Saturday is Shabbat in the Jewish world, which means virtually everything is shut down from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. So, what is a group to do? Go to Jerusalem! Our agenda included a stop on the Mount of Olives overlooking Temple Mount, a stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane, prayer time at the Western Wall and a wonderful visit to the Garden Tomb.

For the first time ever, I’m driving a group around Israel! No bus, no tour guide! That is an adventure in itself and has been a good one. A trip up the very narrow and sometimes steep alleyways (known as streets) on the Mount of Olives proved an excitement to all! Ultimately, we made it safely and were rewarded with an incredible view overlooking the Kidron Valley and Temple Mount.

Surprisingly, the Garden of Gethsemane was open, so we made a stop there to see a setting similar to the place Jesus was betrayed by Judas and turned over to the Romans for multiple illegal trials and ultimate crucifixion.

As you can see in the photos, it was a cold, rainy day, but we’re a hearty group! It was a unanimous decision to bundle up and slog through rain or snow (which didn’t happen) in order to see Jerusalem. No one regretted the decision!

After the Garden of Gethsemane, our next stop was the Western Wall. Though it was open, Shabbat prohibits all use of cameras or phones in the Western Wall Plaza. Thus, we have no photos. It was very interesting to see the new expansion and modernization that has gone on during this time of low tourism due to the war.

As was the case with Capernaum and Tabgha up north, the Old City was very sparse in numbers. The usually jam-packed streets of the Old City were almost empty, making the trek from the Western Wall to Damascus Gate a quick, easy adventure.

Once out Damascus Gate, we headed to the Garden Tomb. So much work has been done there to improve the look and the flow of that wonderful place. The extreme damage and erosion to Golgotha due to pollution and vibration of an Arab bus station is disturbing, but thankfully nothing will change the history of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

After sharing communion together, we took the rainy route back through the Old City. From there, we were treated to a wonderful lunch and time of fellowship with my usual guide and good friend, Aly and her husband at their home. What a wonderful way to enjoy Shabbat!

The drive back to our Airbnb in Ashdod was scenic as we traversed the backroads through the hills of Israel. Once back, our Lord blessed us with a wonderful sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.

We are so blessed to be in the land of Israel. The next three days are workdays as we serve with Beit Hallel in Ashdod and City of Life Ministries in Sderot. Please pray our light will shine as we minister to others! More news in the days to come, so join us here for updates.