Monday began with a very long bus ride out to the Dead Sea. We stopped at the Ahava Beauty Products Outlet and all purchased many lotions and potions to make us look younger and wiser!! We then stopped at the Messada location where it was very HOT!!! We took a scenic gondola ride up to the top of the mountain and spent the next hour touring the ruins left behind by the jewish and roman citizens who once lived there. The systems they used in this dessert to survive and make a living were unbelievable. We descended down the mountain and returned to a cool bus ride to the spa of the Dead Sea where we all quickly ate lunch and then headed out to the water for a dip. The custom here is to cover youself with a very deep black mud substance and rub it all over your skin, let it dry, and then enter the dead sea (40% salt) to float and let the mud rinse off. This did leave our skin feeling smoother and we enjoyed watching everyone wiping the mud all over themselves. Unfortunately, the sea water was so hot, everyone retreated to the nice refreshing pool located outside the spa/hotel. Upon our return to Jerusalem, we stopped at a gas station for a quick bathroom break and snack break. We also had the opportunity to ride a camel for a great value price of $5.00/person. We returned to Jerusalem late that afternoon, with a short stop along the Jerico Road. Bryant read us the story of the Good Samaritan and the scene was breathtaking!! Today, Tuesday, we left again early and entered the temple courts thru the lions gate of the old city. We marveled as we imagined Jesus running out the money changers outside the temple gates and how this would have looked in His day. The Dome of the Rock Mosque is located very near the site of the old temples which once stood on this vast location. The center of the mosque is supposedly where Abraham presented Issac to be sacrified. We were allowed to enter the western wall and each of us approached the wailing wall with awe and reverence. Many prayers and bequests to God have been made here and it was a very humbling experience. We left the temple courts and headed to the Israeli Holocaust Museum and Memorial. This was a very moving experience as the testimonies of those survivors was so difficult to hear. After lunch many returned to the hotel to rest and pack before dinner, others have headed to the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath. We leave tonight with much emotion, feelings of ready to come home, yet a sorrow for the people of Israel and their struggle to live here in peace and have a safe home for their people. As we have learned this week, Christians do not replace the jewish chosen people of God, but we are grafted in with them, as His chosen that choose to follow Him. God has an amazing plan for His jewish people and a great love for them, even in their rejection of Him. We hope you have enjoyed this blog and the pictures and have enjoyed following our trip. I know Danny and I have enjoyed sharing it with our friends and family!!
Blessings,
Danny and Lynn Daniels
