The Holy Land (Israel and Palestine)

The week in the Holy Land was a big experience. It left both a bitter and sweet taste in our mouths. Seeing where Jesus where born, did many miracles, died and rose again was very sweet indeed. The conflict between Israel and Palestine was more bitter.

We stayed in a coptic convent and was served by two very loving sisters. The night we arrived we received a feast of chicken and all kinds of vegetables which really gave the week a good start. We were informed about Jerusalem by a great friend of Global challenge and her insight about the history of Jerusalem was astonishing. The first few days the girls cleaned a church and us guys painted doors and chairs. Later in the week everyone was sanding and painting chairs until late at night. We also did some gardening at a church and turned a backyard jungle into a nice garden to sit and relax in. I was using a weed-eater and at the end of the day I looked like a green grass monster! The guys also encountered a kind of poisonous-ivy that burned like hell when it touched our skin. We were jumping and screaming like girls quite a few times that day!

We also took part in the palmfestival where thousands of people from all nations walked the road Jesus walked with the donkey. The garden tomb in Jerusalem was the most touching experience for me. Just to see where the grave of Jesus was and Golgotha that was nearby was such a blesing. We also camped out at the sea of Galilea and took a journey through Luke. Everything was a eye opener for me. I always had a picture that Jesus walked in the dessert with a dry heat scorching everything around and I thought that there would at least be an eery mist hanging around Jesus' tomb ,but all was very normal. It encouraged me that we can also be like Jesus in this normal world.
It is the PERSON you are that matters, NOT the place.

Then there was also the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. I talked to many palestines and they was tired of all the check points and security checks. Most of them said that if they had a chance they would leave the country. Where on the Israeli side there was so many young guy and girl soldiers. Many of them could never visit a place like bethlehem that is just 8km away from Jerusalem because of the checkpoints. I do not want to choose side but both sides is under a lot of stress and discomfort. So many small children in the streets are touched by this conflict and we could really see the effect it had on them. It is very bad circumstances to grow up with. I really hope that they will find a solution for this because it can't go on like this. 

Happily God promised us about the new Jerusalem that is coming and that all the anger and pain will be taken away. I can't wait for that day to come!

Here is a few photos:


Damascus gate Jerusalem


The Golden Muslim temple where the temple build by Solomon once stood.


The wailing wall where many Jews pray on a daily basis.


One of the checkpoints. Feels like a prison.


Grafitti at a checkpoint crying out for justice


The palmfestival in Jerusalem which started at the mount of olives.


A mountain of spices at one of the many shops


To my right is Golgotha and now it is turned into a bus station. I you look at the rocks at a different angle you will be able to see a skull in the rocks from where the name Golgotha (place of the skull) came from


The unused grave where Jesus was suposedly laid down.


Amen!


Where Jesus rose!


Working in the church garden



Camping on the rocks at the sea of Galilea


I love the preaching chair at the garden tomb where we attended the service in memory of Jesus' arisal from the dead.


A photo from my friend Peter. 'What is the password?" At the convent we stayed in Bethlehem.

Thank you again for reading my blog.
Please pray for:
 -All the families in Israel an Palestine that have been touched by the conflict
 -That the new Jerusalem will come soon
 -That God will bless the many kind people that opened their homes for us

May you be blessed!
All honour to God!