Day 5 of Israel Trip
Good morning from Jerusalem!! This morning after breakfast we drove about 10m to the city of David, Bethlehem.   Our first stop was at the field of the shepherds. We visited a cave along the roadside where the shepherds of Luke 2 were probably tending to their sheep during there angelic visit. We had a time there in the cave as we rejoiced to know that Jesus had made the annoucement to those lowly shepherds first. I'm so glad he came not just for the rich & powerful, but also the meek and lowly.  A young preacher Bro Josh Russell preached on Isaiah 9 about how He's the Wonderful, Counsellr & The Mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. After that we went to a local gift shop & then to lunch. Our third and final stop on the tour was to The Church of the Nativity.  This is the traditional place of Jesus' birth. It was truly amazing to see the place where our Lord had come to Earth. It was a place that the Catholic's & Orthadox Greeks have about made into a spectacle instead of a Holy Place! Nevertheless I left thanking God HE had came to man...the long awaited Messiah, Emmanuel....GOD WITH US!  After that it was a trip back to the motel around 4pm...for supper at 7pm.  So between 4-7pm without our guide most of us went back into the "Old City" where most of the business' were closed because today (Sat.) was their sabbath. Our plan was to walk the "Via Dolorosa" the street that Jesus walked, but Heaven feel along the way and we only made it through the first 2 of 14 stops along the way!! We had to leave for the motel to make our dinner reservations at 7, but it wasn't that we wanted to...God was doing something for us on that trail.  I can't wait to walk the rest of the way. We enjoined a good dinner duck, rice, and potatoes.  Then in the prayer meeting in the room GOD DID IT AGAIN! There were 12 men in there weeping, testifying, singing, & praising God. Church family...I prayed for you all, I love you & will miss being there at Pilgrims Way tomorrow. Tomorrow is The Lords Day & we have 2 services planned for tomorrow and a trip to the Dead Sea, & Bethany the place where He raised Lazaurus from the dead. God Bless You and continue praying for me. Love ya...Pastor Wayne

Field of Shepherds

Shepherd Cave in Bethlehem

Traditional place of Jesus' Birth