We ended our day at Golgotha (place of the skull), the site of Jesus' crucifixion. It was not at all what I had pictured. First of all, I always thought Jesus was crucifed on a hill. He was actually crucified in a valley while the people watching stood on the hillside. Thus, we stood on the top of the hill looking down. I thought there would be a cross to symbolize the crucifixion but there was nothing. The thing about Jerusalem is that there are three cultures living together (the jews, the muslim and the christians). Land is very hard to come by because chances are the land you want is owned by someone else, i.e. the site of Jesus' crucifixion is actually owned by the muslim who will not even consider selling it to the jews or the christians. In the 2,000 years since the time of Christ, Jerusalem has undergone many different land owners, thus the land of many of the biblical historical sites are owned by muslim and so they are not accessible. At the site of Jesus' crucifixion, there in a tiny spot of grass and then there is the muslim owned bus station (which is very noisy), so here you are trying to reflect and you keep hearing a bus honking. I was very disheartened by this but then I realized that I know in my heart what happened there and what it means to me and that is all that counts. To know that Jesus so loved us that he was willing to pay the price that he had to is overwhelming to me. At any time he could have said "No" I am not going to do that or called a legion of angels to save him, yet he died the horrible death that he did for us so that we could have eternal life. My human mind cannot even comprehend that kind of love.
The garden tomb where Jesus' body was placed following his death was very much what I had expected it to be. It was a beautiful area with flowering trees and shrubs all around. We were able to actually go into the tomb to see where he was laid. Inside was a sign stating "He is not here, he has risen". We saw a sample of a stone that they used to close the tombs. Each stone weighed several hundred pounds and took many men to place them at the entrance to a tomb, so once they were put into place, they could not be moved. Yet, on the third day after his death, the stone was moved aside and Jesus' tomb was empty because HE HAD BEEN RESURRECTED!!!! After visiting the tomb, we celebrated the resurrection with a time of praise and communion. Singing Amazing Grace and really taking to heart the words of this beautiful hymn was spiritually uplifting. Celebrating the body and blood of Christ in this setting was amazing. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity!!!!
I will post more later about my visit to the wailing wall and our trip to Bethlehem and a few final thoughts about my experiences in the Holy land.
Shalom,
Diane
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Garden of Gethsemane
Today really brought home what this trip is all about. We started the day on the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus preached the sermon on the mount. From atop the Mount of Olives, you can see all of Jerusalem laid out before you as well as Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock. I can't even put into words what it feels like to be standing where Jesus preached.
We walked down the mountain and on the way down we passed a Jewish cemetary. Their cemetaries are quite different from ours. The jewish are not buried in caskets, instead their body is wrapped in holy cloth and they are laid directly in the ground. There is no landscaping, i.e. trees, bushes, flowers, statues, etc. There is a grave stone with an inscription on it. On the grave stone rocks and pebbles are placed each time the grave is visited. Each grave stone has holes in it to allow the placement of candles to be lit at night in remembrance. I imagine it is beautiful at night when all of the candles are burning.
We went to the site of the Lord's supper. This is where Jesus dined with his 12 disciples on the eve of the passover.
Next we visited the Church of the Four Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. WOW!!! What an experience this was. This was very much as I had pictured it. There were olives trees in the garden that they can date back 2,000 years to the time of Christ. This was the most beautiful place that I have ever visited. This is where I prayed the prayers for those who asked me to pray for them. How often have you wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if for only a moment? I had that opportunity today. Walking through the garden and reflecting, it really became clear to me who Jesus was. He was a human (albeit the son of God) but he had emotions and feelings like any of us have. He felt love, joy, sadness, sorrow, anger and fear like any one of us. The only difference is that Jesus was perfect. He knew all along what his purpose for life was yet at the end he was as terrified as any of us would be. All night as he prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. I imagine the devastation and heartbreak that he felt by the betrayal of his best friends, condemning him to death. After praying all night, this is where Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested.
