Sunday, January 10th

This was our first day off! We enjoyed breakfast with the students, prepared by Alana, then we walked to the Old City to attend the Anglican "Christ Church" http://www.cmj-israel.org/CMJMinistries/ChristChurch/Overview/tabid/70/Default.aspx. It is located just inside the Jaffa gate of the Old City, and is the oldest Protestant church in the whole middle east...1849. Really neat liturgical service, conducted in English. The Vicar came from Florida 30 yrs ago, and another priest was an Aussie. They both had delightful personalities and deliveries. The sermon was taken from Luke 3, and the Vicar talked about how even John the Baptist was hoping Jesus would be the conquering deliverer they were looking for. Very thought provoking. There was a worship team, and we sang some of our familiar praise songs, some in Hebrew. They had a large screen displaying the words in Hebrew and English. We were served holy communion (broken bread and wine from a common cup).

Tim & Abby, her sister Havvah & husband Mike, and brother Jude were there also. Many of the JUC short term students attended, as well. After the service, we exited to the courtyard where we were offered coffee and refreshments. The congregation also made available a selection of goods for sale to raise money for the poor in the Old City.

The verse on the outside of the sanctuary entrance is Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you."

Nat had a neat experience. As long as I have known him (we've been married for 30 yrs), he has had a favorite Bible. It was given to him by the men of First Baptist Church Stephenville, Texas when he graduated from high school in 1971. It reflects the Old Testament portion (RSV) was translated in 1952, the year he was born. There are real photographs of Israel included strategically within the text. We, and most especially Nat, have looked at those photos many many times throughout the years. As Nat was turning to the sermon text, it was opposite one photo in particular. It was titled "Church of the Dormition on Mount Zion", but the photo was mostly of Jerusalem University College, which sits next to the church! We even see the window of the room we are staying in while here! We were absolutely amazed, sensing the prophetic in Nat's life. God knew he, we would be here now and to have that photo come alive, in church this morning, was a thrill!

So, God knows the end from the beginning, not just historically but in our individual lives. Absolutely nothing is insignificant in your life. Don't discount that He is always at work in your life. Don't miss a thing!!!

Shalom y'all