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Showing posts from June, 2018
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Voice of the Deep

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So far we have written much about different important sites and experiences.  Yet in the midst of all of that, we somehow managed to forget one of the most important subjects:  food.  The stomach can be an incredible motivater.  I have never been very outgoing in trying new foods.  I am definitely a classic girl who loves to know exactly what it is I am about to eat, what to expect, and most importantly how it will taste.  This trip has broadened my horizons in ways I never would have imagined before.  This is especially true with food.  But for all of you people who absolutely love food, but are sticklers for the normal...this is for you.  The food is incredible. But for all of you who yearn for home... There is always McDonalds.

Engedi: land of living water

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Engedi is a beautiful island Oasis in the midst of the sweltering ocean of the Judean Desert.  It was in this paradise that David would remain for a long time while being hunted by Saul.  It was while here that he probably wrote Psalm 23.  While visiting this area Val read us this passage, and there in this setting it became vividly alive.  
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The Holocost Museum The Holocost was one of the most devistating events in Jewish history.  Having happened only about 70 years ago, it is still very fresh in their minds and hearts.  So important is it to them that they will not let political leaders from other countries to meet with their own in Isreal until they have visited the Holocost Museum.  The Holocost was a time of great evil on Earth.  Nazi Germany was not committing just mass murder, but the attempt at complete annihilation.  It is extremely important to remember this time, not only for all the evil that was done, but all the ways God intervened.  It is in the darkest moments that the light of God is able to shine even brighter.  The first building we walked into while there (after the reception) was a tribute to the children who were killed in this time.  It was extremely powerful.  We walked into this pitch black room filled with mirrors and candles.  Each candle representing of one child's life.  As we

Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the Temple Mount, and the City of David

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We are on the bus, Yad Vashem before us and Hezekiah’s tunnel, the Temple Mount, the Old city and the City of David behind us. Lunch in the Jewish quarter was pizza or pasta for most of us. At the Pool of Bethesda we spoke of John 5 wherein Jesus asked the paralytic who has long been languishing and making excuses, “Do you want to be well?”, and having sent him away with his mat in hand, the Lord met him again on the at the Temple (500 yards west) and took a moment to tell him to stop sinning, lest worse befall him. We conquered the wet tunnel and marveled anew at the mystery ofit’s 12” fall over 1600M. Exiting the tunnel at the Pool of Siloam we were amazed to consider the ways David conquered his city from the Jebusites 1000BC and the parallels in the way Jesus entered Jerusalem 2000 years ago: David and his men entered through the WATER tunnel and established his rule  after being taunted by the Jebusites that though the ‘blind and the lame will defend the city’ he

Masada by Paul Lundeen

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Masada was incredible! This Herod built stronghold on the top of a cliff held 1,000 Jews who were were revolting against the Roman Government. The Roman forces built a ramp up the back side of this facility and the Jews on site took there own lives as opposed to becoming Roman slaves.  

Sea of Galilee

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The group posed after an awesome group study on our Sea of Galilee boat ride

Walking to devotions on the shores of Galilee by Wes Burda

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Saint Peter's Fish

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Saint Peter's Fish (Tilapia).  Savannah's face says it all...."It's looking at me!!"

Sea of Galilee and En Gedi and more by Wes Burda

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As I sit here this morning I am thankful for my life  I am here on the Sea of Galilee watching the sun rise it’s June 23rd I hear simple things like the waves cashing on the rocks I hear birds I hear worship songs to the Lord and people talking to their own tongues The resing I say this is cause if the Lord didn’t give me back my life I would not be here to enjoy all that He has give me  All this is part of the story that God is still write down I don’t know what God’s going to do but today He has something big in His plan for me  He wanted me to be here today right now at this moment in life I can’t wait to see what God will do He is God I’m not I’m just a tool in His tool box and He picked me out today making the next chapter in my life He knows what is going to happen June 24 As I ponder what God has done and will continue to do.  I don’t deserve it, but I expected it by faith as a little one does. I get that, that I am a child of God. My mind wants to figure all this but there a

Megiddo

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Our guide Erez teaching us about Megiddo

Paul teaching at Caesarea Maritima

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Paul teaching at Caesarea Maritima
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Rachel teaching us all about Sephoris in its theatre.
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This is a slow motion video of the United States flag and the Israel flag waving together on a boat that we took around the Sea of Galilee. The Boat ride was definitely one of the highlights of that day. The captain played worship music, and even sang to us worship songs that he translated into Hebrew and Val gave a little talk about Jesus walking on water. It was such a relaxing and awesome experience that I will absolutely remember for a very long time. - Savannah Baer
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The Dead Sea and Israeli Food 6/26 by Rachel Huss Woah! I didn’t know what the Dead Sea would be like, but it’s awesome! The sensation of your feet just coming out from underneath you and floating is so disorienting, but also a lot of fun. However, the salt does sting quite a bit if you get it on your face and in any cuts you have! We were just in an evaporation pool next to the Dead Sea at a hotel called Herods (reeeeeealllllyyyyyy fancy hotel and it was almost kind of awkward…), but you still got a good experience. After getting some Dead Sea mud on our faces and spending some time in the Dead Sea, we moved to the normal pool to clean off some of the salt and stop our bodies from stinging. Kaity and I had a water-treading contest for 30 minutes before we gave it up and called it a tie. We’re going to be sore for a bit after that, but it’s good exercise and we need to sleep. Also, the hotel is freezing, so it’s kind of hard to get comfortable, and our room is pretty tiny
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The view from the top of Masada.  Here Dave was suddenly overcome by amorous feelings while in Herods Palace at the top of Masada.  Was it hot you ask? This is not because Sam participated in an ice bucket challenge   Finally here is a selfie of me in front of one of the Dead Sea scroll caves.