Even More Pictures

This is Augusta Victoria Hospital, on the Mount of Olives.

This is Mark, who gave us the tour of the Hospital. Here he is talking about his work, and what they have to do to serve the people and keep their land. We are seated on the lovely property, overlooking Jerusalem. This little fella ran around and nipped at our pant legs during Mark's talk. His name is "Happy Feet."This is the interior of the Church on the Mount of Olives. With it's open Bible and many images from Revelation, it was the interior that felt the most "Swedenborgian" to me, despite it's very ornate style. This is the ceiling mosaic inside the central dome. This face of Jesus was one of the kinder, more accessible depictions of many that we saw.

Here is Virginia D. and I in the garden at the Jerusalem hostel.Here is Virginia D. in the garden at our Jerusalem hostel. The lower set of three windows was the room I shared with Daranne.A lovely garden in a lovely hostel.Rev. Dr. Tim talks to us about the story of Jesus' ride into Jerusalem half way down the Mount of Olives.Looking up the southern slope of the mount of Olives, with its massive Jewish burial place---all stones.

The Arabic Lutheran pastor in Jerusalem and his charming family with Sebastien.
One of the many churches along the via dolorosa.




The Bullet-riddled Lion's Gate in Jerusalem.

A model of Masada.

Looking down from the top of Masada.

This is Haifa.

More pictures

Israel!

Tomorrow, thirty of us associated with the seminary will be heading off to Israel.


Our first stop will be in Bethlehem. We will see Masada, the Dead Sea, Jericho, and the Mount of Temptation.


Then we travel to Jerusalem. We will worship with a group of Christians, then see Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, The Upper Room, and the Pool of Siloam. Then we will volunteer at a hospital for a day.

Then it's off to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where we will take a boat out on the sea, visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, and see the Jordan river baptismal site.

Our final stop will be in Nazareth. We will walk in the village where Jesus grew up. We will see Mount Carmel and Mount Tabor, and visit Cana.

We fly home May 1st.
I hope to send reports from Israel. But if not, I'll blog about it when I'm home. I hope to take pictures and hope that they won't be confiscated. Pray for our safe travels!