We recently returned from another wonderful journey to The Holy Land
This is Jeff's 4th time and his 3rd time to lead a group and my 3rd time to go. We started our journey from Tulsa. A picture on the airplane.
We met up with my sisters and brother-in-laws at the Philadelphia airport and flew together from there to Tel Aviv. Rob and Kaye have also been to Israel many times, but this was the first time for Bev and Don. It made our trip extra special for all 3 sisters and husbands to go together.
The pictures on this blog are almost all "people" pictures and the majority are family pictures. The first time I went in 2008, I did about a dozen postings about our trip and went in detail about the sites that we saw, etc. If you are interested in that, please go to the right side of this blog, to the archives, and go down to April of 2008 to read those. I won't go into detail again this time as I really don't have the time.
So this is more a picture posting of our trip :-).
After leaving the airport, we traveled to Tiberias, which is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is my very favorite part of Israel. It is so pretty there.
Below: the three sisters at Caesarea, our first stop on our first day of touring. I gave my sisters a "heads up" at the beginning of our trip, that I really wanted a daily picture of us. One reason was to be able to post on Facebook for our Mom. She wanted to go so badly, but her health just didn't allow it. I know it concerned her, that all three of her daughters, were on the other side of the world. So by posting pictures, I hoped it would reassure her we were all well and having a great time.
.
The six of us standing on the remains of a Roman aqueduct. The aqueduct was built by Herod the Great to carry water from the slopes of Mt. Carmel, 6-1/2 miles to the north, to the city of Caesarea.
Caesarea is on the Mediterranean Sea and is a beautiful area of Israel
Another stop that day was at the city of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle at the wedding. There, the married couples repeated their vows. That was really neat:
For 3 days, we toured the areas around Tiberias/Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent 80% of his ministry. I'm sure Jesus loved the beauty and serenity of this area as well.
Our second day of touring in Israel. around 7:30 in the morning, we took a boat ride on the Sea. It was a gorgeous morning and such a meaningful time, knowing we were on the same Sea that Jesus walked on water, calmed the storm, etc.
Because the group under Jeff was a smaller group this time, we joined another group and traveled together on the bus and had the same guide, etc. This is our group on the boat.
After the boat ride, we went to the area of Tabgha on the northwest shore of the Sea. We were given the opportunity to put our feet into the Sea. This area is where the disciples were fishing but not catching any fish until Jesus showed up! And then their nets overflowed! This is also the area where Peter denied Christ 3 times. So thankful for forgiveness and that Peter was used greatly after that time for the kingdom of God!
Our wonderful Jewish guide, Mike Abu. He did such an excellent job, not only in sharing Jewish history but leading us with many spiritual, Biblical truths!
On Sunday, we went to the River Jordan for a baptismal service. It was located at Bethabara. This was our first time to go to this specific spot, as it is in the DMZ between Israel and Jordan and until recently, tourists were not allowed to go here. What is more significant about this location, than the place on the Jordan where we have always gone before, is that this is the area where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
Bev and I on our way down to the water
I had never been baptized in our past travels to Israel. So this time I was and it was very meaningful. The baptism was just a re-commitment for me. It had nothing to do with my salvation or first baptism, but just a time of sweet remembrance of that time. Kaye took our picture as she had already been baptized one of the other trips. Rob helped Jeff with the baptisms.
Below: the group from our bus that was baptized. Very interesting......the man on the right on the second row that has silvery gray hair (second man--standing to the left of my brother-in-law, Don) was standing around and Kaye asked him if he would like to be baptized. He just radiated and said, "Yes." So he joined our group (we have no idea where he came from, as it was only people from groups that were there). There was definitely something special about him. Afterwards, one of the men from our group was talking to him in the changing room and the stranger asked him for Jeff's contact info as he was so touched by being baptized that he wanted to contact him. The man didn't know Jeff's email but gave him his contact info and said if he would contact him, he would forward to Jeff. The man said his name was Harry Christ. And that was the last anyone saw of him. We've not heard anything from him yet.
We have wondered about him since.....was he an angel? Hmmmmmm!!
My turn - and yes! I put on a shower cap! I know, d.o.r.k.y!! But this was one of our first stops of the day with many more stops, the water was muddy, and the facilities were very primitive with no real showers and definitely no way to wash and dry our hair. So I wore it and it worked and kept my hair 90% dry!
It was so neat, after the baptism, there were white doves nearby!
The baptism was definitely a highlight of my trip.
After the baptism, we went to the ruins of Qumran. In the spring of 1947, the most important archaeological discovery of the modern age took place when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in several caves in those mountains behind us. If you look to Bev's lower right, you will see Cave 4 where fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther was found. The Isaiah Scroll, more than 1,000 years older than the oldest previously discovered Isaiah manuscript is virtually word-for-word with previously discovered texts. It all just proves that God's Word has been preserved down thru the ages and is the infallible Word of our Lord!
Bev reading some Scripture
Jeff speaking. He was our Bus Captain and so our Tour Guide Mike was very gracious to allow Jeff to bring out additional spiritual insights at many of the sites we visited.
Mike and Jeff
The next day.....we headed to Jerusalem. The first sight of Jerusalem, each time I visit, always takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes. I can't explain it.....but there is just something about this city that touches the core of my heart! The bus stopped, just as we saw our first glimpse, to allow us to take some pictures
Then we headed to Bethlehem (located 5 miles south of Jerusalem). We went to the church (Church of the Nativity) that has been built over the birth place of Jesus. As you can see, it has been adorned and at times all of that can take away from the significance of the site. However, most probably, had the church not been built and preserved the site, then we would not know where it was today.
