October 20 - November 2, 2014 - An amazing journey to the Holy Land - ISRAEL. The weather was perfect. The crowds were less because of earlier conflicts. Timing of trip couldn't have been better!
Per a friend's reference, we followed through on a tour with a Lutheran pastor from South Dakota, Rev Nabil Nour, who was born in Nazareth and returns each year taking a group of pilgrims with him on tour. Tim and I were among the 36 pilgrims this year.
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| Our group of pilgrims in the chapel of the school in Haifa where Pastor Nour attended as a child |
We met up with our family of travelers in Minneapolis, MN the evening before take off. What a comfort to know we did not have to travel to Israel alone and find our way to a tour group there. We had a great orientation before we left. One of the many things I appreciated so much was starting and ending the trip and each day with the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer brings unity when gathered as a family in Christ, whether friends or strangers. Prayer for the day, the travelers, the message and so much more was such an emphasis on our tour.
We referenced scripture at all the Biblical locations and enjoyed praising God in song at most stops as well. We were not commercial tourists. We were a family of brothers and sisters in Christ learning, feeling, touching, sharing in the Holy Land.
We visited many, many places referenced in the Bible. A lot of BC and AD ruins were still in place, and many were memorialized with grandeur churches built on the location of Bible history. I personally enjoyed the ruins and the rural landscapes more than the ornate churches. On the landscapes I could visualize Jesus and his disciples walking this same terrain.
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| Overlooking the land of Israel from the top of Mt Tabor. |
I was emotional and in awe sailing across the Sea of Galilee on a boat like Jesus and his disciples sailed in. We sailed from Tiberius to Capernaum, just as Jesus did, to walk among the ancient ruins of the first century where Jesus preached (Matthew 4:13-1).
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| Sailing across the Sea of Galilee |
I can see Jesus and His disciples walking throughout these hills around the Sea of Galilee.
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| Hills and terrain along the Sea of Galilee that Jesus and disciples walked. |
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| Shoreline of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached |
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| Original foundation of house that Peter lived in at Capernaum. "Jesus went to Peter's home and healed Peter's mother-in-law. Mark 1:29." |
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| Ruins of a Jewish synagogue near Peter's house. "Jesus went to Capernaum and went into the synagogue and began to teach. Mark 1:21" |
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| Ruins in Capernaum. To the top right can be seen the suspended church built over Peter's house. |
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Craftsmanship shown in ruins at Capernaum
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| Sharing in song and scripture at Capernaum |
We had lunch at Peter's Restaurant on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The fish fresh out of the Sea.
We visited the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:7), and to Tabgha, the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mark 6:34-44).
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| 8-sided church to represent the 8 Beatitudes on Mount of Beatitudes |
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| Beautiful setting on Mt of Beatitudes |
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| Tabgha, place of feeding of 5000. |
We then went to upper Galilee and the site of Peter's confession: "And whom do you say I am? Matthew 16:15" at Caesarea Philippi. Then to Golan Heights where Israel, Lebanon and Syria come together.
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| Group singing and devotion at Caesarea Philippi |
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| Pan, where pagan Israelites fell to their deepest depth. A pagan God statute was placed in the niche carved into the rock. |
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| Look beyond the dead stones to the living Savior, Jesus. |
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| Driving along the border between Israel and Syria. Syria landscape in picture above. |
We visited Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding (John 2:1-11) Then a visit to Nazareth where we visited the Church of the Annunciation, where an angel appeared to Mary to tell her she would be the mother of Jesus.
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| Water jug such as what was used for holding water in Cana. "Nearby stood six stone water jars, each holding 20-30 gallons. John 2:6" |
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| Much commercialism to attract the tourist. We didn't buy any wine! |
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| Church of Annunciation, or Mary's Church In Nazareth. Angel & Mary inscribed at the top, followed by Matthew, Mark, Luke & John inscribed above door. Biggest church in Israel. |
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| Every door tells a story. This door given by Germany. |
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| Foundation of Mary's (mother of Jesus) house in bottom of church |
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| Many countries donated mosaics memorializing Mary. America's gift on the right. Poland middle, Brazil left. |
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| Foundation remaining of Joseph's workshop/home. Perhaps a ritual bath to cleanse self as Joseph practiced his beliefs rigorously. |
One of the unique experiences on this tour was visiting Haifa, the hometown of Pastor Nour. We visited his school that he attended as a child, and then his home he grew up in where we were served coffee and Israel pastries.
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| The school in Haifa we had a unique opportunity to visit |
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| Enjoying coffee in Pastor Nour's home in Haifa |
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| Along the Mediterranean Sea in Haifa |
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| Sunset on the Mediterranean Sea in Haifa |
We had a lunch stop at a Falafel street café in Haifa, enjoying our falafel out on the sidewalks and streets. Falafel is a popular sandwich in Israel, much like our hamburger is in America.
