The day began with the sun shining and clouds rolling in. It would continue throughout the day alternating sunshine and rain.
We boarded the bus and Shimshon our driver took us to the Mount of Olives.
It is very windy and cool, but our spirits are high and the adventure continues.
We heard a reading from Genesis chapter 9 where God made a covenant with Noah and his descendants to never send another flood and set a rainbow in the sky as a sign of the covenant. As we looked over Jerusalem there was a rainbow in the sky.
We visited a small chapel in the shape of a teardrop signifying Jesus weeping over Jerusalem because they would not listen.
I thought Erika would like this sign. The Croatians donated this garden of olive trees.
Some of these trees are 1500 years old.
This garden is located next to the Basilica of the Agony. It was beautiful inside. The windows are made of alabaster so it is quite dark.
Luke 19:41-42 As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'
We were also reminded of Psalm 22 The agony of Jesus and God's command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
We continued our walk down the route of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I will never picture it the same after walking here.
I lit a candle for our family, the one on the far left.
This is in St. Anne's Church. Anne, the mother of Mary. The acoustics were lovely and again we were able to sing. Another group did also.
The Tomb with a long line up.
One of the chapels.
We entered the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This church was built on the location of Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and Joseph of Arimathea's tomb where Jesus was buried. According to our guide this location is very probably the true location.
We went from there to lunch at the Fountain Restaurant. 46 of us in two little upstairs rooms. We had swarma and coffee. It was fun.
Shawarma!
The little window by the Coke sign is where we were sitting.
Next a bus ride to Bethlehem.
We toured the Church of the Nativity with our Palestinian guide. She did a great job and preached a
good sermon about reading God's Word and following Christ in our lives.
The Catholic section.
We had the lovely experience of singing O Come All Ye Faithful in the cave where Jesus was said to have been born.
We stopped at a store to purchase souvenirs. The owner gave his testimony.
A run to the bus in the rain and back to the hotel for dinner. Shimshon bought us a treat for dessert, some baklava. Very yummy.
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