Can't swim? No worries!

I’d be the first one to tell you, I’m no swimmer!  But here at the Dead Sea, the lowest place on the face of the earth, I can relax and float with no worries! J  The Dead Sea is so full of SALT that no matter who you are you will not sink in this water!  I remember like it was yesterday, Mr. Lelighter in the 6^th grade teaching us about the Dead Sea.  I was fascinated by it.  My 6^th grade imagination pictured a dark, spooky sea, maybe dirty with scary vegetation growing around it.  I wondered if people or things died there and that’s where it got its name.  Most of all, I remember thinking about how exotic and adventurous it would be to visit there someday.  Well, Mr. Lelighter I made it to the Dead Sea!  Today we ended the day at Kalia Beach.  My first adventure came when I accidently visited the men’s restroom.  While I was washing my hands, I wondered if it was customary to share facilities here.  Odd, but maybe???  No, I was in the wrong place! Oops!  No harm done except for my reddened face.  It was a good laugh for the rest of the group later when I found out that they saw me walking in there. 

We all changed into our suits and headed to the beach!  Let me tell you, the Dead Sea is not spooky or dark or scary.  It’s “dead” because nothing, not one thing, can live in the water because it is so full of salt and other minerals.  The Dead Sea is beautiful; lined with crusted salt deposits that dry up along its shores combined with many layers of blue reflecting in the 365 days of sun that it receives.  The water itself has a slight oily texture to it and we carefully waded into the water just as we were told to – and when the water got to our knees we sat down and whoa!  We were floating without any effort at all!  It was really a fun time.  Some of us dug deep into the mud at the bottom and rubbed it all over ourselves and floated some more.  It was like we were at the spa! I didn't take more pictures because, 1) we were in our bathing suits and who wants that posted on the internet!  And 2) I didn't want to damage my camera with the salt water.  

When you hear someone tell you that a trip to Israel is life changing... they are not kidding!  Find out for yourself and come! 

 

"Masada will not fall again!"

We were told, “You MUST visit Masada!” over and over by so many people but who really knew what we were about to experience?  To truly comprehend the meaning of Masada one must visit here first hand. We left Jerusalem early and descended down to the lowest spot on earth with our ears popping all the way.  The landscape changed dramatically within 5 minutes of our ride and we left behind the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem and entered into the serene world of the desert.  Ami (our guide) told us about the Nomads or Bedouin’s who live in the desert as we passed their portable and makeshift housing.  An interesting way of life, someday I hope to visit a Bedouin village and to be offered only a ½ a cup of coffee! (A sign that you are welcome and that they want you to stay!)  We passed the Dead Sea to our left and huge rock cliffs like mountains on our right. (hey, I’m from Indiana….so they looked like mountains to me!) We arrived to Masada which looked like just another “mountain” in itself except that the top was flat. Then we packed into the cable car! Whoa!  I had to take a picture of us in the cable car because some of the looks on our faces were just priceless!  It was an impressive 1.30 minute ride to the top with amazing views all around us. 

 

Ami took us immediately to a nearby shaded area and told us that before we began we must understand the history of Masada.  His serious tone drew us in and we realized that this place was not just a cool archeological find.  This place has deep meaning; we could sense it and we were on the edge of our seats waiting to find out more.  I will not give you the history now because for one, I can’t do it justice.   As I said before, you can read about it but you can’t truly comprehend the importance of this place until you stand on top and experience it for yourself.  The vow that every soldier entering into the Israeli military says, “Masada will never fall again” while standing on the top of this mountain has really touched my heart.  The devotion, love and commitment that the Jewish people have for their country is more than admirable.  I find myself lost for words to describe the loyalty and determination that I find here and my love for Israel and her people grows and grows.

 

 

 

Whoa!  Some seriously interested faces right here... Ami is explaining how this room used to be a bath house! I think Pastor Marc is trying to figure out how to build this at home!

 

Second half of our day will come on the next post... Stay tuned!  And come to Israel!
Kim

 

Baptism in the Jordan River!

One of the most anticipated events during our time in Israel is the opportunity of getting baptized in the Jordan River.  This experience is so powerful and spiritual – and emotional for those watching as well.  Wearing white robes, we gather in a private area of the river where Pastor Marc asks us to check our hearts and reminds us what baptism is all about.  The water is refreshing on a hot June day and we laugh at how big the fish are that swim around us – but hey, this is the Jordan River!  We can handle a little river mud between our toes and a few curious fish; it’s all part of the experience!  Pastor Marc with help from Tony begin baptizing us – some of the married couples chose to be baptized at the same time.  People sang, some cried.  I know I had a lump in my throat.  It was truly a thrill and highlight of the trip.

Tuesday – Our first steps in the Holy Land!

What a beautiful June day to arrive in the Holy Land!  Our first stop was Caesarea! The group stretched their travel legs and walked among the ruins in awe.  The waves of the Mediterranean Sea crashing around what used to be the capital of the Roman Province really helped to wake everyone up from the flight.  They went on top of a roof of a monestary on Mt. Carmel and saw a spectacular view of the Valley of Armageddon.  Had their first falafel for lunch and stopped at Megiddo before coming to the hotel!  Whew!  Welcome to the Holy Land!

You know when you haven’t been to Israel before, you really don’t know what to expect.  We all watch the news and formulate our own perceptions.  We create a vision in our mind of what it might be like in Israel.  This week I am watching the transformation of 41 perceptions change.  This is one of the best parts of my job.  I have yet to encounter anyone who has come to Israel and left disappointed.  Sadly, because of the media we have an apprehensive first opinion of the Holy Land before we get here. We don’t know what to expect really…I have been asked a multitude of questions that reflect the impressions that we receive from 24 hour news programs  - will be given gas masks when we arrive? Can we drink the water?  Will we have our own bathroom in the hotel or will we have to share? Is there internet?  Do I need shots?  Does anyone speak English?  First let me tell you all questions are good questions, I love questions!  Because it confirms to me that God has placed the desire to travel to Israel on your heart or you wouldn't be asking them!  Now let me tell you that no gas masks are needed in Israel, you can drink water right from the tap and the hotels are modern just like the U.S. so you will have a beautiful place to stay!  The internet is available just about everywhere and many of the busses that we use even have free WiFi on them now!  No shots are needed and about everyone you will run in to here speaks English – and our guide of course speaks great English!  So…I’ve been watching the perceptions change.  Lots of smiles and laughs and also some emotional moments that include damp eyes.  It touches me to witness so many people have their heart moved to such an extent.  I'm honored to be with these people who have come here for the first time and didn't know what to expect - yet came in FAITH anyway!  To watch them fall in love with this place just as I am...to now understand what it's really like to walk in the footsteps of Jesus... in this place, the very spot on earth that God chose for His home!

Here are some pictures of our Tiberias days!

 

First, the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee!  Jesus walked on these waters!!!

 

Pastor Marc Royer delivered a "wow" message on the water.

At the Primacy of Peter we played in the waters of the Galilee and found small stones to take home.

 

We are now in Jerusalem!  So stay tuned for my next update and think about when your first trip to the Holy Land will be!

Shalom Friends!
Kim