Bethlehem Overlook

Our first field trip consisted of traveling to a variety of sites overlooking the Old City. One of the first places we went was the Augusta Victoria church and tower. This Lutheran Church built by Wilhelm the Second was named after his wife, Augusta Victoria. It is a beautiful church with a conglomoration of styles ranging from Byzantium to Mamulak... unfortunately the lighting isn't the best, so all my pictures are really dark, but here is one, just so you can kind of get a feel.

My other favorite stop on this trip was our overlook of the hills of Bethlehelm. As we sat upon these hills we read the verses in Luke 2 about the heavenly messengers. I couldn't help but think about the joy and wonder of that night. As I've participated in Savior of the World the last couple of years I have had the opportunity to be in the angel chorus that welcomes in the good news of the birth of the Savior. That same joy was now filled  with a new peace, awe and respect realizing that from this hill on the outside the city of Jerusalem I could see that special hill where angels visited those who could be trusted to go and tell. To testify that the Lamb of God had come to save us from our sins. As I sat there I penned the following poem:

Insert Poem 

I am very much looking forward to the future field trips as the scriptures come alive to me like they never have before.


On Friday we went into the local neighborhood and played soccer with some of the local kids, what a great experience. As you can see below we played on a dirt field and it was a blast. I love when we're able to connect with locals and generate positive relationships. One of the things that I'm learning in my time abroad is that there is so much goodness in the world. Of course there are always opposites, and the evil and hatred in the world isn't going away, but we can choose to focus on and foster the good or dwell on the negative and allow it to bog us down. It is such a blessing to be here and to learn about God's love for all of His children.