From Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea

The day started at 8am with an exciting and encouraging time in the Jordan river as 25 people were baptized; four of them for the first time - PRAISE GOD! Look at the pictures to see some of them. The water was a bit chilly but bearable for this once in a lifetime experience.

After we all dried off - it's back on the luxury coach with our fantastic driver Munir and off to tel Bet'Shean to see an incredible sight of an excavated roman city with all the splendor of a large Roman city; streets, shops, and bath houses. Check out the pictures to see a lot of us on the "facilities" in the roman bathroom sitting "cheek-to-cheek" on the marble - a must see on the pictures. This city was destroyed by large earthquake in 749 AD where all the large columns colapsed and killed many people which caused the plague to infiltrate the city and therefore was abandoned.

Back to the Mercedes limousine (it really was a Mercedes bus) for the long trip to Quamran. This is the location of the Dead Sea scrolls. There are 11 caves where various literary works were found including much of the scriptures. Very different than the Galilee; dry, baron and hard to believe people actually lived there.

Back on our luxury mode of transportation and on to the hotel right on the Dead Sea. A very nice hotel. Most floated out in the Dead Sea - we had synchronized swimming and water aerobics. Then off to the spa for more hot tub and swimming in a Dead Sea water pool. Some enjoyed a sulpher bath and others relaxed with a massage. Tonight as I write in the blog there is musical entertainment in the lobby and a fire dancer will be coming next.


Links to our photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/promgmt/Israel2009SHC?feat=directlink
and
http://picasaweb.google.com/promgmt/Israel20092?feat=directlink
and
http://picasaweb.google.com/promgmt/Israel2009?feat=directlink

(sorry - there may be some duplicates on these three albums)

Thanks again for all your prayers for safety and a fulfilling trip - we have all been so blessed to be a part of this wonderful time of learning and relationship-building.