So... I didn't do the Blog well when over in Israel. I will do it now that I am back. Sorry, but it was all in Hebrew and I didn't know how to log in for new blogs.

February 19 -

Came to Israel but were held up when the plane’s electrical system was faulty. We took off five hours late on a different plane. So we arrived in the dark, but had very good guidance from Samir, our tour guide. Stayed at the Scot’s Hotel, which is owned by the Church of Scotland. Next morning I and others had some very interesting times while getting ready for the day. Breakfast was good and then we headed to Dan in the Golan Heights. We saw what has become known as rich lush land which had many Kibbutzes to make it so fertile. Basalt rocks are everywhere on the hills. When we got to Dan, we saw one of the three headwaters of the Jordan River, which comes out from Mt. Hermon, almost 9,260 feet at the top. Saw waterfalls then we went to Caesarea Philippi, another of the headwaters of the Jordan..

Caesarea Philippi – We stopped there and heard an excellent thought piece by Ken White, one of our members. He shared the view that Jesus had chosen this site purposely, because it was a week’s trip of hiking there for his special moment when Peter says, “You are the Christ.” Then he led a unique Renewal of Baptismal at the beginning of our pilgrimage. Then we enjoyed the site, and had lunch at a restaurant nearby.

After lunch we got on the bus and went South to close to the border of Syria and Jordan, and saw the town that in 1967 had to empty only to settle 3 miles further. We saw snow on top of Mt. Hermon. Then we drove back to Tiberius, and stopped by the site where Jesus turned five loaves and two fish into enough to feed everyone and had 12 baskets full after everyone had been fed. There Ken did another good telling of the Bible passage and talked about how it will mean so much now that we have been the place where Jesus actually did it. Then back at St. Andrew’s Church (Church of Scotland) Jim had a friend, Dr. Ian Clark and his wife Katherine speak about life here in Tiberius and some personal stories of very recent events in Gaza.

We thought that this would be an every night update, but have found the cost of Internet service too much, so it will be every few days. Our blessings to all who read this and ask that you receive our love.

Bruce
February 22, 2009

1 Kings 16-18 –Mt. Carmel – Haifa
We went west to Mt. Carmel where Elijah had a contest with 450 Prophets of Baal. There we saw the site and the church, where Ken did a reading of the story.
Sephora – We went to the archeological dig, showing remarkable old mosaics.
Nazareth – We went to the childhood city of our Savior’s childhood. Instead of 200 people, we found a city of 75,000, the largest city in all of Galilee now. We went to a precipice, where Donna talked of the people of Jesus’ hometown who were ready to throw him off the cliff. She was supposed to read, but we almost were tossed off the hill by the wind, so we read it later We ate lunch at the foot of the Jezreel valley. Then we went back to Lower Nazareth, where his annunciation took place.



February 21, 2009

Went to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and saw the fishing boat from the era of our Lord. Then we went Mount of Beatitudes where we saw the Beatitude Church, and it was just beautiful. After some time in the church, we went down a little bit and Ken read the scripture, Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, etc., and Donna led us in a time of prayer, each person praying for special needs of one other. Then it was time for some to walk down, while others met them down there. At the bottom was Taghba, the site for the feeding of the 5,000, and also the third post-resurrection appearance.
Next, we went to Capernaum, where Jesus spent perhaps 18 months, and many of his miracles took place. We saw an excavation, of the city, including many houses and the synagogue where Jesus attended. We also saw statues, millstones, and a church where people gather round the center, which was over some of the excavations. Then we had lunch at a Kibbutz, and a boat ride across the Lake in a driving rainstorm, and remembered when Jesus slept during a similar storm at night, was awakened, and stilled the storm.


February 22, 2009
On the way to Jerusalem, we first stopped in Megiddo. It is an ancient city, that archeologists figure was torn down and rebuilt 27 times. One of the times was King Solomon.
Next we went to Caesaria Maritamia, where we saw an amazing ancient city by the sea, at one time built by Herod the Great for Caesar. In Caesaria Maritama, we saw the ancient city, with the Ampitheater complete with lion cages, a stone with Pontius, and much more. Unfortunately it rained heavily, and we got very wet. This also was the setting for Cornelius and others, 1st baptism of a Gentile, and Ken read Scripture.
We then headed to Jerusalem, first stopping at Bethlehem, and just stopped at the Christians and their Olivewood crafts. Then we went to Jerusalem, being chilled to the bone still.


