Ride My Camel

The camel and the donkey owners beckoned us to come ride their beast of burden as we visited the Mount of Olives. This is the most-photographed place in the world—it takes one back in time 3,500 years.

We all stood with a bit of awe as we explored with our eyes the 800-year -ld tree in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was in this garden that Jesus declares “not my will, but thine be done.” We separated from each other, and each traveler was asked to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and then thank the Lord for His death, burial, and resurrection.

Yesterday the AiG tour, led by Dr. Crandall, walked all the way down the mountainside to the Kern Valley’s bedrock. At the bottom we were confronted with a giant structure made out of one piece of limestone/marble. This is Absalom’s Tomb. The structure carried evidence of a very long existence and break-ins by robbers. It stands as a silent testimony of a son rebelling against his father.

Then, in the crowded city of Jerusalem, we moved from station to station on what is known as the Via Dolorosa. It was Friday night, and the members of the various sects of Judaism were making their way to the Wailing Wall (western wall).

Recalling our Sunday school classes of years ago, we visited the Pool of Bethesda and could vividly recall that Sabbath-day healing on this very site.

Dr. Andrew Snelling gave a stirring presentation on all the geological sites we have visited thus far, and concluded by noting that Jesus died and was buried amongst the fossils that represent the judgment of God. But unlike those ancient fossils, Jesus came forth from the grave to provide forgiveness of sin and new life in Him.

Many people have expressed their gratefulness to AiG for providing these special trips for their friends.