Our Israel Trip: Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

We began our day on the top of the Mt. of Olives, one of the highest points in Jerusalem. Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus stood on this hillside and delivered some of His most important teachings and prophecies. From this vantage point, one has a spectacular view of the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, the Pinnacle, the Golden Gate (Eastern Gate), and the City of David. The western slope is covered by more than 150,000 Jewish graves, all made of stone. Our group was able to find a quiet spot for a short service, including scripture reading by Ken , prayer, and singing of the hymn, "In the Garden." It was a very meaningful time and one of the highlights of the trip thus far.

View of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives

Pinnacle of the Temple

Jewish Cemetery on Mount of Olives

Back Row: Ron Scarbrough, Sue Brooks, Ken Sheppard, Billie Sheppard, Bart Huemmer,

Karen Bluethman, Robert Bluethman, Charles Fortune

Front Row: Betty Scarbrough, Eddie Brown, Wesley Brown, Margie Huemmer, Wyeth Luter,

Bill Luter, Gary Purdy

From the top of the Mt. of Olives, we walked down the winding path where Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

At the foot of the Mt. of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent his final hours before being arrested by Roman soldiers. Near the Garden stands a beautiful church called the Church of All Nations. Inside the church is a large rock called the "Rock of Agony" where Jesus, " being in agony He prayed more earnestly and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44)

Garden of Gethsemane

Church of All Nations

Rock of Agony

Having toured steadily for a full week, we enjoyed an afternoon of leisure time. Bezalel Ben Yehuda is a quaint pedestrian street lined with interesting shops and restaurants. For lunch, some of us tried the local cuisine of shawarma (roasted lamb) and sweet potato soup, while others preferred the traditional Jewish bagels and cream cheese. Of course, there was room for ice cream for dessert!