A Sad Day and Joyous Day

On our final day, we headed for the Temple Mount.  The line was long and was cut off when we were closing in on the checkpoint.  We would have to come back.  We then walked through the Old City to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the crippled man, telling him to pick up his mat and walk.  We also visited St.Anne's church.  It is a marvel of acoustics.  Thanks for singing for us Donn and Jen.  It is named in honor of Mary's mother.  We walked out through the Lion's Gate where the IDF broke through in 1967 to make it to the Western Wall.  A short bus ride around the corner and up the hill and we were at Mt. Zion, the site of David's tomb and the Upper Room.  It was here that the last supper was held and Pentecost happened.
Following a quick lunch, we returned to the line and made it up to the Temple Mount.  What an experience to stand on stones that were there when Jesus cleansed the Temple and taught.  It was neat to see when the Temple stood and to think about Jesus' return.  We then walked to the Jewish quarter once again to see a broad wall that has survived from the time of Hezekiah when he expanded the city for defense. 
After coffee outside the Jaffa Gate, Pam and I and Szumadas parted from the group to prepare to go to Bethlehem to speak at Pastor Khoury's church.  Parting was the sad part.  We were so blessed to share life with each other on this journey and we were sad to not finish it with them.  We also felt great joy in sharing with the church, including Skyping back to Eastern Hills and praying for each other.
The rest of the group visited the Knesset, a large Menorah nearby, and the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath.  After having a final meal together they winged their way home and should be arriving in about 7 hours from the writing of this blog.  Shalom Pilgrims!!