A lunch stop. Jeff with another pastor on the trip, also a Jeff from North Carolina (and the one that Harry Christ talked to that day) :-). They had a lot of fun together over the 8 days.
Ken and Julie Buell and Rick and Chris Roffer are in the picture below. They were part of our original group and the girls are first cousins. Julie knows Ray Adams and that is how they were connected to our group. Thanks, Ray!
There were two others that was suppose to be a part of our group for a total of 12--Sharon George Morgan and her brother Carl George. However, the day before we were flying to Israel, Sharon and Carl's dad passed away. It was a double sadness for my sisters and I as we were looking so forward to reconnecting with the Georges. Their Dad was our pastor in the 1960's and Bro. Carl is the pastor that helped lead me to the Lord and later baptized me. Our hearts grieved for them and their sweet Mom and siblings! Hopefully someday, Sharon and Carl, we'll get to take that trip together!
The family with our guide, Mike.
The three sisters at the Wailing Wall
Praying at the Wall
The guys within the Wailing Wall complex (men pray in a different area than the women)
I have no idea, where or what! One of Kaye's pictures :-)
In front of the Golden Menorah that someday will be placed in the new Temple. The Temple Institute folks are recreating all the items that will be used in the new Temple. It is very exciting as we know that means we are definitely living in the "last days!"
We visited Pilate's Judgment Hall, one of the places where Jesus stood in judgment on the day of his crucifixion. It has been excavated and is underground. I wanted to share this story about our time there. One of those with the group from South Carolina, was a man by the name of Lee. Lee has cerebral palsy. Even though his body was twisted and he was definitely handicapped, he never allowed that to slow him down. He didn't use any assistance in walking and kept up with the rest of us at all times. Here is a picture of Lee:
One of the results of his handicap, is that he cannot not talk. Our guide was drawn to Lee and he became very special to him (and to all of us). While in Pilate's Judgment Hall, Mike asked Lee to come forward to pray. Lee had a look on his face like, "Me, Mike?" Mike said, "Yes, just pray in your heart." The picture below is of Lee right before he prayed. Even though he couldn't speak the words aloud, it was obvious to all of us that he was praying earnestly with his body language, his groans, moans, etc. There wasn't a dry eye in that dark place when he finished. Gives me goosebumps even now! Thank you, Lee, for blessing us!
Jeff's group of 10 on the Teaching Steps of the Temple
Our family on the Steps....we know Jesus taught on these steps...as early as that 12 year old boy that his parents were looking for
Another view of Jerusalem in the background. We were not allowed, for the first time, to go upon the Temple Mount where the Gold Dome is. We were disappointed about that. It is under Palestinian/Muslim rule and they won't allow tourists to go up there anymore.
We then had a "free" day. The majority of the large group went to Masada and the Dead Sea on our free day. Kaye and Rob chose to stay in Jerusalem, since they had been to Masada and the Dead Sea numerous times.
We had the opportunity that day to get our picture with a camel. I didn't actually ride it this time, as I've done that before (a fun experience). So this time, I just got a pic on it.
On the top of Masada......where some major Jewish history happened.
Then we visited the Dead Sea. Bev, Don and I floated (as did many others from the group). That too is a real experience!
Our last day: The family with Jerusalem in the background again--we are standing on the Mt. of Olives
My favorite spot in Jerusalem is Gordon's Calvary. There are actually two spots in Jerusalem that claims that Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the grave. The other has a church (
Church of the Holy Sepulcher) built over it, and very possibly could be the spot. However, the Garden is where I feel the presence of Jesus. It is operated by Christians from Britain.
Our believing guide in the Garden
In this garden, you can see the hill that looks like the skull, known as Golgotha. Of course, years of erosion and the fact that all around it has been commercialized, it doesn't look as much like the skull as it has in the past. The first time Jeff went in 1984, the eyes, nose and mouth were very obvious. Muslims have built a cemetery on the top (
where the cross would have been placed).
Then we visited the empty tomb.
Inside the empty tomb
We were rushed somewhat here, so much to my dismay, I didn't get good individual pictures of the couples beside the entrance of the tomb. The six of us are standing at that entrance below but it didn't get in the picture. The most important thing is that the
TOMB IS EMPTY!! MY SAVIOR IS NOT THERE FOR HE IS RISEN!!
To finish up our time in the Garden, our family observed the Lord's Supper together. Probably a first for us as adults since we live in different states and go to different churches. Very meaningful.
One last picture in the Garden
We had some free time in the afternoon on our very last day (our flight didn't leave til midnight that night). So we went to a famous nearby hotel, The American Colony, and had a delicious lunch. Then Bev and I, all by ourselves, walked probably a mile and did some shopping. I know so many will not go to Jerusalem out of fear. But, folks, there is nothing to be afraid of. I feel so much safer there than I do anywhere in America. The rest of the group will agree.....there is no fear!
Getting ready to head back to America (and that l.o.n.g. 12 hour flight). A picture of Jeff and I with our wonderful bus driver, Haathem. A great guy!
This is a picture of our whole group. We made friendships with some great people and will cherish the memories of our trip with each one forever!!
Our earnest prayer is that America will not turn her back on Israel. We know that God blesses those who bless Israel and will curse those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:3). Please join us in that prayer!!!
Jeff always says, this is his last trip....but then he goes and the land keeps calling him back. He plans to take another group in 2017. If you would like information about that when it's available, please email him at jeffswart@jeffswart.com.
