May 25 Jerusalem

After a sleep in the vineyard (which is actually an act of intercession), between the young grape trees, Kathleen, Karilyn, David, John and a few others joined us for a quick 6:30 am breakfast. We are staying in an Orthodox Jewish community (amazing?!!) in the Benjamin Region in the dwelling the vineyard owner and his family (beautiful people) lived in until last fall. 

Our first stop was on the Mount of Olives where we continued to film teaching, worshipful dancing and amazing views. Some tasks our children have engaged in: lugging equipment, assisting in footage being filmed, holding the boom mic, dancing, singing, acting, playing guitar, still photography, and last but not least being joyful! It is such a blessing! :) We are learning so much and looking forward to sharing what we have learned. 

Filming in Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

John, Kathleen (brown headscarf) and David helping with filming

Schultz family

After leaving the Mount, we walked down the very steep Prophet’s Trail and observed hundreds of graves/tombs on both sides of the Kidron Valley. We could easily see where the East Gate of the walls of Jerusalem has been blocked off by Muslims who want to prevent Ezekiel 43:4. Apparently some have paid even $60,000 to have a spot. Another striking comment was Muslims in the US wanted to build a mosque on the site of the Twin Towers just like they built the Dome of the Rock mosque on the Temple Mount site and actually on every Biblically significant site in Israel (Bethlehem, Shechem - renamed Nabulus). 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we were reminded to “watch and pray with Jesus” so that Israel would not be handed over into the hands of sinners. 

One of the very ancient Olive trees in Gethsemane

Israel's Knesset

We then traveled to the Knesset (Israel Parliament) for a visit with 3 Members of the Knesset. We met Mendi, the gentleman who burned the “midnight oil” for Antoinette’s sake. Once through security, we were warmly welcomed as these men acknowledged we Christians and Jews are all people of the Book! There are actually monthly meetings in the Knesset for an established Christian Alliance Caucus. They spoke warmly about the results of our recent Canadian election. :) Some nuggets: Israel is at the front of the West (If Israel is strong, the West is strong), Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, our coming has a strong effect (it comforts and encourages). Kristi, Kathleen, Karilyn, David and John sang the song Kristi had written - it was so cool! Then on the street across from the Knesset, the song was given once again to a group of girls on a field trip. When Dean Bye, Return Ministries director, blessed the girls and said may they all be mothers with many children, their hearts were so open! 

Next stop was the International Israeli Christian Caucus Headquarters where we were excited to learn of the alliance the Israeli government seeks with Christians. See www.iiacf.org