Saturday morning we got an early start to the " Yigal Alon Museum" where we were able to see an ancient boat which was excavated in the '70's. It dates to the time of Jesus. It was fascinating watching the documentary on how they were able to release it from the muddy bottom without destroying it. From there we went on a boat ride from Tiberius to Nof Ginosar. It was such a wonderful experience. The boat was a recreation of the boats from Jesus' time. Wooden floors and seating along the edges. Immediately after pulling away from shore they hosted an American flag and began playing the National Anthem. Very cheesy, but it was still fun to hear the students all singing along with great gusto! While floating on the Sea of Galilee we shared a devotional together and sang hymns together. When we were finished, the captain of the boat turned on a gospel CD. Elvis Presley and Sandi Patti:) I will admit that singing "How Great Thou Art" while on the very Sea where Jesus walked was very moving. After disembarking, we continued on to Capernaum and visited the ruins of an ancient synagogue and the site of Peter's house. From there we proceeded to see fish mosaics from a 5th century Byzantine basilica at Tabgha. This was supposedly the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. After lunch we drove to the Mount of Beatitudes, site of " The Sermon on the Mount". We travelled through the Upper Galilee to visit Tel Hazor, and then returned to our hotel for the evening. About 6pm we had a knock on our door. Our student, Gretchen, had decided to put on our Lord in baptism! We all went down to the Sea, the students climbing a fence to get to the shore, where Luke baptized her. The highlight of our trip! What rejoicing!
The next morning was the Lord's Day. We first visited Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle. There was a small local wedding in the church that day, which made it so easy to envision the festivities, and the wine running out. And Jesus had changed the water into, not just wine, but the best wine. Amazing! We continued on to visit Nazareth where Jesus spent his early years, and visited Mary's Well and the Church of the Annunciation. We climbed the hillside where Jesus' own people had rejected Him after he read to them the words of Isaiah. They had wanted to throw him off of the hilltop. We shared in the Lords Supper together, using individual olive wood cups that Nasser had brought for us to keep, as a special reminder of our times walking where He walked. We then drove to Mt. tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, and then on to our hotel in Jerusalem where we would spend the next four nights. The Rimonim Jerusalem Hotel was quite a haven for us during our stay there. We were on the 15th floor, with a large living room and bedroom suite. We had a wall of windows overlooking the city of Jerusalem. Breathtaking. Upon entering our room we found a basket of fruit, bottled water, and special chocolates. All very much appreciated. But best of all was the two pairs of house slippers:) It is funny how much delight can come from the little blessings God graces our days with! The boys has a separate room by the students, and enjoyed their freedom:) one night I went down to check on them before bed and could hear singing. Jordan was at the devo the students were having in their room. What a blessing they have been in the lives of our sons. Before going to bed I downloaded a book off of Kindle that I had read many years before, "The Gates of Zion" by Bodie and Brock Thoene. I knew it would be perfect to read during these days in Jerusalem. Tomorrow,Gethsemane.
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