Western Wall, District Conference, and Garden Tomb

This weekend we had two added field trips and I loved both of them.

On Friday night I went to the Western Wall to watch the Jews celebrate the bringing in of the Shabbat (Sabbath).   It was probably the most culturally enriching experience I have had so far.  Being with all of the Jews as they celebrate the ending of the creation and the beginning of the day or rest was amazing.  We weren't allowed to take pictures (using electronics is considered work to the Jews) so I will try to explain it to you.

Basically you walk down into the wall, and the weather is just perfect.  Cool breeze, sun about to set, and people laughing and singing everywhere.  Then you walk towards the wall, getting into denser and denser crowds as you go.  Someone hands you a hymn book with prayers in hebrew next to their English translations.  Then you wait in a crowd, gradually scooting closer and closer to the wall.  People put their little pieces of paper in and then pray, rocking as they go.  Back and forth, back and forth, singing softly in hebrew.  Many of their heads touch the wall as they pray.  Then turn around, but not all the way around because it is irreverent to turn your back to the wall.  When you finally get to the wall there is such a calm spirit there.  The noise seems to die down and you can feel Then as you back away from the wall, you get pulled in to a group of girls singing in Hebrew.  Everyone is smiling and dancing and singing.  Over on the boys side, things are packed.  They are all jumping around with their kipas on, laughing and playing around.   I loved it because it was such a perfect combination of the joy of being part of a community and also a spiritual time for these people.


On Saturday (our Sabbath) we went to the Garden Tomb, one of the places where many Christians believed that Jesus could have been buried.  I already told you about it in a previous post, but today I decided that this is where I am going to open my mission call.  It is peaceful and beautiful.  Speaking of missions, I can't believe that in less than two weeks I could have my call.  I am really really exited.

The other cool thing that happened today was that today was District Conference.  There were people from all over Israel with us today, and the branch president was telling stories about some of the members.  There were people there that spoke Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and Tagalog.  There was stories of people that had joined the church in their homeland, and then coming to Jerusalem, went and joined the branch, knowing nobody, and had come every Sabbath since that day.  There were many stories of people that were the only members of their families, members that had families that are very unsupportive of the gospel, etc.   I was deeply impressed by the faith of these people and the number of people there that were first generation members.  I hope that I get to work with some faithful first generation members on my mission.


Ok, lastly, I have an amazing connection that I made during the forum this week.  This week, for our forum, the director of the center discussed the many demonstrations and complications that arose during the building of the JC (Jerusalem Center).  He showed pictures as he went through and sure enough, he talked about the day that the students were moved in (actually kind of secretly) and there was a picture of 8 students, two of which being Paul (my dad) and his brother Lee.  Shocked I said "That's my dad!!"  It was such a funny moment, as the rest of the group turned and looked at me.  They all thought it was so cool that I am a second generation Jerusalem student.  But really, hearing about the miracle that the building of this center was makes me so grateful for the chance I have to attend school in it for a semester.