1. Getting to know more about my family, and spending more time with them. We’ve been in close quarters for over 3 months now. Every day we spend all of our time together, learning, having fun, and even fighting. But each and every day we grow closer together as a family, and closer in our relationship with God.
2. Old City Jerusalem is an amazing place, with clashing cultures and religions, and tons of historical sites and buildings. It’s separated into 4 quarters, the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. Each quarter brings its own culture and religion to the Old City. The only remaining wall of the second temple, the Western Wall, or the Wailing Wall, is where Jewish people pray. The massive Crusader wall that outlines the Old City of Jerusalem still stands today, along with all of the awesome cathedrals built throughout the city by the Crusaders. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built by Helena, here it is believed that Jesus was crucified and buried. The Dome of the Rock, built by Muslims in the 7th century A.D., here the Muslims pray to Allah.
3. Masada is the ancient stronghold for the Jewish Zealots, that kind of looks like a massive plateau. This is where the last remaining Jewish Zealots held out against the mighty Roman Empire. They died fighting for their freedom, and in the end decided to take their own lives, instead of being captured as slaves. It was really cool to see the amazing palace Herod had built at the top of the plateau. Herod also had nine massive cisterns built, each equal to the size of a basketball gym, which held millions of gallons of water. He built these to survive the intense desert heat, and filled them with water by collecting all of the rainfall in the surrounding lands, and storing it in the cisterns.
4. Hezekiah’s Tunnel. This sweet tunnel that runs way underground, and takes over a half an hour to get through, is tons of fun, a little bit scary, and claustrophobic for my dad and brother, as the tunnel is only a couple of feet wide and only about five to seven feet high, with water running through it up to my waist. Hezekiah built this tunnel to collect water from a spring, so that it pooled inside the city instead of outside. This allowed the Israelites to survive, while the Assyrians laid siege on the city. Over time the Assyrians could not continue to lay siege, due to disease.
5. Ein-Gedi. This awesome wadi (kind of like a canyon that floods once a year, and the rest of the year is supplied with a small flow of water from a spring) is cut deep in the Judah Mountains. Not only is this place beautiful, it’s where David hid for a while when trying to escape from Saul. This is where David cut off part of Saul’s robe in the cave. The hike takes about an hour and a half each way, and at the end there is a very nice pool, with a small waterfall. Very fun to hike and walk through
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- Underneath one of the waterfalls at Ein-Gedi
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- Inside Hezekiah’s Tunnel
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- Waiting to get inside Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Gabe, I love this writing, I learned alot from you. Like, I didn’t know 4 different cultures lived in Old City Jerusalem and that Hezekiah’s Tunnel was so narrow, (I would have struggled alittle bit inside too), and that it collected water for inside the city. Very Cool Gabe, thanks for sharing what you have learned. I bet you are very excited to get back home and I am sure your friends are pumped to see you. You will be a great teacher some day and God will use this experience in you life mightily for His purposes, plus you just plain ole know so much more now!! Can’t wait to see you soon, Just think, your own room is just around the corner, love, Nancy
Hello wonderful Gaber, Grandpa and I were waiting with great anticipation to hear from you and as usual you came through with flying colors good guy! What a gift you have for writing, Gabe. I really loved your description and explanation of Old City Jerusalem. I learned a lot. Grandpa and I especially loved you putting your family time as #1 and how this unique time together has truly bonded and grown your relationship with God and each other.That’s worth it all, Gabe! My favorite picture was the one of you,Ben,Cate and your Mom near Hezekiah’s Tunnel. I still chuckle thinking when you were very young and how you knew the long names of many dinosaurs. Grandpa and I are both smiling as we thank God for you and the wonderful plan He has for your life as you look to Him for all your ways! Love you special man, Gram & Gramp
Hey Gabe! When are you all getting back? We miss you….even though we don’t see you on a regular basis. I wish I could have gone with you. Then I wouldn’t have to do the same algebra problem for half an hour. Anyway, I keep telling my family that we have to tell Disney to make a TV show about an ordinary boy named Bennett Vansolkema who has a secret life as world famous pop star Bucky Kentucky….starring Bennett of course. Ha ha. See ya soon!
Olivia