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I heard from Pastor David yesterday via phone and all was going well in Israel. He wanted to let us know our Israel travelers will be returning today, Wednesday. I know we will all be excited to have them back safe and sound. I wanted to share with you a short but spirit-filled update I received from Leslie Smith that gives us a glimpse of what they have been experiencing: Day 4 (Friday) After a buffet breakfast, we went to head waters of the Jordan River. We toured Tel Dan where David read scripture (Matthew16:13-20) where Jesus revealed who he was. We went to Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the beatitudes. David read the scripture and Larry prayed on that mountain side. We went to Caesarea Philippi were Peter made his confession and reinstated as the first apostle. Tabgha where Jesus had the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes took place. Then we had lunch and had Peter’s fish on the Sea of Galilee. Next, we went to Capernaum and saw Peter’s home and viewed some antiquities. We went to the kabutz to learn about the excavation of a boat that was used at the era of Jesus. At the end of the day we took a boat ride from Tel Dan to Tiberias. Day 5 (Saturday) The day started with a light buffet breakfast as it was Sabbath. The order of the day was baptisms on the Eastern shore of the Jordan River. David baptized 13 in the Jordan and then Larry Lind baptized David. It was a moving experience and the water was not as cold as expected. Next, we toured the antiquities of Beth Shan built between 1900 and 2000 years ago. On to Meggiddo (Battlefield of the Armageddon), where we saw a movie and a number of the group went down into the tunnel built to connect the water source in case of attack. For lunch we went to one of David’s favorite restaurants in the Druze village where we could select from authentic area foods, such as Joffa. After lunch, we went Mt. Carmel where Elijah defeated the Baal worshipers. We were mesmerized by the beauty and view looking over the plains of Jezrell. Then we went to Caesarea where we saw the Roman aqueduct and walked on the beach. We also visited the Roman port built by Harold and enjoyed by Pontius Pilot, who got to enjoy the fresh water pool in the Mediterranean Sea. We ended the day in Jerusalem at the Mt. of Olives and looked down on temple mound. We then headed to our new hotel, the Crown Plaza. Tomorrow is Masada and the Dead Sea.
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