Page 4 - SUSQUEHANNA TIMES Sloans tour Biblical countries by Walter & Eleanor Sloan We were completely captivated by the six coun- tries we visited in the Middle East. Cairo, Egypt was our first stop. Here we saw one of the seven wonders of the world - the Pyramids - and viewed an evening present- ation called ‘‘Sound and Light.” The presentation was highlighted by special lighting, music, and dia- logue. From this we learn- ed much about the Pyra- mids, Sphinx, Egypt, and it ended with a tremendous tribute to the Nile River. The importance of the Nile River is obvious because only 5% of Egypt is green, while all around there is desert, desert, and more desert. We were excited about riding a camel and found it more enjoyable than the horse cart and horseback ride we were to take later in the tour. Damascus, Syria was un- believable with the oldest bazaar containing over 2,000 shops. The Ommayad Mosque is dedicated to John the Baptist, there are over 750 rugs on the floor and it is still in use today for Moslem services. After walking the Street called Straight, we reflected upon Saul and his conversion to Paul. Jerash was the first ancient city we visited in Jordan. After viewing the Street of Colunins, Amphi- theatre and other ruins, we could see why it was one of the ten cities of the Deca- polis. The River Jabbock (where Jacob wrestled with the angel) was on our way fo Ammon, the capital of Jordan (mentioned in the Bible as Philadelphia) and it dates back to 1200 B.C. Standing on top of Mount Nebo produced a certain sadness knowing this was the spot where Moses stood viewing the Promised Land, but didn’t live long enough to dwell there. The mile horseback ride into Petra was an unforget- able experience. No wonder the horses had to be lead. Our heads were always looking up to the sandstone cliffs of varied and unusual colors and fantastic shapes that were 200 to 300 feet high. The gorge is so narrow that you can only see a few yards ahead so there is a new vista appearing each minute. Finally you emerge through the Sig and here we find the ruins of an Edomite city that was once occupied by 10,000 people. It is difficult to describe the experience of having a dip in the Dead Sea. It contains 21 to 26% salt and is 1,300 feet below sea level and after taking a quick dip we were most anxious for a shower. To view the ruins of the ’ old Jewish fortress of Masada, we had to ride a cable car which offered us a panaramic view of the area. The next stop was Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discover- ed, and soon we were on the road to Jerusalem. As we approached the Holy City we had a beautiful view of the Mount of Olives. Our tour of Jeru- salem was for 3 days and all the Bible stories started to come alive. Standing on the top of the Mount of Olives you can see the walled City, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchure, Kedron Valley, Mount Zion Garden of Gestheseman, and the Golden Gate. We came to the Garden Tour early in the morning and were fortunate to have a Christian guide who enabl- ed us to feel deeply about what transpired there 2,000 years ago. Walking the Via Delorosa (the 14 Stations of the Cross) in a grand procession that takes place each afternoon was a most humbling experience. The shepherds are still tending their flocks in Shepherd’s Field outside the city of Bethlehem, which was our next stop. A Church is built over the birthplace of Jesus, but as you look down upon the alleged site of the stable where Jesus was born, our thoughts turned to the traditional Christmas hymn “Oh, Little Town of Beth- lehem’’. The day was quite warm as we approached Samaria and we were delighted to see Jacob's Well and drink the crystal clear water. After a visit to Mount Tabor, we followed the Jordan River until we came to the Sea of Galilee. During the boat trip to Capernaum we had time to reflect about Jesus walking along the shores and the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. The town of Cana is quite small and the lovely painting inside the Church told the story of Jesus attending the wedding feast-his first miracle-turn- ing the water into wine. We proceeded to Nazar- eth and our thoughts turn- ed to Mary and Joseph and their obedience to the message of God. Traveling along the shores of the Mediterranean brought us to Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned and finally set sail on his hazardous journey to Rome. Athens, Greece is a beautiful city crowned by the Acropolis and Parthen- on. It is a majestic city that dates back to 3,000 B.C. As we approached the ruins we were dwarfed by the hugh columns. They were built in many sections, no VA SI ——— ‘mortar was used, and after thousands of years you still cannot slip a piece of paper between the sections. As we looked to the East, just a short distance away, there was Mars Hill (from which Paul preached). Corinth is steeped in Bible History and we view- ed the ruins of the Temple of Apollo. It was here that Paul worked as a tent- maker, established a Church to whom he later wrote the unforgetable 13th Chapter of First Corinthi- ans. At this point, we left the tour to spend four days with our beautiful adopted daughter, Fatos Akman. We visited her most inter- esting City of Istanbul, inhabited by four ..and one-half ‘million people. The highlights of this trip were meeting her parents and eating a traditional Turkish dinner in their home, taking a City tour, eating lunch outside with a view of the Bosporus, taking a boat ride to the Princess Islands and a horse-cart ride around the islands. Our Bible Land Tour was more than all the Bible stories coming alive-it was sharing our daily exper- iences with other Christians having reflections and devotions each evening and making new friends. We all carried with us a deep feeling of humility for the privilege of seeing so much and walking where Jesus walked. Eleanor Sloan wins award Mrs. Eleanor S. Sloan, wife of G. Walter Sloan, R.D. #1, Mount Joy, was honored June 21, 1976 by the Philadelphia Chapter of Electrical Women’s Round Table. ] Mrs. Sloan was present- ed with the Chapter Sefvite Award for her many years of service to the electrical industry, her dedication to the organization and for the volunteer work in her church and community. The award was a life- time membership in Elec- trical Women’s Round Table and a gold disk with raised letters of the organi- zation. Mrs. Sloan’ was with the Philadelphia office of The Maytag Company for many years and superintendent of the Test Kitchen for Hershey Foods Corp., be- fore moving to Lancaster County. July 7, 197 Spivjt. NERS -_ NNN If the spirit moves you to visit the scenes of our historic struggle for independence, do so with confidence. Take along traveler’s checks and our BankAmericard. Leave valuables in a safe deposit box and bank-by-mail. And, if you'd like a vacation loan, just ask. TRAVELER'S CHECKS can be purchased here. We have First National City Bank and American Express \ Traveler’s Checks. 1 eV ALUABLE PAPERS should be placed in a Safe Deposit Box for their safety and your peace of mind. We have Safe Deposit Boxes available at resonable rentals. VACATION LOANS are here to make your vacation everything you want it to be. eA VACATION CLUB MEMBERSHIP to help you save for next year’s vacation. It’s not too late to join! i rr Look what Union National does for you on Fridays!! “4 7 New) iBkicaded FULL SERVICE Lobby Hours all day, every Friday! " Lobbies at Mount Joy and Maytown Offices are now open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM every Friday for all banking services. Full service all day; Loan Officer's Available, Safe Deposit Department, New Accounts, Trust Services, Traveler’s Checks....all banking services. Each depositor ineured to $40,000 10128 DIPOM WIUS ANCE (OPORTO THE "HOMETOWN BANK" A UNION NATIONAL MOUNT JOY BANK MOUNT JOY, PA. 17552 WW ITT All TA A A MBS Prd of ND OT pee — FA Mm — Cal A oe AL wVeS
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers