DAY 8 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 24
Western Wall, Jerusalem
Today would be a mostly rainy day, with blustery winds and temps in the low 40s. We began the day by entering the Old City through the Dung Gate. Our first visit was to the Western Wall Tunnel. It was a fascinating walk along this western “retaining wall” of the Temple. According to some archaeologists, it took 10,000 men 10 years just to finish these retaining walls meant to support the expanded Temple Mount of Herod’s Temple.
From here we walked to the heart of the Jewish Quarter. The Temple Institute tour was very interesting. These are small sect of Orthodox Jews who are preparing for the building of the 3rd Temple. We saw some of the temple furnishing, including the High Priestly garments and the Ark of the Covenant (although this one is not built according to proper standards). Nearby we enjoyed listening to Moshe an Orthodox Jew. He shared a little about his Jewish faith.
Jerusalem Model (Israel Museum)
Following lunch here in the Jewish Quarter, we walked out of Zion’s Gate and boarded our bus for western Jerusalem. Our first stop of the afternoon was the Israel Museum. Here we saw the Jerusalem Model (1:50 scale of Jerusalem in the day of the NT), the Shrine of the Book, and highlights in the archaeological wing of the museum.
Sleeting along the way, we next drove to Yad Vashem, Israeli’s Holocaust Memorial & Museum. Here we heard Shlomo’s story (he lost 12 family members in Vilna, Poland during the Holocaust), and saw the Children’s Memorial and the museum itself. It was quite moving to see and understand more about the horrors of the Holocaust.
Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial
We returned back to the hotel for dinner and a free evening. Word is from the States that due to the blizzard on the East Coast, all flights are canceled until further notice. This means we will not be flying home tomorrow night. We plan to stay in Jerusalem until further notice. It’s even supposed to snow here tomorrow. We’ll wait and see. J
DAY 9 – MONDAY, JANUARY 25: GARDEN TOMB, CITY OF DAVID, HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL, DRAINAGE CHANNEL, SOUTHERN WALL EXCAVATIONS, FREE AFTERNOON
It may snow!!
DAY 10 – TUESDAY, JANUARY 26: U.S.A.
Because flights are canceled into Newark and the rest of the East Coast, we will hang out in Jerusalem until further notice.
Praying for all of you who are waiting to leave Israel. The snow has all by paralyzed the east coast, so we’ll pray for a way for you to get home.
May The Lord Bless you ALL and keep you in the shadow of His stron hand.
Have a great day and know He is large and in charge.
P.S> Please let Pastor Keith Kruger know Pastor Gary Jones Sunday Sermon was out standing and we miss him and look forward to his soon return to the Pulpit.
In His matchless Name Jesus
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