Thursday, January 15, 2009

A demonstration

Hey! So I haven't posted in a few days because not a ton has been going on, but I thought it was about time to update you guys. (Ok so really I did a lot yesterday but was so tired after I didn't post and...well yeah). Like...two days ago? The city was closed and so we just stayed in and studied most the day, but in the evening we had a member of the church living here in Jerusalem who works for the U.S. embassy come speak to us. He explained the situation going on in Gaza right now, and gave us a great, simple, easy to understand history about everything. (I took a lot of notes and I know this is kinda nerdy but if anyone wants to read them let me know and I'll send em to ya!) So that was really good and educational, I felt so much smarter afterwards. And then yesterday we had field trips all day! We visied sites like Beth-el, where Jacob had his famous ladder dream and where Samuel heard the voice of the Lord. And we went to shepherds fields and looked out to where Bethelehem is - the world of the Old Testament is really a lot smaller than I imagined it to be. I wish I could remember everything I learned about, I need to take better notes next time, because I never realized how many amazing experiences happened in such a small amount of space! One of the places we stopped was on the Mount of Olives, from which we had a great view of the Garden of Gethsemane. I haven't been able to visit there yet, but I'm really excited to. Along with visiting these places, we were able to visit a few other cathedrals and churches. Thats where a few of the pictures come from! Today after we got out of classes (we only had two hours), some of us decided to go shopping in the Old City again. This time I actually bought a few things, but I'm trying to be really careful because I still have so long to shop and have fun! I think the highlight of today was eating lunch outside of the center. We had a burrito like wrap called Schwarma - and I fell in love instantly! I'm probably going to be having lunch outside the center all too often. I've also fallen in love with a candy bar called a Bueno bar - there's nothing to even compare it to in the United States! Maybe if you're luck I'll bring you one home ;) After we had done a couple hours of shopping, the center called one of the girls in my group on her cell phone, and told us there was a demonstration going on outside of one of the gates in to the Old City, and that we were to leave the city immediately. These things usually aren't any harm at all, just extra precautions the center makes - I just wish I see one so I could photograph it! (Which is totally against the rules by the way). Anyway! Sorry for blabbing on for so long. That's whats been going on in the Holy Land!

3 comments:

  1. Its comforting to know that the Center is aware of where you are and can call you back to safety when needed. The pics are great! Keep working hard to learn thru spiritual eyes the wonder of where you are. . .(literally and in all of life's aspects)! Love, GrMa Norma

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  2. Stockton just saw your picture eating the burrito and he said "Hey, Richelle! I hope she isn't speaking in another language!" He wants to understand you when you come home. I like the picture of the candles. Thanks for the history lesson about the Gaza strip, I should read your notes when you get home.

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