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What an amazing experience this summer has been! The past few days were filled with touring the center of this beautiful country. We began this new chapter by visiting the unbelievably moving Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, the historic location where Israel was formally declared an independent Jewish State. While in Tel Aviv we visited Rabin Square where we explored the political realities and divides of modern of Israeli society. Next, we spent time testing our Hebrew bargaining skills while shopping in the Old Jaffa Shuk located right near the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv.
The following day we reached one of the undisputed highpoints of our trip, The Old City of Jerusalem. We began by trenching through the water of King Chizkiyahu’s Ancient Aqueduct Tunnels in the City of David. Following our water exploration we moved into the borders of the old city reaching (many of us for the first time) the holiest site in the world, the Kotel, The Western Wall. There were beautiful tears of Joy and thoughts of hope as we took in that amazing atmosphere of this place that our people have prayed for, generation after generation.
Yesterday we learned first hand about Israeli innovation. We toured the Igudan Water treatment center. Wow, what an amazing location. We learned how Israel is the worlds leader for water treatment and reclamation, recycling over 85% of their water nationally. (For perspective, The US recycles less than 1% of our water annually) The center that we visited takes raw sewage, and through a cutting edge 401 day process, produces clean drinkable water upon completion. Foreign dignitaries, including President Obama, and environmental agencies from all over the world have visited this site in hopes of learning to implement similar centers in their respective countries. Ingenuity in this country in unbelievable.
Having reached the half way point of our trip, we are realizing more and more, how truly special our bus 4 family is and how blessed we are to have this experience together.
Derek
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