Where are the pictures?

Many of you know how I obsess over photographs... and yes, I did take close to 3,000 photos while traveling in the Middle East last month.  So, where are all those pictures?  Most of them are simply stored on my computer.  But, I have uploaded some onto Facebook.

To view photos with more extensive captions about my trip to Israel, click here:  Israel

For photos of my three-day excursion into Jordan, click here:  Jordan Extension

Enjoy!

Compassion at the Crossroads

Sit and soak it in. That was my goal in returning to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on that Saturday afternoon, January 15. As I sat by the alleged “tomb” of Jesus, I watched lines and lines of people waiting to worship before different religious artifacts – usually ones that are admittedly constructed and placed by human hands long after the event it signifies actually took place. So fervent. So passionate. So desperate to even trail a finger along said religious artifact, or even to catch a glimpse of it.

Personally, I am not drawn to a veneration of the site, or any object within it. Thus, for me to sit and simply watch this zoo of worshippers – pushing, elbowing, murmuring – was difficult. In no way was I able to understand these people or truly appreciate the significance of the site or praise and worship in this place. It was too full of people, too full of camera flashes, and too full of my own questions about these objects – a stone step, a piece of the wall, a lit candle, a niche...

I'm home now... and while my thoughts are still incredibly jumbled and I still have many questions, there was one major thing that struck me as I sat and reflected within the walls of the sanctuary. It was this:

God chose the most ordinary and desolate of lands – a place of rock and sand, of harsh weather, of poverty and scandal – to redeem His people. Yet, it was a place at the crossroads of the world, where the good news of His redemption could filtrate to everyone. Still, today, people from all around the globe come to remember the events that took place in this arena. They come in all kinds of states, with all kinds of baggage, and with all kinds of backgrounds. There's no knowing what it took – what sacrifices they made – for them to come. But come they did – and with fervent zeal.

If there is one thing God continues to teach me, it is to feel His compassion – to see people the way He sees them. In this place 2000 years ago, Jesus walked and talked and expressed His love and compassion towards people – needy people, not unlike the ones who shuffled before me on Saturday. Jesus did not passively feel compassion in the way I might think of it. He chose to act upon His compassion – coming to earth, reaching out to actually, physically touch those in need, living an ordinary life, dying on a cross, and rising victoriously.

And as I sat, I was convicted that He has called me to do the same. He has called me to live in and among multitudes of needy people here on this earth. He has called me to see those needs and respond with compassion. He has called me to die to my own selfishness and live completely sold out for Him.

One step at a time...

Rachel

The Burial

A cemetery. 

When I think of Jerusalem's different sites, a cemetery is not a place that instantly comes to mind to visit. However, I had a particular cemetery high on my agenda of places to visit. Since Sunday was a free day for me (meaning that I did not have any classes or field studies) I obtained the key to the huge iron gate leading into the Jerusalem Protestant Cemetery, which is just adjacent to the Jerusalem University campus.

You know, cemeteries are curious places... This one consists just of dirt and stone with some scattered olive and date-palm trees (and a pack of wild dogs who barked at me but kept their distance as I kept mine)... not to mention memories. Memories of people from the past.

As I meandered through the graves, I stopped beneath an olive tree. The sun was setting and a cool breeze off of the sea was dancing through the leaves. It made a perfect spot for reflection and caused me think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (on the Mount of Olives), surrounded by olive trees. While in the garden, Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is possible, may this cup pass from me. Yet not my will but Yours be done” (see Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus was referring to His upcoming interrogation, torture, and death by crucifixion—not to mention the infinite wrath of God inflicted on Him as punishment for the sins of the world. While in the vicinity of those olive trees, Jesus' humanity was displayed in His struggle.

Today a similar struggle stared me in the face: the struggle to surrender.

I was reflecting: this is a time of limbo in my life. A time to question. What should I do with my future? What steps should I be taking to get there? How should I invest my time and energy right now? There are so many ideas and dreams I have in my head. I want to have control and plan things out. I want to know with certainty how my life will go. But that's not God's plan for me right now.

As I sat beneath the olive tree, I reflected on Jesus' situation. He also didn't know all the details of how things would turn out. He died to His own desires and simply obeyed God's leading. I wanted to lay aside my will as well and die to my desires. God brought a song to my mind: Hillsong's “Arms Open Wide.” It was filled with new meaning for me. Some of the lyrics say, “Here I stand, arms open wide. I am Yours and You are mine, Jesus. My whole life is Yours; I give it all, surrendered to Your Name. And forever I will pray, 'Have Your way, have Your way, Jesus.'”

That was my prayer there in the cemetery. And that is my continual prayer as I am here in Israel. I want to surrender to God and allow Him to work in and through my life, as I trust and obey Him.

One step at a time...

Rachel

Shalom from Israel

Coming to Israel, I had many expectations.

Expectations about how the land would look.

Expectations about the way the cities would smell.

Expectations about the cultural tension of the people themselves.

From television, documentaries, photographs, and other sources, I had seen and heard a lot about this holy city of Jerusalem before ever setting foot in this land. I had a picture in my mind of what I would encounter. Well, Tuesday morning's Old City orientation with my group and Professor Jack Beck came, bringing with it some definite surprises and first impressions.

As we walked through the different quarters and gates and around the Old City walls, I was struck by how small the Old City actually was. The main feature dominating the city seemed to be the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock. Then it seemed that most of the rest of the city was over-crowded with a dense diversity of people – from street vendors to religious worshipers to school children to military personnel to beggars. I was very surprised to find that there were so many people in such a small area.

Something else that struck me was just how much history this land contains. Of course, through my studies of the Bible and of history, I have known that there is much history here. However, to walk through the city for myself and find that my knowledge barely scratches the surface of what there is to discover was almost overwhelming.

It is so incredible to be here!

Off to Israel!

Yes, it's true. Early tomorrow morning I will set out on an adventure once again~ this time I am planning to spend 3 ½ weeks studying the historical and geographical settings of the Bible in Israel at Jerusalem University College (JUC).

Studying in Israel has been a life-long dream for me. When my mom was my age, she studied at JUC, and ever since I was a young child, I remember hearing stories from her experiences there~ and how being there really brought the Bible to life for her. Thus, Israel has always been on my “go-to” list.

This past summer, I was struggling with what I should be doing with my life and where God wants me, especially since I still don't have direction on a major. My mom asked me, “Rachel, what do you love to do?” After only a slight pause to consider, I replied with a smile, “Travel.”

Since I do love to travel, I decided to apply for the January term with JUC, knowing that God would have to bring quite a few things together in order for it to work out. He provided~ and in every way.

1. I was accepted at JUC within 3 days of sending them my application.
2. My bosses were extremely supportive and readily agreed that I could have time off from work.
3. God not only provided all the money I need for this trip, but He also has already provided me with all the money I need for my next term of school as well.

Although I'm not entirely sure what to expect, I'm hoping to gain a deeper understanding of who God is and to study the Bible in the context of the land where the events occurred. I am so excited to be going to Israel and to see God's continual provision and guidance!

One step at a time...

Rachel