We traveled along the Jordan River between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea to Qunram, just about 10 miles south of Jericho. This isolated mountainous dessert area was perfect for the isolationist sect of the Essence to live. These men spent their days worshipping,cleansing and writing...this is believed to be the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were copied. The Essence hid them in jar clays in caves. In 1947, a young shepherd boy discovered the Scrolls in one of 11 caves. They included the Old Testament, minus the book of Esther, and included all 66 chapters of Isaiah. The topography was amazing. Many think John the Baptist once lived in their dwellings. Oh,and about the shepherds--they still exist today, tending their sheep and goats with a donkey and a dog. I tried to take some pictures, but they weren't so great from the moving bus.
Our next stop was the city of Jericho, which is believed to be the oldest inhabited city. We had a buffet lunch,did some shopping (uh oh) and tasted the bananas and the pomegranate juice that is fresh-squeezed. We also stopped by the Sycamore tree that Zacchaeus climbed. You remember that don't you...Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in the sycamore tree for The Lord he wanted to see. And as The Lord passed his way, he looked up in that tree and said, "Zacchaeus you come down. For I'm coming to your house today." Now that the song is stuck in your head, enjoy!
A street vendor gave me a tiny little banana and it seemed more sweet than most. We had a buffet lunch, and I'm really getting good at eating things I never would at home like couscous vegetables rantoule and other exotic foods. I really craving a diet mtn dew, skimmed and cold milk, steak and bacon. There is no pork over here, and no meat for breakfast and no dairy for the other meals where they serve meat. However, they do have diet coke and ice cream bars at nearly every stop!
Jericho is in one of the Palestine occupied part of Israel. There were definite fences and armed guards at the border checks. Seems so surreal to me.
Our final stop today was in Jerusalem, where we'll be staying the rest our trip. Our hotel is much nicer, the food is better, and Internet is accessible in room, and more reasonably priced! Ha!
We started out at the Mount of Olives, the highest point in the city, and where Jesus would come each year to pray during Passover. Just below the Mount is a Jewish cemetery we visited. Rocks are placed on the graves by loved ones because rocks remain forever, and flowers die off.
We continued the Palm Sunday trail down the Mount and stopped at a beautiful little church (sorry I can't remember name and was so hot, didn't write), that overlooked the old city. From there we went to the Garden of Gethsemane, and that was so moving. It was awesome to think that Jesus prayed in this very garden of olive trees and roses. Right beside the Garden was the church of all Nations. It was sooooo pretty, and built over the rock Jesus is believed to have pray on. Pastor Mitch led a great devotion and we sang one of my favorite songs, "In the Garden."
It has been an interesting and educational journey this far. I miss the familiar, but am learning about not being able to buy a postcard on Friday night because the shop owners are observing the sabbath until sundown on Saturday. I'm learning not to stare so much. And I'm learning that I'm proud to be a Christian.
I finally took some time to catch up on your trip! It sounds like an amazing experience, and I am adding this trip to my Bucket List. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTrever