We woke up and enjoyed breakfast with Uncle JoeJoe then quickly Jason realized that he has been taken for over $50 USD at the supposed ATM. He immediately went into action and we decided it would be best to go straight back there to attempt to get his money back.
Sidenote: he had attempted to use the arm but it wasn't working, so the man inside the shop offered to change the money himself saying it was the same rate as the ATM with only a $2 fee. We learned that just because a machine says ATM, it doesn't mean it truly is one. So, had we used the ATM, we would have still lost the money, but with no possible way of having it returned.
Jason walked up to the shop and began taking pictures. This apparently concerned the most like already guilt ridden man ;) and he asked Jason what he was doing. Jason told him but the man denied it saying his rate was the same as everyone else's. So, Jason proceeded to stand in front of the store and turn people away one by one telling them the store was a scam and not to change their money there.
This obviously upset the man as he watched a lot of money walk out the door so he came out and pushed Jason and said he would call the cops. Jason said to go ahead because he would just tell them what he did.
Finally, after making no progress, the manager happened to show up and said to just give him back his money so he would go away! Yes! Thank God!
While Jason was fighting to get our money back, the girls and I sat in the car. The one thing I had regretted from the day before was not stopping to read the passages that corresponded with each place we were. So, we sat and I read to the girls from the Bible about the things we had seen. And they loved it! I kept asking if they were ready to stop but they said no. I say this not because my girls are anything super spiritual or extra special. But because God's Word is ASTOUNDING! And interesting. Let's read it! And to our kids who will stand in awe of our Savior!
We went on to tour Hezekiah's Tunnels which was a super neat experience. We saw the ruins of King David's palace, were able to picture how he must have looked down over the city and seen Bathsheba bathing. We were reminded of the multiple consequences he suffered because of his sin. Then, we got to see how he conquered Jerusalem by traveling through tunnels leading into the city used to protect their water supply. And then the adventure began: a 30 minute "wade" through the tunnels filled with water to where it ended near the pool of Bethesda. We had a blast and were so thankful we went for it and did the wet tunnels. Jesus performed many miracles there and once again it was neat to picture all that took place in those times.
We rushed home, changed our wet clothes, and rushed to the Garden Tomb (written about in another post).
From there, we went to visit some friends who help to run a prayer center in the city. Man! That turned out to be a really cool, very convicting visit.
Here, people from all over the world come to pray for the nations. It was a beautiful building with so much history behind it. The prayer center was designed so beautifully with stations to pray for forgiveness and intercession etc. I was reminded of my own personal failings to spend much time in prayer. Our sweet friends took the girls through and then took them for some snacks while we had a few minutes to pray.
Then we visited together and the time was sweet! Wish we had had the opportunity to spend more time with them.
Finally, we took time to eat. We had skipped lunch in the rush and only snacked a couple times, so we thoroughly enjoyed some delicious NY style pizza and Tom & Jerry on the tv! ;)
It was a FULL day and we enjoyed every minute of it!
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