This is from Jonathan Bowman, a rising junior at JMU:
Three days ago we completed the touring portion of our expedition. What better way to relax than by entering the inner city markets of Jerusalem to test out our haggling skills. Can you say intense? The trick was to bring Will Jarrett with you, he’s 6’7. Ornate garments of red and purple and many other colors lined the narrow corridors of the busy market. Loud shouting, a varied palate of language and accents, and some very, unique smells. After some delicious schwarma (pita and seasoned beef or lamb), we began to shift gears in preparation for the service portion of the trip.
Tuesday night, we left the inner city of Bethlehem, and traveled to a new resort a few miles outside of Bethlehem. It is this resort that we are hosting Palestine’s 3rd Young Life camp. All we could do was pray, and all we have experienced is tremendous blessing. Yousef, the camp speaker passionately shares the gospel with the 100 (exactly) kids who are here at camp. Hunter Lambeth runs the behind the scenes operations, keeping the camp running smoothly.
The camp staff refers to our group from JMU as the “work crew” while we are here. Our jobs include everything from helping with meals, cleaning up rainbow ice cream puddles, leading music and games at “club,” and making them laugh as much as possible. We want to give everything we have so that the kids are having fun, but more so that the kids are seeing a little piece of Jesus. The kids have been blowing us away with their energy.
Please be praying for the high school and middle school kids as Yousef will be sharing with them their need for a savior today. Pray for open hearts and minds. Pray for kids to think objectively for themselves. Yalla yalla!
Check Pete’s facebook for some videos of the action so far. Alysia Wood has posted 2 videos.
