Covering the country of Israel

We have really covered a lot of ground this week! Yesterday we drove to the coast and visited Caesarea by the Sea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel and Nazareth. Today we went to Mt. Scopus, Mt of Olives, walked the "Palm Sunday route", Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations, the Upper Room, Caiaphas House, a Bethlehem overlook and the communion at the Garden Tomb! Whoa! That’s a lot of ground in two days. It’s no wonder I’m tired. So tired that today I will post pictures of the last two days instead of talking about them. I know that’s what you want to see anyway!

Here you go… enjoy!

Now... time to rest.

Tomorrow is Masada, Qumran Caves and floating in the Dead Sea!

Shalom,
Kim

"Wow" Day!

Today was full of "Wow's". I heard it from my daughter, Kate when we first stopped at Bet She'an. "Wow". That's just about all she could say for 30 minutes. I really did try to talk to her, but all I got back in return was; Oh WOW. I understood where she was coming from because all I could answer in return was, "yea, I know."

Back on the bus to Tiberias where we boarded a boat for a ride on the Sea of Galilee! What a beautiful day to be on the water that Jesus walked on! Pinch- ouch! - yep, I'm really here...

Pastor Al even renewed the wedding vows of Miriam and Jacinto - they have been married 50 years this year! What a beautiful place and a touching moment to reconnect and renew their love for each other and to Jesus.

"I have decided to follow Jesus..."

That is what we sang as those getting baptised today lined up in the chilly waters of the Jordan River. I didn't see that the water was bothering them though - What I saw were faces that were focused and serious at what they were about to participate in. A water baptism in the Jordan River just as John baptised Jesus in these same waters!

Here are a few photo's. More to come!

And we drove back to Jerusalem with our hearts full... what a day! What a day indeed! "Wow!"


Kim

Hit the ground running...

No nonsense here. When we start touring, we really don't mess around. Today we started off early to get to the temple mount. It's only opened for a few hours and only on certain days. Sometimes we can't get up there at all - so today is special and we begin our day walking around the temple mount and learning about how and why the muslems have been given religious rights to this area. On our way to the entrance we are able to take some great photo's of the Western Wall from up high. This is a rare treat to get pictures looking down like this. Awesome!

Before we left the mount we walked over to the most amazing place... It was the EASTERN GATE from the back side! This gate is sealed with cement and there is a cemetery outside of it; all in hopes to block the way for Jesus's return. (like that will stop Him!) Naidean and I got chills just being so close to this gate. Just to think about Jesus's return and where we were standing...(I'm serious when I tell you that I had to pinch myself!) It's just so unreal to be here sometimes.

After we left the temple mount we started The Way of the Cross. It was an interesting journey through the Old City narrow streets. We stopped many times along the way for our guide to give us details.

Here we are on temple mount.

And here we are during the way of the cross. Listening very intently. It's so thrilling to be right here where Jesus was. He could have been standing on this very spot! I think Kate was pinching herself too (she is my 16year old daughter in the orange coat) She didn't speak too much on the way of the cross... I think she was deep in thought.

Our first day was filled with so many wonderful places and experiences. The Western Wall was so amazing and powerful and then at the end of the day we stopped at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial. It was somber, but so important to remember - and so important in understanding the people here.

Exhausted but happy... tomorrow might just be my favorite day of all!

Until then...
Kim

We are HERE!

For some this was the longest flight they have ever taken. For a few this was their first airline flight they’ve ever taken! And we are here! The group arrived at the hotel in the morning so their rooms were not quite ready for them to check in yet. It didn’t take them long though to park their luggage and take off exploring Jerusalem! Some went to shop, some when to eat and some went to the lobby for some sleep. (Hey that rhymed) By 1pm they were all in their rooms and settling in (or still exploring!). We met at dinner for our first Israeli meal together as a group. It was nice to hear from Pete Sumrall who reminded us how important it is for us to get some sleep tonight and also not to sweat the small stuff while we travel…to remember the big picture of why we are here. Pastor Al introduced us to the happy couple who came to Israel with us and had gotten married the previous day! (Valentines Day) How sweet is that? This is the first time someone has gotten married on one of our tours. Most of us didn’t stay long after dinner since we were so tired. Tomorrow is the first day of touring and we have a lot to see and do.

Good night everyone!
Kim