"Goodbye? No, see you later!"

Today is our last day! It has been a full 8 days with drama, emotion and amazement; I'm sure the last day of touring will be no different.

Our first stop was a heartbreaking but important one. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. I've got no pictures. And not many words. My heart simply aches and the lump in my throat... well it hurts. The only thing that kept running thru my mind was, why? Why did this happen? How could this happen? Why?

During my walk through the museum I wanted to be alone. No way did I want to stop and chat and make idol conversation. It was a sacred moment for me. I entered the Children's Memorial knowing it would not be easy. That was an understatement. It's totally dark room where candles are lit to look like the stars in the sky...those candles represent the million and a half children murdered during the Holocaust. Names and ages of those children where slowly announced as we walked thru. When I exited, I walked off to the side of the group and faced outward into the neighborhoods facing the New Jerusalem. (I'm not a pretty crier) Ironically, a school was nearby and I could hear children's laughter... If one person would have approached me, I know that I would have surly broke down in uncontrollable sobbing – so I avoided eye contact with anyone at all costs. As gloom as it sounds, it was important and good to be there - everyone needs to understand what happened during the Holocaust and this museum was amazing.

But how could the world allow this to happen? Did the world go mad? I'm shocked, sad and angry...

Could it happen again? Is it happening now? You know this could've been me... or you... My mind drifts to Darfur. It IS happening again isn't it? So now my question has changed... now, what can I do for Darfur? I will have to talk to Stefan...Feed the Hungry has been there, maybe I can help.

Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept, was our next stop after lunch. (Some of us had pizza!) It was a short stop, but just enough time to look at these priceless documents. Makes me wonder what else is out there!

No pictures were allowed inside... but here's a picture of the outside. It is supposed to to look like the top of the clay pot that the scrolls were found in. It's neat actually... when you are inside the building it appears that you are actually inside the clay pot...

Here is a model of Israel during 2nd temple times...

A picture perfect ending... the Garden Tomb at last! What a perfect way to end our time here in Israel. Each of us was able to see the tomb and enter it... seeing that it is truly empty because He has risen! We sat in eye sight of our Lords empty tomb and took communion; it was so memorable. Joanie sang so beautifully. I wish you all could have been there.

Look how happy Joannie looks as she exits the tomb! It's empty! I think her face says so much! He has risen!

Peggy and Kay, happy to be together at the Garden Tomb!

Here is the Patrick family! What a great experience to be with your whole family here. What a great place to bring your kids and teenagers!

"Goodbye? No, see you later!"

I heard that a lot at the farewell dinner as many people rushed to exchange email and snail mail addresses, phone numbers and hugs. With tears in our eyes we boarded our busses. Some of us will head off to the southern region of Israel for an extension, while others will quietly gaze out their bus windows and head to the airport. This journey to the airport will be with a heavy heart. I bet Joanie will sing and there will be tears shed. Leaving Israel is not easy...a part of you feels like your leaving your home...

We started this journey together as complete strangers and 10 days later we end as close lifelong friends. That is the power of God in Israel. It was a bitter sweet farewell...but I know that I'll see many of you again in Israel soon.

Shalom my friends!

Kim

P.S. Stop back by for updates to find out what it's like on the Southern Extension - Dead Sea and Eilat... Right on the Red Sea where the waters parted for Moses!