Israel

Okay here goes the Israel rant...

The ENORMOUS question on everyone's mind is: Am I a changed person from this trip?

I dont know. Am I? Do you think I am? I went to places taht Jesus probably walked and I'm supposed to come back a different person? Maybe I have a better understanding about where and why things happened, but a changed person? I really dont know...

Its so different being there. All of my expectations and images in my mind of how things were supposed to look were soon demolished when they collided with the reality of the busyness and uncertain theories about where things happened. Its just crazy at some places. Take the Via Dolorosa, for example. (Thats the path Christ took before he was crucified.) THis is one place that in my mind was held so sacred. WHen we got there the whole way down the path was trampled with merchants trying to sell things and garbage lining the streets. It was discusting through there. So many people are so excited about hearing what it was like to see where jesus was crucified. I honestly wish I wouldnt have seen it. It really was interesting and all, but I would have rather kept it untouched in my imagination.
And the longer I was there, but not fully wanting to be at the time, I was thinking about how symbolic the busyness was...Its like God planned it that way so we would sort of understand how it was back then...trashy, exploited. Nobody cared. He was just another man to be crucified. They didnt understand.
Its not meant to be seen as a quiet, sacred place. Because thats not how its ever really been. How i saw it was probably a pretty good representation of how it was back in the day.

Many people were also excited that i was going to see the tomb (although there were a few theories ab. which was the real one). Its cool to be there and to see it and all, but it doesnt reallly matter if its real. HE'S NOT THERE. Its so not about any of the places we went to. Its about what happened there and why. One guy said that if God really wanted us to know where jesus was actually crucified and buried then he wouldve given us enough hints in the bible to find out. Again, it doesnt matter where it was, its WHY.

I apologize if nobody is following this.

So maybe I did change how I view things. I can now read stories in the bible and actually visualize where they happened. That is really cool. It makes the bible really come alive for me. It helps me to see these things as actual historical events instead of action packed fairy tales.

I would definitly say Israel was a success. At first when asked if I'd ever go back I replied with a harsh "HECK NO". But being back and thinkgin about all that we experienced, I think I'd ALMOST definitly go back. There is always more to learn. It was a great experience and i wouldnt trade it for anything in the world. I also had awesome girls with me which made it SO much fun. I'll try to post more pics later when i figure it all out..

Peace out


i just want to party all the time