Final post

It's already a whole week since we've been home.  After a year and a half planning, that's hard to believe. People have asked me what's the main highlight and that's so difficult to answer, for more reasons than one.  I could mention Petra and riding the camel, all the many ruins from various Biblical ages that were seen.  Standing in the Red Sea, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, the Mediterranean and the Sea if Galilee. Many churches that are placed on holy --if not here than near--sites.  Time in Bethlehem, Nazareth and many places where Jesus would have walked. Roaming through the streets of the old city in Jerusalem.  But it was so much more than all of this..although all of this was good.

This was a spiritual journey more than a simple vacation. Christian believers, many who didn't know each other before, were brought together and in short order we felt like a family.  We lived, ate travelled, shared each others woes and worshipped together. I think it was those worship times that brought us together and made us feel like a family that was my highlight. Devotionals by Lorin and worship singing with Wes, done in an old synagogue, by the shores of the Jordan River, on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, on Mount Carmel, in the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath, on the Mount of Olives, and at the Garden Tomb where we shared communion.  For my non believing friends and family it will be hard for you to understand how these could be highlights, but these times brought together my faith with the places we were visiting.The theme of the trip was exploring land and soul, and as we explored the land it opened up my soul to see more of what my faith means to me. I will be forever changed simply by now being able to visualize all these places mentioned on Sunday sermons and Bible studies.

Next year in Jerusalem!!

More Jerusalem

Well, our last day of touring is done. Its almost 11, Valerie is sleeping and my wake up call is in about an hour. I'm packed95% and just need to throw in the last few things. The adventure is almost over.  Today we went to the Temple Mount,  City of David, Garden Tomb, Jewish quarter and Burnt House and did the Western wall tunnel tour. It's been a long day and a long two weeks. The flight leaves at 0520 but we need to be in Tel Aviv by 0120..then it's long hours of travel..hoping to sleep on the plane!!

Here are a few shots from today...

Yad Vashem, Jewish market, Ramparts walk and St Anne's/Bethesda pools

Today was our free day. The majority took the opportunity to go to the Holocaust museum. What a sobering morning..such detail and sadness. From there we went to the Jewish market to pick up some Halva for Mom.. then back to the old city. We had a small group that decided to do the Rampart's walk..climbing up and walking to top of the walls. It was a great day to do it..partly sunny, great views. It took about 45 minutes,  after coming down, we stopped for fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, something I'd been waiting all trip to try. It was so good!! Then we paid to get I to St Anne's and see the pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic. Very busy, exhausting day. We then headed to the Ki g of Kings church for their evening service. Lively worship, some in Hebrew!!!

Will now attach photos..only 1 more day of touring and then we start the trek home!!!

Bethlehem and the Old city of Jerusalem

Our itinerary has been changing and changing. We ended up going back to Bethlehem again yesterday. In the morning we were at Mt of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane but it was absolutely pouring!! So we went to the church of the nativity and the Shepherds fields. It took an hour or more to get into the grotto, some days it can take 3-6 hours. So ornate but very devoted Catholics. The shepherds field church was more my style, quiet and contemplative. We sang some Christmas songs in there, our group has great harmonies. Today's itinerary changed too as we went to the museum--Jerusalem model and Shrine of the book. St. Anne's was closed but we got to the praetorium and church of the holy sepulchre. Again a big zoo with people worshipping supposed places touched by Jesus rather than Jesus, as it seemed to me. Later we went to the Jerusalem prayer Center, no old history here but a place of quiet contemplation to focus on all we've seen and heard. This evening we heard from a Palestinian evangelical pastor which brought many of us to tears. It's been a wonderful day!!

Nazareth, Mt Carmel and the Mediterranean

Left the Sea of Galilee this morning..first stop Nazareth a replica of the old city..the more ruins and a lunch with the Druze.  Later to Mt Carmel, ending in a Kibbutz on the Mediterranean, I can hear the waves crashing on the shore of my beach front room. Tomorrow we're off to Jerusalem!!

Update

Sorry for no updates...wifi here is too poor...moving on tomorrow,  if I'm able will do so there.  Past 3 days in Northern Israel staying at a kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee...will and a couple of shots from my phone.

Qumran, Jordan, Jericho and Beit She'on

Unfortunately the uploaded pics on my iPad can't be used today..my iPad won't connect to the internet here in Nof Ginnosar. We are in a kibbutz/hotel for 3 nights by the Sea of Galilee. Today our itinerary changed a bit. We went Qumran and saw where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, and then to Jordan where many go to get baptized in the same place Jesus was. Bob and I went in knee deep. Then we were supposed to go to Mt Tabor but instead we drove through Palestine to see Jericho and then to Beit She'an for some more impressive ruins. I'll put more pics up another time, for now the mostly selfies off my phone will have to do.