I Think I’m Now a Diabetic!

(Jerusalem – Amman)

In Front of the Dome

This morning we got up at 6:30, showered and headed up to the roof of the hospice to shoot a quick video. We then had breakfast and left the hospice to take one last tour around Old Jerusalem. First we went to the idolatrist church of the Holy Sep again to shoot a quick video then the same thing at the Western Wall. We then proceeded to clear security and walked around the Dome on the Rock. Big courtyards surrounded the dome with its iconic gold roof and blue tiles. We got a couple of nice photos looking back up the Mt. of Olives.

Religious Legalism in Jerusalem

We came back to the Hospice to grab our stuff & pay our bill. To our surprise it was 84 Euro for the double occupancy as opposed to the 42Euro that we thought we were paying. The Austrians hosed us! We walked through the Damascus gate one last time and caught our cab to the Allenby/King Hussein border crossing. Overall with the exception of the Garden Tomb, I hated Jerusalem. The idolatry, religious legalism just highlighted a desperate need for Jesus in that city. I can understand why Christ wept over Jerusalem.

We had to wait at an Israeli checkpoint before moving on to the immigration. I think we waited for 15 minutes or something like that. We then made it to the Israeli side, paid our exit tax and hopped on a bus for the 1kn ride to the Jordanian side. At a checkpoint on the Jordanian side, they took our passports- this is what stresses me out more than anything while traveling. Anyway, we got them back, cleared immigration, found an ATM and hired a car to Amman.

Our driver was crazy. I have not been so terrified in my life…zip zagging, passing when a truck is coming at you head on- I was thankful for the traffic in Amman which took about an hour to get through. The driver didn’t know where the hotel actually was, but we did and decided to walk the 500m to the Caravan Hotel. The hotel has the basics but we have been warned about bedbugs. So we’ll see how that goes. Grabbed a shwarma for lunch and are waiting to meet R & K for coffee.

Store Front in Amman

R&K are a sweet couple. They took us for a jaunt in downtown Amman where we bought our ‘Jordanian’ souvenirs. This is because the touristy places like Petra sell things at 300% inflation. I bought my Jordanian head pieces and Jen bough 4 purses (not for just her ). R & K took us to a Jordanian pastry shop where we had this super-sweet (literally) dish called a kofta. We also had this thickened mill drink that included cinnamon and coconut. Though both were very high on the sugar intake, they were both good. I also got some DVDs – Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, the Blindside & the History Channel’s Engineering Civilizations- all for about $10. We said our good-byes and enjoyed our time together. We came back to the hotel and chilled until our first tour group meeting that was at 6pm.

We had our meeting and it looks like a good group-Aussies, a Kiwi, an American and one other Canadian. Only 4 guys on the trip including the tour guide. Our guide is Faisal who is Jordanian but looks like a leprechaun. We got to meet some of the group over supper at the hotel. We had a good time sharing travel stories.

A Special Place in the Garden Tomb…

(Jerusalem)

Flowers in the Garden

Woke up early this morning to a nice warm shower! We were still umming & arrhing whether to go to Galilee or not…we decided no because of the price, which is ok with us because it’s a beautiful day here in Jerusalem. So that said, we decided to go to the Ramparts, the Israel museum and to return to the Garden Tomb. At first, we walked to the Jaffa gate to do the Rampart walk only to find out that we couldn’t buy tickets because it’s Shabbat. I wonder what it would mean for our society if Christians kept the sabbath? We were told to book them online and return with a receipt- the problem, the internet café was still closed and our hospice told us that we were unable to print from their computer  No luck there so we decided to spend some time meditating on God’s Word & praying at the Garden Tomb. It was well worth it!

Gospel Truth!

I spent the time meditating on the resurrection & our hope from 1 Corinthians 15. It was quite beautiful! We love the sign of the door of the tomb – ‘He is not here. He is Risen!’ Also around the garden were these like plaques that had the various ‘I am’ statements from the Gospel of John. A great testimony to our Saviour in a city that desperately needs Him! When were done, we had a nice chat with Roy who was one of the volunteers at the garden. He’s English and has a son living at Sylvan Lake.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:54-5.

On our Ramparts Walk

After we were done talking we returned back to the Hospice only to leave a short time later. We grabbed some food from my now favorite vendor- a shwarma with fries! Again it was awesome. We then headed to the Jaffa gate and were in luck- the internet café was open. Actually the guy did our tickets for us. So we went and did our Rampart Walk after all. It was a nice walk though with a lot of stairs. I was a little disappointed that it dropped to street level just before the Western Wall & Dome. That said still enjoyable. I needed the toilet bad and so decided to go through the Dung gate and use the ones near the Wall. I thought it would be ok seeing it’s a bit touristy but I was DEAD WRONG. I entered and instantly the smell hit you. I walked around the corner to the cubicles and was astounded- every toilet was filled to or above the seat with crap & paper. It was revolting! So I ask the question, “Is it lawful for a man to flush the toilet on the Sabbath?” I guess not! I left without going and we took a cab to the Museum.

