(For those who did travel along with me in September – forgive me if I have confused the sequence of the various stops. We saw soooooooo very much and my notes are incomplete. I remember what we saw, just not the exact sequence. I guess I will just have to take better notes on the next trip! And I have not included any pics - having trouble loading them.)
Our last day:
The most special of all sites – the Garden Tomb. We start out a little bit later in the day because we will go directly to the airport this evening. It is clear and beautiful. We sit in view of “Calvary” – or Place of the Skull. It does look like the face of a skull. A tour guide from the Garden Association explains what we are seeing. His theme is…this is great…but remember…the tomb is empty – we worship God, not the empty site.
A short few steps through a beautiful garden and we see the empty tomb. It is always a moving moment. We celebrate the Lords Supper in the shade of a beautiful tree. Our pastor led us in a quiet and serene time of prayer and contemplation. (Thank you God that I am here once again.) What a way to start the day!
A drive across town to the Holocaust Museum, spending a few hours looking though this amazing museum. I am always choked-up when I walk through the museum dedicated to all the children that were killed.
A drive to the south west of Jerusalem to the valley where David met Goliath. We had such a great time as we re-enacted the confrontation between David and the giant. Not any of us will ever read the passage in Scripture again without thinking about this special moment.
A great going-away dinner where everyone who wanted to say a few words about the trip was invited to speak. Several who really did not want to make this trip stood up and said now they were so very glad they had done it. Several said the typical “My life will never be the same!”
What have I forgotten to mention in this blog? We had time for shopping several times, even at a modern mall, and plenty of time for eating! There was time for fellowship with old friends, and the making of new, lifelong friends. We walked, we talked, we cried.
Oh yes, at the Mt. of Olives overlook several people had the opportunity to take a short camel ride, and we had our group-picture taken.
We saw Bethlehem and the Shepherds Field – but from the distance. Bethlehem is now part of the West Bank – and sometimes not very safe to enter. We decided to be safe.
On the boat ride on the Galilee they raised the American Flag, and we sang the National Anthem.
On yes, we had to opportunity to stop at a site that was a coffee shop with the theme of “Elvis Presley” what fun. Even in Israel there is an Elvis sighting!
So much more…but that is it for this blog. My ending thought….I can’t wait to go back again!
Showing posts with label Travel to Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel to Israel. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Trip - Part VII
I will continue with the days in Israel but...a side-bar. I was reminded of a poem that I wrote several years ago about my travels to Israel. It is dedicated to the pastors and friends that I have traveled with to the Holy Land.
We have traveled the Holy Land together many times.
In heat and cold, sun and rain.
Even in the snow!
We have traveled by plane, bus, boat, by foot.
Even by camel!
We have been from Dan to Beersheba,
From the blue Mediterranean, to the red clay of Petra.
From the bunkers cut in the Golan,
To a tomb cut in Mt. Moriah.
From the Temple Mount, to the top of Masada.
From Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
To En Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea.
From Bethlehem where it all began,
To Megiddo, where it will all end.
From the Eastern Gate, to the Western Wall.
From where the waters of Mt. Hermon join the Jordan River,
To the Red Sea at Eilat.
From the horrors of the Holocaust Museum,
To the quiet place where baby Jesus was born.
We have explored the ruins of cities, synagogues, homes, prisons, steps, pools, bunkers, theaters, stables, and even an ancient boat.
We are always amazed and in wonderment, as our lives are changed with each trip. We have been truly blessed!
(The travel blog will continue with the visit in Jerusalem with my next entry.)
We have traveled the Holy Land together many times.
In heat and cold, sun and rain.
Even in the snow!
We have traveled by plane, bus, boat, by foot.
Even by camel!
We have been from Dan to Beersheba,
From the blue Mediterranean, to the red clay of Petra.
From the bunkers cut in the Golan,
To a tomb cut in Mt. Moriah.
From the Temple Mount, to the top of Masada.
From Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee,
To En Gedi on the shores of the Dead Sea.
From Bethlehem where it all began,
To Megiddo, where it will all end.
From the Eastern Gate, to the Western Wall.
From where the waters of Mt. Hermon join the Jordan River,
To the Red Sea at Eilat.
From the horrors of the Holocaust Museum,
To the quiet place where baby Jesus was born.
We have explored the ruins of cities, synagogues, homes, prisons, steps, pools, bunkers, theaters, stables, and even an ancient boat.
We are always amazed and in wonderment, as our lives are changed with each trip. We have been truly blessed!
