On our 4th day - we head out from Tiberius and leave the Sea of Galilee. We then stopped for a short visit at the Jordan River. Once again - the size of the Jordan River is surprising! It just barely surpasses being the size of a creek! Reminded me a little of the Frio River that my family so loves and visits every summer!!
Young boys fishing on the Jordan River! Robin would have loved fly-fishing here!!
Two sweet friends Lisa and Evangeline wading in the Jordan River. Lisa leads Praise & Worship at Tuesday night bible study with Beth (and on our trip!!) and Evangeline is on staff at Living Proof Ministries.
DEAD SEA
We then loaded the bus and started on our longest journey towards the Dead Sea and Masada National Park. As you probably know, the Dead Sea is named appropriately so because no plants or sea life can survive in the sea due such a high salt content. It is 8.6 times more salty than the ocean and is the lowest location below sea level on the earth. And it is beautiful!
The Dead Sea (picture taken from inside our bus!!)
Such beautiful colors!
Date farms growing next to the Dead Sea.
In Israel, none of the palm trees grow coconuts - only dates!!
In Israel, none of the palm trees grow coconuts - only dates!!
MASADA
We then continued our journey to Masada National Park. This park in on top of a HUGE plateau mountain. Even though there is a trail that leads to the top of the mountain - most of us chose to get to the top via a gondola ride! Masada was a vacation location for Herod! He entertained in high fashion with only the best of everything at this castle! Many of the ruins still remain. Many thousands of years ago - a group of rebellious Jews took refuge on the mountaintop of Masada. Roman soldiers were eventually about to capture the city when over 900 Jews chose to take their lives instead of going into slavery with the Romans!
The plateau mountain of Masada from the road!
Do I need to tell you how hot it was at Masada!??!
Do I need to tell you how hot it was at Masada!??!
Masada National Park
About to ride the gondola to the top of the plateau mountain!! Little spooky knowing that about 50 people are crammed into a gondola held up only by these few wires!!! There is a trail leading to the top called Snake Path but we were all wimps and on a strict time schedule!!
Some of the remaining ruins of Herod's elaborate palace!
Our wise and wonderful guide, Arie teaching us about Masada and Herod's elaborate palace!!
Herod spared no expense in trying to impress his guests!!!
The beautiful view from the top of Masada plateau!
In the far distance - you can see the Dead Sea!!
In the far distance - you can see the Dead Sea!!
We were blessed with a very strong breeze the day we visited Masada - so the intense heat was almost bearable!!
JERICHO
We then loaded the bus again and headed towards the Oldest City in the World - Jericho! The city is now under Palestinian rule and Israeli's are not allowed to enter the city (rule of the Israeli government - not the Palestines) for fear of kidnapping for ransom!!
Old Jericho!
Jericho is literally an oasis in the middle of the desert and is extremely fertile!!
This round stone structure is supposed to be the oldest building in the world!!
Jericho is located right next to the Dead Sea where both are known for being the lowest place below sea level on the earth!!!
JERUSALEM - GOD'S HOLY CITY!
Once again - we loaded the bus for a short journey to Jerusalem - the place we would stay for the remainder of our journey!! Little did I know that I was about to experience my second "moment" of pure joy on this pilgrimage!! As you may know - Jerusalem is located at the top of a very large hill which is why in Daniel 9:16 Jerusalem is described as "your city, your holy hill"!! Right before we entered the city we went through a mountain tunnel. About that time our bus driver put in a CD to listen to. The lyrics began...
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Lift up your gates and sing
Hosanna to the highest!
Hosanna to your king!
It was to be a moment I will never forget!! As the song was playing, Arie lifted his hand towards to Jerusalem and said, "And now my friends, I give you my Jerusalem - God's Holy City" About that time, I looked to my left and saw an amazing site. The gates of Jerusalem surrounding the Old City and the Temple Mount! The sun was starting to descend in the sky and cast an amazing glow upon the city. On our bus, an older precious woman, Delores began to weep - loudly. What I was seeing with my eyes, and hearing Delores weeping and the chorus of Jerusalem blaring through the speakers was one of those moments God seemed to be saying, "This is my city, my chosen people. Stop and take this in. Do not let this moment pass you by. Soak it in!!" And I did....
Jerusalem - God's Holy City on a Hill !!!
Beth and the LPM staff in front of the Holy City!
Since we entered Jerusalem at the time the Sabbath was about to begin (Sabbath is Friday sundown til Saturday sundown)- our amazing Arie showed us how the Jewish people enter into the Sabbath - He sang the prayer and presided over the tradition of partaking of bread and wine - similar to what we call Communion or The Lord's Supper.
We then went to our amazing hotel right in the heart of downtown Jerusalem. We saw many people of the Jewish faith heading towards their local synagogue. Many sects of the Jewish religion do not drive on the Sabbath - so they walk to church!!
The flowers at our hotel were absolutely beautiful!
This is the view from our hotel room onto our courtyard! And the weather was amazing! Very cool, breezy and NO humidity!!! Similar to a summer evening in Colorado!
And did I mention our dinner was extremely yummy! We were so pampered!!
The next day we were to begin an incredible day of exploring Jerusalem!! Stay tuned for the Garden of Gethsemane and The Mount of Olives!
My favorite so far! I sat here and felt how overwhelming the Holy city must have been...I would have been crying right along with Delores! Thank you for posting. Hope that you are feeling better. Kiss Robin and wish him well for us. Hope he has a wonderful trip! Call soon
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