Sunday, November 16, 2008

This has been a busy week in the Garden. Several thousand people came to visit. Fortunately, they did not spend the night and we didn't have to feed them! Unless you count the fact that we fed them spiritually...

We had a group from Kingford, Texas this week. I invited them to Thanksgiving Dinner at our daughter's house in Missouri City, Texas... I hope you don't mind Tracy.



We went up on the Mount of Olives this morning - took a local bus that took us within a half of a mile to where we wanted to go. We walked down across the Mount of Olives (supposedly on the route that Jesus would have taken on Palm Sunday). We stopped off in the Garden of Gethsemene. Some of the Olive trees there are over 2,000 years old. Took pictures of the Eastern Gate. We were going to walk back up to the Garden - but the road coming out of the Kidron Valley is a lot steeper than it looks from the top. We opted to take the bus but while we were waiting we talked to one of the street peddlers and he offered to drive us up to the Damascus Gate so we rode with him.
















We bought falafels and some veggies from the market near the Garden and went back to our apartment for lunch. After lunch we walked back to the Damascus Gate and down into the Arab Quarter, visited our friend's shop and had coffee in the Austrian Hospice ( a small hotel). We went up on their roof for an incredible view of the old city.





We went to King of Kings for church again tonight (same place we went last week), Joel Rosenberg was speaking. The Chairman of the Board of the Garden Tomb Association and his wife took us in the Garden Car (we will use this car next weekend to go to Galilee). The Service was great. Afterwards the pastor interviewed Joel asking him some very pointed questions re the end times. We walked home with the lady that runs the gift shop and Reception Desk at the Garden. She came as a volunteer sixteen years ago and has not gone home. Don't panic Jennifer or Carly, that is not what we are up to!!!

And tomorrow begins week three in the Garden. Where is the time flying to?

5 comments:

Jennifer McGregor said...

It's ok... we were pretty sure "Living Abroad" was going to get in your blood and this is just the beginning! Pretty thankful for Skype!!

Dean T. said...

What exactly is a falafel, and why do you eat so many? ;-) We're having turkey falafels for Christmas Dinner!

Sojourner said...

Thanks for the pictures and updates. Sounds like you are settling in. Blessings, Rachelle

Al & Judy Melton said...

Dean, a Falafel starts with a pita pocket - they stuff a ball of fried ground up chik peas in the bottom then top it with chopped salad and secret sauce. they vary from vendor to vendor but are yummy... thanks, now I want one for breakfast! Dean, I love you but I cannot see you eating one - come visit and surprise me! Dad

Edna Hickman said...

I think my cornbread dressing will be much better for Yhanksgiving dinner but probably not as good for me. In fact I am making duck dressing for our dinner at church Sunday night. I heard that there was bombing today. That makes me pray even more. Edna