Model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period

The Museum is going through a series of renovations at the moment and a lot of it is closed. When we first got in we got to see the stunning miniature model of the 2^nd Temple period in Jerusalem. Very detailed, Mozel Tov! We then proceeded to the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed. I was a little disappointed with the display- the museum is supposed to have the largest collection but only a few were displayed. It was still good to see some though. From the museum we caught a cab to the Mount of Olives. What a difference a day makes! It was beautiful up there. We were harassed by an Arab man selling panoramic pics of Jerusalem- I politely said no twice and turned my back…he then in turn commented that I hat Arabs & won’t buy from them. Funny that all of our souvenirs were from Arab vendors. We did the nice walk back through the Lion gate, grabbed some snacks & returned to the hospice only to find no water was working- no showers & no toilets. Should be an interesting night

Anyways, we have to go and pack tonight for we are leaving for Jordan in the morning. We enjoyed the sunset from the roof of the hospice.

“Guns & Moses”

(Jerusalem)

Today started with an icy cold shower & wet socks- not the best start to the day. We went downstairs in the hospice for breakfast. It was very nice & very Austrian. The bread was rock hard…you could possibly stone someone with it.

Jen heading down to the beginning of the Tunnel

After breakfast we went to the Damascus gate to inquire about getting to Galilee. We found a taxi driver who will do it for 600 shekels (about $100) for the day. So Galilee might be a go tomorrow. We then walked to the Wailing Wall and looked around. This retaining wall is the last remnant of the 2^nd temple. It is a very solemn place where Jews come to pray. We then proceeded to go to the City of David, which includes Hezekiah’s tunnel. Because the water in the tunnel is upper leg depth, we took the Canaanite tunnel which is the drier option. When on the other side, we went for a walk to the pool of Shiloh. It was nothing but some ruins, plus we had to venture back up a steep hill. My knee was aching and aching pretty bad.

From the city of David we ventured up to the Mount of Olives via Absalom’s grave. Going up the mount was hard because it too was steep. As we went, we passed the ‘supposed’ garden of Gethsemane. Again another Orthodox church is built on the site. To be honest, I have no interest in going into these churches- they are creepy & full of idols.

Drenched on the top of the Mount of Olives

As we proceeded up the mount, it started raining. We got drenched! Eventually we made it- we were the only ones going up, the tour groups (either smart or whimpy) were going down. A little disappointed at the top as it is all developed- thought the view was spectacular. Coming down the hill we went past the ‘supposed’ site of Mary’s tomb. And yes, you guessed it- another church was there. We walked to the Lion’s Gate (where Stephen was martyred) and proceeded to a kebab place near the Damascus gate- so yummy- it was AWESOME! Then we came back and chilled at the hospice for a bit.

A day into our Israel trip, the highlight thus far is the “Guns ‘N Moses” shirts that the Palestinians are selling in the market nearby.

After our break we went to the Jaffa gate to get some money out of an ATM. Boy did we pick a bad time to go- we had to fight hoards of people returning from the Dome. People everywhere! Not a good thing if you are claustrophobic. We found one machine and our cards didn’t work. We found another, a little further down the way- this time it worked well and we got our money. We returned to the market area just inside the Jaffa gate to do a little shopping. Jen being ‘cheap’ had to haggle at every opportunity. I think she intimidated some of the Muslim men. Anyway, we ended up with 2 kippers, a prayer shawl & 2 necklaces- and she still thinks she got ripped off even though I think she got a good deal.

We then proceeded to go to the Garden Tomb via the “long way”. Eventually there, it didn’t disappoint. There was a provoking awe about the place. It remarkably evangelical Christian as well (the gift shop a good example). I’m hoping to go back to meditate a little more as I was distracted. We exited through the gift shop where I actually got my oil as well as some frankincense and myrrh. (Tomorrow’s post will deal more with the garden)

Freezing cold, we returned to the hospice for supper- I had an Austrian Schnitzel. It was nice. Jen had goulash. The rest of the night included reading and overpriced hot chocolate.

Some of the lighter side of things found/said in Jerusalem have been:

1) T-shirt saying “Don’t worry, be Jewish” with a happy face donned with a kippa

2) Plaque- “shalom y’all”

3) Station #3 “self-flagellation’ is, according to a member of our tour group, where Jesus’ farted…

The book of Ruth is one of my favourites in the Bible. Of course, who doesn’t enjoy a good love story and a happy ending? Right? But there is much, much more to this small Old Testament book and this is the premise of John Piper’s book “A Sweet and Bitter Providence.”

Sovereignty. Race. Sex. Piper shows how the book of Ruth deals with these three subjects in a way that is relevant for the 21^st Century. I especially found Piper’s work in unpacking the sovereignty of God uplifting. According to Piper, the book of Ruth is for those who, like Naomi, see God’s hand against them, but cannot see that God is working for their good and His glory even in times of suffering. A good reminder to all!

Piper also shows the great role models that we have in Ruth and Boaz. He devotes some time in explaining from the text the principles behind the concept of Biblical manhood and womanhood as well as a stirring call for sexual purity. In this regard, the text of Ruth speaks to a desperate need in our society today.

If there was one thing to be disappointed about with this book, it would be Piper’s dealing with the issue of race relations. This is surprising, given that it is a topic that Piper is very passionate about. Though he says some good things about the racial diversity of the Kingdom, it is a pretty shallow presentation.

That said, I would still recommend this book for how it deals with the Sovereignty of God. It teaches us how to  find hope in God even through the darkest of times.