Fathers and those Who Folly.

#5 of An Ancient Series.

An oasis is a place preserved. It is a refuge, water to the dry and shade for the sun beaten.

We found a modern oasis. For travelers and the non-Jewish residents of the Old City, there is place of rest (built in 1849) and it is only a stones throw from Migdál Davíd. Clustered on a limited piece of Israeli real estate, it includes the spiritual shelter of a church, the hospitality of a guesthouse, a terrace whose botany is beyond bountiful, and a much coveted watering hole for humpy camels and dusty people. Yes, that means it has a fab coffee shop!

During Shabbat and other Jewish holidays it remains open and is managed by those who follow Yeshua. A Holy presence enshrouds the place.

We went there weekly while in Israel. Usually we walked the mile and a bit on a Friday or Saturday but today, it was only Thursday. Nationwide everything would soon be closing because it was the special week of Passover.

Loaded citrus trees, temperate deciduous varieties, and steely blue palms made up the cozy outdoor sanctuary. A waxy leafed umbrella tree who lived in a corner patch of courtyard dirt grew upwards and had already reached a second floor balcony. Twinkle lights for evening guests were strung up as if it were Christmas. Row after sagging row, they draped high above the raised flower beds that were full of white blooms and pink petals.

Birds thought it was a respite too. They fluttered and sang and went on about the task of raising their nested families. We loved it there. It was void of traffic noise and the air felt filtered and light. We should also mention that it boasted the cleanest loos in all of Jerusalem!