Sunday was simply a lovely day, a break from the intensity of the past week, and a chance to renew and refresh. We got to have a leisurely morning before attending worship at Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem where we were warmly welcomed as “frequent visitors.”

Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem

Christmas Lutheran Church

A quick return to the hotel to change clothes, and we headed to Qumran for lunch and to explore Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, 1900-ish years after they were stashed in clay pots for safekeeping by the Essene Community.

Qumran, amazing day with Jordan easy to see in the distance

Cave 4 at Qumran, where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Last act of the afternoon was swimming (well, floating) in the Dead Sea. Everyone who swam loved it, and the ones who didn’t took photos.

Pat

Elizabeth, Jasmine, and Alycia model at the Dead Sea mud spa.

Charlie

Sam and Elizabeth

We closed the day with a stop at Wadi Qelt where we imagined ourselves into the Good Samaritan story (read for us by Alycia) and enjoyed the desert views, gale-force winds notwithstanding. Usama’s family joined us for the whole afternoon, and it was great to spend it with them.

Alycia

Wadi Qelt — our group in the gale!

It’s sad to think of leaving our Bethlehem home tomorrow. We have loved the kindness and hospitality of everyone in our Holy Land Hotel home.