Jerusalem Overlook Field Trip

Tayelet overlook from the East view of Jerusalem

Left to Right:

Lutheran Church of the redeemer, Holy Seplicar, Anne, Alyson, Dome of the Rock, Russian church of Mary Magdaline, Catholic church of all nations.

Such a beautiful day to view Jerusalem from the North, South, and East perspective of the city. We started out the day by visiting the Augusta Victoria tower which is a Lutheran church on the Mount of Olives. At the top of the 230 stairs{yes I counted, haha} we climbed, we could see a 360 degree view of Jerusalem and Judea. The history behind each painting inside was so facinating and they even had a bible signed by Queen Victoria! There was so much symbolism and a really unique place to reflect and appreciate the grounds of such a sacred place for the Lutheran church.

top photo: statue symbolizing the arc of the covenant

middle photo: Christ descending from heaven surrounded by Peter and John

last photo: Christ depicted as Alpha and Omega. There are three stages to the church depicting the three reins of glory (hell, earth life, heaven)

Bethlehem Overlook

Such a spiritual place where we could view the place where Christ was born. As we climbed the hill, we realized we were in the middle of an olive garden and could view the beautiful historic trees. One tree was as old as 1,000 years! (my teacher is an archeologist haha) We called him Oliver. :)

I got to hold a baby Lamb!

Gibeah/Tell El-ful

A beautiful mosque to celebrate and remember Samuel the prophet. It is a very high place where we could view the city of Gibeon and remember how much the Lord helped his people in the battle. This was a very spiritual site where we read many scriptures and pondered on the question: How has our divine warrior (Christ) helped us in our lives? and do we ask for wisdom or riches in our daily lives? I love this program and so grateful I get to have this once in a lifetime experience.

From this hill we could see Gibeah of Saul, where the Levite and his concubines stayed in Judges chapter 19 of the Old Testament. We could also see where the tribes of Israel would have traveled across the valley and see the place of which Rachel's grave is. (We aren't allowed to visit it because it is in a restricted area of the city)