Day Four on Our Israel Trip

Hi! I am back online after making a trip into Jordan. While in Jordan we were unable to use the Internet so I had to wait until today.

Day four began with a trip to Beth-She'an. This city is best known for the place in the Old Testament where the body of Saul and Jonathan were hung on the city Gates. It was also a very cultural city during the time of Jesus and was highly influenced by Maximus Auerelius the Emperor of Rome. In recent modern times it was known as the sight for the filming of Jesus Christ Superstar back in the 70's. From this very historic city we moved to the boarder of Jordan to begin the process of passing over the border of Israel to Jordan for our journey to Petra.

We made it to the Israel side of the boarder and it was a unique experience going through customs and passport control. We had no problems clearing the Israeli side of the boarder and boarded another bus to be driven to the Jordan side of the boarder. We said goodbye to our current driver Colby and our guide Zvi until Thursday afternoon and made our way to the Jordanian border. There we were greeted by our new guide for the next 24 hours, Khalide and a new driver that we could not pronounce.

Let me tell you that the Jordanian side of the boarder was a little more interesting. Once again, being a savvy international traveler, I was detained while all the rest of the group passed through the passport and customs area. They were taken to the bus while I was detained for questioning. It was fun for a while. My new guide and Jim Brown stuck around for help and moral support. Finally after about an hour of questions and answers I was approved to go into Jordan. I love it and thank God for his help getting me there. We quickly exited the building and got on the bus before someone could change their minds.

We traveled to our first stop which was Mt Nebo where Moses was buried by God. As you recall Moses could not go to the promised land due to disobedience of striking the rock twice. He was however able to climb Mt Nebo and see the promised land. You will find this in Deuteronomy chapter 34. At a restaurant on Mt Nebo we ate lunch after a three hour bus ride. We then visited a Holy Catholic church which had a very nice mosaic floor. The view from outside the church to the Jordan Valley was breath taking. You could almost see the Israelites traveling through the valley on their way to the promised land. From here we traveled to the city of Mabada to see the worlds oldest map in the form of a mosaic. It was really neat to see. Over two million pieces were used to put this together. From Mabada we moved on to Petra were we retired for the night to get ready for day five.

Pastor Mike and Team Greeting from Israel

Pastor Mike Greeting from Israel

Day Three of Our Israel Tour

We got off to an early start this morning. Our first stop was at a site that displayed a 1st century boat. This was the type of boat used during Jesus' time, and it was quite a find several years ago. After the video explaining how it was found and the process of preserving and moving the boat, we saw it firsthand. We then had time to shop in the gift shop for some souvenirs. From here, we went on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where we enjoyed the worship ministry of Daniel Carmen.

From there, we boarded the bus where we headed to the Mount of Beatitudes. Jaida ministered from Matthew 5 and 6. We enjoyed the gardens and the beautiful church on the site. It was quite exciting to see where Jesus spoke to so many, and it was evident by the lay of the land how the sound works in a natural amphitheater. We moved to one of the cities that Jesus cursed, Capernaum, where we saw the home of Peter where he healed his mother-in-law. Jesus did much of his ministry in that area, and we saw the ruins of an old synagogue and many ancient artifacts.

For lunch, we went to a local Israeli restaurant for St. Peter's fish. Yesterday, we experienced felafel, an Israeli food, and today we enjoyed fish and salad in pita bread. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and firsts.

After lunch, we went straight to Banias, which is the site of worship of the god Pan at the place called "The Gates of Hell." In Matthew 16, Jesus asked his disciples "Who do men say that I am?" This is the location of that conversation. There we had ice cream, and then traveled to the Golan Heights. There we saw the UN station near the Syrian border. We saw many old bunkers and tanks that are remnants of the Yom Kippur War of 1973. It was quit amazing looking at old history, and having a guide who fought in the Six Day war.

From the Golan Heights we went to a Shofar factory and then to the River Jordan for a good old fashioned baptismal service. It was a great experience and a wonderful day. We all rejoiced at what God has been doing in us and through us. We then headed back to the Ron Beach Hotel for our evening meal and packing for tomorrow. In the morning we are heading to Petra in the Nation of Jordan. See you then.

Day Two of Our Touring In Israel

Day two of our trip to Israel got underway at 8:00 AM Israel time, (midnight your CST) from the Sharon Inn in Tel Aviv. We made our way up the coast to Caesarea by the Sea. It was the location where Paul the Apostle made his appeal to King Agrippa. It was a great site to tour. The amphitheater at Caesarea is in great shape and is still used alot today for concerts and other events. This city was built by Herod the Great. We saw the former palace location, the hippodrome, and other ruins from the crusaders to the Byzantines.

