Arrival in Israel

I didn't know how this trip would affect me emotionally. After we flew in to Israel and got on the bus to go to Jerusalem, our guide Ido began to talk to us. He is a Christian Jew who is full of his subject. He said that no matter from which direction you approached Jerusalem it is an ascent. The Ben Gurion Airport that we flew into is on the coast. So we went from about sea level to around 2400 feet above sea level. When we got near Jerusalem he played on the bus audio player, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your voice and sing, hosanna in the highest, hosanna to our King." He played the whole song and I felt like weeping for joy! Think of what God's holy people have to look forward to!

The bus took us to an overlook above the Kidron Valley. We could see from there the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Temple Mount, etc. there is much to look forward to this week as we walk where Abraham, David, Elijah, Elishah and a host of others walked and lived here. But a greater than all of them was born in Bethlehem, not far from Jerusalem.

Because of the all night (10 hour approx) flight, they brought us to the hotel to rest and refresh. We ate a fabulous supper that would cost an arm and a leg but it was included in our tour price. Then we went to our room on the ninth floor. Bro. John Smith and I are rooming together.

There is a picture first of heading to immigration, the third is of the Mount of Olives, the second shot is toward the Temple Mount (you can see the golden Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount). The next two pics are just part of our meal. I forgot to photo the main course!