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Every time I come to Jerusalem I experience some of the same sensations. I feel like I have come home, and in a sense I have; this land is the land of my spiritual roots, this city is the city where my Lord died to settle my sin debt once and for all (somewhere less than a mile from where I'm staying), this city is the place where history as we know it will come to an end. Many who have come with me again have shared this conviction: "I feel like I've been here before." In a way, they have. Leaving Jerusalem always feels like I'm leaving home to go home. To be sure, SC is my home, Columbia International University is the ministry God has given me, the Columbia area is where many family members live. So we're looking forward to seeing everyone again, but I always leave a little bit of my heart here, too. In the end, I have to remember that neither Jerusalem nor Columbia is my home. We, as the God-followers of ancient times, are looking for a city whose founder and builder is God. We, as Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, are simply sojourners. But one day we all will be home, and what a day that will be. 
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| Greetings, everyone! Back from Galilee and three glorious nights on the shore of the Kinneret (aka Sea of Galilee, though it's fresh water). Lots to see, but more humid than Jerusalem, where we now are and will be staying until our departure Sunday.
Great time, great memories to unpack. We always leave a bit of our hearts here, it seems. | | |
| Check out PHOTOS for more. Thanks to all for your interest, prayer, and encouragement. | | |
| I love Jerusalem; if you don't believe me, look at the photos we've been taking. Well, not just in Jerusalem, but all around Israel and the West Bank. Tomorrow begins a field study to Judah, the Shephelah, and Philistia. Check out "photos" for all the latest. Thanks to all who are praying for our time; the students are doing great! | | |
|     We had the hardest time ever getting to Israel, but made it.
Columbia - Atlanta: No problem. Atlanta - JFK NY: Problem. Diverted to Philadelphia for fuel. Took too long; missed connection; spent night and most all of next day in Terminal 4 as our travel agency team went to work to sort things out with Delta. They had to work hard, but finally Delta was cooperative, and we all got on the Monday night plane for Tel Aviv. JFK NY - Tel Aviv: Uneventful, good flight, all scattered throughout plane, but otherwise good. 1st day: Good. Saw Zion Gate, Cardo, Broad Wall, City of David (including Hezekiah's Tunnel), monuments in Kidron Valley, greeted various merchant friends, took students to exchange money. Good dinner, euchre with Doug and Pat. (The ladies won first 3 games handily, followed by our winning 2 games fairly convincingly. Play to resume ASAP.) | | |
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