Traveling

The team is waiting in New Jersey for their final leg of the journey.  Please pray with us that everything goes smoothly, without delay and that the flight can be restful for them.

And they are off!

Another full day!  We started at the Western Wall, David's Old City, Hezakiah's Well, Pool of Siloam, House of Caiaphas, and the Garden Tomb.  After our farewell dinner, the team headed towards the airport to begin their trek home.  I leave in a few hours to head back to Kiev.

Thank you for your prayers along our journey.  Please continue to pray for safety as they travel.  I know we all look forward to sharing some of what we learned with all of you.

Hard to believe it's almost over

Today was filled with more sights.  Mount of Olives overlooking Temple Mount, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of St. Anne, Pools of Bethesda, Stations of the Cross, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Broad Wall, Lion's Gate, Upper Room Discourse, King David's Tomb, and returned to the Mount of Olives.

But, what I want to share tonight is our evening listening to each other talk about what God has taught us while being here.  As we've walked, listened to Jim teach, ate together and traversed Israel on a bus, we have laughed and cried together.  Tonight was no different.  When people talk about a study trip to Israel, they talk about significant life change.  I wondered if God would work the same way in my life.

As we wrap up our days of learning tomorrow, my head is full of knowledge.  It's been fun and challenging.  But, more important is my renewed love for God's word.  I have been reminded of the beauty of poetry in His Word, the challenges in His teaching through parables and the connections of the old and new testament.  God is delighted when we pursue relationship with Him through understanding His word and wait on Him to fulfill His promises.  It is the richest ext ever written.  We were reminded today to see things through spiritual eyes and not our human, first glance.

Yes, Israel has changed my life.  Also, this group of people and, specifically, God's word and His interaction with me here has changed my life.

Overlooking the Temple Mount

Garden of Gethsemane

Church of St. Anne 

Church of the Sepulcher

Lion's Gate

Walking to the Upper Room

Statue of King David

                                                           From the Mount of Olives

Day Six

Another very powerful day, starting with a worship service in The West Bank. Josh told us about when David was anointed as a child to serve as king.  We studied the word “Qatar’ together.  It means ‘little one’ or ‘smallest’.  David was out in the fields tending some of the sheep because his family assumed that ‘the little one’ would not be chosen as king.  We all know that he in fact is God’s chosen one so when he comes in from the fields he is anointed by Samuel as King.

Whatever we feel makes us ‘the  little one’/the thing that makes us stand out in society as abnormal, is often the thing that God uses to bring glory to Himself.  If you feel insignificant because of your insecurities, singleness, ongoing health issues, your past, be encouraged that God looks at your heart and often wants to use your weakness to show His power in your life.

We had a chance to explore Shepherds Field and see one of the many caves in the area that provided safety and shelter to the shepherds and their sheep for generations.

We proceeded to King David’s Well where we have the first drink offering recorded in scripture.  David realizes that the water brought back for him has cost the men too much.  They were in grave danger as the retrieved water to please their earthly King.  And, King David then uses this opportunity to show them that this is too much – too high of a price for them to have paid for him, but should be used as an offering to our Heavenly King. 

What do I (you) spend my life on?  Where do I spend my time and my money?  My time and money should be used as an offering to God.  It’s important not to become sidetracked and give to others what should be given to God.

We then gathered at the Church of the Nativity.  The place has been covered for centuries with Temples and a church now.  The old structure is being restored and it serves as a reminder of the place where Jesus’ incarnation begins as he enters our world in humanity and yet fully God.

Ein Kerem was the last teaching spot we visited.  This is where Mary spent time with Elizabeth before the birth of John the Baptist and also where Mary wrote the Mignificant.  We looked at God’s word to learn about Mary and also John the Baptist.  The common thread among their many admirable and noteworthy qualities is their humility.  They were both willing to stand aside as the Son of Man took center stage – in essence handing off their notoriety.