Next we went into Old Town Jerusalem where we visited the house of Caiaphas (the high priest) where Jesus was taken and condemned to death. We went into the pit where he was held during the night and down the ancient courtyard steps that he walked as he was taken to be condemned. Next we went to the judgment hall of Pilate where Jesus was sentenced to death. This is where he was brutally flogged (to the point that many men would have died just from the beating that he took) and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. We proceded down the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Suffering) and walked the route that Jesus carried his cross to the site of his crucifixion. I can't even put into words what it feels like to take that walk. I can only imagine the dread Jesus felt while he was taking this final walk. People were hurling insults and jeering at him. This was quite a long winding walk and I can't even imagine what it was like carrying that heavy cross.
I will do a separate post about the location of the death and resurection of Christ.
Shalom,
Diane
We walked down the mountain and on the way down we passed a Jewish cemetary. Their cemetaries are quite different from ours. The jewish are not buried in caskets, instead their body is wrapped in holy cloth and they are laid directly in the ground. There is no landscaping, i.e. trees, bushes, flowers, statues, etc. There is a grave stone with an inscription on it. On the grave stone rocks and pebbles are placed each time the grave is visited. Each grave stone has holes in it to allow the placement of candles to be lit at night in remembrance. I imagine it is beautiful at night when all of the candles are burning.
We went to the site of the Lord's supper. This is where Jesus dined with his 12 disciples on the eve of the passover.
Next we visited the Church of the Four Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. WOW!!! What an experience this was. This was very much as I had pictured it. There were olives trees in the garden that they can date back 2,000 years to the time of Christ. This was the most beautiful place that I have ever visited. This is where I prayed the prayers for those who asked me to pray for them. How often have you wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if for only a moment? I had that opportunity today. Walking through the garden and reflecting, it really became clear to me who Jesus was. He was a human (albeit the son of God) but he had emotions and feelings like any of us have. He felt love, joy, sadness, sorrow, anger and fear like any one of us. The only difference is that Jesus was perfect. He knew all along what his purpose for life was yet at the end he was as terrified as any of us would be. All night as he prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow. I imagine the devastation and heartbreak that he felt by the betrayal of his best friends, condemning him to death. After praying all night, this is where Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested.
Next we went into Old Town Jerusalem where we visited the house of Caiaphas (the high priest) where Jesus was taken and condemned to death. We went into the pit where he was held during the night and down the ancient courtyard steps that he walked as he was taken to be condemned. Next we went to the judgment hall of Pilate where Jesus was sentenced to death. This is where he was brutally flogged (to the point that many men would have died just from the beating that he took) and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. We proceded down the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Suffering) and walked the route that Jesus carried his cross to the site of his crucifixion. I can't even put into words what it feels like to take that walk. I can only imagine the dread Jesus felt while he was taking this final walk. People were hurling insults and jeering at him. This was quite a long winding walk and I can't even imagine what it was like carrying that heavy cross.
I will do a separate post about the location of the death and resurection of Christ.
Shalom,
Diane
Mt. Carmel and Caesarea
Sorry its taken so long between posts. We are on the tour bus at 7:30 each morning and get back around 6:30 in time for dinner and then to bed to rest up for the next day. Our days are jam packed with activies but we had to do this to make up for the time lost at the beginning of our trip. Trust me, it is worth it!!!
Today we started by traveling through the Jezreel valley to Megiddo to the Armageddon battlefield where archeologists have uncovered 20 levels of civilization. It was interesting to walk through the ruins. It amazes me how entire buildings, i.e. a colisseum is uncovered intact. I mean some of these foundations are huge.
Next we traveled to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Bael as is told in First Kings Chapter 18 verses 16-46. The view was awesome. It is amazing to be able to stand here and see the same view as those who lived 2,000 years ago. I love being able to read scripture and be able to picture in my mind what it was like. The bible has really come to life for me. The land is so rugged and 2,000 years ago there were no roads or paths, people had to journey through the desert sand and up the barren mountains. What amazes me is the faith that Abraham and so many others had to just pack up their families and go wherever God told them to go not knowing where they were going!!! The dangers that they faced but yet trusting that God would deliver them safely.
We ate lunch at a Druse restaurant. The Druse are a branch of the jewish faith. The restaurant was very charming. It was a cottage in the middle of nowhere with lovely gardens and a fountain. Ou lunch consisted of falafel (which is chick peas and herbs rolled into balls and deep fried) and a variety of salads (we ate salad with every meal including breakfast).
