Saying goodbye at the Church

This is Damascus Gate, part of the wall around the Old City of Jerusalem. The Old City is about 1 square kilometre. The wall was built around 1535 and is about 12 metres high, 4 km long, and 2.5 metres thick. You can walk around the top of it and get a wonderful view. It was built around 1535 under the Ottoman Empire under orders from Suleiman I.

I am in Jerusalem for the last time today before I start my journey home tomorrow. The East Jerusalem Baptist Church is in an area with a complicated status. The population of East Jerusalem comprises mainly Christian and Muslim Palestinians. Israel has "annexed" this part of Jerusalem into the rest of Jerusalem, but this is not internationally accepted and still challenged as being part of the occupation. However, life on the surface appears "normal" with Jews and Palestinians co-existing with the many tourists. I regularly go to this coffee bar which is Palestinian and has been here since 1960.

The Church was packed this morning with people from all over the world- Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Malaysia, America, and UK. It was a joyful occasion as Christians from all these countries worshipped and praised God together. I said my farewells - I shall miss this lovely congregation. I was invited to stay for lunch, but have been invited to lunch with Odette, so had to decline.

Bethlehem viewed from Jerusalem

On the way home I am reminded of my privileged status here as I travel back to Bethlehem from Jerusalem. This is the walled city which is Bethlehem from the Jerusalem side. This view is of the camp where I live. The fields in the foreground are in the West Bank, so are Palestinian, but have been annexed by Israel - the wall runs right next to the houses, so the people have no open space in which to breathe and play. 

On the way into Jerusalem, the bus stops and all permits are checked. Some Palestinians have to dismount for permit inspection, others stay on the bus - I have not worked out why. My passport is checked but I have no problems as Internationals are allowed anywhere. On the way back we drive straight through as the Israelis don't check people entering the West Bank - obviously not a security risk that way round. 

Back home I am invited to have lunch and refuse the second time! I am hoping that I do get lunch at Odette's!