22/01/2012
Yesterday (Saturday) we went to Nazareth Village - an educational facility with reconstructed first century features - like wine press, carpenter's shop, weaving, synagogue, shepherd and sheep (actual and not reconstructed), watch tower and other things. Went early (we want to be ahead of the curve) and were told we couldn't film - unless we went through with group (and then only film briefly). The next group was to be there t 11.00 am - a couple of hours to fill in. We're creative. We went to check out Mount Precipice - a step cliff, perhaps the one the villagers of Nazareth threatened to through Jesus over. Off we went and found it - with some difficulty, driving up and around after negotiating our way around a large boulder which appeared to have been placed strategically to block access. Funny that - since when we part way up the road we met a front end load with more large boulders in the scoop and an irate driver beeping! We turned back, renegotiated the boulder (from the other side) and tried the right road. And got there - and a great over view of the Jezreel Valley from the North - Looking across at Mt Moreh and the village of Nain (Shunem is on the other side - your brains might be making a connection now about the two sons of widows, one in the OT the other in the NT. If not its worth thinking about.).
Then back to Nazareth Village. A large group - so not much good for filming. But very educational, run by Christians (Evangelicals) with a message as the various sites were viewed. Then for lunch - humus! Yum! Actually three of the men had humus AND lamb. The addition was a mistake. The meat seemed to be just a little off. To prove it was Michael regurgitated after the meal. Lovely. The off to Mt Carmel.
Went to the top of Mount Carmel (or Caramel as the sweet tooted youth of the group would prefer to designate it). Not really good for filming - but good for checking our geography of the North and thinking about the Elijah and prophets of Baal incident (there was the Kishon River (now only a dirty stream) in the valley [Kishon River? you think. Check out the concordance!]) Then down to the valley and a shot back at Mount Carmel - very good. Then home. Not a bad day. The Lord has been giving us just the right weather.
And Sunday (= today) - Went to the Nazarene Church (interviewed the pastor Saturday evening after going out for a meal (very nice - Palestinian salads to start and then other good stuff) with him and his wife. Interesting interview as well as the chat earlier at the restaurant. He's an Arab Israeli. The Lord has used him to grow a congregation from 15 to 250 in 10 years. May the Lord do that more and more. Very keen for the gospel - yet getting opposition, from the traditional churches. How sad is that?)) Anyway church this morning. It was all in Arabic. Surprisingly that made it a bit harder to understand. Ah, but there was a translator through headphones which certainly helped. Key idea? Enthusiastic. The singing got started - not traditional western tunes with Arabic words. NOOO. Arabic tunes and beat. Later people sharing what the Lord had been doing in their lives - much connected with sharing the gospel. Loud and strongly applied sermon. Positive experience. Then off to Caesarea - but wait. It is pouring - yes, pouring, with streams of water running down the streets. The Lord has not given us weather for filming this time. What is happening? We consider. The Lord is changing the plans! Matt has wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem since he's been here. Maybe…We'll give it s go. So off to Jerusalem - following the GPS lady. And we made it in time. A very sobering display - very sobering. You don't believe in evil? Check out the holocaust museum. And the church hasn't always been squeaky clean either when it has come to anti-semitism. This is food for thought and prayer. But again guidance from the Lord through the weather.
Jordan tomorrow, Lord willing. We are very conscious of God' guiding and providing.
