Israel - March 8, 2008
Day # 3 of our Israel trip began with an early start and a farewell to our hotel in Tiberias. We loaded up the bus and traveled to the River Jordan.
Only a few from our group wanted to be baptized. It was early in the morning and the water was very, very cold, but I wasn't going to miss my
chance to be dunked in the River Jordan. Traveling with Methodists who sprinkle does have its disadvantages when it comes to immersing a Baptist,
but they did the best they could! Joy got pictures on video but that will have to be added later.
Then its on the road again! All of our group had finally arrived and we now total 47.
chance to be dunked in the River Jordan. Traveling with Methodists who sprinkle does have its disadvantages when it comes to immersing a Baptist,
but they did the best they could! Joy got pictures on video but that will have to be added later.
Then its on the road again! All of our group had finally arrived and we now total 47.
We finished our sight-seeing around the Sea of Galilee. It is
34 miles to drive around the Sea. We saw a boat from Jesus'
day that was unearthed in 1982 during a drought.
34 miles to drive around the Sea. We saw a boat from Jesus'
day that was unearthed in 1982 during a drought.
Then we sailed a small portion around the shore line of the Sea of Galilee, sailing into old Capernaum. Imagine, sailing into the same city that Jesus
sailed in and out of! As precious as that was, one of the highlights of the trip for me will be when the crew played the United States national anthem
and raised our flag to the top of their mast to say thank you to our nation for standing by them through the years!
We toured the ruins of Capernaum, seeing what is believed to be the ruins of Peter's house and known to be the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus
taught. Our guide told us more of himself today. Jimmy is a Lebanese Christian (Catholic) and our driver, Nassor, is a Muslim. It is strange how
these diverse people and religions can live, work, and laugh together in this strange but violent landscape. We drove back over the mountains that
surround the Sea of Galilee, through Cana (not the Bible Cana) and into Nazareth, the city where Mary and Joseph first lived. No larger than 150
people in Jesus' day, the city now hosts 150,000.
taught. Our guide told us more of himself today. Jimmy is a Lebanese Christian (Catholic) and our driver, Nassor, is a Muslim. It is strange how
these diverse people and religions can live, work, and laugh together in this strange but violent landscape. We drove back over the mountains that
surround the Sea of Galilee, through Cana (not the Bible Cana) and into Nazareth, the city where Mary and Joseph first lived. No larger than 150
people in Jesus' day, the city now hosts 150,000.
From there to the top of Mt. Carmel where Elijah and the prophets of Baal competed to show who was God, I was asked to read the story from
1Kings 18. Who would have ever thought that you could see for miles in all directions from this long range of mountains that run some 13 miles
long?
1Kings 18. Who would have ever thought that you could see for miles in all directions from this long range of mountains that run some 13 miles
long?
Then down through the Valley of Sharon and through to the Mediterranean Sea. There we saw the ruins of the ancient Roman aqueducts and
Caesarea by the sea. This is the city where Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, was living when Peter preached to him and his household the good
news of Jesus Christ.
Caesarea by the sea. This is the city where Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, was living when Peter preached to him and his household the good
news of Jesus Christ.
Afterward, we drove the one and one-half hours into Jerusalem and to one of the nicest hotels in Israel, the Olive Tree. It is only 9 1/2 years old
and although we have not toured it yet, it looks beautiful. Our guide played "I Saw the New Jerusalem" through the speakers as we drove across
the mountains to get our first view of the city.
Bro. Ronny and Mrs. Pat continue to take good care of us. They also note how much more has been done in Israel since their last visit - much
more has been uncovered, the cities are cleaner, the roads in much better shape, the sites have been greatly improved. They are also very
impressed with our guide, Jimmy. He studied history and archeology in college and has run tours for 43 years! They say they are learning more
than ever before!
A special note to Bradley, Evvie, Micah, Andrew, Garret, and Molly - Papa and JoyAnna love you! I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Keep praying for us.
and although we have not toured it yet, it looks beautiful. Our guide played "I Saw the New Jerusalem" through the speakers as we drove across
the mountains to get our first view of the city.
Bro. Ronny and Mrs. Pat continue to take good care of us. They also note how much more has been done in Israel since their last visit - much
more has been uncovered, the cities are cleaner, the roads in much better shape, the sites have been greatly improved. They are also very
impressed with our guide, Jimmy. He studied history and archeology in college and has run tours for 43 years! They say they are learning more
than ever before!
A special note to Bradley, Evvie, Micah, Andrew, Garret, and Molly - Papa and JoyAnna love you! I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Keep praying for us.