Ephesians 2:19-22

This morning, we went to a church in Jerusalem rather than our normal church/assembly with others living at the Moshav. The makeup of the church was a bit strange; I had never heard of a Baptist/Pentecostal church before (they didn't seem too Pentecostal), but evidently they exist in Israel. Nonetheless, it was a great and interesting time. The people were very gracious to have us there, and it seems that they get quite a few visitors from other nations. That was what struck me as the neatest thing: their demographic was extremely diverse. Although they didn't really have a sermon today and they instead spent time reading Scripture and praying, they had people come forward to read and pray in a total of seven different languages. It was a great picture of all of God's redeemed from across the world joining together to sing praises to God for eternity. I think we in America forget that the Church is universal across the Earth and throughout time, and have the mindset that it is simply us at this present moment.

I think that they were very encouraged by us as well. I was asked to introduce who we were and then gave my testimony. We all then sang "It Is Well" for them all (no, we're not a traveling choir). Talking with the people afterwards was a fun time as well. I even met one of them later in the afternoon hanging out in the Old City and had a nice talk with him (he's the first real ship captain I've ever met!). Even though we might have some varying doctrinal differences, we can all stand together under the banner of the Gospel of Jesus Christ/Yeshua Ha'Mashiach to offer Him our praise for His work on the cross.

A Blessing of Rain

It rained today. Evidently, it was the first rain they've received since May. Afterwards, the hills were full of a dense, clinging fog. It was pretty neat.

Here are a few pictures from our trip the other day...

A coonskin moment while atop the Mount of Olives facing the Old City.

An Arab man giving donkey rides.

Drew and Eric sitting in Gethsemane.

A coonskin moment in front of a tourist group at the church of Gethsemane. They loved us.

The Orthodox Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, standing over the site of the birth of Christ. It was probably the most beautiful church I've seen yet, but I didn't like it. There was too much mysticism and iconography around.

The ruins of the Herodium, Herod the Great's personal fortress built on top of a steep hill south of Jerusalem near the wilderness.

A coonskin moment among the ruins of the Herodium.

I Am Spartacus

In November, we get a week totally free where we can travel wherever we want to. Its not only for fun, but also a way for us to leave the country briefly so our visas can renew themselves. So I just bought plane tickets to go to Greece for ten days with three other people.

The days are getting less hot, which I like. Although whenever we've been out in the wilderness, its hotter than three dogs screaming. But its been cooling off very nicely in the evening. I even have a slight chill right now.

On Saturday, we went to the beach at Ashkelon. The sunset on the Mediterranean was quite possibly the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Purple Rain

Our homemade grape juice from the vines here at the Moshav. Triple-strained for the highest quality possible.

Video shot and edited by Cesar Peynetti.