Our day began with a visit to the church built over the site of Joseph's home/carpentry shop. We also saw the church of the Annunciation which was the site where the angel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus. Lunch was at the Church of the Nazarene in Nazareth. The main outreach ministry at the church is a Preschool for many children in the community. From there we toured Nazareth Village which replicates life in Jesus' time. This included a wine press, carpentry shop, spinners/weavers and a replica of a cross used at the time of Jesus. This made a big impression on me as the cross was much shorter than I had visioned. It was only 5-6 feet tall for the purpose of passers-by to be able to spit on the one being crucified. We also walked through the Eye of the Needle which is a small door within a door. The larger door is opened for the purpose of allowing larger animals such as camels and donkeys through, while the smaller door is opened to allow only people to enter. This gave us a wonderful picture of what Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 19:18, "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God". Pictures posted are The Eye of the Needle, Joseph's carpentry shop, a rubber tree plant (where our group sang the song "High Hopes" about the ant moving a rubber tree plant...fun!), the Church of the Annunciation & the cross replica.
It was then time to cross the border to Jordan. This was an interesting 2 1/2 hour adventure as we brought MANY gifts and medical supplies for the school and clinic we will be holding. It may have been the 3000 syringes that caught their attention. After prayer, pleading and a small donation to the Jordanian government, we were allowed to continue on our way. Armed soldiers came on the bus to check each of our passports as we entered the country. It was kind of exciting! The drive to Jordan on the mountain switchbacks was exciting/scary as well since our driver didn't hesitate to pass cars with sharp corners ahead (& cars coming!). We saw many areas of poverty on the way to Zarqa. Our work at the school begins tomorrow.
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