Day 10 – Saturday, June 15: Garden Tomb, Old City, Rampart Walk, Holy Sepulcher Church, Redeemer Church
Today was our last full day here in Israel. This morning we started with a Communion Service at the Garden Tomb. The afternoon was free for us to explore the Old City on our own. The sun was full once again but with the temperature a bit closer to normal, with highs in the mid 90s
Garden Tomb
We began the day with a late leisurely breakfast and a departing time of 8:45 a.m. David drove us around the north side of the Old City to the Garden Tomb. Located north of the Damascus Gate, the Garden Tomb was discovered in the last 1800s and served an alternative “Protestant” location for the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus (vs. the Holy Sepulcher Church) . We saw the rocky scarp (Golgotha) and the proposed tomb. A special time of worship and Communion followed. We worship the Person, not the place.
Rampart Wall Walk
We were then picked up and taken to the Jaffa Gate where we got our tickets for the Rampart Wall Walk. We hopped on and walked on the high Ottoman/Turkish walls from the area of the Jaffa Gate (the location of Herod’s Palace) all the way to Zion’s Gate overlooking the Jewish Quarter. The walk provided a unique perceptive of the Old City below.
“Today was our last full day before our flight home. A visit to the Garden Tomb was a special way to begin the day, with a focus on the redemptive work of Jesus. We made wonderful new friendships throughout the trip. Thanks be to God for His watch-care for us throughout the trip!”
Holy Sepulcher Church / Redeemer Church
Following a brief time at the Western Wall, we all walked into the Christian Quarter of the Old City. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we enjoyed a visit to the Holy Sepulcher Church. Built in 325 AD, this is the traditional location for the death and burial place of Jesus. The archaeological and historical records favor this site over the Garden Tomb. We not only saw the Edicule that has enclosed the suggested tomb of Christ for now nearly 1600 years, but we even went inside this suggested tomb of Christ.
Next, we all walked up the narrow circular steps (185 of them) of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in the heart of the Christian Quarter. The panoramic view in all directions of the Old City was incredible. In the mid afternoon, we returned to our Guest House. Upon arrival, we said goodbye to Shlomo our guide.
Our “last supper” together was at 5 p.m. It was fun sharing our trip experiences with each other. Nine in the group will wake up at 2 a.m. tomorrow for the 6 a.m. flight back home. Three of us will spend another day here in Jerusalem until our flight on Monday morning.
Day 11 – Sunday, June 16: Flight Back to the U.S., Arrive Home
