Church of Christ the King school, The baptism of the Lord and the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Madaba

Good afternoon everyone (it is now 6:10 p.m. in Jordan)! I am writing this entry for the second time and I do not have much time. I am not sure what happened just a few minutes ago, but my page went away and I got back a blank one. Thus, my writing today will be a little shorter. The only consolation is that today was a slower day as far as events goes.
We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast that was 'international'! In a matter of 30 minutes I met a couple from South Africa and a visitor to Jordan from Germany. I saw many others were from other countries as well.
After breakfast we went to the school of Christ the King located in Al Misdar, Jordan (about a 1/2 hour bus ride from Amman). We visited some of the classrooms and talked with the students. The Northern Lieutenancy of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre (I belong to this one) gives aid to this school. It was a blessing to talk with the students and hear them share about their lives.
We then celebrated Holy Mass in the parish church. We were blessed to have some of the students sing during the Holy Mass. I think the most moving song they sang was Immaculate Mary in Arabic!
After Holy Mass the parish priest, principal and assistant principal hosted us for coffee and sweets in a social hall. Bishop Sheridan and myself took a few minutes to visit with a student who is in wheel chair. The other students all take great care of him - especially by lifting him up and down the steps of the school each day (there is not an elevator). We also prayed over him briefly and I blessed him with St. Philomena oil. It was a wonderful visit!
After the visit to the school and Holy Mass we went to the place of Our Lord's baptism in the Jordan. This was a spiritual visit to the place where Jesus was baptized by St. John the Baptist. The Jordan River at that spot is actually very narrow now (about 15 feet wide or so). In the time of Jesus was wider (I am not sure how much, but it was bigger). We were able to put our feet or hands in the water. The baptismal site of Jesus is very close to Mt. Nebo and Jericho. Also, Jerusalem is not far away. I got sense of the close connection between Jesus leading us into the Promised Land of Heaven and the way it it described in the Old Testament. While at the site I prayed the 1st Luminous Mystery. It was very beautiful to be able to be at the place of the mystery while praying it!
We then went to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Madaba. This church has an historic mosaic map of the Holy Land that is around 1400 years old. We also spent some time talking with the Greek Orthodox priest about his work with the parish and the schools in the area.
We then went back to Amman and had some free time. I just finished praying and some reading before writing.
Tomorrow is a big day. We go to Jerash, an ancient Roman provincial city. We then cross back into Israel and go to Mt. Tabor - the place of Jesus' Transfiguration. We will celebrate Holy Mass there. We will then stay in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee (for the next three nights). I am getting low on minutes of the internet, so I will sign off for now. Thank you for all your prayers! I am praying for all of you and remembered at Holy Mass today. God bless your day!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel