Somber. Quiet.

Not the summertime city we knew.

We have spent our first day, albeit a bit lagged, in Jerusalem. 

We set up our hotel lobby set, played a lite worship/chill hour (with words being sparse yet from Old Testament promises.) The hotel is full of displaced families. Lots of sweet kids running everywhere.

“I just want to go home,” said a man from Sderot which was shelled heavily by Hamas. Mark spoke with him at breakfast. “But they said we’ll be here until at least December.”Walking somewhat empty sidewalks today, the mood was somber. Many of the shops were shut and our barista said,

“You’re so brave, why would you come now?” We told her because it was at this time that the people need to feel our solidarity.

She was moved.