The Jordan River

Bright and early we were up, on the bus, and headed for the Jordan River where we could be baptized or re-dedicated. Six of the nineteen of us in the group decided to do this. Dan and I wanted to partly because our associate pastor, Erin Dougherty would be doing performing the ceremony.

Let me just say that the river itself was not what I expected. It was narrow in this particular section, with green water that wound silently along the bank. I think there are spots that you can white water raft, but that would certainly NOT be the case here. The water was very COLD.

To prepare for the baptism, you first change into a white robe (with your suit on under, of course) then file down with your group so that you sort of have a private

little area to yourselves. Then the pastor baptizes you, and then you climb out, shower off in COLD water and use a COLD air blow dryer to sort of keep yourself from getting a COLD. Dan said that the men's side had warm water! What's the deal?

I was baptized as an infant, so this was special in that I was making a choice and while I felt no need for the baptism itself, it was great to have to opportunity for a re-dedication ceremony and in the Jordan River no less! It really was a special moment. It was also great to do this with Dan.

The Sea of Galilee

What an experience! Out on the water where Jesus walked! It was a beautiful lake, although it looked quite cold.

We began our day with a lunch of fish and chips. It was not batter-dipped fish fillets and french fries. No, it was a grilled Tillapia...eyes and all. Yucky to look at, but the taste was great. Carol showed me how to de-bone it so you had the whole carcass hanging from your fingers. Those of you who know that I hate being in the water with fish, can imagine how much I enjoyed this meal!

After lunch we boarded a small wooden fishing boat and headed out to sea. It was a dreary, misty afternoon and none too warm. Part of the boat was covered, so we huddled under the canopy and listened to scripture, played music

and had a lesson on how fishing nets would have been cast in ancient times. The water was a bit choppy and you could just imagine what Peter would have thought about when following Jesus out onto the water.

At the end of the trip we headed for Ein Gev, which is a local, working Kibbutz. We stayed in little cottages on the Sea. They were odd little bungalows with bright blue linoleum floors. The place was clean, but just odd. The bed was comfy

and the shower set up was strange, but the view was to die for!. The view across the lake at night was spectacular. We were able to go out and pick-up shells that we brought back. Just imagine, shells from the Sea of Galilee in my living room!

Capernaum

Jesus mostly likely considered this his home (Matt. 4:13) and most of His miracles were performed here. It is here that he:

• Delivered a man from an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28)

• Healed the Centurion's servant (Mark 1:29-31; Luke 7:1-10)

• Healed the man who was led down through the roof (Matt. 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12)

• Raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Matt. 9:18-26; Mark 5:2-43; Luke 8:40-56)

• Healed the woman of an "issue of blood" (Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48)

• Healed the blind and dumb demoniac (Matt. 9:27-35)

• Healed the nobleman's son (John 4:46-54)

• Healed the multitudes (Matt. 8:16-17; Mark 4:10-11)

During excavations a wall was discovered underneath the

present limestone wall which leaves archaeologists to believe that this is the remains of the ancient synagogue at Capernaum (Luke 4:31-37)

It is also at this site that they believe they have found the house of Peter's mother-in-law.

Tabgha-The Church of the Multiplication

Tabgha is the traditional site where Jesus fed the 5,000

(Mark 6:30-44).

When Jesus was not traveling, his home was in Capernaum which is just two miles southwest of Tabgha. A church has been built over the site where they believe the multiplication took place. Do you see the burnt rock under the alter? The mosaic tiles were placed around the rock and an alter constructed. The mosaic tile floors are over 1,600 years old!

You enter the site via a large courtyard that feature ancient olive presses and olive and fig trees.

Today, the site is run by the Benedictine Order. It was a very peaceful location and you could imagine women bringing the olives to the presses and having conversations. The first press of the olives was used for anointing purposes and the second press was less pure and used for lighting.

Sermon on the Mount-"The Beatitudes"

It is at this location that it is believed Jesus sat down with his disciples and began to teach...Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5: 3-10

The natural acoustics are amazing here. The area is currently occupied and run by the Catholic Church-Carmolite Order. If you walk around the building that is sitting up on a perch, you look down into the valley below where crowds would have gathered. One of the preachers that was with us on the trip offered a short sermon lesson before we entered into the church itself. Standing across from the preacher is our guide Ido. He gave so much information to us at each location that it was hard to take notes, take pictures, and just take in the views!

The "Jesus" Boat

Remember in Matthew 4:18-22 where Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee and he called to Peter and Andrew who were casting nets into the lake and said, "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men"? Well, in 1986 two fishermen brothers discovered this wooden boat buried in mud on the shores of the drought-depleted Sea of Galilee. This wooden boat is one of the few authentic things that can be conclusively dated to the first century (they used radiocarbon dating on the boat). Thanks to being sealed in mud, the wood could not "breathe" and thus decay.

The boat is about 24 feet long and 7 feet wide and about 4 feet deep. It is thought to be large enough to have carried 15 people. To get it out of the water they encased it in a foam to float it out and keep it from crumbling. Restorers used several techniques to preserve the

wood and be able to put it on display in the museum. Inside the boat they found a "flashlight and lunchbox." There was a small oil lamp that would have been used like a flashlight and a bowl where a meal would have been kept. They also recovered some nails. All of these items are also on display at the museum. This was a truly amazing find and brought the idea of a fishing boat from Jesus' time to life.

The Golan Heights

The Golan Heights was our 4th stop. As we drove along the roadside between the borders of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, we saw land- mines, guard towers, barbed-wire fences and bunkers. On the road we saw active soldiers with their tanks. They appeared to be just "hanging out" but I am sure they were ready for anything. We saw soldiers everywhere on this trip. Needless to say, we always felt safe.

We continued our drive until we got to a deserted bunker site which I do not remember the name of. We were able to climb down into the bunker. It was dark and cold. I cannot imagine living there. It was like walking into a metal ribcage. In the picture you can see light glowing from the end of one of the passageways.

We saw bunks and tables where they ate. Basically, it was a muddy mess. On top were places were they set up to fire guns. Not very technical language, but I don't know what they call those posts. Did you know that every house built in Israel has to have a bunker? We saw bunkers along roadsides and caves nestled into the hillsides where the "bad guys" would hide and fire down on the road below. Depending on who was in control of the area at the time, the names of the enemy changed. This was a fascinating place.

At the end of the day we stopped at a playground park that featured old army tanks to play on! Needless to say, we all piled off the bus and ran for the equipment. We climbed inside the tanks and hung from the long gun thingy. It was a lighter side to the very seriousness of survival for the Israeli citizens. I emailed this picture to my Y trainer so he would have proof that I did "some" exercise while on the trip :)