It is 6:25am in Jerusalem, and I am sitting at the public computer in Citadel Hostel, which they tell me used to be some kind of tower. We flew in to Tel Aviv early yesterday morning and this is the first full-ish night's sleep I've had in 3 days or so. But we're here and it is beautiful! Yesterday, the 15th, was known as the Day of Independance for the Israelis and the Day of Catastrophe for the Palestinians. There was a little tension in the air for our first day here, but there was nothing to worry about. We had several long flights, starting in Detroit, then to Chicago then to Warsaw, Poland, and finally to Tel Aviv.

We did a little touring of the city yesterday and went to a Palestinian Christian church, it was great to see and talk to the Christians in this area. We went to the Wailing Wall and the various quarters of the Old City. Today we'll be meeting with a group called Musalaha (that is likely spelled wrong). There are other things on the itinerary, but I don't remember at the moment!

We have a beautiful view from the roof of the hostel, we can see the Dome of the Rock and can almost see the Wailing Wall, along with most of the city. Last night before going to bed, Chris, Karl and I sat up on the roof of a building and ate hummus and bread as we watched the city. I've found this to be an amazing experience already! Keep checking back here for updates!

Nate

I'm finding more and more that this trip will be unlike any I've ever taken. I went to Mexico in high school on a mission trip, I also went to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota on another, then to Greece in 2008 (though that wasn't exactly a mission trip). This trip is going to be crazy, I just feel like this is that area of the world that I'm always hearing about, the centerpoint for perhaps the biggest worldwide controversy ever, and a crossroads for human history! Chris was telling me the other day that there are Christians there that trace their family back to the time of Jesus in that area! How amazing!

And yet I have an uneasy feeling about what I'm going to experience. Most of the time, I think mission teams are really well received, because they are there to increase the quality of living for the people. However we'll be there to talk to people on both sides of the controversy, in hopes of showing people that they're loved (by us and by their Maker) and plant seeds for reconciliation. We're bringing a message that some people aren't going to want to hear. Not that I'm afraid for my safety, I'm almost excited to face some adversity on the trip (though I'm sure I'll regret saying that). I'm just... anxious about it. But I think it is a good anxious.

In other news, I'm kind of sick... Please pray that I get over this bug quick! I can't afford to be sick right now!

Things are progressing pretty well for the trip, we leave a week from Friday! The whole group is getting excited and anxious as final plans are made. We have a meeting tonight to discuss things like what to bring/not to bring and other important last minute details. We'll also be watching another movie!

It also seems I will be cutting my hair like Mr. T! My fundraiser has been pretty successful! So in anticipation of a victory, I have ordered a shirt:

God is good!