For those of you not accustomed to reading this blog every day, I am currently making as many entries as possible while traveling in the Holy Land for the benefit of friends and relatives of our travelers. This is the main form of communication for some of them.This morning we left Bethlehem and drove about 90 minutes to get to Masada. This is perhaps one of the most remarkable places I have ever seen. Masada was a mountain-top fortress, which was expanded by Herod the Great. We rode a cable car to the top, which is 1,300 feet above the Dead Sea. What a sight! We had a great history lesson about the Zealot sect and this last Jewish stronghold.
From there we went for a dip in the Dead Sea. I didn't go in...I was sunburned enough already. But a few of our group went in to float. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth, but it was easy enough to get to on a tour bus!
Qumran was our next stop. What are the chances of having a tour guide who actually studied archeology and had been involved in the digging out and exploration of the caves in the 60's? It was incredible to hear his story. Our guide has been just the best that we can imagine, but today surprised us all!
I still cannot get over the landscape of this area. Thinking of Jesus out in the wilderness has a completely new meaning for me now.
Our final stop of the day was Bethany. This was the home of Martha and Mary. I am not sure of what to make of Bethany, but we were all glad to be out of the town and back on the road. It was an uncomfortable place for us to be. Please understand that we were safe at all times and there were no incidents.
We are now in Jerusalem in a fairly luxurious hotel. Following supper we had a group meeting and after our devotions we discussed some of the things that we have been learning. We will all be anxious to share our experiences, but I can tell you that as wonderful as it has been to see the "Jesus sights," I have been profoundly affected by some of the people we have met and some of the other things that we have done.
Tomorrow is the last day of our main tour and four of our group will leave us on Wednesday morning. But we have one full day together and it promises to action packed. We leave the hotel for the day at 7:30 a.m.
Continue to pray for us. We are all well and doing fine. Blessings to all! --JC
Qumran was our next stop. What are the chances of having a tour guide who actually studied archeology and had been involved in the digging out and exploration of the caves in the 60's? It was incredible to hear his story. Our guide has been just the best that we can imagine, but today surprised us all!I still cannot get over the landscape of this area. Thinking of Jesus out in the wilderness has a completely new meaning for me now.
Our final stop of the day was Bethany. This was the home of Martha and Mary. I am not sure of what to make of Bethany, but we were all glad to be out of the town and back on the road. It was an uncomfortable place for us to be. Please understand that we were safe at all times and there were no incidents.
We are now in Jerusalem in a fairly luxurious hotel. Following supper we had a group meeting and after our devotions we discussed some of the things that we have been learning. We will all be anxious to share our experiences, but I can tell you that as wonderful as it has been to see the "Jesus sights," I have been profoundly affected by some of the people we have met and some of the other things that we have done.
Tomorrow is the last day of our main tour and four of our group will leave us on Wednesday morning. But we have one full day together and it promises to action packed. We leave the hotel for the day at 7:30 a.m.
Continue to pray for us. We are all well and doing fine. Blessings to all! --JC
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