(The travel blog will continue with the visit in Jerusalem with my next entry.)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Trip - Part III
A beautiful clear sunny day on the Sea of Galilee. A boat ride takes us to the center of the lake/Sea. The engines are turned off and the Pastor gives a message. We sing two hymns. It is always a very moving experience to sit in the quiet, bobbing gently up and down and to think we are on the same sea that Jesus walked upon – and where he stilled the storm. The geography has not changed much in 2000 years. From the center of the sea we can see the ruins of Capernaum, the modern city of Tiberias and smaller villages around the perimeter of the sea. Mt. Arbel looms high and proud to the west, with the Valley of the Doves, and the city of Mary Magdalene, Migdol, clearly marked. (I will try to add a photo of Mt. Arbel.)
We get off the boat at the museum site of the ‘Jesus Boat.’ The ruins of this ancient wooden boat, dated back to the time of Jesus was uncovered in the 80’s during the time of a severe drought. Two brothers walking along the shrunken banks of the Sea of Galilee found it. Could it be the boat on which Jesus sailed? Only He knows, but it is an interesting thought. The museum is modern and beautiful. On my first trip in 1991 the boat was stored in a thermally controlled ‘shack’ ….now a beautiful edifice has been built with museum, gift shop and snack bar….and the amazingly preserved boat.
A short bus ride to the ancient ruins of Capernaum on the north west corner of the lake. Teaching to the group while we sat in the shade of trees. Black stones form the basic foundation of the ruins of a synagogue. The black stones date back to the time of Jesus – perhaps this is the actual synagogue where he preached. Perhaps these black stones were witness to his teaching and miracles.
There is also a museum built over the ruins of “Peters House.” Many believe that this was actually the home of Peter and his family – where Jesus healed the mother-in-law.
A drive along the north/eastern side of the lake. A view from the bus of a cemetery and ruins that might be where Jesus drove the demons out of the man, and then into the pigs.
Up a long, narrow, winding road on the eastern side of the lake, up to the Golan Heights. We stop at the “Peace Vista” overlook. A fantastic view of the entire Sea of Galilee, the cities of Tiberias and Capernaum (on the west side.)
We also stopped along the road to go inside some deserted bunkers that face east toward Jordan and Syria. Empty and weed infested – but unfortunately will probably be used again one day to defend Israel.
The last stop of the day is at the Jordan River Baptismal site. This beautiful site was funded by a church in the USA. Thousands of pilgrims are baptized in the Jordan River each year. We had approximately 12 from our own group that wanted to be (re) baptized in the Jordan River. The site is crowded with many groups. I hear Spanish and Russian spoken. People are joyful and excited as they don white robes and are dipped beneath the cold waters of the Jordan.
(Again, contact me if you would like information about tour groups. I hope to get a group of ladies together to tour, with an emphasis on the Women of Scripture.jpsant@netzero.net)
We get off the boat at the museum site of the ‘Jesus Boat.’ The ruins of this ancient wooden boat, dated back to the time of Jesus was uncovered in the 80’s during the time of a severe drought. Two brothers walking along the shrunken banks of the Sea of Galilee found it. Could it be the boat on which Jesus sailed? Only He knows, but it is an interesting thought. The museum is modern and beautiful. On my first trip in 1991 the boat was stored in a thermally controlled ‘shack’ ….now a beautiful edifice has been built with museum, gift shop and snack bar….and the amazingly preserved boat.
A short bus ride to the ancient ruins of Capernaum on the north west corner of the lake. Teaching to the group while we sat in the shade of trees. Black stones form the basic foundation of the ruins of a synagogue. The black stones date back to the time of Jesus – perhaps this is the actual synagogue where he preached. Perhaps these black stones were witness to his teaching and miracles.
There is also a museum built over the ruins of “Peters House.” Many believe that this was actually the home of Peter and his family – where Jesus healed the mother-in-law.
A drive along the north/eastern side of the lake. A view from the bus of a cemetery and ruins that might be where Jesus drove the demons out of the man, and then into the pigs.
Up a long, narrow, winding road on the eastern side of the lake, up to the Golan Heights. We stop at the “Peace Vista” overlook. A fantastic view of the entire Sea of Galilee, the cities of Tiberias and Capernaum (on the west side.)
We also stopped along the road to go inside some deserted bunkers that face east toward Jordan and Syria. Empty and weed infested – but unfortunately will probably be used again one day to defend Israel.
The last stop of the day is at the Jordan River Baptismal site. This beautiful site was funded by a church in the USA. Thousands of pilgrims are baptized in the Jordan River each year. We had approximately 12 from our own group that wanted to be (re) baptized in the Jordan River. The site is crowded with many groups. I hear Spanish and Russian spoken. People are joyful and excited as they don white robes and are dipped beneath the cold waters of the Jordan.
(Again, contact me if you would like information about tour groups. I hope to get a group of ladies together to tour, with an emphasis on the Women of Scripture.jpsant@netzero.net)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)