War in the land I visited...

I can not believe I have walked and talked with people in Israel and Gaza that now are at war! There are good people there and most of them want peace.  Here is a picture of our tour guide "Dror" (sounds like drawer).  He could not go into Jericho and some other places with us because he is a Jew and Palestinians own the land. He is the one in the dark colored shirt.  Our bus driver is Palestinian and could not go into Jew territory. At times we had to leave one for a few hours and then pick him up when we came back into common area.  They were such nice men that my heart felt bad during those times.  At times when we would pass through certain areas, Dror would tell us stories of the wars that his father had fought in. He remembers the past very well.  Those people live such a different life then we do.          This is a picture of the concrete walls that separate Israel from the Gaze strip.  We had to show our past port here. This was just the start of the wall.  As you can see the wall goes clear though the city.  They were still putting it up as we were there.  It reminded me of the Berlin Wall dividing the city.  It was hard for me to see (I remember the event of the Berlin wall) and how destructive it was. The people over there live such a different life then we can even imagine.  Guards were all over the place.  You never went anywhere that didn't have armed guards around.  And the young people that are caught up   in their countries anger against each other.  My heart is full of prayers for all the good people I was able to meet and feel of their goodness.  Please keep them in your prayers.  As I listen to the news and hear of the killings and destruction that is going on in that country I have to remember why.... yes, the garden tomb brings the memory back.  The Savior lived and ministered in these lands, He loved the people, He brought the gospel to them.  They are good people with the adversary  at their doors trying to destroy them and their goodness. Sure not everyone has the true intent but the ones I met have goodness in their hearts and were very kind to us.  I shall never forget their eyes and the land they live in.  I was blest to have visited that holy area.  I will never be able to travel there again but I shall never forget those people. I shall never forget standing in the holy places that the Savior walked and talked to the ancestors of those people.  How I wish this war would end and let those people be able to hear of our gospel.  Someday we are told it will happen... I am praying for that day. So those eyes I looked into and the hugs from those that I met will find peace.  My prayers are with them during this time of "another" war in their land.  My life is changed because of them and their land.