From the Mount of Olives

Wake up call at 6:30 this morning - YEA, we got to sleep in 1/2 hour!! After a great breakfast, Munir takes us to the Mount of Olives. On the bus we were blessed to have Sheila's two children, Ateret age 5 and Yoel age 3 join us. We step off the bus to a COLD and WINDY day. WOW was it cold!!! Look at the pics to see us all bundled up. From the Mount of Olives we could easily look over the Kidron Valley to the old city of Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount.

After the teaching time there we walked down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane. We were fortunate to be allowed into a more private garden area. We had a great teaching time from Pastor Carl and time for each of us to spend some time in prayer or reading scripture before we went on to the Church of Agony. This church is built over the rock where SUPOSEDLY Christ wept in the garden. The time in the garden was very special to each of us as we spent time to ourselves in prayer or meditation.

From there we hopped back on the bus. We were all happy to get on the WARM bus after the chilly walk down the hill. The next stop was an unscheduled stop at Schindler's burial site. Only a few of us went to the site.

From there we went up to the Israel museum for the rest of the afternoon. The museum holds the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as many other literary works found in Qumran. First (outside in the cold again) we spent time at the 1:50 model of Old Jerusalem and was taught a great amount of history of the old city. The model itself is incredible with the detail and accuracy. See the pics and I'm sure they won't do the model justice. We went inside the museum and saw many of the original scrolls. The most fascinating is the whole book of Isaiah - all 66 books. It was very moving to actually see the book of Isaiah written in Hebrew. The writing was much smaller than I imagined and we all were amazed at the scribes who, under candelight, copied the sciptures word by word, letter by letter.

WOW - what a day and we are told that tomorrow will be MORE full!!!

Be sure and look at the pictures, many pictures have been added to both the albums, so be sure to look at them all - the links to the pictures sites are in earlier entries to the blog. Scroll down to find the links.

Masada and En Gedi

Masada was phenomenal. First we met up with Amanda MacCollin and her aunt Mia as they have been traveling over here on their own and it was great to spend the day with them. Took the tram up to the top and walked the site. King Herod built a pretty nice "palace" up there. It was easy to see the Roman encampments and the siege wall below us. The ramp the Romans built is still there - about 9,000 Jewish slaves built that ramp. The view of the Dead Sea and the surrounding ranges was a sight that is indescribable.

Back down the tram and back into the coach to drive to En Gedi. It is hard to believe that water can flow right out of those barren hills - but it does; lots of water. Some of use dipped our feet in the pools below the waterfalls - Alan performed a perfect cannonball into the pool. Very refreshing after walking up over 200 steps to the pools. This is where the cave the David and Saul "met" is located. No one knows the exact cave as there are many of them here. The walk down was quite tricky with small slipery steps, but we all made it without incident.

Back to the golden coach with our fearless driver Munir and off to Jerusalem. We took a short detour to "The Wilderness" overlooking Jericho. The winds were stiff and steady (about 30+ MPH) We saw what the wilderness is really like and this is the "green" time of year. Well, us from Oregon saw VERY LITTLE green anywhere. We can't imagine what the dry time of year looks like. Some Bedouin men came to sell us their wares as well as bringing a camel for us to ride ($3 for a very short ride - but it was worth it). Many of us rode the camel - it was ALOT of fun and with the wind blowing made it a bit more authentic.

The bus roared up the hill to Jerusalem. As we crested the hill with the Mount of Olives on our left we could see Jerusalem, the old city and the Dome of the Rock - pretty breathtaking. We all got out of the bus at Jerusalem University that overlooks the city and got our "lay of the land" so to speak. Munir (our driver) knew of a place to shop here where it is owned by Christians. Of coourse mention the word "SHOP" with this group and we had to go there. Very nice merchandise there and many of us bought items. I think that many VISA cards were worn out today. Then we arrived at the hotel where the buffet style dinner was fabulous.

We are all looking forward to spending the next four days here in Jerusalem.

Sorry - no additional pictures tonight - I will post todays and tomorrows pics tomorrow night. It is just too late and as you all know I especially need my beauty sleep.

Good night from Jerusalem!!!

Sun Rise on the Dead Sea

Just had to write a quick note about how we were all a little grumbling a bit about how they just started daylight savings time here - so we lost ANOTHER hour - that means we have lost 2 hours in the last month...... BUT ...... I am so glad we did as we were up in time to see an absolutely BEAUTIFUL Sunrise right outside the window.

More after this day is over where we travel Masada, En Gedi, and Jerusalem.

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.

Travelling North Through the Panhandle of Galilee

Today we headed north on the west side of the Sea of Galilee towards the northern panhandle of Galilee. Our first stop was Karazim, this is the city that Jesus cursed in Mat 11:21. We learned about ceremonial washing when there wasn't any access to "living" water. Ask any of us what that meant when we get back as part of a quiz.

Back on our mobile transport device to travel to Tel Hazor. A VERY large dig that has revealed a temple that was destroyed by a great fire as recorded in Joshua 11:1-12, that cracked the basalt rock it was built with. This tel dates back to the third millennium BC.

