Joy in Heaven today!

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth... Luke 15: 7

A day by the Sea of Galilee

We started out the day yesterday with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We ended up with a tourist group from Columbia on our boat, and, boy, were they a lively bunch! We then drove to the Jordan River, which is just a beautiful area. We ended the day at the ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus spent His last years of ministering. It is incredible to me how much history I am learning about the places where my Jesus walked. The facts I have heard since I was a child are now becoming real places to me... I am walking where He walked, touching the water He calmed, and looking at the places He saw. But, even though I will be leaving these places in a few days, He will be going with me because He lives within me!

On a boat ride, looking onto the Sea of Galilee
These are ruins of a boat that were found about a decade ago during a dry season here. Of course, no one knows to whom this boat belonged, but it was certainly used several centuries ago. They now call it the "Jesus boat."


At the Jordan River, close to where it joins the Sea of Galilee
The peaceful Jordan River
Pastor Bob and Mrs. Judy standing at an entry point to the Jordan River. Thousands are baptized here each year, but we just enjoyed feeding bread to the numerous hungry catfish and muskrats.
My sweetie and I at the Jordan River
There were at least 20 plaques exactly like this one, with the Scripture passage about Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. Each plaque had the same reference printed, only in a different language. We were amused by this one that was typed in "Hawaii Pidgin."

Standing by the Jordan River

Entrance to Capernaum

Statue of Peter in Ancient Capernaum

Ruins of a synagogue in Capernaum. It is very likely Jesus stood in this very place and read the Scriptures.

Inside synagogue ruins in Capernaum. Here we are trying out one of those aspect-type photos, where it looks like we are trying to hold the pillars. Guess we should have shown a little more stress on our faces to make it look real!

Ruins in Capernaum, showing the separation of living quarters for different families.

An ancient olive press

Ancient synagogue with homes close to it. I was actually surprised at how close the homes were to the synagogue. It was apparent that some people lived just a few steps (literally) from their place of worship.

Dinner by the Sea of Galilee, where David and I shared "St. Peter's fish" A romantic evening in Capernaum, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee

Nearly 10 years and still in love!

Jerusalem... and beyond!

Before leaving Jerusalem, we had a couple of places we wanted to see first: Bethlehem and the Holocaust Museum. Bethlehem is now controlled by Palestinians, and even though tour groups are allowed inside their walls, we did not stay long. We did not feel safe there and we knew that no one really knows exactly where Jesus was born. Therefore, just going inside the city for a short while was enough for us.

Once we toured the Holocaust Museum, we traveled two hours north to the Sea of Galilee, which is the general area in which we are staying tonight. We took many pictures along the way, weaving in and out of Palestinian territories since they have taken control of various pieces of land all throughout Israel.

Enjoy seeing some of today's pictures!

On the Israeli side, David is asking Israeli soldiers how to get beyond the walls into Bethlehem.
Inside Bethlehem

A cave inside Bethlehem shows the type of caves people have used as shelter for centuries.
The mountain in the distance is believed to be the place where Herod lived and ruled.

Inside the Holocaust Museum, a "funnel" of pictures shows just a small portion of the Jews who were executed by the Nazis during WWII.

Looking up at the pictures... Behind and all around me are bookshelves 1/3 full of record books of those whose deaths are known. The empty shelves (not seen in this particular picture) represent the other 2/3 of Jews whose death records are unknown.

Palestinian-occupied land

Palestinian homes. I will not make a comment here, but you can see for yourself how they live. We saw this situation everywhere!

Wall and barbed-wire that separates the Jews from the Palestinians

Bedouins still play a role in society today. We saw several of these make-shift tents as we traveled as well.

Driving through the Judaean Desert, where Jesus was tempted by Satan.

We stopped for a snack and I wanted to point out here that prices in Israel are expensive. Just this can of chips was $5! Gas is $8 a gallon; a bottle of shampoo is $7!

We stopped off at the Dead Sea, and all got a good laugh out of this "man" who caught a fish here. Of course, fish cannot survive in this salty water, so fishing here would be useless!

Standing in front of the Dead Sea. Jordan is behind us. (Actually, the territorial line that separates Israel from Jordan runs right through the middle of the Dead Sea.)

The slimiest, strangest water I have ever felt was this water. People were swimming here, and I certainly had no desire to join them!

Don't worry.... we found drinking water elsewhere!

Jews are simply brilliant people, as evidenced by these luscious date trees being grown in the rocky desert. The key here is their efficient irrigation of water.

Supper at McDonald's

You come to understand what it means to eat "kosher," (meat separated from dairy) when you are in a McDonald's that does not offer cheese on their hamburgers. In this particular McDonald's you could order your food to the right and your ice cream to the left. A Big Mac Meal here costs $10!

Until tomorrow...!