Thursday, January 3, 2019

Next Steps - Day Eight - Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock, and Yad Vashem

Today began with the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the third most holy site in all of Islam - Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. There is no way to convey the power of this experience in words or in pictures. Not many have the chance to venture into these mosques. They are not open to the general population. George helped make this possible for us. And the participants of Next Steps lived fully into the opportunity. The beauty we met there is beyond compare. The holiness experienced was palpable.




The rock around which Dome of the Rock is built.
Muslims believe it was from this rock that Muhammad ascended into heaven.





Following our visit we had free time to explore the Old City. We were able to walk through the various quarters, purchase some souvenirs, and eat delicious food.

Then it was off to Yad Vashem, the holocaust museum. To say this experience was moving would be a gross understatement. We will be unpacking this visit for weeks, months, and perhaps even years to come.

The view as you leave the museum.

A monument to the children’s lives that were lost and whose narrative was silenced.
Inside, the names are read in a continuous loop along with their ages.
Thank you for your consistent prayers and support. We will be busy tomorrow, so this is our last blogpost. Thank you is not enough to express our gratitude for this opportunity. We will be processing this experience for years to come.

Peace. Salaam. Shalom.

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