Back on the bus to ride even further north. Spent some time in the Dan Nature Reserve and at the top (after a muddy and wet walk - be sure to see Curt's nice socks) we arrived at the Dan Tel with the remains of a large alter used for sacrifice. We could see the Lebanon border from this location (along with some military hardware remains in the fields looking towards Lebanon.

Back to our mobile home to travel in pure comfort to Caesarea Philippi, located at the base of Mount Hermon. The spring at this site is one of 3 tributaries to the Jordan River. It literally comes right out of the ground here. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 800 AD. This is also the area where it is believed that Jesus predicted his death to his disciples and that they were not to speak of it (Matthew 16:13-28).

Much Israely "modern" history was learned today. It is amazing how parts and borders of this little country has changed hands so many times in recent history. The complexities of the battles and land disputes are mind boggling but one thing for sure is that this is truly the land of milk and honey and that the cultures here will continue to fight for it.

Keep praying for us as we travel tomorrow to the Dead Sea and then on to Jerusalem the next day. We hope you are encouraged by these words and pictures as we experience this time together.

I will be posting more pictures when we get to the Dead Sea - I believe the internet connection will be better there.

A Day Around the Sea of Galilee

WOW - what a day around (and on) the Sea of Galilee. After a night of several rainy squalls we were off to our first event: A wooden boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. The rain held out for us to load on the boat and get going but the wind was pretty strong. About 1/2 way across it started raining and windy. It made the hair stand up on my neck as I envisioned Christ sleeping in the boat and all of us nervous about the storm. Absolutely incredible journey across the Sea. Look at the many pictures of all of us wet and rejoicing in the Lord.

Off to the Mount of the Beatitudes where it is thought that Christ gave His Sermon on the Mount. Rained on us a bit there as well - but we sat and listened to Pastor Carl give a passionate sermonette about how we are to be the salt and light of the world. We visited the area where it is believed that Christ had his talk with Peter asking him "Do you love me?" We all wandered down to the water where they cast their net on the right side of the boat and caught 153 fish. (John 21)

Back on the bus to the Jordan river where we all got into 6-man rafts and floated the river for about an hour. Chaille tried to baptize herself as she ended up OUT of the boat and UNDER the boat and popped out the other side. She came up smiling and they dragged her back in the raft. Sorry, no pics of that event - use your imaginations. At the end of our journey Dave Ross was re-baptized in the Jordan. Dave of course had to make sure that Pastor Carl didn't leave the river with any part of his body dry. :-)

I have heard that several of you have missed what Curt is up to.... Well today, he should have kept a better hold on his wife. Just a humble observation. :-D

Final site was Capernaum; Christs center of operations. Saw the synagogue where he preached. The original foundation of that very synagogue is still there! Had to just sit and soak it all in. I find it interesting and a bit heavy on my heart that the Catholic Church has taken most of these sites and built churches or "shrines" around, or at times, actually on top of the site. They have missed the message - it is merely a location or a rock. What is important is the message that Christ spoke AT that location.

We are getting filled to overflowing with sights and teaching - I'm not sure how I can do this for the next 7 days. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Be praying for Dave Ross as he left today to head back to the states for his fathers funeral in Minnesota. He passed away to be in the presence of the Lord the day after he left for Jordan. We pray his travels will be uneventful.

We are all very encouraged by all the notes letting us know you are following along with us. We consider it a great privilege to be on this trip and to share it with all of you in any way we can.

I have added many more pictures to the TWO picassa websites.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EZsi53Ca35jXgNR9gp8k8A?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/promgmt/Israel20092?feat=directlink

More sharing tomorrow.

From Caeseria to Sea of Galilee

Hi Folks. Spent time in the ruins of Caeseria where Paul was incarcerated. A beautiful setting to be in prison. Then went to Mount Carmel to view the Jesreal Valley. Pastor Carl taught from 1 Kings 18:17 ff. From the roof of the monestary we coukld see the valley, Mount Tabor, Mount Gilead and Mount Marahy (sp). Then off to the Tel Megiddo where we saw many layers of civilizations dating back to King Herod. Climbed down 183 steps to the water cistern tunnel and then 63 steps out. This site also looked out on the Jesreal Valley. Off across the valley to Nazareth where it is quite a bit more populated then when Mary was visited by the angel. Back on the bus to mount Arbel looking over the Sea of Galilee and Tiberious (sp). Sang happy birthday to Alan Mitchel from the top of this mountain. Staying in bungalo's right on the Sea of Galilee. Tomorrow we will enjoy a boat ride on the the Sea of Galilee and a kayak trip down the Jordon River. Many of us plan to be baptised in the river.

Thank you all for your prayers. God is really "opening" our eyes to the scriptures as we see the places where Christ and others written about in the scriptures lived and walked.

Above is a picture of almost the complete group on the top of Mt. Arbel with the Sea of Galilee behind us about 1300 feet below. The Sea itself is 625 feet below sea level.

There are two places to view pictures of our trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EZsi53Ca35jXgNR9gp8k8A?feat=directlink
www.jmbaird.com