It's fun to go to the YMCA!

Last Sunday a group of us started out by going to the Temple Mount, and walking around there for awhile. Then a few of us went to where some say the upper room was where the savior introduced the sacrament to his disciples. I guess we can’t know for sure but it may have been there (also the upper room was N.T. church headquarters!) Down below there was a Jewish Synagogue or at least shrine where many believe King David was buried. Then we walked into West Jerusalem and visited the YMCA building and tower. It was built to represent the religious traditions of the land, and reflects Islamic, Christian, as well as Jewish decorations. Our branch president, a professor of organ instruction at BYU, plays the bells there every Sunday. As such he allows us to come up and watch him, and even lets us play the bells if we want! So, naturally, I practiced on the practice organ Hymn 72: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. The bells are hooked into an instrument kind of like a piano but with fewer keys, but that are large and to play you strike them with your whole hand. It was neat because those bells can be heard clear across Jerusalem and even over at our center. So my little hymn was heard by many. I guess all those years of piano lessons paid off. Also there was a girl in our group who played the Harry Potter Theme song. Another girl played who took the bell performance class at BYU and was able to play very well. The YMCA allows us to play Hymns or other songs, just not hymns associated with the restoration. That was probably the highlight of the day.

                After eating some pizza on one street in West Jerusalem (no meat on it of course (kosher)) and after eating the lunch I packed as well and grabbing some ice cream, a few of us went to this Scottish church south-west of the Old city. Not much except you could see the difference between the Scottish protestant church and other Catholic or Orthodox churches (a lot plainer- more like LDS chapels). I believe it was built in commemoration of some fallen Scottish soldiers.

After walking through an artist’s colony west of the city, we found some taxi drivers and bargained for a tax ride home. The driver’s name was George like as in Saint George, who slayed the dragon. He was a Palestinian Christian who lived in the old city. An interesting guy to talk to, although he didn’t speak much English. He just mentioned something about Islam killed a bunch of people so he’s Christian. Reminded me of some simpler minded people I met on my mission.

Brother Ohman our branch president playing the bells in the YMCA bell tower!

YMCA tower power. (A veiw from the top of the tower._

It's fun to go to the YMCA!

Me and the Big Corny.

Great Scottish Church!