Here in Jordan, we're just one hour from the city of Jerusalem and today we had the opportunity to go to the tomb of the Prophet Joshua, – Yusha Bin Nun the boy servant who accompanied Moses for 40 years in the desert.
His resting place is high on a hill in the city of Salt and from his resting place the view across the Jordan Valley is spectacular. We could see Israel and the hills of Jerusalem in the misty distance.
The tomb of the Prophet Yusha Bin Nun
Having just planted my own small Olive grove just before we left home, I looked with interest at the olive trees that cling to life on hills around Salt. I love the colors.
As an avid documentary viewer I just stood and smiled as I took in the scenery from that hill, "I've seen this on screen" I was breathing the air of history. Of course there is history in every environment but when you touch a stone that was placed in biblical times its rather awe inspiring.
I took note of the colors and tried to replicate them when I got back to the hotel. It's important to me to think color and it's an interestingly warm palette.
"One day a man from one of the prominent families of Al Salt took his sheep out of the castle to graze. He went back late in the evening to find that the castle doors were already closed for the night as they normally closed them after sunset and would not open them again until the following morning. He found a nearby cave and spent the night there. During the night he was awakened by the voice of Saint George who appeared to him riding on a horse and holding his spear.
The Saint asked the religious man to build a church in his name on this holy site and as a sign he asked him to leave his sheep to graze alone and no beast will touch them. The following morning the man told everyone of his vision. The village people went to the cave and found the sheep surrounded by wolves only to flee when it saw the people. They believed the man and built the church. So goes the legend of how this beautiful church was built.
Since the third quarter of the seventh century the church of St. George has been one of the attractions of visitors and pilgrims from Jordan and all over the world. Many people also believe that many miracles have happened in this church."
I'm not religious, however, I always light a candle in the significant places I visit for our children Liseby, Sam and Darrin who passed away. Sadly, they didn't have the opportunity to travel like Keith and I do. So I think lighting a candle is our recognition of their lives.
The in the Church cave is low and narrow and part of the church itself, notes of hope are placed in there by believers.
That was a small part of the day…. this is not supposed to be a travelogue, but a creative journey in film and words.
Thanks so much for sharing your pictures with comments. For those of us who may never get to go to some of these places it makes it much more personal than just looking at a book or watching a travelogue.
Again, thank you!