Today Emotions Flow

We sit writing this as we listen to the Muslim call to prayer coming from the Minaret right outside of our room. It brings into focus the day we have had...an overwhelming awareness of the clash of cultures that occur in this holy land.
We started our day crossing a checkpoint into the Palestenian West Bank so that we could visit Bethlehem. As we entered the prison like wall, we were greeted on the Israeli side with a large sign saying, "Peace be with you." On the other side of the wall were many expressions of anger. One in particular saying, "Israel, thou shall not steal." You cannot begin to understand the impact of the conflict until you see it first person. Even now, after a lecture from a United Methodist missionary at Bethlehem Bible College(our first stop of the day)on the Israeli/Arab conflict, we still have more questions than answers. This conflict does not just affect Muslims, but also the many Christians who are Palestinian and have been so since the time of Jesus. We were able to pray for peace in the land at the College which trains many of the Christian ministers throughout the holy land. It was a powerful experience.
We then left the college and headed to the church of the Nativity...the church built over the place which Jesus was born. We sat in the cave where St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin as our Bus Captain recited from memory Luke 2. We then sang verses from O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World and Silent night. Many of us were overcome with emotion. We will never sing those hymns the same again. We then went down to the exact location where they believe Jesus was born, manger and all. While there Megan lit a candle for Epworth and spent time in prayer for everyone there! It seemed to be a fitting spot. Our final site in Bethlehem was the Shepherd's field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds.
After lunch we headed back to Jerusalem and got to see a great view of the city from Haas Promenade. Then we headed to the house of Caiaphas, where Jesus was tried before the high priest for the first time, imprisoned for a night, and where Peter denied Jesus three times.
We were able to enter the pit where Jesus was held. While there we read Psalm 88 and sang the Lord's Prayer in darkness. To be in the very same place that Jesus spent that lonely night moved several to tears.
Then we went outside to walk down the very steps that Jesus took to get from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemene. And back again from the Garden to Caiaphas house. And back again to his second trial with Pontius Pilate. The steps have been dated back to the 2nd century BC.
Our last stop was on Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room. While there we read Luke's account of the Last Supper. It has been remodeled by both the Crusders and the Muslims and is now owned by the Jews. So it was many times removed from the original room, but pretty cool none the less.
Tonight the Sabbath begins, the holy day for the Jews. Things will be quiet tonight, which we could probably use after a very emotional day.
Thank you, we love you, keep praying for us!