Jerusalem Approaches

On Saturday we spent another day out on the field, traveling around Jerusalem and nearby towns. I still cannot believe how much I am learning everyday I am here and am loving learning in this kind of environment. The information seems to be fixing itself to my mind and I am remembering so much more learning in this method. Saturday we learned more about the land we are living in and could see how much the land changes in such a short distance. Only about a mile away from the Western, more wet, lush, and green land, is the Eastern, dry, and arid lands. We stood on top of the North slope of the Mt. of Olives and could see both kinds of land at one time. Amazing! Anyway, we traveled around Mt. of Olives and recited the triumphal entry passage in Luke 19:37-44 while picturing the journey at the same time. We then walked down to the garden where Gethsemane is remembered, back up into Jerusalem, on to one of Herod's palaces, and them to Bethlehem. We ended the day at Ramot Rachel where one of Hezekiah's palaces has been somewhat excavated and we could see a vast picture of Jerusalem from a distance. It was a full day but we learned a ton! Here's some pics:

Me looking out over Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives

Where the Garden of Gethsamane is remembered

The church at the garden that has the rock inside that supposedly Jesus wept on

The view from Herod's palace....overlooking the East...the Dead Sea is off to the right

Herodian Palace ruins

Supposedly the place where Mary gave birth to Jesus in the Church of the Nativity

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

A picture from outside the church