We spent the afternoon at Caeserea Philippi. What a place this was!!!! It was King Harod's palace on the Mediterranean Sea tha was built in 37 BC. I could spend days here. The view was spectacular. I'm telling you, the palaces of today do not hold a candle to the palaces of the kings of yesterday. This was the post where King Herod's army's ships were kept. We saw several sail boats in the sea. The weather was beautiful today (it has been all week). The sea is so blue. I couldn't resist wading along the shore (several of us did). The water was not really that cold (not as cold as the Dead Sea). On the grounds (along with the palace) were a theatre for musical productions as well as an amphitheatre where chariot races and other "entertainment" was presented to the king. This was also where Peter preached the god news to the Gentiles.
Tomorrow is the heart of this entire trip as we spend the day walking where Jesus walked the last days of his life on earth.
Shalom,
Diane
Today we started by traveling through the Jezreel valley to Megiddo to the Armageddon battlefield where archeologists have uncovered 20 levels of civilization. It was interesting to walk through the ruins. It amazes me how entire buildings, i.e. a colisseum is uncovered intact. I mean some of these foundations are huge.
Next we traveled to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Bael as is told in First Kings Chapter 18 verses 16-46. The view was awesome. It is amazing to be able to stand here and see the same view as those who lived 2,000 years ago. I love being able to read scripture and be able to picture in my mind what it was like. The bible has really come to life for me. The land is so rugged and 2,000 years ago there were no roads or paths, people had to journey through the desert sand and up the barren mountains. What amazes me is the faith that Abraham and so many others had to just pack up their families and go wherever God told them to go not knowing where they were going!!! The dangers that they faced but yet trusting that God would deliver them safely.
We ate lunch at a Druse restaurant. The Druse are a branch of the jewish faith. The restaurant was very charming. It was a cottage in the middle of nowhere with lovely gardens and a fountain. Ou lunch consisted of falafel (which is chick peas and herbs rolled into balls and deep fried) and a variety of salads (we ate salad with every meal including breakfast).
We spent the afternoon at Caeserea Philippi. What a place this was!!!! It was King Harod's palace on the Mediterranean Sea tha was built in 37 BC. I could spend days here. The view was spectacular. I'm telling you, the palaces of today do not hold a candle to the palaces of the kings of yesterday. This was the post where King Herod's army's ships were kept. We saw several sail boats in the sea. The weather was beautiful today (it has been all week). The sea is so blue. I couldn't resist wading along the shore (several of us did). The water was not really that cold (not as cold as the Dead Sea). On the grounds (along with the palace) were a theatre for musical productions as well as an amphitheatre where chariot races and other "entertainment" was presented to the king. This was also where Peter preached the god news to the Gentiles.
Tomorrow is the heart of this entire trip as we spend the day walking where Jesus walked the last days of his life on earth.
Shalom,
Diane
Saturday, March 6, 2010
JERUSALEM
Thursday, March 4. What a day this has been!!! The weather was the coolest it has been (cloudy and in the low 60's). We started out going to the ancient City of David. We went through the water tunnels under the city. There were two tours you could take (one took you through the actual water tunnels in which the water can be waist deep and is freezing cold or the other tour took you through the dry tunnels) we took the dry tunnel tour. It was quite an adventure!!! It took about a half hour to go through descending many feet under the city. The path is so narrow in places that one could hardly get through. The paths were very rugged and the walls literally closed in on you. Those who are claustrophobic are really encouraged to not go. There were a few in our group who were nervous but everyone made it through. These tunnels were the original water source for Jerusalem. I cannot even imagine how they got the water up to land level. These were also the tunnels that King David and his army snuck through to conquer Jerusalem. The City of David is a part of Jerusalem where he resided and it was named for him.
