Boarding a tour boat upon the Sea of Galilee	The Christensen girls aboard the tour boat	Dr. Dave & Karen Royer on tour boat

Saturday - Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus is located on the ridge to the east of Jerusalem. Just on the other side of the ridge, facing west, is the Temple Mount and Jerusalem. Jesus descended this ridge toward the eastern gate of the Temple Mount in the triumphal entry. The Golden Dome pictured below is a Muslim structure built on the site formerly occupied by the Temple. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the fateful night of His betrayal and arrest, lies on the same western side of the ridge described above. Our group is gathered among a grove of olive trees (below, center). A grove of olive trees occupied this site in Jesus' day, and an olive press was located nearby. Also pictured here are trees in the garden 1,000 plus years old. Are they from the New Testament period? It is possible, but unknown.

Wilderness to the east of Bethany	The Temple Mount and Jerusalem	Gathered among a grove of olive trees	Trees in the Garden	Another group of pilgrims?

 

Sunday - Today we traveled from Jerusalem down to the desert area bordering the Dead Sea. The itinerary included Masada, En-Gedi, a dip in the Dead Sea, and a shopping trip in Jericho.

Masada - One of 22 desert fortresses built during the reign of King Herod. They were designed to provide a network of military outposts for national security, and a refuge for King Herod in the event of an insurrection. Masada sits on a mountain separated from the rest of the range with sheer drops on all sides. Consequently, it is a nearly unassailable fortification. A cable lift brought visitors to the top, from over 1,000 feet below. The blue in the background is the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the face of the earth - 1,300 feet below sea level. With no outlet, the sea has over time become so saturated with minerals that an amazing bouyancy results. Although Walter is sitting on the seabed, you can actually go into deeper water, lie on your back and raise head, feet, and arms overhead without going under. (Did I do it? No--someone had to stay on shore to take pictures.)

Yes, camels do roam wild in the desert!	A cable lift at Masada	Walter reclining in the Dead Sea

Monday - Just back in the hotel from a day in Jerusalem. Our guide took us today to the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Via Delarosa, two museums, and the Princess Basama Hospital. The picture below on the left is a view from Temple Mount of the Dome of the Rock. This is the third most holy shrine for the Muslim world, believed to be the location of the prophet Mohammed's ascension to heaven. It also is the approximate location of the Temple, destroyed in 70AD. Old Jerusalem is an incredible maze of narrow streets with shops and vendors tucked into every nook and cranny. The picture below on the right was along the Via Delarosa. At journey's end, our feet were tired, our minds were filled to overflowing, and our hearts touched by numerous "Wow" moments along the way. Next--dinner, and I can't wait!

View from Temple Mount of the Dome of the Rock	A sample view of Old Jerusalem

Tuesday - Tomorrow we leave for Egypt. Our itinerary the next few days includes an overnight at Mt. Sinai, sights in Cairo, the Great Pyramids, and an overnight train ride to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak/Valley of Kings and Queens. Updates and pictures from there will depend on what internet service is available at the hotels.

Kelly fulfilling a request by Pastor George that she kiss a camel in the Holy Lands

January 22, 2008 - This just in from Pastor Don via email - We are at the Tel Aviv airport, waiting to board our flight home. It will be 12 hours across the ocean to Newark, NJ, then a connecting flight to Cleveland. We should be home sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Our adventures in Egypt included:

Kelly holding "Muslim Barbie"	At the pyramids-Absolutely massive!	Climbing Mt. Sinai on camels
Megan bringing the Scripture reading at Mt. Sinai	At the temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt.	Massive column made of sandstone

Muslim Barbie included exciting indoor fashions! Kelly didn't buy it, but thought it was an interesting find. At the pyramids, we were told that if the pyramids were completely deconstructed and the blocks built into a wall three feet high along the equator, the wall would extend 2/3 around the world. At Mt. Sinai, Megan is standing in front of St. Catherine monastery, which lies at the foot of the mountain. Mt. Sinai rises to an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet. Several from our group climbed it, with camels providing transportation the first 2/3 of the way. At the Temple of Karnak, there were originally 184 massive columns holding up the roof of this ancient temple. Each was made of sandstone, covered with hieroglyphics, and approximately 60 feet in diameter at the base. It took 12 of us holding hands with arms outstretched to reach around one. The entire temple complex occupies an area of 60 acres.

Some of our group took a side trip to Alexandria, Egypt. Some (including Pastors Jen and Jeremiah) traveled to Petra, Jordan. We visited the Cairo museum on Monday, then began our journey home late in the day. This will be the last update until we get back. Ask us then about:

• our overnight train ride to Luxor

• traffic in Cairo

• buying from souvenir hucksters

• dancing on the Nile

• offers of camels for my daughters

• anything else you want to know about the trip

It has been a memorable and fabulous adventure. God bless you all!

 

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