Our Journey Continues

Fred Slaughter exiting the Garden Tomb

Beautiful doors on St. Peter Gallicantu Church (an older traditional spot 

where Peter denied the Lord)

Pastor Rick Malec gave a devotional at the Crusaders' Church marking the Upper Room

Group photo at the Garden of Gethsemane Grotto

Temple Mount from the South

Eastern Gate from the Mount of Olives

Greetings once again from the Holy Land. I started blogging this morning about 4:00 AM because we took a walk to the Western Wall and through the Rabbinical Tunnels last evening at 10:00 PM. My roomie was asleep when we returned (go figure!) and I didn't want to disturb him. So I thought I'd wake him up this morning instead. (I'm so thoughtful, don't you think?)

Our day began on the Mt. of Olives with a picturesque view of Jerusalem. We descended down the "Triumphal Entry" road to the Garden of Gethsemane reminding ourselves of the Savior who gave His life a ransom for us all.

Among our stops today, a Crusaders' church marking the spot of the Upper Room. We paused there to read Scripture and be challenged by Pastor Rick Malec. 

Another stop was St. Peter Gallicantu church. This is a beautiful church located on old Mt. Zion and in past times thought to be the place where Peter denied the Lord on the evening before His crucifixion.

Just to the south of this church is a place thought to be Potter's Field where Judas hanged himself.

Without a doubt the highlight of the day was our time at Golgotha and Gordon's Garden Tomb. After listening to an orientation of the site we took time to go into the tomb (one of two major sites thought to be the burial place of Jesus.)  

Then we gathered in the garden area, sang some songs, and listened to the testimony of Mickey, our guide. He told us how he came to know Jesus as his Messiah after coming to Israel as a Russian Jewish immigrant. 

Then we shared communion in the Garden. I will not speak for anyone else but it was a deeply meaningful time for me. I think it was for many others as well because after we sang He Is Lord, possibly in the place where He rose, many eyes were filled with tears of rejoicing. 

About a dozen of us went to the Western Wall and walked the Rabbinical Tunnels to end our day. We arrived back to our hotel around 11:30 or so and dropped right to sleep. That's why you didn't have anything on the blog until now.

Today, we are leaving Israel and going to Jordan. Please keep praying for the health of our group. Several people have flu like symptoms and have stayed in the hotel to try to recover. Your prayers are appreciated.

Pastor Rick