February 23, 2009

We started the morning with look at the Mt. of Olives, and a walk of Jesus’ Palm Sunday, and ended up in the Garden of Gethsemane. There we saw the Olive Trees, and went into the church which houses the rock that Jesus agonized on before being arrested. Then we spent time thinking about it.
Then we went to the Holocaust Museum, and spent a couple of hours following the sad, sad story of the holocaust. After spending time there we went to lunch. Then we went to the Wailing Wall, the Holiest Site in all Judaism, and had a time going down and adding our prayers to the thousands every day. It was to me, a very moving day.
So sorry this appears this way but we wanted to allow for a short daily summary of what took place.
Bruce
February 24, 2009

Today we headed for the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross. We first went to the Lion’s Gate, and entered the old City. Some people went down the whole way, others of us went an easier way, straight to the church of the Sepulchre. There we saw the last few Stations of the Cross, Jesus’ last few days of life. We saw Golgotha, and emerged with a new appreciation for the suffering and death. Then we had lunch and went to the Caiaphas House and remembered the questions of Caiaphas. It was one of the most beautiful churches we have visited.


February 25, 2009

On this day we went to Bethlehem.
Herodian – We started the day exploring Herod’s summer house, well, palace. We found out that the crater is man-made, and that the area was quite something, in its day. It was beautiful to see, and also Amos’ hometown Tekoa was just a little in the distance.

Shepard’s Field – This is off the beaten track, but is a continuous link to the shepherds of Jesus time, and we saw a site that many believe is the announcement to the shepherds of the coming of a newborn king.

Lutheran Church – We went to the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, which though the church is small about 170 members, showed itself to be the epitome of a hopeful community in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation, and stands for holding up a Palestine identity in a situation that would just as soon forget it.

Nativity of Christ – We saw the place where Jesus was born, the oldest church anywhere in existence. Two entrances lead down to a 35 by ten feet, where Jesus was born.


February 26
On this day we headed in the direction of Jericho, a city lower than almost any others, and older than all the rest. We went to the Judean wilderness and saw a Bedouian place, and climbed the Wadi ? to see real desert wilderness. Then we headed to Jericho, seeing a city that the Jews have given up on. We first visited a shop, of very fine goods, and some of the wonderful oranges, and dates, and small but very tasty bananas. We visited a tree like Zaccheus’, and heard the story of Zaccheus. We visited Elishas well, and heard an Old Testament story. Then we dropped some off at the Monastery of Wadi El-Keft, near the temptations of Christ. At the Monastery, one Monk was there, and he was not very friendly, but Russian were there, as well as Israeli Tour Guards, who provided much interesting conversation.

We went to lunch and had the best lunch, being served some flat bread, barbequed chicken and lamb, and a banana for dessert. Then we went to Qumran, and heard the story of a young Bedouin in 1947 stumbling upon the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then we saw some of the background of it. We went to the Dead Sea, where some of us swam in it, some 1300 feet below sea level, and discovered that it specific gravity is 1,166, which allows one to float without sinking.


February 27
We headed, eventually for the Dead Sea to stay overnight at the Dead Sea Oasis Hotel. But first we went to Beer-Sheba, home for a while to Abraham. From there we went into the desert, stopping in the hometown and retirement of Ben Gurion, 1st president of modern day Israel. He said that if Israel is going to thrive, it must learn to make the desert a more livable place. We went to En Avdat and Avdat, but it had just rained and they were not open much. Then we headed for the Dead Sea and our hotel, where the rooms were the nicest we had visited thus far.

February 28
We headed out bright and early to Masada, and got a good,early start to the day. It turns out the day was awfully windy, but really a treasure. Next we went to En Avdat, where we were looking forward to a good walk, but the place was closed. Too bad, but the rain is good in the desert. We were able to see an group of Ibexes (a type of goat) which are very hard to see. We had lunch in Jericho, where we also had time for camel rides, and a special treat for ask him about it, but he was very friendly with the camel. We also saw a peacock, and took some pictures. Then it was off to Jerusalem, and the Garden Tomb. We finished off the trip with a service of Communion, which was very meaningful. Tomorrow we have the day to ourselves in Jerusalem.