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| Traffic was crazy everywhere. Cars parked on sidewalks. People walk in streets! |
Along the shores of the Mediterranean in Haifa are the Baha'i Gardens, and the Stella Maris Monastery built in 1826 over a cave where Elijah hid when fleeing from Queen Jezebel.
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| Baha'i Gardens in Haifa along the coast of Mediterranean Sea |
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| Beautiful ceilings inside the Stella Maris Monastery |
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| Cave where Elijah ran and hid from Queen Jezebel |
On Friday, October 24, we enjoyed the calmness and beauty of Yardenit Baptismal Site near the border between Israel and Jordan. This is where many tourists are baptized in the Jordan River, but not the original site of Jesus' baptism. Here Pastor Nour washed the feet of his pilgrims in the Jordan River.
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| "Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River near Bethany. John 1:28" |
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| Pastor Nour reading Mark 1:9-11 in Arabic. This verse is displayed in over 80 languages on hand-painted tiles. |
"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan. And coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven saying, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.""
Three days of our journey was spent in Jordan, where we visited Jerash, a city of ruins destroyed by a massive earthquake in 747 BC, the hills of Ammon where King David's troops defeated the Ammonites while he was wooing Bathsheba in Jerusalem. Then spent a day walking 8 1/2 miles throughout Petra.
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| Entering the barren land of Jordan |
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| Jordan was a very trashy country. Trash all along the highways and fields and yards. |
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| Much agriculture in Jordan is done under greenhouses |
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| The entry of the old city of Jerash, destroyed by an earthquake in 747 BC Among these ruins is the smallest hippodrome in the Roman Empire, which seated 50,000 people. That's where Roman chariot races were held. |
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| Exquisite craftsmanship of the builders |
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| Jerash ruins |
The following pictures were taken in Petra, Jordan, a city of ruins built in the rocks of a canyon. Originally a city of the Edomites (2 Kings 14:7).
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Known as the Treasury in Petra - morning sun shining on The Treasury
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| The Treasury in the late afternoon shade as we were leaving. |
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| Walking through the crevice of the canyon and seeing The Treasury for the first time. |
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| A large amphitheater cut into the rocks |
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| Camel rides, anyone? |
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| Nomads selling their trinkets along the dirt roads throughout Petra |
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| Sculptured remains of man and camel carved in canyon rock in Petra |
I was amazed at the extent of Biblical history in and around Ammon, Jordan. The Ammonites descended from Abraham's nephew, Lot.
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| Roman theatre in Ammon, Jordan |
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| Tim enjoying the view from the seats of Roman theatre in Amman, Jordan |
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| Looking to the hills of Ammon where King David's troops defeated the Ammonites |
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| Remains of Hercules Palace in Amman |
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| Traces of the original mosaic floor in dwelling in Madaba |
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| Within this church is the original mosaic map of the Israel/Jordan region of 2 million mosaic pieces |
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| Part of the original 6th century mosaic map on the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church in Madaba |
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| Just a small section of the map found in the ruins of a church now rebuilt as the Greek Orthodox Church |
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| A mural of the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, in which Jerusalem and its surrounding regions are depicted. |
My personal highlight was standing on the top of Mt Nebo where Moses stood overlooking the promised land of Canaan.
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| Overlooking the promised land from the top of Mt Nebo |
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| Tim standing where Moses stood looking at the land of Canaan |
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| Temptation Mountain in Jericho where Jesus was tempted by Satan |
It was with reverent hearts and minds that we enjoyed a Sunday worship service on Monday morning in the Shepherd's Field.
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| The Shepherd's Fields |
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| Our bus driver, Ahab, and Pastor Nour |
We then visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, known to be the birthplace of Jesus. We stayed six nights in Bethlehem. In 614 AD all the churches in the Holy Land were destroyed, but not the Nativity Church, because 0f a mosaic of 3 wise men wearing Persian clothing.
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| Entering the door of the Nativity Church. 1st century Muslims made door smaller to keep camels and horses out. |
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| Inside the Church of the Nativity |
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| Known to be the exact location of the birth of Jesus. Ornate and decorated to memorialize the location. |
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| 14-point star is the floor of the above picture. 14 points represent 14 generations from Abraham to David; 14 generations from David to exile to Babylonia; and 14 generations from Babylonian exile to birth of Jesus. |
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| One of several caves remaining under the Church of the Nativity |
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| Bethlehem at night from our hotel room. "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see the lie, above thy deep and dreamless night, the silent stars go by...." |
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| Shepherds keeping watch over their flock by nite on the hills around Bethlehem |
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| Shepherds tend their flock day and nite. They never leave their sheep alone. |
We visited Masada, the mountaintop palace of King Herod that he built as a place of escape and refuge. It was a three-story palace in the side of a mountain. We took gondola cars to the top. This is magnificent ruins of the fortress where, form 70-73 AD the Jewish defenders made the last stand of the Judean Revolt against Rome and where the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church are still on view.
