Last day of a life changing trip!

This was our last day here. The day started with a stop at The Underwater Observatory -Marine Park, Eilat:A marine underwater observatory and nature museum exhibiting the rich corals and colorful fish of the Red Sea. Shark and sea turtles swim in large open-air custom built tanks.
We then traveled to a small airport, from there we flew on a small plane to Tel Aviv, Israel where we had ourFarewell Dinner and the presentation of a Certificate of Pilgrimage to each tour participant. We were then transported to the Ben Gurion airport to await our flight and return to the United States with wonderful memories of the Land of the Bible.

Traveled into Petra!

Friday was our free day, we slept in and then traveled to Eilat. Eilat is located at the southernmost tip of the country. From Eilat you can see four countries, Israel itself, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Once there we checked into the Hilton Queen of Sheba Eilat Hotel it is located on the waterfront promenade, the hotel has a spectacular view of the clear Red Sea, the desert mountains and the lagoon. The hotel is designed as the imaginary palace of the Queen of Sheba the architecture and interior design is characterized by royal motifs: towers, domes, arches, pillars and mosaics.
Saturday we went across the border into Jordan and then hiked inside Petra, the only other transportation was camel or donkey. Petra is the fabled "rose red city, half as old as time".
Petra is considered the most famous and gorgeous site in Jordan.
Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it", actually, for sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it.
The Mountain of Aaron is the highest peak in the area. At the top you will find a small church and the tomb of Aaron, brother of Moses.
This has been the best trip I have ever taken.

A walk into the Dead Sea!

Our morning started off with a stop at Qumram, a ruin from the days of the second temple on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. it became famous when a number of manuscripts were found in nearby caves. The manuscripts are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Dead Sea lies further beneath sea level than any other spot on earth. it is 30% salt.
Next stop was Massada, set on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert, Massada's steep slopes and precipices rise more than 400 meters above the Dead Sea. Massada has become a legend of Jewish bravery and commitment in spite of overwhelming odds.
I am going to soak in some warm Dead Sea water tonight and relax.
I am a changed person because of what I have seen here, it is awesome.

A look at Calvary!

First stop was the Temple Mount, where Abraham offered up his son in sacrifice. Next was Antonio Fortress, where Jesus was put on trial.
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away to be handed over to Pilate, the governor...Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
At the Praetorium, Jesus was severely whipped. The Roman soldiers, amazed that this weakened man had claimed to be a king, began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff. Moreover, when the soldiers tore the robe from Jesus' back, they reopened the scourging wounds.
The severe scourging, with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Jesus in a preshock state. His skin was particularly tender. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water and sleep, also contributed to his generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at least serious and possibly critical.
We then walked up the same steps Jesus walked, and saw the pit where Jesus was kept overnight.
Next stop was Calvary where Jesus was crucified. Christ was crucified at Golgatha, which means "place of the skull" which accurately describes a skull-shaped hill less than a hundred meters from the site of the tomb.
Next was a stop at the Garden Tomb, which is a tomb with two chambers cut out of the solid rock. It is in a beautifully laid out garden not far from the Damascus Gate.
We saw the empty tomb and had communion.
We took a walk through the Muslim Quarter, this is the largest quarter in the old city, they put me in the middle so I could be seen easily and we would not be bothered.
This was a very intense and emotional day for me, lots of tears.

Sang Christmas songs today.

This post is for Tuesday, couldn't get to a computer.
The day started at an overlook into Bethlehem. We then went to the Shepherds Field, where the Angel of the Lord visited the shepherds and informed them of Jesus' birth, and sang Christmas songs. We then went to where David and Goliath fought.
Next was a stop at Rabbi's Tunnel.

Big day today, lots more walking!

Today started with a stop at the Mount of Olives.Next stop was the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed, Dr. Crisp reserved a private garden for us, this was really special.
Next was the Eastern and Southern walls.
The next stop was at Mount Zion, we entered through the Armenian Quarter to Jewish Quarter.
Next was the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) .
This was a very busy day, but an exciting one also.
Carol Boone from my church rode a camel today, very funny.
This post is for Monday the 6th, got this posted a little late.

Got Wet This Morning!

I was baptized in the Jordan River this morning by my much loved Pastor Kermit Evans.
This was an awesome experience!
We then drove to the Jordan Valley, went to Gideons Spring,
where Gideons army got their water.
Next we went to Meggido (Armageddon), there was a lot of interesting sights here.
Next was Mount Carmel, where Alijah fought the Prophet of Vael.
Next was a visit to Caesarea by the Sea, this was a breath taking experience, so beautiful.
We then traveled (lots of driving today) to Jerusalem where we checked into the beautiful five star Regency Hotel Jerusalem.

Walk, Walk, Walk......

Today was an exercise day, we went to Tel Dan Nature Preserve, lots of Eucalyptus trees, smelled good. We also walked to Danis Falls. We walked in Northern Israel and saw the border of Lebanon and Syria.
Next we went to Caesarea Philippi and saw the Gates of Hell.
We then went to the Golan Heights and saw Israeli soldiers.
Today was an annual event of a bike ride around the Sea of Galiliee, I have never seen so many bikes in one place, there were literally thousands of them. This made the bus driver a little late in picking us up and it was very hard to maneuver around so many bikes.
We also saw a cow straddling a guard rail, don't know how it got there but it was an interesting site.
We got our luggage so everyone has fresh clothes to wear, yeah!

Boat Ride on The Sea of Galiliee

The day began with a boat ride on the Sea of Galiliee, we stopped and had a bible reading, the guide threw a net over the side of the boat, he said he rarely caught a fish. We told him to put his net over the other side of the boat and he caught 2 fish!
Next we viewed the Jesus Boat, it dates back to the time of Jesus.
Next was a stop at The Mount of Beatitudes, Dr. Crisp asked me if I would read
Matthew 5:1-12, this was a really special time for me.
Next we went to the site where Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Very emotional time.
We broke for lunch and dined on Peter's fish, Tilapia.
We then went to Capernum where Peter's mother-in-law lived.
We rode all the way around the Sea of Galilee.
We did not have the baptizing because our luggage had not arrived yet.
Good news was announced this afternoon, OUR LUGGAGE should be here tonight.
The ladies on the trip are excited about their "stuff" arriving.
On this first day of the tour I can already feel the change in me.
Thank You Lord for this wonderful experience that is unfolding before me.