One month in the Holy Land

Across the Sinai and into the Promised Land.

It was fascinating to see the land change from dry rocks and sand into a land of oasis, green fields and forest. After a long six hours through intense boarder crossing we arrived in the Holy City, Jerusalem. During one of our Biblical Studies week we learned that in Biblical times, no matter which direction you were coming from Jerusalem was up, signifying the Holiness of the city.

I was shocked as we arrived in our little Palm Hostel, right in the heart of the Muslim community. Although the area was so different in many ways to the Jewish side of town, I took the time as a blessing. It was a blessing to live with these people, so broken and hurt from their past and future, yet carrying on with life. The division between the Jewish and Muslim is particularly intense as the city is divided into sections. Not only is the old city of Jerusalem divided into Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian but the entire city itself. For an Arab person to cross into the Jewish area they have to carry identity papers. Those without get hassled and sent away from entering. I feel very uninformed to talk about such an intense and historic problem…the clash of two civilizations.

Our time in Jerusalem consisted of finishing the Biblical course and a field trip throughout Israel to visit the places that Jesus walked. It was a great finish to our course as we studied Old Testament Early and Late History as well as having a week on The Heart of an Artist. This was especially an impacting week as I desire so much to use the arts for God’s glory but I am finding it challenging to figure out how I can do that effectively. Although I am using photography my area of interest is in many different mediums. The week on the arts was so inspiring and allowed me to get to my creative roots again. I was able to ask myself what was holding me back and what I needed to do to allow the Lord to use my gift to its full potential. At the end of the week I was asked by our speaker to come and visit one of his ministries in Norway this spring. If time allows and God calls I am hoping to make a short visit to see what God is doing in other areas of YWAM in the arts movement.

For the field trip week the students split into small teams and headed to different areas of the country. They had an amazing time but it came with challenges as one team had much other their equipment stolen and another was greatly discriminated against for being American. In the end God taught them a lot and allowed them to bond together and trust him to forgive those who had wronged them during this time. They all came back with incredible stories of God’s blessing and answered prayers. Personally this week was great and more restful. The staff stayed back due to finances but it was well needed as things have been so busy with travel, preparations, teaching, discipling and everything else that goes along with leading twenty two young people around the world. My father was also able to come and visit and that was an incredible blessing. My team absolutely loved his fun and inviting character and he even had the chance to do communion with our speaker and also speak into many lives. I think he will have many visitors to Alliston in the coming years. Thanks for being available to come Dad and for spending time with me!

Sorry about the length…I will try to write more often so the updates aren’t so long. Blessings to everyone and don’t forget to drop me a message when you get the chance. I have also included some pictures. Oh and just so that you can keep up with me I am currently in Cairo, Egypt. We’ll have been here for another two weeks and this Friday we, as a team fly down to Ethiopia for a month to begin our study on African Worldview…I’m stoked!!