the seven.

Well I am sorry it has taken me so long to write a proper update. The last week has felt like a whirlwind. I am still trying to recover from the jet lag and feel that I am through the worst of it. I have news to report in that I have found a place and it is a lovely apartment and has definitely been a place of refuge for me. It has an amazing view of Jerusalem like all apartments here. So that is certainly a praise. I am still trying to get basics like food and other articles that I am picking up. Everyone speaks English for the most part but I am excited and eager to start learning Hebrew. My first impression of Jerusalem feels a bit schizophrenic. One moment I am still in shock that I am here and then quickly that turns into fear as I question the fact that I am actually here. I haven't had a lot of time to think as I have been very busy with Bridges for Peace. But before I get into that I want to continue explaining my impression of the city and culture as a whole. The city is beautiful. All the buildings are made out of Jerusalem limestone and so therefore they all look the same. But they obviously carry a very middle eastern feel to them. Most of the streets are brick and it is full of hills. I have not had a chance to see a lot of the "sites" yet as I have been in such a place of transition. It is beautiful all in all. Safety issues seem to be fine. Other then the soldiers who are younger then me walking around with guns you would have no idea that there were problems. It is nothing like the news portrays it, yet at least. It gets lonely here for sure. I am sure that is part of the transition and part of everything that is going on. It seems to pull on my chest and I certainly wonder how I got here and what I was thinking when I came here. There is a peace that is comforting. Fear with peace I imagine. As for Bridges for Peace. The organization as a whole does so much. I have been moving around quite a bit because they want me to see everything that the organization does which is a good thing. The last few weeks I have been working at a food bank and delivering food into the many places that Bridges supports through food and clothing. This monday I am moving into the headquarters office where I will be doing publications work for BFP. I am excited about the move. One of the more frustrating things is just the lack of young people in the organization. I knew this would be the case but I wish it wasn't. But a praise is that there is a friend here studying at the Hebrew University so we are hanging out quite a bit. But all that to say, come visit if you get a chance. Other than that I am excited about thanksgiving. The Lord has given me some friends to spend it with and we are getting dressed up as pilgrims and indians. So it is such a good thing to have friends. Sometimes I forget what a blessing that is. I am questioning much now. Some days I can't believe I'm here and I get scared and frustrated at the fact. Other days it makes more sense. Certainly pray please. Pray that I will understand the love of God more, just the love He has for each one of us. That I will understand Him in the quiet places. I need His comfort. I hope all is well with all of you, wherever you are. Thank you for your prayers and support. Shalom.

the five

i've landed. i'm safe. no internet. no phone. no home...yet. pray for these things. it is very difficult to get sorted out here.
love.