Day 8

Ah Jerusalem! Twenty four hundred feet above sea level, chock full of intrigue & History! Our day’s story started at King David’s Palace, followed by wading through the now-mid-thigh waters of King Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the City’s then-ancient water source. That water was invigorating as a double Turkish espresso!

After a brief ride, we walked down from The Mount of Olives & stopped in The Garden of Gethsemane, first to see the oldest cemetery in the world & then to worship in song & soak in The City as Jesus & his disciples saw it before he was arrested.

Following his footsteps along The Peace Walk, we entered The City of David at The Lion’s (or Sheep’s) Gate, arriving at The Church of Saint Ann on Mount Moriah. Thanks to Meyer & Ronen’s impeccable planning, we boldly sang “Amazing Grace” & “How Great Thou Art” inside The Church just before it closed. Outside, at the Pool of Bethesda, people unable to enter the temple (due to illness or disease) were miraculously healed by Jesus. Reflecting on the many miraculous healings, Pastor Michael asked us to consider here what it means to be a true follower of Jesus.

After lunching on kebob in a park, we visited The Holocaust Museum, respectfully called “Memorial in a Name” — Yad Vashem.

Lastly, in Palestinian-occupied Bethlehem, at Shepherd’s Fork, we learned that Our Savior’s manger was likely a limestone cave instead of the traditional depiction. In another nearby cave replicating a church, we celebrated Christmas in Bethlehem on May 1 with bold & mighty Nativity-themed worship.

All in all, a day of joyful worship throughout this Holy City of Jeru-Shalom!