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.