Photo link- http://bit.ly/zhP9so
So the trip to Galilee was wonderful- learned and experienced a lot that you all will hear in sermons and classes for a while I'm sure. Some new photos are up from yesterday and today. Today we went to the Church of the Transfiguration, which was quite beautiful, as being on top of Mt. Tabor, it had a wonderful view of the surrounding area. We then had a surprise stop at the point of the Jordan River where it is possible/likely that Jesus was baptized. This was a great treat, as this area had been debated between Israel and Jordan for a while, and it has only be opened to the public within the last few months. They have found remains of Byzantine churches nearby, suggesting that it was a holy site in the 4th century. It's also a straight shot across the wilderness to where Jesus is believed to have been tempted on a high mountain. Whether or not it was THE place or not doesn't matter, but it was a place similar to where Jesus might have been baptized. The Bishop of Arizona is with us on the pilgrimage and led us in a reaffirmation of our Baptismal vows, which was moving. We then went to Jericho for a stop before coming back to Jerusalem. Friday is an early day- we start at 5:30 am for the Way of the Cross (via Dolorosa) in the Old City, we'll then go to the Mount of Olives, and Mt Zion. The course is coming to a close, and it's been amazing- good prayers, good sites, good fellowship, good food, good reflections, good weather, good relaxation. Shalom.
