Exploring Israel-Palestine

All Nations: Gethsemane and the Church

All Nations: Gethsemane and the Church

A visit to one of Jerusalem's most famous landmarks teaches us that there is no death without perseverance at Gethsemane and that there is no "Church of All Nations" without death.

Slippers and a clothesline

Slippers and a clothesline

“What does that do?” I ask, as I come up the trail behind a middle-aged woman. I eye a widget dangling from a ‘biner on her backpack.

“Wham-O’s new particle levitator.”

Fwooooooooot, I whistle. “It looks so different! I didn’t think they could compact it any more.”

Restoration

Restoration

We enter the manicured grounds of the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. Here, on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, we remember Peter's restoration.

Jesus trail report, 2017

Jesus trail report, 2017

Thirteen explorers from five U.S. states met at the opening of 2017 to walk the Jesus Trail. The Trail is a blazed course that passes through urban and rural regions of northern Israel-Palestine. Many sites of significance were encountered by the group; these give testimony to the deep and diverse history of the area known as Galilee.

Mutabak Master

We visited with our dear friend Abu Samir today. His family has been making pastries in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City for 200 years. The mutabak (made of goat cheese, butter, nuts, and syrup) is as light as a feather and is the most delicious pastry you will ever find. His version of mutabak is so famous locally, it is called by his family name, the "Zalatimo." I dare you to find his secret shop (clue: there are no signs).