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| Gondola's to the top |
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| Walking thru the ruins of King Herod's palace at the top of the mountain |
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| The 3-tier palace of King Herod |
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| Made-to-scale replica of the palace and dwellings at the top of mountain |
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| Another view of the palace, and the terrain below, from a different spot on the mountain |
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| Looking down on the top of Herod's fortress |
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| Original ruins from the interior of the King's "bath house". Note the original paint. |
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| The Dead Sea in the background from the mountaintop. |
Our next stop was a visit to Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in a cave in 1947. These scrolls were very much relevant to verification of the Old Testament, and offer proof that the Bible is true. An amazing discovery! The Dead Sea scrolls were sold and now the originals are on display in various parts of the world.
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| The cave where a shepherd threw rocks into and heard something break. Upon closer examination, he discovered clay pottery containers in which the scrolls were encased, thus preserving them all these years. |
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| A part of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the cave. |
Then an afternoon floating in the Dead Sea. What an experience that was! The silky mud on the bottom of the Dead Sea felt so good on the skin.
En Gedi is an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. David hid in a cave at En Gedi when running from Saul. Water from the Sea of Galilee flows into the Dead Sea, but the water goes nowhere. It is dead. Christians are like the Sea of Galillee - living and giving out. Those that don't know Christ are like the Dead Sea.
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Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth.45 miles long, 11 miles wide.
"God established the Dead Sea as part of Israel's eastern border. Numbers 34: 3, 12" |
The last two days of our amazing 11-day journey was spent in Jerusalem, the most important city in the whole world, following the steps Jesus took during his last week before his crucifixion on the cross. What an emotional experience that was to walk these same paths. We start at the Mt of Olives (Matthew 24:3) for a panoramic view of the old city of Jerusalem, visiting several Biblical locations along the way. Then on to Gethsemane to see the Church of All Nations that stands on the Rock where Jesus was betrayed by Judas (Matthew 26:36-57). On to Mt Zion to the cite of Caiaphas' House where is the room of the last supper (Luke 22:14-20) and the tomb of David. In the new city of Jerusalem we visit the museum which houses some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and also the huge model city of Jerusalem which depicts in miniature the Holy City as it appeared in the first century.
The gold dome - Dome of the Rock - temple now belongs to the Muslims. It is built over the site of Solomon's Temple, and the second temple. Solomon's Temple was completed in 966 BC and destroyed in 586 BC. The second temple was built in 516 BC and destroyed in 70AD. Jerusalem rebuilt the temple 22 times. Belonging to the Muslims now, it is known as the Dome of the Rock.
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| Overview of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. The Temple Mount in the middle with gold dome. |
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| Jerusalem to the left of the Temple Mount |
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| Jerusalem to the right of the Temple Mount. |
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| The path Jesus took on Palm Sunday riding on a donkey entering the city of Jerusalem. |
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| Walking the path that Jesus walked entering into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. |
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| Burial boxes of the Jewish leaders. Rocks are laid on top indicating "we will not forget you." The cemetery was outside the walls of Jerusalem at one time, as no one could be buried within the "old city". |
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| Bone boxes |
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| Entering Garden of Gethsemane |
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| Our group shared in devotion and prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. We sang "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord." |
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| Thorn crown on rock in Gethsemane |
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| Thorn tree from which the crown of thorns was made. |
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| Thorn tree |
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| Pastor Nour made a crown of thorns as an example of the pain Jesus endured. |
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| Church of All Nations, also known as Church of Gethsemane. Notice the two deer on top, signifying "as a deer longs for water, so do I long for you." |
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| The Lord's Prayer in German. The Lord's Prayer is written in 143 languages here. |
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| Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu dedicated to Peter's denial of Jesus. The word "gallicantu" refers to the crowing of the rooster. Also know as the House of Caiaphas, where the Upper Room is located. |
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| Psastor Nour pointing out the story on the door of Peter's denial of knowing Jesus. Note the blue and red rooster on the left side of the right door. Stories were told in pictures when people could not read. Thus so many doors tell a story. Luke 22:54. Note: See the name "Sandi" at the very top center. Don't know what that means. |
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| Sitting in the House of Caiaphas, where the Upper Room was located where the last supper was held. |
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| The lower room where Jesus was taken on Maundy Thursday nite, awaiting His crucifixion the next day. |
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| Authentic steps where Jesus was led from Garden of Gethsemane to Caiaphas's house. |
Below are pictures from the Temple Mount, beginning with the Western Wall (wailing wall). The wall is what remains of the wall around the temple, not the temple wall itself. Jews were not allowed to visit from 1948 - 1967. All of this belonged to Jordan and the Arabs until captured by the Jews in the 6-day war in 1967.
