Walk to Jerusalem - Week #9 Update and Travelogue

Walk to Jerusalem - Week NINE

Walk Update

Miles this past week: 493.44

Total Miles Traveled: 5184.73

It is still not too late to join the Walk to Jerusalem!

Check out the Walk to Jerusalem information on the Lord of Love website (under News and Events) for all the details.

Walk to Jerusalem Information Page

Our Progress So Far

This week we have traveled into Libya, officially known as the State of Libya . Home to 6 million people, Libya is by size the fourth largest country of Africa and the sixteenth largest country in the world. The largest city and capital is Tripoli , located in western Libya. The second largest city is Bengazhi in eastern Libya.

The Berbers have inhabited Libya since the late Bronze Age (approximately 1200 BC). Libya became part of the Holy Roman Empire and later was an early center of Christianity. Ottoman rule began in 1551 and continued until the Italian occupation of 1911. Libya was an Italian colony until 1947. During WWII Libya was an important area of warfare in the North Africa Campaign .

Week 9 Travelogue - Libya

Here is some brief information about Libya:

Government: Tunisia is thought to be the only fully democratic state in the Arab world . It has association agreements with the European Union, the Arab League, the African Union, and many others. It has a semi-presidential system of government where an elected president serves alongside a prime minister and legislature.

Geography: Libya became independent as a kingdom in 1951. A military coup led by Muammar Gaddafi the toppled the monarch in 1969. He ruled until the Libyan Civil War in 2011. Since then, the country has struggled to establish a stable unified government. Talks are ongoing between the UN-backed interim government and several areas of Islamist, tribal and rebel militias to this date.

Religion: About 97% of the Libyan population is Muslim , most of whom belong to the Sunni branch. There are small foreign communities of Christians in Libya. Coptic Orthodoxy Christianity (the Christian church of Egypt) is the largest and most historical Christian denomination in Libya, with approximately 60,000 members.

Climate and Geography: The Libyan Desert occupies much of the country and is one of the most arid and sun-baked places on earth. In some areas decades pass between rainfalls. The temperatures are also extreme with a recorded high temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit in one desert town. The Northern region of Libya (where we are traveling) enjoys a milder Mediterranean climate.

We have traveled far once again this week. During our Lenten journey in the upcoming weeks, please remember to take time to read the weekly devotions . If you are able, consider attending a mid-week Lenten service . For more information and access to Daily Lenten devotions from Luther Seminary see the Lord of Love Lenten Season web page.

Next week: More about our explorations in Libya

Submit your mileage weekly

Each participant is asked to track and report their mileage weekly.

Use the Weekly Tally Sheet to help you and other participating family members track their mileage each day and accumulate for the week; Sunday thru Saturday.

Submit mileage weekly through this on-line form .

If necessary, return a Weekly Tally Sheet each Sunday morning in the designated basket in the Narthex.

Feel free to email any questions or concerns you might have to membercare@lord-of-love.org.

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