Palm Sunday, Jericho, and our Good Friday service

On Palm Sunday we had the wonderful opportunity to walk the route that Jesus took when he rode in to Jerusalem. We climbed from Bethphage to the Mount of Olives and then down the other side towards the Garden of Gethsemane and in to Jerusalem. It was a very hot day........ 37 celsius but worth every moment. We were surrounded by hundreds of people from many different countries singing and worshiping. Some songs were in English that we could sing along with and others we recognized the tune but were being sung in a different language. Little boys were selling palm branches and olive tree branches for a dollar - it was a beautiful sight. Following are a few pictures.

On Wednesday we were able to travel to Jericho with the guide I had the first time I came to Israel 16 years ago. We were able to meet up with each other when he brought a group to the garden a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure if he was still guiding or if he would even remember us, but I guess we left a lasting impression. Wednesday was his first day off in over a month and he was willing to take us to Jericho. It was so good to see him again and catch up on the last 16 years.

Here is a banana tree!

Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by Satan after He had been in the wilderness for 40 days

The walls of Jericho.

Aladin and me - 16 years later. Hope we can keep in touch and it won't be another 16 years before we visit again!

Wanted to show you this picture. These are some of the hats we still worn by the Russian Jews. They remind us of hockey pucks! How can you tell we are Canadians!!!

A turtle dove in the garden listening to the Good Friday service!

On Good Friday we had a service at 9:30 am and then the garden was not open for guided tours, but the public was welcome to come in for a time of personal meditation and prayer. We had over 500 people walk thru and we were available if anyone needed someone to talk to or pray with. During this time, this lady played her harp! We even had a thunderstorm and some rain showers!

Some lilies blooming in the Garden

The Garden Tomb

Happy Easter!