Day 09 - Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Saint Anne’s, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Ramparts, Israel Museum, Farewell Dinner

Our final day of the tour was definitely a grand finale! Ronen showed the group the iconic view of the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (which is covered by elevated graves, on which visitors place small stones as a tribute to the deceased and a reminder of their visit). This is the place where Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and the location Jesus will be on that day He returns to come for his children! It was a beautiful display of the early morning city! We could clearly see the Southern Steps where our group walked yesterday, the Eastern Gate of the city that is bricked closed, the Temple Mount where 500,000 people crowd in for holidays, and the recognizable Dome of the Rock upon it.

We arrived in the beautiful Garden of Gethsemane (which means “olive press”) and the whole group watched Joshua plant a memorial olive tree as a reminder of our Pastor Dave! He is missed! I know he is having fun in heaven! We all took a fist-sized rock and created a ring around the olive tree, which future Sun Grove groups will visit. Heather shared about being spiritually rooted, grounded, established, growing and fruitful as she taught about the olive tree’s roots, shoots, and fruits. Doug led us in a meaningful garden communion together—that tangible reminder that Jesus suffered on the cross for all of us.

Then, we walked through the Lion’s Gate into the ancient streets—colorful with brilliant fabrics and fragrant with foods—twisting & turning. We were grateful for Ronen’s leadership because it is easy to get lost among the arches, stone walls and cobbled streets.

We continued to the beautiful St. Anne’s Church where we sang “Amazing Grace,” with awesome acoustics. Outside, we learned about the Pool of Bethesda, with its five covered colonnades. We reverently walked the Via Dolorosa and considered several of the Stations of the Cross that we passed.

Our group picnic-lunched lamb kebab pitas and enjoyed Israel chocolate bars delivered by Mair. Then we individually explored the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. When we regrouped, we brought back observations to share and questions for Ronen to field. Together we walked along the Ramparts above the Old City before visiting the Israel Museum (which has a small-scale model of the ancient city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Scrolls on exhibit).

Our day concluded with a Farewell Dinner (of grilled chicken skewers, roasted lamb chops and many salad selections) at a restaurant that had panoramic views of the city. We experienced a joyful walkabout through streets festive with Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations!

I highly recommend coming to visit Israel! This adventure has fulfilled a lifetime dream to walk where Jesus walked.

Debbie Crews & Heather Flaig

Psalm 100 (Read before entering the Lion’s Gate.)
A psalm. For giving thanks.

1Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

These five short verses mention the Lord, He, Him, His, God 16 times!