Sunday in Jerusalem

Both Jewish and Muslim holy days over, the hustle and bustle of the city resumed this morning, and MB and I got our first real taste of Jerusalem. Our friend and now trusted guide, Becca Pettit, picked us up at the school and guided us through Jaffa Gate into the Old City. Passing the Armenian Quarter, we stopped at Christ Church, a beautiful Anglican complex, for morning worship. After the minister's sermon on loving obedience to Christ and a brief time of fellowship, we three zig-zagged through narrow streets into the heart of the Jewish quarter.


Our first stop was at a bookstore in a plaza, where we met Dov and Moshe, two orthodox Jews that Becca meets with regularly to "dialog". They have wonderful senses of humor and love questioning people about their faiths. Mary Beth and I were truly astounded with the similarities between our two faiths (meaning traditions and practices). These men obey the law out of love for God, not viewing the law as a burden but as freedom (much like the kind of freedom Paul describes in the New Testament). It's amazing how much we could understand about each other's mindsets. So many Christians have a total misunderstanding the Jews, including the Jews' view of their own religion. Their "works" are not some artificial standard that they use as their ticket to get to Heaven. The two brothers are fascinated with "fundamental Christianity," seeing Becca is the first person to ever really discussed the movement with them. We had such a good time talking. MB and I have decided that we're going back to visit these two. They're wonderful people...and their shop is entirely intriguing. Everything is somehow Biblically based and relevant to history.


Outside of Moshe and Dov's store, we whisked through more corridors (I hope we remember when we go back), to the balcony overlooking the Western (wailing) Wall. Oh my goodness--incredible sight. The wall buzzed with tourists and the faithful alike, while the magnificent Dome of the Rock towered behind the wall, brilliant light reflecting off its signature golden dome.

Then, the most exciting experience of the day--our first real Jewish meal in the Old City. We found a crazy busy falafel shop (it smelled out of this world), and hopped somewhere in line. This place was tiny, but the line crammed in anyway. Before getting to the counter to order and pay (still not having shekels), we met a young guy who was actually a plain clothes body guard for the group in front of us, a bunch of Jewish-American college students. He was explaining the differences between shwarma and falafel when I noticed the large assault rifle he had slung across his back. Yeah, I think gun control here might be a little looser. =) MB and I finally found a table and quickly dove into our pitas filled stuffed full of the real deal--fried chick peas, cucumber/tomato, hummus, tahini, grilled veggies, pickles...yeah, Showmar's back home has greatly depreciated in my mind.


After taking some more pictures, we found our way out Zion Gate, past scads of school children (they're always touring their own city, being re-taught its history). Interestingly the walls Zion Gate is scarred, bullet holes still visible from the 1948 war. Coming out of the Gate passageway brings us within 100 yards of the our own front gate. Upon returning, Becca then showed us some of the historical significances of our own campus (EVERYTHING here is historical) and further answered our questions about the culture and gave us directions for the places we wanted to go this evening. Soon after we went back to the room and fell fast asleep.

This has been an amazing experience so far. I think I'm falling in love with this place.


--Jenni