Trip - Part V

Today we leave the area of the Sea of Galilee and travel almost the entire length of Israel, to the Dead Sea. Several stops along the way.

My interest this trip has been looking at the geography in relation to the twelve tribes of Israel. The area of the Sea of Galilee belonged to Napthali on the west and Manasseh on the East. Most of the drive south, along the Jordan River will be the land of Manasseh.

We take a side drive, west, to see the springs where Gideon chose his men for a great battle. A beautiful park, with pool and picnic area surrounds the site. Clear spring water flows from the side of the mountain in a narrow trickle. Many of us get down on our knees to "lap" water with our hands. A great teaching from the Pastor.

On to the ruins of the Roman city of Beit Shan dating back to the 16th century BC. A Roman street, theatre and other structures have been unearthed. One of the ten cities of the Decapolis. Destroyed by a major earthquake in 749 AD. Relevant in Scripture as the city on which the bodies of King Saul was hung after being killed. The people of Jabash Gilead (across the Jordan River to the west) rescued the body and showed respect for the king. (I visited the ruins of Jabash Gilead on a trip several years ago.)

At Beit Shan I did something I have never done. Instead of the walk-around tour with our guide, several of us made the walk up the tel/ancient mound located in the rear section of the site. This is the "Fortress Mound" that has not been fully excavated. Like a little hill, this 'tel' or mound looms majestically behind Biet Shan. Few tourists make the steep climb up the mound because of time restraints, and difficulty - but I wanted to walk the tel this trip. The view was worth the short hike in the heat. Beneath our feet are buried ancient artifacts - perhaps part of the ancient city - it just has not been excavated yet.

We drive south along the Jordan River to the Dead Sea. Passed through a security check point - going into the West Bank area. Saw Jericho, a large heard of camels, date palm orchards, small modern villages, and large farms in the distance. Moab, or modern-day Jordan to the west on the other side of the Jordan River.

A visit to Quamran to view, from a distance, the cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We are in the land area of the tribe of Judah. Lunch and shopping at this site. It is hot. We have dropped down from the green hills of northern Israel into the dry, lowest place on the earth. The area of the Dead Sea is part of the slash across the planet known as the African Rift. The Dead Sea is the lowest location on the planet - 1200 feet below sea level.

Dry and brown. Nothing grows in this area - thus called "dead". The "sea" is formed by water that flows from the north, through the Jordan River to this "dead sea." Becaue there is no outlet, the water pools and stagnates. The water evaporages and leaves riches of minerals such as potash that is mined- but nothing lives in the salty water. No fish. No plants. No organisms. No ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah - but just looking around at the lifeless landscape is proof of what took place with Lot and his family.

We check into the hotel and head for the water. It is always fun to swim in the Dead Sea...if only briefly. Because of the salty ph of the water, swimmers 'bob' around. People come from all over the world for the medicinal properties of the salty water on the skin.

We spend the night at another first-class hotel. The accomodations are beautiful and the food is wonderful - and never ending.

Trip - Part IV

The start of another clear, warm, day. There is colorful bogenvilla plants everywhere. The roses are just about finished for the season. The date palms are full and loaded with bunches of dates, often covered with plastic bags to keep them from falling to the ground. Acre after acre of olive trees.

First stop is the Mt. of Beatitudes where there is a beautiful church that over-looks the Sea of Galilee. Pastor reads the Beatitudes - and there is time to pray and contemplate what we have seen.

The rest of the day will be to see modern Israel sites. Drive through the Hula Valley which once was a swamp. The Israelites drained the swamps and now there are green farms and small communities. This is the Land of Milk and Honey - we see it every day. See the ruins of ancient Hazor and Crusader fortress of Nimrod in the distance.

The village of Quierat Shimona in the distance. This village was shelled by the Lebonese in the 07 war. Eight people were killed.

To Caesarea Philippi, AKA Banias, AKA Panias. A beautiful site. In this location Peter made his confession that "you are the Christ." A great study from the Pastor. We hike for about an hour, through the Banias Nature Park walk to a beautiful falls.

