Good Morning!  It is early on our fourth day here in Jerusalem - today is Sunday and we are excited because it is a full day.  We are preparing to go to Temple Mount where the dome of the rock is located and then to the Western Wall.

Yesterday was Sabbath and it was unbelievably quiet.  There were no cars on the street, the rail was not working, and things were very quiet.  People stay home and enjoy friends and family but as soon as the sun goes down, it's like someone flips a switch and the restaurants, stores, etc all open for business and life resumes in the way we have come to expect it.  I have to say that it was a little hard to be on the streets and not see anyone - literally, everything is shut down.  The other thing that is very different is that everything opens after the sun goes down which is about 8:30 or 9:00 pm and so people are out til midnight, 1, or 2:00 pm.  Even the mamilla mall was open til midnight.  That is a very different way.
During the middle of the day everyone takes a couple of hours to rest and then resume - kind of like a siesta.  I would say that on Friday night its as though everyone has permission to stop and be.  You don't have to worry about someone scheduling something because everybody is on the same page - very helpful.

There is something for us with the South African people that we met.  As soon as we left our apt last night we ran into them.  They are going to move here to plant a community that will be messianic.  These are extremely faithful people who feel the call to change their citizenship in order to connect with Jewish brothers and sisters.  During their time here, they were continually approached by Rabbi's who were interested in hearing more about their beliefs.  I think what made them attractive to the Rabbi's was that they could handle the scriptures with confidence.  They knew the bible backwards and forwards and the Lord was bringing the Jewish teachers to them - they were not seeking them out.
Probably by the time we come back, they will be settled and we will connect with them once again to find a thriving community of combined faith.  They are finding that Rabbi's eyes are being opened to the reality of Yeshua - these teachers are quiet about what they are discovering much like Nicodemus - it is such a beautiful thing to see how God is moving and bringing us all together.

I think one of the things for me this trip is a great appreciation for our Pastor, Scott Heare.  If it wasn't for his stepping out boldly in faith years ago - we would not have the benefit of what we are now experiencing.  God is faithful and true and we are indeed a blessed people.

(For Tamara - we are trying to get with your cousin today :)

Love you all, Linda