., 
converting sheqels to US currency at almost every store, 
being a real tourist for the first time ever,
the time difference,
soldiers everywhere, 
taking illegal u-turns almost every day because we don't know where we're going, 
bargaining for things for the first time ever (except perhaps with the siblings... :),
seeing a rabbi walking or riding a bicycle to the synagouge during the day, 
people always honking at you, not out of spite, just to let you now what's going on, 
espresso instead of plain coffee (i must say i don't mind TOO much), 
compared to some places though, it's really not much of an adjustment.

I can't believe we're leaving in two days.

It's incredible how at home and safe and 'comfy' we feel.
it's not that everyone here goes out of their way to make you feel that,
(but the few who do are jewels)
it's just ... how it is.

"When you accepted Christ, he came into your home. 
When you come here, you are entering His home. 
Of course a child will feel welcome coming into his Father's house." 
- Moshe, a store owner who is one of those people aforementioned.

But nearly even more wonderful is how the Jewish people
capture a bit of your heart, and how much of a burden
you feel for them.
It's almost like the Holy Spirit inside us all is giving us a little glimpse into the feelings of longing, love, and grief that Jesus has for them.
We all know and believe with everything in us, as we should, that Christ came for everyone,
but there is still something significantly special between Jesus and His chosen ones.

that's all for now.
I'm sorry, i had tried to upload pictures, and you have no idea how long i waited for them to load,
and then i ruined it with one fateful click of a button.
But i hope you enjoyed it anyway.
Shalom.


NUMBERS 6:24-26


- Christy