You've reached the blog of Ryan Gregg. Welcome! On January 28th I fly from Boston to Israel, where I will live and study for six months. Towards the Sunrise is a place I have created so that, while I am away, I can share pictures, stories, laughs, and reflections with friends and family back home. Thanks for stopping by. The first three months of my trip will be spent at Jerusalem University College, where I will study Christian history, Islam, Judaism, and Israeli geography. The campus, located on Mt. Zion, is perched above the Hinnom Valley and 100 meters from King David's Tomb, the Upper Room of Christ's Last Supper, and the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. After school gets out in early May, my summer months will (hopefully) be split between kibbutz life, an archaeology dig in the north of the country, and a backpacking trip through Greece.
I have called this place Towards the Sunrise for a couple reasons. The first is simple: Israel is in the east, the land of the rising sun. Jerusalem is 9 hours ahead of Kalispell, MT, so when dawn strikes the Flathead Valley, it will be three in the afternoon for me. But secondly, and more importantly, Israel is a land of beginnings. The ancients lived there. Religion is rooted there. Scriptures were written there. The Church began there. As I move closer towards the sunrise of history and God, maybe I too will experience a beginning.
Here's to good times ahead!
Ryan, good to get on your blog and we're anxious to hear from you after you get settled. We will continue to pray for you and are excited for what God has for you! Stan & Janie Pine
ReplyDeleteRyan - Can't believe what an amazing experience this is going to be for you!. Each day a new adventure in the history of what we hold most dear! May you find Christ ever nearer as you continue to seek His face! May your studies be richly blessed and your mind renewed each day by our amazing father! The VanHeldens love you and think of you often! Can't wait to hear your reflections! Your parents think you are one of the best writers around! ;) Love and prayers to you dear friend. Krista
ReplyDeleteRyan, I have finally got to your blog!! Love the pictures. I envy you and wished that Mitch would go with me back to Israel. I would like for him to see and share what I did on our tour a few years back. Maybe someday. Well it sounds like you are having an awesome time and I know that you will experience everything to the fullest. Saw your mom and dad at Doyle & Eunice's 50th anniversary party and your dad told me about Anna. What a beauty. Can't wait to read more of your adventures to come! Blessings and love from the Barnes'
ReplyDeleteHi Ryan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for updating your blog.
Sounds like you are having a great adventure. To be able to study history in the old city and to meet the locals and to go hiking off the beaten path is a great way to experience Israel. I’m impressed (and a little envious).
Be sure that you go through Hezekiah’s tunnel. It is 1700 ft. long and was started at each end and met in the center. They were about 6” off. Not bad for a 700 BC engineering feat! We traveled by candle light with the water up to our chins. I found it a real faith builder seeing and knowing the Biblical story behind the tunnel.
In the Golan don’t miss Gamla, a Masada of the north and in the south you must see……… well, I guess you can tell we really enjoy our times in Israel. It turned our black and white Bible to a Bible that was in living color!
All the best,
The Grahams.