We spent the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum. What an experience!!! I had never been to a museum dedicated just to the Holocaust. It was an extremely moving experience and I am still trying to process my emotions (even two days later as this is actually Saturday that I am posting). One of the exhibits that really moved me was the "Righteous Gentiles" statue. That is how the jews refer to those who sheltered them in their homes at the penalty of sure death if they were discovered. Our tour guide's parents were survivors of the Holocoust. They were in the late teens and just married when they went into hiding. They were sheltered by a Polish family. At one point the gestapo severely beat the father and his son (who was only 10 years old at the time) but they did not reveal that they were hiding jews, thus Pitch's parents survived. Pitch said his parents would not talk about their experiences until his children were born and asked questions, then his mother shared some of her experiences with them, but his father would never talk about it. Over 6 million jews were killed in the Holocoust. Not only were the jews targeted but the gypsies, the elderly, the disabled, basically anyone who was not "perfect". There were many videos of survivors telling their stories. I could only see a few because they made me so emotional. The exhibit though that affected me the most was an entire room filled with shoes (most of them burned) from those killed in concentration camps. Just seeing all those shoes . . . . Needless to say is was a very somber group when we got back on the tour bus.
We also visited the site of Jesus crucifiction and the garden tomb where he was laid. I am devoting an entire post to this. We are visiting some other sites directly related to Jesus' death and resurrection on Saturday and I will post about this then.
Shalom,
Diane
We spent the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum. What an experience!!! I had never been to a museum dedicated just to the Holocaust. It was an extremely moving experience and I am still trying to process my emotions (even two days later as this is actually Saturday that I am posting). One of the exhibits that really moved me was the "Righteous Gentiles" statue. That is how the jews refer to those who sheltered them in their homes at the penalty of sure death if they were discovered. Our tour guide's parents were survivors of the Holocoust. They were in the late teens and just married when they went into hiding. They were sheltered by a Polish family. At one point the gestapo severely beat the father and his son (who was only 10 years old at the time) but they did not reveal that they were hiding jews, thus Pitch's parents survived. Pitch said his parents would not talk about their experiences until his children were born and asked questions, then his mother shared some of her experiences with them, but his father would never talk about it. Over 6 million jews were killed in the Holocoust. Not only were the jews targeted but the gypsies, the elderly, the disabled, basically anyone who was not "perfect". There were many videos of survivors telling their stories. I could only see a few because they made me so emotional. The exhibit though that affected me the most was an entire room filled with shoes (most of them burned) from those killed in concentration camps. Just seeing all those shoes . . . . Needless to say is was a very somber group when we got back on the tour bus.
We also visited the site of Jesus crucifiction and the garden tomb where he was laid. I am devoting an entire post to this. We are visiting some other sites directly related to Jesus' death and resurrection on Saturday and I will post about this then.
Shalom,
Diane
Thursday, March 4, 2010
On the Road to Jerusalem
Wednesday we began the trek to Jerusalem with a few stops along the way. The first was Mesada. This is an ancient fortress on the top of a mountain in the middle of the desert. This was one of King Harod's hideaway palaces. You have to take an aerial tram up the mountain to get there. After seeing the terrain (Israel is 60% desert)I can really appreciate what it involved going anywhere. The ruins of Mesada are very coool to walk through. It is huge (approx 15 acres. Entire rooms of the palace have ben uncovered. I especially liked the bedrooms and bath houses (my two favorite rooms in any house). Bathing was a social time and the bath houses were very elaborate (marble, stone, etc).
Next we went to Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. One day in 1947 a young shepherd boy was throwing rocks to entertain himself while watching his flock. One of his stones landed in a cavern and he heard something break. Upon investigating he found a clay pot with a scroll in it, thus, the first scroll was discovered. To date, approximately 500 scrolls or partial scrolls have been deciphered including the entire book of Isaiah, about 100 of the psalms, part of Exodus and other documents, some of which are quite controversial. We visited the Israeli Museum where the scrolls are displayed.
After this we visited "Abraham's test" which took us back to the land of Genesis. We were dressed in robes (over our clothes) and taken to a test where we had a fabulous meal which was hosted by "Abraham" who told us his story while we ate. This was one of my favorite things that we have done, but the best was that Phil and I got to ride a camel!!!! Our camel was very nice and did not spit, bite or kick as some of the other camels were doing. It was very fun and both Phil and I really enjoyed it.
The weather has been beautiful. Each day it has been warmer than the day before. Today it was sunny and in the low 80's (although it was very windy). Yesterday it was sunny and in the high 70's.
