Saturday in Jerusalem and Bethelehem

We were off and running today. Actually, it was a lot of walking, but we kept at a brisk pace.

Our day started on the Mt. of Olives where we could look out over the Kidron Valley at Jerusalem. Here we spent time under the shade of olive trees considering Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the tears he shed for the city. (Luke 19)

Our group then moved down the hill to Dominus Flevit and the Church of all Nations. Next we crossed the valley and took the steep hill up to Jerusalem. We stopped at the pool of Bethesda where Jesus told a man to take up his mat and walk. This is one of the few places that can be clearly defined as THE spot where something from scripture happened. Other holy sites are approximations. We read from John 5 and sang in St. Anne's Church.

I'm moving quickly now because the part I really want to write about was at the end of this long day.

We went from St. Anne's to the Via Delorosa and walked past the stations of the cross. The stations end at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church leaves people with various impressions. Some are disturbed by the sense that it has become like a clanging symbol due to the ostentatiousness, conflict among priests and denominations, and the tourist factor. It can also be a place where people here the still small voice of God and where they encounter the risen Christ.

We went from there to an amazing meal of hummus and pits and salads.

Our afternoon stop was spent at the Garden Tomb. The contrast between the Garden Tomb and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is astounding. One is chaotic and fill of messy conflicts among Christian groups. The other is peaceful, quite, and meditative. We took a brief guided tour showing us the potential crucifixion site and tomb. Our group participated in communion and spent time sharing our own confessions of participating in systems of power or our hate for them. This is an issue that will continue to arise this week as we delve more into the issues surrounding the Israel/Palestinian conflict.

For me the most significant portion of the day came next. We left Jerusalem by bus and headed for Bethlehem. Our group was invited to a family night and supper at our host's church. On the way we stopped to hear the story of a woman name Claire.

Claire's family lives in an apartment above a gift shop that was once on a main road through town. The shop and family did very well there until one day soldiers came and built a wall surrounding the house on three sides. Think of a U-shape with a house stuck in the scoop of the U. The home is cut off from all traffic that normally would bring income to the family.

This is one of the many issues that Claire and her family have faced. The stories she told us are horrific but not all of them can be published. You can hear a small portion of her story by watching this 60 minutes video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7406228n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

We left Claire's and ended the day at a church watching Palestinian children play games and eat pizza. Some of our group joined in on the games and made friends with the kids.

It was a long, but good day. There is more awaiting us on Sunday.

-Julia S.