Chelsea's Jerusalem Adventures: October 2014

Well Friends, all good things must come to an end. And sadly, Jerusalem had to end as well. But what a legendary summer this has been for me. Jerusalem is a beautiful place, a place of religion, a place of worship, a sanctuary, and a place of excitement. As we drove away from the beautiful Jerusalem Center I felt as though I was leaving a piece of myself behind. But even though part of my heart is in Jerusalem, it has left an eternal print on my soul and my identity. This program has changed the way in which I see people around me. It helped me gain a deeper appreciation for churches, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques and art. It enhanced my ability to understand Christ and to better understand the life he lived on earth. I have a better understanding and respect for the sacred scriptures and how to study them better. I met so many individuals how have shaped who I am today. I find a deeper fascination in people and culture. I learned that even with a language barrier and the limitation to share the gospel in the Middle East that you can spread the light of Christ through kindness, music and just a smile.

Because I got so busy, I wasn’t able to keep up with the events of everyday. Instead I’ll just do a bunch of pictures!

We had to be super careful going out because of everything going on here. But we are still way safe! When we got to Damascus Gate there were Israeli guards blocking off the entry to a lot of Palestinians. The women weren’t happy about this. I don’t know what was going on for sure but it looked like they weren’t allowing the women to go into the residential area…. It’s just sad sometimes how things have to be here.

Not an uncommon sight. This is how the shopkeepers would transport all the goods to their stores.

Masada

You should see this in person… absolutely spectacular

Qumran

This is Dr. Seeley, one of the best professors to walk the earth! haha. He is also working on the Dead Sea Scrolls which were found just behind us in this picture.

Dead Sea

You literally float straight up to the top of the water. we look like we are standing but we are floating! The Dead Sea is made up of 30% Salt. The Great Salt Lake is about 8% salt. That's a lot of salt.

Nothing better than being covered in mud!

We wanted to become regulars at a restaurant so we decided on Lina's. We probably went there 15 times in the last 2 weeks.

Testimony Meeting at the Garden Tomb. (During our meeting we heard lots of grenades going off- what an adventure)

The Garden Tomb

This is the chapel that is at the Garden Tomb.

The church of the Holy Sepulcher

The Hurva

The Separation Wall

West Jerusalem

Shushockmulachawisch… our favorite food ever!

Delicious sugar donuts and mangos

K but seriously… I LOVE SUMMER

Me and Kenna with our fruit drinks

Chillin at the JC

Spa Day! our reward for being done with finals! Masks brought to you by the Dead Sea mud.

Our Last Goodbyes in the Old City

This is the security gate to the Dome of the Rock and this guy really wanted a picture with me haha.

THE DOME!!!!

Tomb of the Prophets

This was a beautiful lookout that i thought pretty much summed up Jerusalem. You can see the Dome of the Rock, and a Cross. To me this reminded me of how Christ was once here, he suffered and was put on the cross here. Jerusalem is now filled with so many different religions and peoples. Although it may be the most contensious city in the world, it is also the holiest city in the world. Time will pass, things will change, but i believe Christ was here. That knowledge will never change.