My role here
People here keep asking if I am going to go to Jerusalem, Rachels Tomb, The Jordan river etc. Let me explain my reasoning for not going to those places. I have three things in mind.
#1 My whole purpose for being here is to bring fun and string activity and rienforce the Gospel Story with string to the Palestinian children. I am happiest when my day if filled with school, orphanage, church groups and refugee camp visits. I brought 4,000 strings in order to work with kids…and adults. I am also hoping to have a couple of people that can carry on the String Ministry here.
#2 I am trying to have the Palestinian experience while here. I am staying with a Palestinian family and trying to visit their relatives and have everyday activities. The Palestinians from here are not allowed to enter Jerusalem or go the 30 minutes away to go to Rachel’s Tomb. They are allowed to visit the Jordan river 1 day a year, the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus and that happened two days before I got here. For this reason I am trying to duplicate what they can and cannot do.
#3 This trip was expensive and I just do not feel that I can afford the tourist tours and places. I have been to the birthpace of Jesus here in Bethlehem and touched the silver star. I have walked in the old city. I have been to Jericho which is a small town, much like life 2,000 years ago. Bethlehem, as a bigger place is more like Jeruselem was 2,000 years ago. Monday I will go out to a small village. I am having many great times and coming away with a feeling of what it was like when Jesus walked the cobbled pathways.
Dave