The food here is very good. Salad is served with each meal, including breakfast. The Israeli's eat lots of vegetables and fresh fruit. We have had chicken and shish kebabs along with lots of hummus. They eat a lot of bread (yay!!!) and there are 5-6different kinds of bread at each meal. Every breafast has consisted of eggs, breads, several differnet kinds of cereal, several differen kinds of salads, fresh fruit and 3-4 different kinds of juices as well as coffee (double yay!!!) and tea. Lunch and dinner offer all of this in addition to 5-6 different entrees. They also eat a lot of fish and salmon has been offered almost every night (which Phil has enjoyed). Meals are set up buffet style in stations, i.e. one station has all different breads, one has salads, one has fruit, one has desserts, one has entrees, etc. They use some different spices and seasonings than what I am used to. But everything has been very good. They use quite a bit of hyssup in addition to other herbs. It is good that we have been doing a lot of walking because we have been doing a lot of eating.
There are 43 people from our church on this trip and Phil and I are really enjoying the new friendships we have made. We try to dine with and sit near different people on the tour bus so that we can get to know everyone. Everyone on our tour is so excited about being here that no one gets upset if plans are rearranged, delays, etc.
We have arrived in Jerusalem!!! It is like being taken back about 2,000 years. I feel like I am in a whole different world!!! This is much different than the countryside where we have spent the last few days. It truly feels like I am in the middle east (I mean that in a good way). This is the heart of what this trip is about. From now on just about everywhere we go will be a place where Jesus was while he was here on earth. It is interesting to see all the different cultures. You have the christian churches, the jewish synagogues and the muslim mosques, many times within very close proximity to one another. I am intriged by the different life styles and practices between the different cultures.
I will write more when I get a chance. I am about a day behind (it is Thursday and I am writing about what we did on Wednesday) but our days are long and very busy and I am tired (I haven't quite gotten used to the time change).
Shalom,
Diane
Next we went to Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. One day in 1947 a young shepherd boy was throwing rocks to entertain himself while watching his flock. One of his stones landed in a cavern and he heard something break. Upon investigating he found a clay pot with a scroll in it, thus, the first scroll was discovered. To date, approximately 500 scrolls or partial scrolls have been deciphered including the entire book of Isaiah, about 100 of the psalms, part of Exodus and other documents, some of which are quite controversial. We visited the Israeli Museum where the scrolls are displayed.
After this we visited "Abraham's test" which took us back to the land of Genesis. We were dressed in robes (over our clothes) and taken to a test where we had a fabulous meal which was hosted by "Abraham" who told us his story while we ate. This was one of my favorite things that we have done, but the best was that Phil and I got to ride a camel!!!! Our camel was very nice and did not spit, bite or kick as some of the other camels were doing. It was very fun and both Phil and I really enjoyed it.
The weather has been beautiful. Each day it has been warmer than the day before. Today it was sunny and in the low 80's (although it was very windy). Yesterday it was sunny and in the high 70's.
The food here is very good. Salad is served with each meal, including breakfast. The Israeli's eat lots of vegetables and fresh fruit. We have had chicken and shish kebabs along with lots of hummus. They eat a lot of bread (yay!!!) and there are 5-6different kinds of bread at each meal. Every breafast has consisted of eggs, breads, several differnet kinds of cereal, several differen kinds of salads, fresh fruit and 3-4 different kinds of juices as well as coffee (double yay!!!) and tea. Lunch and dinner offer all of this in addition to 5-6 different entrees. They also eat a lot of fish and salmon has been offered almost every night (which Phil has enjoyed). Meals are set up buffet style in stations, i.e. one station has all different breads, one has salads, one has fruit, one has desserts, one has entrees, etc. They use some different spices and seasonings than what I am used to. But everything has been very good. They use quite a bit of hyssup in addition to other herbs. It is good that we have been doing a lot of walking because we have been doing a lot of eating.
There are 43 people from our church on this trip and Phil and I are really enjoying the new friendships we have made. We try to dine with and sit near different people on the tour bus so that we can get to know everyone. Everyone on our tour is so excited about being here that no one gets upset if plans are rearranged, delays, etc.
