Israel Trip Day 7

Today we visited the Temple mount. It was hard to be there. It is on Israeli soul, but it is controlled by the Muslims. Of course, we know that the Dome of the Rock stands where the Temple of Israel once stood. To think that the place where God should be worshiped is now a place of pagan worship was a little was a little discouraging. But remember, that while the temple was standing, even then, God's people rejected the Messiah. So not far off int he distance was our site for tomorrow..Golgotha and the empty tomb.

Then we went to the Holocaust Museum, "Yad Vashem". If you would like to know more about this museum, please click the link provided. It was an emotion walk though the chronology of the Holocaust. the tour ended in a circular room with shelf after shelf, filled with book after book, with page after page of those who died at the hands of the Germany genocide machine.

Our last sop of the day was in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is under the Palestinian Authority. So, we had to change guides and buses. No Israeli is allowed on Palestinian soil and no Palestinian is allowed on Israeli soil. There are, of course, some exceptions. So, today, Shannon and I found ourselves on Palestinian soul visiting the church which stands over the place thought to be where Jesus was born.

Our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I did not expect this to be. If fact I thought we would be treated like we were a nuisance. Come to find out, one of the top industries in Bethlehem is...tourism. I am still not sure I understand the Palestinian/Israeli dynamic, but one thing I am sure of...Jesus died for both. And until they both realize this truth and turn to him for salvation, any type of peace will be fleeting.

Tomorrow, we be at the Garden tomb for our main services. Then we will be walking the "Via Dolorosa."