On the one hand, I don't want to leave. I want to go back to many of the places we visited and just. soak. in. that. place. I'd especially like to go back to the Sea of Galilee and just sit on the shore for about a week, reading, praying, talking with people, just being there.
With Moti as a guide, we had an incredibly well-informed, highly educated, proud Jewish citizen of Israel. He has a Master's in Archeology, and knows quite a bit about the Torah, the Mishnah, the New Testament, and Islam. So each day we were given intense courses in ... well, everything. Each day has been like taking a sip of water from a fire hose. And I know we've just scratched the surface.
On the other hand, we're tired. And we miss the kids. And we miss the Christmas season and Christmas activities. We want to go home.
Today was a "light" day. We only had three things on the agenda: the Qumran community, Masada, and the Dead Sea.
On the way, we stopped for a camel visit. That was a kick.
I want a camel.
Qumran was a small community. To have been such a tiny village and to have created such a wealth in terms of the Dead Sea scrolls? That just blows me away.
Then we wound our way around the Dead Sea towards Masada. Moti explained how how Herod the Great built the complex and his home. He described the community of Jewish zealots and their families, determined to hold out against the Romans. Then he shared the details of the Roman 6 month siege, the building of the giant causeway, the last day of battle, the drawing of lots, and the murder/suicide of the defenders. The murder/suicide of everyone was such an awful choice. I'm reminded of the inspirational force of the fall of the Alamo. But multiply that American experience 10 fold; Masada has been a huge motivational story for Israelis for the last 70 years ...
And finally, we had a wonderful couple of hours at a fun beach at the edge of the Dead Sea.
Rols was thrilled to see all kinds of wildlife today -- a fox, a herd of ibex, and a native rodent.
Tomorrow we fly home. And begin to process all we've experienced.
I know a few things already. This place is old. The layers of civilization go back thousands of years. And yet it is very new and vibrant; there is a lot of new construction, technology, and innovation here. This place is complicated. Just the problems between the Palestinians and the Jews in Israel is beyond complex. This place is full of contrasts; it is steeped in divine intervention and unbelievable cruelty, death, and destruction. This is the place of Jesus.
Oh Lord, bless Moti and his family. Bless this land and the people here. Thank you for our time here! Please inscribe in our hearts whatever lessons You want to teach us from our visit here; help us to really absorb this experience in such a way that it brings us closer to You and to each other. Be with everybody at home, and bring us all back safely together. In Jesus name.
Bless you, if you're reading this. Love, joy, and peace to you. -- Mary
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