We have arrived in Jerusalem!!! It is like being taken back about 2,000 years. I feel like I am in a whole different world!!! This is much different than the countryside where we have spent the last few days. It truly feels like I am in the middle east (I mean that in a good way). This is the heart of what this trip is about. From now on just about everywhere we go will be a place where Jesus was while he was here on earth. It is interesting to see all the different cultures. You have the christian churches, the jewish synagogues and the muslim mosques, many times within very close proximity to one another. I am intriged by the different life styles and practices between the different cultures.
I will write more when I get a chance. I am about a day behind (it is Thursday and I am writing about what we did on Wednesday) but our days are long and very busy and I am tired (I haven't quite gotten used to the time change).
Shalom,
Diane
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
THE DEAD SEA
We left Galilee Tuesday to go south to the Dead Sea. I wasn't able to post Tuesday night because the resort did not have computer access. I finally have gotten some sleep so I am much more awake. We stayed Monday night in a kibbutz on the south end of the Sea of Galilee. A kibbutz is a gated jewish community. They consist of miles of land including farm land, residual neighborhoods, shopping centers, grocery stores, a temple and many have a resort. The one we stayed at was very nice. It was very similar to the condos that we stay with our timeshare company. We had a little kitchen and living area along with a bedroom and bathroom. Our unit had a view of the sea and the mountains.
We started the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Our group was supposed to do this Sunday morning in lieu of a church service but since half of us were not here until very early Monday morning, they waited until today. This was one of the highlights of my trip so far. The sea was very calm and it felt like we were the only ones. Pastors Don and Doug read some scriptures and we sang some hymns. It was so calm and peaceful and a great time for reflection. The highlight was two of the crew sang some of our hymns in a combination of Hebrew and English. They sang How Great Thou Art and I don't think there was a dry eye on the boat. The hymns are beautiful when sung in the combination. Phil and I bought a CD.
I would love to post some pictures but I haven't figured how to do that yet (but I'll keep trying).
Our tour guide is Pitch (pronounced Peach) and our bus driver is Akram. They are both very funny and keep us continuosly laughing. At each place we visit Pitch gives us the history and then Pastors Doug or Don read the scripture that it relates too. It is very cool to be able to read scripture and visualize what took place.
Pitch has lead a very interesting life. He retired from the Israeli army and then worked as an architect for many years and now leads tours. He has explained a lot about the history of Israel and the surrounding countries and the explained the various conflicts. I understand things much more clearly now about the situation in the middle east. This I will share with you when I get home.
We visited Beit Shean which is the most magnificent archeological site in Isreal!! It has a rather gruesome history. This is where, after defeating Saul and his sons at Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hung their bodies on the walls of the city (as recounted in First Samuel chapter 31). In the bible it it is spelled Beth Shan. Architects have uncovered a huge number of ruins from the Roman/Byzantine era including an entire amphitheatre in which many events (including gladiator fights) were held. It is impressive to walk through this entire city almost entirely uncovered, much of it intact!!!!
We stayed Tuesday night at a fabulous spa resort on the Dead Sea. Phil and I both swam in the Dead Sea (or I should say floated) as it has so much salt and other minerals that the water is extremely buoyant. We had great fun. The water does not feel like ocean water, it is kind of any oily feeling because of all the minerals in it but it is supposed to be very good for the skin and people come from all over the world for treatment. The spa had several swimming pools and hot tubs of varying temperatures as well.
We have had to go through a couple of check points but they were no different than going through a toll booth.
I will talk about the food I have been eating in another post.
Will post more soon,
Shalom,
Diane
We started the day with a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. Our group was supposed to do this Sunday morning in lieu of a church service but since half of us were not here until very early Monday morning, they waited until today. This was one of the highlights of my trip so far. The sea was very calm and it felt like we were the only ones. Pastors Don and Doug read some scriptures and we sang some hymns. It was so calm and peaceful and a great time for reflection. The highlight was two of the crew sang some of our hymns in a combination of Hebrew and English. They sang How Great Thou Art and I don't think there was a dry eye on the boat. The hymns are beautiful when sung in the combination. Phil and I bought a CD.
I would love to post some pictures but I haven't figured how to do that yet (but I'll keep trying).
Our tour guide is Pitch (pronounced Peach) and our bus driver is Akram. They are both very funny and keep us continuosly laughing. At each place we visit Pitch gives us the history and then Pastors Doug or Don read the scripture that it relates too. It is very cool to be able to read scripture and visualize what took place.
