We are finally here! The joy in the group was nearly uncontrollable as thirteen hours of flights and seven hours of airports finally came to an end and we saw the sun shining over the tops of the houses in Jerusalem. I don't believe that everyone is quite settled into their new home for the week, but the first priorities were water and a walk in the city. The walk led us to the wailing wall.
For nearly two thousand years people have been coming to the wall to lift their prayers. Hundreds of years of paper are stuck in its cracks where they have weathered and faded to become part of the wall itself. Even at night, the wall is a magnificent site and the power is easily felt as you stand in front of it and raise your voice to join the chorus. As we departed, a group of young women were gathered in a circle singing a song of worship. We did not understand the words, but the Spirit was felt. They summed up the night.
God is truly worthy to be praised.
2 comments:
I am in Jerusalem. It is a bit of a head trip. I have been places that I first saw on TV, but this is different. Tonight we walked past a nondescript pile of blocks and columns, and because of TV I knew that an ordinary family had unearthed part of the historical city wall when they did some basement work. In the US, there would be a plaque, banners, fanfare all over marking why it is important for you to look at it. Here, it is notable but not remarkable. That's the core of this feeling - I have never been in a city so old. And the age of the city seems to be reflected in the people here. We are confident in the US to the point of arrogance (and often well beyond it), but there is a different sort of confidence that seems to stem from knowing your land has withstood more trials than anyone could record.
It is good to hear that you have made your trip safely. I am reliving my trip there 39 years ago. Keep posting your impressions and pictures. Dr. Emptage, Dean
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