Lunch at a small place on the edge of an ancient volcano that is filled with water. Our tour guide points out sites along the way. The land is green and fertile.

A note about the food. It is wonderful. Different than most Americans are used to eating - but none of us is going hungry!! As I often say at the airport as we board the plane to go to Israel - "Let the eating begin!!" Many vegtables. Lots of chicken and fish. Pizza at a few stops. Desserts that are down-right sinful!!! Freshly baked bread. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the trip, but most people dig into a large lunch....the cost was $7-12 depending on the stop, and the size of the plate. Oh yes - very few are able to resist the temptation of ice cream most days.

To Mt. Bental - a northern point that overlooks the Syrian Border. An active security outlook when needed. Again we see bunkers that were used, and will probably be used again, by Jewish men and women defending the border. These bunkers still have a few tables and beds. The electricity is still on. Syria is within walking distance.

Drove the length of the Golan Heights from North to South. Learned much about the importance of the Golan to Israel - for both its water supply and its defense.

Tomorrow we will leave the northern Galilee area and head south for the Dead Sea.

Israel Trip 2008 - Part I

For those who might be interested in what a typical trip to the Holy Land might encompass I will give a summary of the trip I just completed….my fifteenth trip!!

Many people have looked at me as though I am crazy when I say I this is my fifteenth trip. No I am not Jewish, nor do I have relatives in Israel. My first trip was in 1991 – it was breathtaking, little did I know that I would return again and again, and hopefully again in 2009. Why?

As I prepared to blog my current trip I have asked myself that many times. Why return again and again? Why incur the expense? Why go through the stress of international flight and fatigue? Why do it Jeanne?

My only answer is that I love Israel and the people of Israel with a supernatural love. I do not say this as some super-saint, super-religious zealot. I say this from my heart. I believe that God wants us to not only love Israel and His Chosen People, in a practical, verbal manner, but to love them with action. If I claim to love the Holy Land because God says it is His own precious land and people, where else would I want to spend my money and time? I believe it is what God wants of me, Jeanne Sant, although I am not sure why.

I also believe that as a Christian, I should want to visit the land that our God calls Holy. The ancient Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year, with modern travel can a believer in 2008 make the trip at least once in a life time.

All that aside, the truth is – it is a life-changing experience for the believer. You have heard that said-but until you experience it yourself, you may not believe it. Standing where the ancient Kings of Israel stood, standing on the Temple Mount where God lived in the Holy of Holies, sailing on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked, or standing in front of the empty Tomb – will change your life.

Even on this trip I heard people say that they could not wait to get home and start reading Scripture with new eyes. My dear roommate for this trip, Donna, was an example. She was almost in a frenzy each evening to get back to her room and read Scripture. I will remember fondly the evening that she read, aloud, Ezekiel Chapters 1-4 as I lay curled up and comfortable under the covers in our hotel in Jerusalem, listening and discussing what it meant. What a memory of a life time.


With the next entry I will begin a summary of the sights and experiences of my September 2008 trip to God’s Holy Land. I will not go into detail about each site, but I just want to give a taste of the sites that can be seen and experienced with a ‘typical’ trip to Israel…..believe me, after 15 trips I can say that no trip is “typical” – God directs each one in His special way, and in the heart of each traveler.

Oh yes – I am beginning to plan my next trip- God wiling- for 2009. If you might be interesested in going along –bring your church-contact me at jpsant.netzero.net. I have three great tour groups that I have traveled with and can highly recommend. I also am trying to get enough women interested in a “Women’s Trip” that would put an emphasis on the women of Scripture. Let me know if you are interested.

For the fifteenth time the Scripture that keeps occurring to my mind as I traveled through the land was “Why have I found favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me…” Ruth 2:10. Who am I that God would bless me with fifteen trips to the Holy Land?

Thank You dear Lord for another trip to Your Holy Land!