The Desert and the ANZACs

As we left Ramat Rachel we could see into Bethlehem and across the east part of Jerusalem that the world wants Israel to let go of. As I looked into East Jerusalem I reflected what was at stake. The Tombs of Abraham & Joseph, The Mount of Olives The tomb of Rachael most of the sites associated with the birth of the church and the history of Judiasim including the temple mount are to be found in so called east Jerusaelm. Its just the most crazy thing to do both from a historical points of view and for Israels secruity to divide the city.



First stop was Mt Scopus War graves where many of the ANZACs are buried we prayed and left poppies at many graves the RSA had kindly given us alot to leave behind. This was very moving for many. The sudden realisation that many of our young men lie in these soils "We gave our best sons to see the freedom of the land"



We went to the garden tomb a beautiful place where we enjoyed a time of refreshing and reflection as we partook of communion in the garden. The fact remains that " He is not there He is risen" Yahoo!!!!! Then we went to the garden of Gesemenie saw the old olive trees with their grafted in branches, some over 2000 years old.



We left Jerusalem and headed for the desert..... Arriving at Tel Bersheva late afternoon which is the same time as the ANZAC's arrived on the 31st October 1917 in their historical charge against the odds at the Tel Berrsheeba & Wadi El Saba. This was why we had come 31 ANZAcs died that day to bring freedom to the land and the nations and no one ever talks about this part of our history. 31 men died on the 31st Oct 1917 (31 + 1917 = 1948) the year Israel became a nation.



Tonight we spent in the desert at a Bedouin camp an experiance we loved it was great.

More later

Ian Johnson