Yes, I am alive...

So I just looked at Cindy's blogging skills... I am sooooo far behind it is not funny! I guess thats what I get for doing Journalism in Undergrad, being used to black and white print. Cindy, if you are reading this, you might have to show me your ways (but I won't upstage you, trust me!)

Friday

Yesterday I realized that I was very much under the weather, but I will not give details. Sitting at the breakfast table, we figured it would be best for me to get a lot of drugs and water in my system. I sort of lost track of all that I was taking, I think there was three different types. So that is what I did. I unfortunately missed out on Masada, which is one of the sites I really wanted to see. For those that do not know, it is an ancient Jewish fortress that was a stronghold against Rome in the 60s ad. I also missed Ein Gedi, so needless to say, I am going to defer to Cindy on that as well since I can not tell you a thing about it since I have not been there!

The one story that I am sad that I missed was supposedly Hal eating a random shrub. He is obviously not dead, so that is a good thing.

When they found me in the Hotel Lobby, probably slightly dazed, we went to the Qumran caves. These were the networks of caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Essenes, a sect of Judaism that isolated themselves from society, were those that lived in the Qumran community. Why they chose such an arid and unihabitable land is beyond me. Then again, isolationists explains everything! They kicked us out at 3, and I unfortunately did not go into the caves since I was not feeling up to the hike.

Needless to say, once we got back to the hotel, I took my temperature and realized that 102.8 is not good. Sleep, on the other hand, is VERY GOOD. So that is what I did. Daniel, my roomate, has been a huge help and blessing. The one thing that has really stood out to me spiritually is that grace does exist. I am generally not used to receiving grace from people, but I have been given so much this trip. It was definitely overwhelming to get prayed over at the Breakfast table, and have people willing to go to the pharmacy in strange lands, or rearrange schedules to help me out. I am sure I will have more profound spiritual moments as time goes on (and my health permits), but for now I am just receiving a lot of real-time/real-life application.

Travel Lesson from the Day: Never get sick while traveling overseas. But to be safe, bring your medicine cabinet as backup!

Saturday

Today I woke up feeling so much better. By noon, the fever broke and I just have lingering effects. But I feel sharper, so hopefully there will be less scribal errors on my part. I am learning that if I can sit down every few minutes, I am usually okay.

Our trip to Jericho was... special. Thats the best way to describe it. I really have a weak recollection of what happened, due to the sickness not subsiding quickly enough. When we drove through the town, you can tell that they were not as blessed as the Israeli side. It looked like a city in pain. When we arrived at the site, the entrance was the complete contrast, with a lavish fountain and ornate exterior. The site itself was listless. I guess because it has been conquered so many times, it would be difficult to imagine finding a city that would give credit to story told in Joshua 6. None the less, it was still a good start to the day.

During the trip to Beth Shaen, we found that roads were closed all over the area. It was so confusing!! Good thing I was half asleep with three different pills working its magic in me, because otherwise I am not sure how I would have been!! We had to stop and ask locals how to get around. At one point, I think one of the locals told us to go up a mountain, which led to a military base, I hope there was no hidden agenda there =) But Eod pulled quite a few multi-point turns and navigated us safely back to the Israeli side of town. But it became obvious that they did not know what roads were open or closed either.

When we got to Beth Shean, I was really not sure where we were. I did not figure it out until after we left! Beth Shean reminded me of an old Greek ruin. There was an amphitheatre, a row of ancient columns, and many other relics that have stood the test of time.

From there, we left for Nazareth, the Home of Jesus. We went to museum that brought to life what Nazerath would have been like during the time of Jesus. It was a small, mostly rural town in which everyone knew everyone. This came to life here, as we walked through, and met a carpenter, a shepherd, and other towns folk. What I found great about this is that it was well constructed and did not come off as hokey. Sometimes living museums tend to do that, but this was very legitimate and well put together. We are staying in Nazerath for the night, and then heading out for a long day tomorrow.

Before I leave, always remember... when traveling overseas, do not ask people on the side of the road for instructions, you never know where it will lead you. Also, Hamburgers in Israel are more like gyros on a bun... don't let it fool you! Thank you for your prayers, whoever has prayed for me, I am feeling a bit better now, but it is a work in progress. Goodnight!

Jason