Pitch has lead a very interesting life. He retired from the Israeli army and then worked as an architect for many years and now leads tours. He has explained a lot about the history of Israel and the surrounding countries and the explained the various conflicts. I understand things much more clearly now about the situation in the middle east. This I will share with you when I get home.
We visited Beit Shean which is the most magnificent archeological site in Isreal!! It has a rather gruesome history. This is where, after defeating Saul and his sons at Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hung their bodies on the walls of the city (as recounted in First Samuel chapter 31). In the bible it it is spelled Beth Shan. Architects have uncovered a huge number of ruins from the Roman/Byzantine era including an entire amphitheatre in which many events (including gladiator fights) were held. It is impressive to walk through this entire city almost entirely uncovered, much of it intact!!!!
We stayed Tuesday night at a fabulous spa resort on the Dead Sea. Phil and I both swam in the Dead Sea (or I should say floated) as it has so much salt and other minerals that the water is extremely buoyant. We had great fun. The water does not feel like ocean water, it is kind of any oily feeling because of all the minerals in it but it is supposed to be very good for the skin and people come from all over the world for treatment. The spa had several swimming pools and hot tubs of varying temperatures as well.
We have had to go through a couple of check points but they were no different than going through a toll booth.
I will talk about the food I have been eating in another post.
Will post more soon,
Shalom,
Diane
Monday, March 1, 2010
ISRAEL
We're here!!!! After 14+ hours on a plane and 14 hours between flights, we have arrived!!! Those of us who had a layover in Rome have averaged about 4 hours of sleep in the past 3 days, so I am going to keep this post short so I can get to bed.
The highlight of today was the trip to Nazareth where Jesus lived as a child from approximately age 4 to an adult (aaproximately age 30) when he left to teach and preach to his followers. I think (for me at least) I often think of Christ being born, teaching and preaching and of course his death and resurrection, but I don't really think of Christ as being a little boy, teenager and young adult. He livedhis early life the same as every other child in Nazareth. I'm sure he had chores he had to do and he had friends that he played with. The village of Nazareth was charming with costumer interpreters taking us back to another time and place. I very much enjoyed learning of the customs and traditions of the people of Nazareth.
We also visited the ancient city of Capherneum where Jesus spent time teaching and performing miracles of healing. This was the spot that Jesus drove the evil spirit out of a man (Mark 1:21-28). We visited the Mount of Beatitudes and the site were Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.
The weather was very nice today (72 degrees and partly cloudy). The countryside is beautiful. We are staying at a kibbutz (more on that tomorrow) right on the Sea of Gallilee in northern Israel. Tommorow we are going on a cruise on the Sea of Gallilee and then off to the Dead Sea. Where we are staying the mountains literally end in the sea.
I will post more tomorrow. I have had about 4 hours of sleep in the past three days. We are having a wonderful time. The people are very friendly and we are very safe.
Shalom,
Diane
The highlight of today was the trip to Nazareth where Jesus lived as a child from approximately age 4 to an adult (aaproximately age 30) when he left to teach and preach to his followers. I think (for me at least) I often think of Christ being born, teaching and preaching and of course his death and resurrection, but I don't really think of Christ as being a little boy, teenager and young adult. He livedhis early life the same as every other child in Nazareth. I'm sure he had chores he had to do and he had friends that he played with. The village of Nazareth was charming with costumer interpreters taking us back to another time and place. I very much enjoyed learning of the customs and traditions of the people of Nazareth.
We also visited the ancient city of Capherneum where Jesus spent time teaching and performing miracles of healing. This was the spot that Jesus drove the evil spirit out of a man (Mark 1:21-28). We visited the Mount of Beatitudes and the site were Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.
The weather was very nice today (72 degrees and partly cloudy). The countryside is beautiful. We are staying at a kibbutz (more on that tomorrow) right on the Sea of Gallilee in northern Israel. Tommorow we are going on a cruise on the Sea of Gallilee and then off to the Dead Sea. Where we are staying the mountains literally end in the sea.
I will post more tomorrow. I have had about 4 hours of sleep in the past three days. We are having a wonderful time. The people are very friendly and we are very safe.
Shalom,
Diane
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