Palm Sunday Journey

The theme for our day was Palm Sunday, the journey of Jesus into Jerusalem.  We started on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives to see some seldom-visited tombs in the ground, the way it actually would have looked with the stone in front of it.  God added an extra blessing of clear, sunny skies.  We could actually see the Dead Sea standing on the Mount of Olives, as well as the Moab Mountains (in Jordan). 

We made our way down the steep decline that Jesus traveled as he did on Palm Sunday.  Along the way we stopped for singing, praying and worship at the Church of Dominus Flevit and at the bottom in the Garden of Gethsemane.  It was a very holy time.  Harry, Helen, Elizabeth and I took time to pray for Helene in the garden.

After lunch we visited the museum that maintains the 1/50 scale of old Jerusalem.  It was an amazing site and great learning tool, as we got to see an excellent perspective on how Jerusalem looked in the days of Jesus.  It really occured to me later as we were inside the city walls just how much the city has changed.  That would stand to reason, though, for a city that has been in existence for several thousand years.

Toward the end of the day we visited the Western Wall.  Again, a holy moment to lift prayers from a very special site, where God's faithful have been praying continuously for many years. 

I tried to call Cross Roads this morning at about 8:10, thinking I might catch someone standing in the hallway.  Everyone must have been in the sanctuary already.  Part of my mind was there all through the worship times.  I do hope that all went well, and am confident that it did with so much capable leadership in place. 

Tomorrow we will be almost exclusively in the old city of Jerusalem, and consequently on our feet most of the time.  Harry and Helen have been pushing hard to make it through, still being wise to rest when they needed a break.  I want them to have a good experience tomorrow, as we will visit some special places, including (as a surprise from our tour guide) a walk on the temple mount and to the Holy of Holies.  That is a rare treat.  Pray for us, as we continue to pray for you with thanksgiving.

Shalom!