After moving to our new hotel, we learned that you have to pay for Wi-Fi here so we’ve compromised to blogging every other day—we know you understand.
A quick recap of yesterday:
We left Tiberias early in the morning and made our way to Beit-Shean—a 2,000 year old city archaeologists have been excavating since the 80s. It was so neat to see almost an entire town uncovered and in it’s original state. Everyone really enjoyed this stop.
From there we headed to Jericho in the West Bank and saw the Mt. of Temptation. A lot of the group enjoyed different types of fresh squeezed juice at this stop, including pomegranate juice. This stop also brought us our first experience with street vendors. Rod King is the king (no pun intended) of bargaining with these guys (Robin and Caitlin are weighted down with items from his bargaining)! By the end of the day, he had vendors all over him and at his feet waiting for him to buy. Needless to say, if you’re trying to sell something, he’s the guy to ask!
We ate lunch there in Jericho and then headed to Bethlehem to see the Shepherd’s field and the Church of the Nativity—the site believed to be the spot of Jesus’ birth. After that we went shopping and headed back to the hotel for dinner and hung out for the rest of the evening.
Today:
We had yet another busy day today touring the city of Jerusalem. Starting out at the Mt. of Olives, we got to see the Eastern Gate as we walked down the mountain. Along the way down the mount, we saw the Jewish cemetery and the Garden of Gethsemane. After a buffet lunch, we did some shopping and headed to the House of Caiphus to see where Jesus appeared before the high priest, held captive, and beaten. This was also the spot where Peter denied Jesus three times. We also got to see the Upper Room and the traditional burial site of King David, though in the Bible it says he is buried elsewhere.
It’s been a really good day and we are all tired but ready to see more tomorrow. Just wanted to throw out there that there is a lot of stirring news coming from the Middle East on TV, however, we are all very safe and we feel very safe. There is no need to worry back home—promise!
Check back Friday for another update :)
I REALLY wish I was there. I so can't imagine how cool it must be to see with your own eyes the places Jesus is believed to have lived, walked, be born......amazing!
ReplyDeleteOn another note: Love the picture of you Rae with the local and the donkey. Very cute! What is up with the picture of Robin? Was she mad at Rod for making so many purchases? Very cute!
Thank you so much for allowing us to take this journey with you through pictures and the blog.
ReplyDeleteRobin.I see those little capris.:)
Rae Rae......can't think of a better way to spend your birthday
Finally..Pastor D....way to rep the Tigers...Go Clemson!!
Ya'll be safe ....we continue to pray for you daily.
In HIS Grip
Renea :)
Robin has a very expressive face. I'm sure Rod has seen that look before. Funny thing is, at the moment the camera snaps, she could have been on her way to smiling.
ReplyDeleteThe pics are beautiful. Wish I were there! To see the sights, to experience the fulfilling of a great banquet of emotion, and to fellowship with ya'll in a way we cannot in this place because of other commitments getting in the way.
Is Rod collecting rocks? God bless, and keep you, all, safe in His hand.
Just asking....has Pastor Don aged so quickly in the month since he retired that he now needs a cane? Just kidding Pastor!
ReplyDeleteI look forward each day to reading your blog, enjoying all the places you have been, and the pictures are awesome! Must have some professional photographer's with you! Y'all are missed and lifted up in prayer several times a day. Please tell all I said hello. Carol (Temple)
Hmmm.. not sure what's up with that face! I loved every minute of the trip. I'm sure I was in deep thought!
ReplyDelete