The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in jars like these in the caves at Qumran

A reproduction of one of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in caves such as the one pictured here.

The pilgrims at Qumran, where the Jewish sect the Essenes settled.

The Essenes, who lived here, were the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Byzantine Church pictured is on the Jordan side of the Jordan River. Qaser El Yahud, on the Israeli side, is where pilgrims remembered their baptisms.

Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar on the banks of the Jordan River.

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi preaches at the Jordan.

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi preaches at the Jordan.

Rev. Jill Colley Robinson, right, wrote the liturgy for the service at the Jordan. At left is Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

Pastor Yunki Kim of Trinity UMC in Montpelier, VT performs during worship at the Jordan River.

Pilgrims go down to or into the Jordan.

The Jordan River

The view from Tel al-Sultan in Jericho.

The Crusaders called this location the Mount of Temptation, where Christ was tempted by Satan.

The view from Tel al-Sultan in Jericho.

Excavations at Tel al-Sultan reveal strata of settlements. There were 23 layers uncovered in the 1950s.

More of the exposed layers and walls at Tel al-Sultan in Jericho.

The Dead Sea is the lowest spot on Earth.

The Dead Sea is 10 times saltier than the oceans.

Pilgrims wade and float in the Dead Sea.

Pilgrims wade and float in the Dead Sea.

Pilgrims float in the Dead Sea.

The Shepherds Fields in Bethlehem.

Pilgrims stopped to sing and pray at the fields in Bethlehem where shepherds traditionally grazed their sheep.

The Shepherds Fields

Another view of the Shepherds Fields

The Chapel of the Shepherds Field or the Church of the Angels

The interior of the Church of the Angels

One of the frescoes inside the Church of the Angels.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

A section of the original mosaic floor of the Church of the Nativity

The church's interior showing a section of the original floor.

Queen Helena, mother of Constantine, dedicated the first church in 339 AD

The mosaics were added by the Crusaders

The painting of the saints on the pillars were also the work of the Crusaders

The mosaics were added by the Crusaders

The entrance to the cave marking the spot where Jesus was born.

A silver star on the floor of the cave is a place of veneration for pilgrims, who kneel at that spot.

Inside the cave at the Church of the Nativity

The Chapel of Saint Catherine is adjacent to the Church of the Nativity. It is a parish church and Franciscan monastery.

General Director Khader Saba talks about the Hope School

Hope School serves disadvantaged Palestinian youth, some of whom reside at the school.

Simon, a former student, now does woodworking in a workshop at the Hope School.

Some of the items made by Simon are sold in the Hope School gift shop with proceeds going to benefit the school.

The school has 2,500 chickens producing eggs for sale

Some of the Hope School students talk with Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson

The eggs from the Hope School chickens ready for sale

The front entrance to the Hope School.

Bishop Devadhar and Bishop Moore-Koikoi plant an olive tree on the grounds of the Hope School.