Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Update

On Sunday we went to the Temple Mount in the morning. It was one of the most amazing things I have seen since I have been in the Holy Land. There has been quite a bit of contention for the past few weeks because of the Jewish Holiday Sukkot.
Jon, Adam, and I.


The Dome of the Rock
Patrick, Jon, Adam, and I



This was the final day of Sukkot. The Western Wall was packed with faithful Jews. During Sukkot the remember the Exodus and build Sukkahs (a small temporary hut construted out of wood and cloth, It is also decorated with branches that are on the top.) that are a representation of the Tabernacle and how the Israelites would have lived when they were traveling through the wilderness. They hang out in these for the week long holiday and we ate in a few of them.



This is a faithful Jew holding his willow which is used to celebrate the last day of Sukkot.



One evening we were exploring West Jerusalem, Which is the nice Jewish part of town. We came across a park with Pyramids. Need I say more?

Taylor, Morgan, Jon, and I in the old city. I love roaming around in the narrow streets. Everyone knows the Mormons.


We took a field trip to a Biblical garden. There we hearded sheep and goats, retrieved water from a well, sifted wheat, and grinded some spicies. It was interesting and educational.


Adam, Jon, Jeremy, and I. At the same Biblical field trip we made our own "bread". We made a sweet fire and then we had to put the metal lid on it. The girls were making the dough and they would throw it on the lid only to see it get burnt because the fire was too big.
Terren, Jon, and I at the lowest place on earth, Jericho. We went to the Jericho Tell and saw the remains of the ancient city. We also went to a Monastery.

This is my Old Testament class on Mt. Sinai. There are two Old Testament classes so this is half of the students at the center. That is my teacher right in front of me, Brother Manscill.