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| I am adding a prayer into the crack of the wall |
The Temple Mount continues to be the center of controversy today. Though they are barred from entering the Muslim areas, Jews pray at the Western Wall, part of the remaining structure from the second Temple.
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| Remains of the Pools of Bethesda. "the lame man replied, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool, and then someone else steps down in front of me. Jesus said, "Stand up and walk." " John 5:2-9 |
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| Church of St Anne, built around 1130 AD. This was my favorite church in its beauty and simplicity. While in this church we walked up and joined a tour group from London in singing hymns. |
Within the old city of Jerusalem is the Holy Sepulcher Church, built on Mount Calvary over the Jewish traditional site of the tomb of Jesus. This church is shared by many denominations, including Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Syrians, and Copts. The 14 stations of the cross end within the Holy Sepulcher Church with the10th - 13th stations. We walked the 14 stations of the cross in the old city.
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| Original mosaic floor still in tact inside Holy Sepulcher Church |
The old city streets are filled with many markets which include cubbyhole markets along the street and street side vendors. Most of the markets behind doors were closed the day we were there due to a shooting the evening before.
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| Dung Gate is the gate we entered through into Old Jerusalem. |
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| One of the seven gates into the old Jerusalem city. |
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| Extra security present in the old city the day we were there due to a shooting the nite before. |
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| The Garden Tomb is located outside the Old City walls, as no one could be buried inside the walls. |
Look closely in the picture below and you can see two eyes, a nose and a mouth formation in the hill. This was "the place of the skull" known as Golgotha.
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"And bearing His cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha." John 19:17.
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| The "traditional" tomb of Jesus, probably not the exact tomb. |
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A wine press in the Garden.
In the new city of Jerusalem is a model of Jerusalem during the second temple period. It includes fortifications including the Second Temple rebuilt by Herod the Great and destroyed in 70 AD. The topography is an exact copy of Jerusalem during the time of Christ. |
Herod the Great built the town of Caesarea in the first century BC, including the hippo drone theatre in the following picture. The Arabs conquered the area in the 7th century AD
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| The hippodrome is still being used today for large events. |
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| Standing beside the end of the aqueduct in Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea. |
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| The large aquaduct along the shores of the Mediterranean. It carried water to Casesarea. |
Mount Tabor rises majestically in Galilee with amazing views of the surrounding area. This is the site held to be the place of Jesus' transfiguration. The church contains mosaic depicting the transfigured Jesus between Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets.
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| Standing on top of Mount Tabor |
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| The Church of the Transfiguration dedicated in 1925 |
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| Mosaic artwork above of Jesus, Moses, Elijah with Peter, James and John.. "After six days Jesus takes PEter, James and John up into a high mountain and Jesus was transfigured and His face did shine as the sun. . . and behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah. . . " |
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| Mosaic of Moses |
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| Mosaic of Eliljah |
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| Breathtaking views from top of Mt Tabor. |
Unfortunately, this amazing journey had to come to an end. We celebrated our new friends in Christ and our wonderful time in Israel by celebrating Pastor Nour's birthday with his family and friends, eating out at a nice restaurant, dancing to live Arabic music. It was a fun time.
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| Tim enjoying the Arab music on the dance floor. |
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| Our group enjoying a wonderful dinner out. |
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| Our Arab guide, Ahab; Pastor Nour; our Arab bus driver Rissac. All three Palestinian Christians. |
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| Pastor Nour practicing his crazy fun dancing in the lounge at the hotel, getting us all prepped up for his birthday celebration. |
The food was really great the first five days in Tiberia and in Jordan. But the last five days in the Bethlehem hotel it was not so good. The three evenings eating out were delicious, and all the noon lunches wherever we were at were also very good. We ate a lot of lamb and chicken, alot of rice, pita bread, hummus and baklava.
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| Pomegranates were a popular fruit grown in Israel. |
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| A big block of helva. I bought about 8# off this block. It was so-o-o-o good! |
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| There were always lots of dips, salsas, and garnishments for pita bread |
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| 1 oz espresso served in tiny cups |
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| fresh fruit market in Haifa |
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| A sweet pastry shop. |
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| A 30" butternut squash in a little grocery store a few blocks from hotel |
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| Large cluster of grapes in grocery store. |
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| The separation wall between Jerusalem and the West Bank |
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| The separation wall. |
One of our gals in the group wore a fit flex and tracked the steps and miles during our 11 days. We walked approximately 55 miles throughout the trip, 8.5 miles being in Petra in one day.
This journey to Israel was a trip of a lifetime, an event that we are so glad we took the time and financial resources to do. In my daily Bible reading since, I have read so much scripture that I said, "Oh, we were there. I can see it all. . . " Thank you Lord. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus was an event that I am ready to do all over again. There is so much more to experience in the Holy Land.
