Monday Transitions

A lovely mosaic in the Jewish Quarter

Today we transitioned from “transitioning” to student mode.  We have used these last few days to adjust to time changes and orient ourselves to this amazing land.  Now we are ready for classes to begin.  The first change was moving from the Lutheran guesthouse to the Gloria Hotel used by Jerusalem University College to house their short term students.  Ironically, it is also one of two primary hotels used by the agency that Trinity will be touring with in 2017 so it gives me first hand experience with our potential accommodations when we are together in Jerusalem. 

Entrance to Gloria Hotel in Jerusalem Old City

The hotel is lovely and right inside the Jaffa Gate.  The new city and the old city are all within visual range of the hotel.  A few steps away are all the sights and sounds of markets.  A concert from the Tower of David wafted in to our room

On one of the many market streets

Before starting classes, Kirk and I made our spiritual pilgrimage back to the Western Wall, the fragment of the Jerusalem temple to survive the Roman destruction in 68 CE.  We toured below the wall,  to the bedrock where Herod rebuilt the temple 2000 years ago. Here are the stones that are their own kind of witness to Jesus and his presence in this place.  The passage ways created from aqua ducts that were built by the ancient Romans reminded me of the continual necessity of clean water for all people through all ages. 

In aqua duct passage ways along Western Wall

Words fail to describe the sense of awe I felt in this place.  It is enough to try to wrap my head around the history.  To be present, to pray, to reflect is a personal journey.  It is unique for every person. Perhaps the common denominator is God's divine presence in, with, and among us.

Prayer requests on slips of paper tucked in to the crevices of the wall

I am beginning to understand the descriptors I heard from some of you who have traveled to the Israel in years past - amazing, inspiring, mind-boggling, holy.