Yes, God, in His providence, brought me back to Jerusalem for a second year. I enjoyed visiting my family and friends in America this summer, but was also ready to return to the place God called me to. I arrived in Jerusalem August 7.
Last week was the first week of school. I am psyched for this school year. I am teaching 7th and 8th grade English. I have a combination of old and new students. I didn't realize how much I missed my former students until I stood in front of them this past week. God is really helping me to develop relationships with them, and I feel His love for them increasing in me. Glory to His Name!
Ramadan will end this week and the Eid will begin. Thursday or Friday will be the beginning of the Eid--it all depends on what the Moon does. Well, that's all for now.
The Lord's Blessing upon all who read,
Robert
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Crete (Sweet!)
It was awesome! We arrived in Crete early Friday morning (our flight took off at 7 am). We stayed at the Mediterraneo Hotel in Limenas Hersonissou. The first day, we went to the city of Heraklion and walked around. We satisfied our coffee craving at Starbucks there (we've been so deprived because there are no Starbucks in Israel). We also bought a few souveneirs there. Then, we pretty much relaxed for the rest of the day.
We were more adventurous the following day. We had the opportunity to go to Knossos. It is significant because the first European civilization--the Minoans--settled there over four thousand years ago. They had magificent architecture, ceramics, and various art work. Following our time there, we went to Gortys. The apostle Titus was from this ancient city. We saw the church that was built in honor of him. In addition, there was an ancient amphitheater and an area covered with ancient writing. These writings contained the earliest evidence of oldest and first preserved European laws. Later that day, I was able to walk around a small beach town near the hotel. Overall, the local people were really nice and hospitable.
The final full day, we decided to go to the towns of Elounda and Plaka. These are port towns with a lot to see. The weather was amazing, so it made exploring the area all the more enjoyable. We wanted to take a boat to Leper's Island, but no boats went out since it was Easter Sunday. However, we were able to take a lot of cool pics of Leper's Island, among other things.
This trip was truly an amazing experience. Easter is the only real break that we teachers have this semester, so it was definitely worth the trip. Blessings to you all!!!
We were more adventurous the following day. We had the opportunity to go to Knossos. It is significant because the first European civilization--the Minoans--settled there over four thousand years ago. They had magificent architecture, ceramics, and various art work. Following our time there, we went to Gortys. The apostle Titus was from this ancient city. We saw the church that was built in honor of him. In addition, there was an ancient amphitheater and an area covered with ancient writing. These writings contained the earliest evidence of oldest and first preserved European laws. Later that day, I was able to walk around a small beach town near the hotel. Overall, the local people were really nice and hospitable.
The final full day, we decided to go to the towns of Elounda and Plaka. These are port towns with a lot to see. The weather was amazing, so it made exploring the area all the more enjoyable. We wanted to take a boat to Leper's Island, but no boats went out since it was Easter Sunday. However, we were able to take a lot of cool pics of Leper's Island, among other things.
This trip was truly an amazing experience. Easter is the only real break that we teachers have this semester, so it was definitely worth the trip. Blessings to you all!!!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
I'm Back
I know that it's been a while. So many things have happened between the last time I've blogged and now. The school year is almost over--boy, did it go by fast! I will try to update you in a nutshell.
My Arabic is improving, shway, shway (slowly). A few teacher friends and I have been getting lessons from a student's father. The lessons mainly focus on conversational Arabic, which is what I really need. I was so excited the first day I overheard an Arab clerk on the phone in a store. I understood enough to know that he was questioning a coworker about his whereabouts.
It was a little crazy in Jerusalem a couple of weeks ago. There were some riots taking place at the Dome of the Rock (the Jews call it the Temple Mount). Many believed that some Zionists were attempting to bring a foundation stone to the site--a move that some Palestinians consider to be detrimental to their control over it. Others even suspected that they would attempt to blow up the Dome. During that week, I stayed clear of that part of Jerusalem. There were multiple injuries, such as people getting hit by rocks and rubber bullets. It could have been worse, though--so I thank God for intervening!
This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to partake in the annual Triumphal Entry Walk, which marked the path of Christ when he traveled all the way from the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, and through the Golden Gate (possibly the gate He rode through). It was exciting because people from all over the world joined locals in this walk. As I walked, I thought of the song "Hosanna" from Hillsongs. I was in awe of the fact that I was actually where it all originally occurred.
In two days, a few teachers and I are going to fly to Crete for Easter. We're excited because none of us have been there before, and it will be a nice break from all of the busyness of the semester.
Well, I'll try to continue updating you all. Have a blessed and wonderful Easter.
My Arabic is improving, shway, shway (slowly). A few teacher friends and I have been getting lessons from a student's father. The lessons mainly focus on conversational Arabic, which is what I really need. I was so excited the first day I overheard an Arab clerk on the phone in a store. I understood enough to know that he was questioning a coworker about his whereabouts.
It was a little crazy in Jerusalem a couple of weeks ago. There were some riots taking place at the Dome of the Rock (the Jews call it the Temple Mount). Many believed that some Zionists were attempting to bring a foundation stone to the site--a move that some Palestinians consider to be detrimental to their control over it. Others even suspected that they would attempt to blow up the Dome. During that week, I stayed clear of that part of Jerusalem. There were multiple injuries, such as people getting hit by rocks and rubber bullets. It could have been worse, though--so I thank God for intervening!
This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to partake in the annual Triumphal Entry Walk, which marked the path of Christ when he traveled all the way from the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, and through the Golden Gate (possibly the gate He rode through). It was exciting because people from all over the world joined locals in this walk. As I walked, I thought of the song "Hosanna" from Hillsongs. I was in awe of the fact that I was actually where it all originally occurred.
In two days, a few teachers and I are going to fly to Crete for Easter. We're excited because none of us have been there before, and it will be a nice break from all of the busyness of the semester.
Well, I'll try to continue updating you all. Have a blessed and wonderful Easter.
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