Jerusalem, Bethlehem & Herodium

We started out the day with a photo overlooking Old Jerusalem. We then went to the Mount of Olives where Roy did a teaching. We took some time to pray individually. We walked the Palm Sunday route down to the Garden of Gethsemane. At the bottom of the Mount of Olives, close to the bed of the Kidron Valley, are a number of extremely impressive burial structures carved in the rock, including the tomb of Absalom, the son of David. After a pretty long uphill hike, we then entered Old Jerusalem through the Lion's Gate, also known as Stephen's Gate. We went to the Pool of Bethsaida. We sang in a church with fabulous acoustics. The video is on another post. We walked out the gate...with cars, trucks, and motorcycles all on the same road..and path outside the wall to the Eastern Gate. This is the Gate that the Lord will enter when he comes again. We took a group photo there. (The gate is sealed shut.)

We left to go to Herodium and Bethlehem. We dropped off our Israeli guide, Boaz, as he is not allowed to go there as it is under Palestinian rule. We met up with another guide who took us up to Herodium. He built this artificial mountain that could be seen for miles around to ensure he would never be forgotten. It covered 62.5 acres with palace, fortress, and lower Herodium with a pool, and a tunnel system that we went throughout. Herod was buried there—his tomb discovered just 7 years ago. Another good hike!

We ate lunch at a cafe in Bethlehem. Bethlehem is quite a large city now...not what you probably picture in your mind. Bethlehem is 25% Christian and 75% Muslim. Our guide was a Christian and we shopped at Johnny's Souvenir Shop to support the Christians there. We then went to the Church of Nativity, the oldest church in the Christian world. This is built over the place where some believe Jesus was born.

After a busy day site seeing, some headed to the outdoor pool for a refreshing swim and others to the spa and indoor pool. We had dinner at the beautiful buffet and then headed out to the Antiquities Shop. We have had many opportunities to purchase gifts and souvenirs and this was another opportunity to see many interesting items...even if one didn't purchase. Pots, jewelry, olive wood items, coins, rugs...etc.!

Another memorable day in Israel!

(Disclaimer! It is so hard to remember what we did by the end of the day as we do a lot! If missed something or this is out of order, hopefully some of the team will catch it so we can correct it.)