Qumran
In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd was tending his flocks and lost one. While looking for this lost sheep, he came across a cave. It was customary to check the cave … Continue Reading Qumran
The Dead Sea
Yet another completely unique experience. We had lunch on the Dead Sea and went in to see what it was like. Others in our group went all the way in … Continue Reading The Dead Sea
Masada
Such a unique experience! On the eastern fringe of the Judean wilderness next to the Dead Sea is a fortress on the top of a mountain named Masada. Herod the … Continue Reading Masada
En Gedi
En Gedi would be the land where David was hiding from Saul. Saul was trying to kill David. At one point Saul had stopped in a cave to relieve himself … Continue Reading En Gedi
Then Again… Maybe Not
I may have been a little too excited and assumed we were going to be in Jerusalem today. I don’t think we will be after all. It looks like we … Continue Reading Then Again… Maybe Not
Coming in to Jerusalem
The climate has changed again… We traveled further south, up to Jerusalem. I say up because it is quite an ascent up the hill to the holy city. We stopped … Continue Reading Coming in to Jerusalem
The Judean Wilderness
This is the Israel that I have always had in my mind. Dry, dusty, rocky, hills, and plenty of sun. The wilderness is all of that, and more. It is … Continue Reading The Judean Wilderness
Jericho
The sun is killing me! We went south from the beautiful land surrounding the Sea of Galilee and suddenly we entered a dry and barren land. I can’t believe the … Continue Reading Jericho
If you hold on to your life, you will lose it…
The city of Bet She’an was destroyed by an earthquake in 749. The enormous pillars came crashing down and the city was left in ruins. This is how the archeologists … Continue Reading If you hold on to your life, you will lose it…
Bet She’an
Bet She’an was a huge city in the days of Jesus and has been a part of many passages of scripture. It is here that Saul’s body was hung after … Continue Reading Bet She’an
The Jordan River
There is a site (possibly more than one, I don’t know) that claims to be the place on the Jordan where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. We visited … Continue Reading The Jordan River
On the Sea of Galilee
We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. In the middle of the sea they cut the engines and we got to experience the calmness of the sea … Continue Reading On the Sea of Galilee
The Ancient Galilee Boat
This morning we visited a small museum where they have a small boat on display in a climate controlled room. The boat was discovered near the surface of the water … Continue Reading The Ancient Galilee Boat
Bunker Down
We finished our touring for the day by visiting a Syrian bunker on the border of Israel. It was really something to see! There was an entire web of underground … Continue Reading Bunker Down
Temple of Pan
Matthew 16 “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks Peter this question near the temple of Pan, located at the highest peak of the Middle East. Peter says … Continue Reading Temple of Pan
Dan
My mind is officially blown! Almost nothing is the way that I thought it was. I always thought it was cute when people say that being is Israel makes the … Continue Reading Dan