We then moved on to Mt Carmel where we visited the site of I Kings 18. Elijah the prophet called fire from heaven and then outran the chariots of King Ahab. From there we stopped for lunch and had an Israeli local dish. Then it was off to Megiddo. This is the site of the final battle of the book of Revelation. It is the site of the battle of Armageddon. This Tel was the site of Solomon's water supply and the place where he kept some of his chariots and horses. It was amazing. From there we moved to Nazareth.

The City of Nazareth, the place where Mary the mother of Jesus lived and was visited by the angel Gabriel. We went to the Catholic Church in Nazareth that is built over what is believed to be the home of Mary. From Nazareth we went to the city of Cana. Listed in John chapter 2, this city was the site where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. We visited the Catholic church built there in honor of this event. It was here at this location that we did a wedding vow renewal for Randy and Dorothy Smith. They were originally married February 14, 1997. It is the only wedding I have been apart of that had bells go off and an IDF F-16 fly over. Wow what a neat ceremony.

From Cana we left and found our way to Tiberis where we are currently lodged for the night. It was a long day of travel and walking. God is so awesome and when you consider the feats we witnessed today done thousands of years ago it is overwhelming. We have such technology advancements, and the things we saw done by Herod and Solomon really lets you know that these were bright men. We know Solomon was a wise man, but his exploits of getting water to Megiddo was truly amazing.

Well it is now 9:10 PM Israel time and 1:10PM CST time. That means that it is time to hit the sack. SO until tomorrow I trust the God of heaven will bless you abundantly above all you could ask or imagine in Jesus name.

Travel Time

Well we are finally in Tel Aviv Israel. We had a long day of travel. We left Trinity's parking lot at 3 AM on May 28th and arrived in Tel Aviv at 9:30 AM. It was a great flight in with no hang ups. We had six that went through Houston, TX to Newark, NJ. For some reason the Continental Airlines put some on a straight shot to Newark, and some through Houston. The ones who went through Houston had a delay due to a lack of hydraulic fluid. Can you imagine that? I wonder if that is really needed to fly? Ha, well they made it to Newark and we all waited for our long leg to Tel Aviv.

I personally was able to get sleep on the long flight due to Lunesta. It was a good 6-7 hours of sleep with the power of a pill. Well anyway we all had jet lag. We had a short day of touring and that was a blessing. While in Tel Aviv we went to Independence Hall where we all nodded due to sleepiness caused by the jet lag. We also went to Joppa where Simon the Tanner's house was located. In case you do not remember that is the place where Simon Peter had a revelation of a sheet being let down. When that stop was completed we moved to check into the Sharon Inn on the beach at Tel Aviv. What a welcome site. Now whether it was the beach or the Hotel that was a welcome site depends on you. You call the ball. Me personally, I went to the beach!

Well enough for one day. I am tired now and Jaida is talking alot so I think she is also tired. You will be able to keep up with our trip right here. Be blessed and I will speak to you tomorrow.

PM

What a day of travel

Home at last! I have finaly made it home and I am glad to be there. I am not sure though whether it is night or day. I see the day but my body says it is the night. Funny how those things work. Anyway our journey began on Monday morning we awoke and spent the day recapping and shopping. Our one day to tour without an agenda. We then had dinner and began packing for our ride home. At about 1:30 AM Tuesday September 8th we headed for the Erbil, Iraq airport. We boarded and flew to Amman Jordan. This flight left at 4:00 AM and arrived in Jordan at 5:30 AM. We then had a four hour thirty minute layover. During this time I noticed that I was not feeling well.

Let me just say that when our plane left from Amman to Chicago it was a thirteen hour thirty minute plane ride from I consider hell! I dry heaved so much that I may as well have been seated in the restroom rather than seat 14H. The plane was full and I was not having any fun. Yet finally we arrived in Chicago. Traveling with me were Terry Law, Joel, David and Rob. All these men work for World Compassion. They were sympathetic but each has had that same thing happen to them over the years. It is the part of missions trip that happen yet you believe for it not to.

We hung around in the Chicago terminal for about three hours including eating at Chilies. By this time I was feeling a little better and decided to eat some chicken noodle soup. Not a good idea! Oh well live and learn. I then made it home where Jaida was waiting for me at the Nashville airport.

The great thing is when you are not feeling well there is nothing like your own bed. Does not matter if you cannot sleep, it is your bed and it is where you can recover without the whole world, or at least a plane load of people, knowing you are sick. I am thankful to be home. It was good to see Kylee, Joel, Will and Jaida. As Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz said "there is no place like home"!