My Journey with Jesus

I am on my way to Israel with my husband to tour the Holy Land with our church, Pastor and John Maxwell!

On our first day in Israel we will travel north along the Mediterranean Sea to visit Caesarea, the ancicent sea port built by Herod the Great. This is where Paul was imprisoned and was the site of Peter’s first Gentile convert. From there we ascent to Mount Carmel, the site of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. From here we have an astounding view of the Jezreel Valley/Valley of Armageddon. Then, we bisit Megiddo with its 24 layers of civilizations. This was Ahab’s chariot city and one of the most strategic crossroads of the world in the Old Testament times. Finally, we proceed to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We will tour the Nazareth Village, a re-creation of Nazareth when Jesus grew up there. Afterwards, we drive to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed His first miracle, then on to Tiberas where we have our first view of the beautiful sea of Galilee. Our hotel is located on the sea shore and it is here we will have dinner overlooking the beautiful sea and no doubt dining on fish and reflecting on the miracle of it all.

Day Two

We will view the sunrise over the tranquil Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, stopping on the Sea for a brief service! We will stop at Nof Ginossar to see the recently discovered ancient boat from the time of Jesus and then proceed to the Mount of Batitudes, where Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount. There we will have another service overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We then proceed to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. A very short drive will bring us to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry. A St. Peter’s fish lunch awaits us at the famous Kibbutz beside the sea. We then drive up the Golan Heights to overlook the spectacular vistas of the entire Sea of Galilee region. our day ends at the Jordan River with an opportunity for baptism.

Day Three

Is our day of adventure! We drive to Golan Height and visit an excellent light show depicting the battles which took place on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippor war. We ascent Mt. Ben-Tal and tour old Syrian bunkers and enjoy the view into Syria. Driving down from Golan Heights we see the crusader fortress known as Nimrod’s Castle. We travel to Caesarea Phillipi/Banias, the site of Peter’s confession: “Thou art the Christ.” Ther we will stand at the headwaters of the Jordan River, visit the ruins of ancient temples and have time for a walk by the stream and water fall.

Day Four
Takes us to Bet Shean, Jericho, Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea. We will see the largest archaeological excavation in Israel. We will drive near Jericho, viewing the Mount of Temptation and Mount Nebo in Jordan, from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. After lunch we travel along the Dead Sea to Masada and ascend by cable cars to visit the mountain top palace of Herod the Great and the famous fortress. We will view the remains of Herod’s palace, storehouses, cistems, and an ancient synagogue. Afterward we will visit the Dead Sea- the lowest point on earth, where we can swim and enjoy the therapeutic properties of the water without any possibility of sinking. We then begin ou ascent of nearly 4000 feet to Jerusalem.

Day 5
We begin our first day in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives. From there we descent by foot on the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane for a service in the garden. Some of the olive trees are perhaps 2,000 years old! We will then travel around the Old City walls, viewing the tombs of Absalom and Zachariah and continue to the House of Caiphas, where Jesus was held the night before his crucifixion…there we will stand on the same stone steps Jesus would have walked up Mount Zion. We will then visit the Upper Room (Last Supper Room) and have a brief service. After lunch we travel the Bethlehem. There we will view the Shepherd’s Fields and tour the Shepherd’s Caves and teh 1600 year-old Church of the Nativity.

Day 6
We will motor through modern Jerusalem, go tot he Shrine of the Book (where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed), walk through Cardo (heart of ancient Jerusalem) visit the Wailing Wall and place our prayers in the niches of the wall. Afterwards, we proceed to the Pool of Bethesda and the Church of St. Anne, where we can sing in a church with a 10-second echo! I will not be singing knowing that my off key note will echo back for 10 additional seconds, but thankfully we have some good singers coming with us! We will leave the Old City through Lion’s Gate

Day 7
We will start the day with a tour of the City of David. We will walk the Via Dolorosa, passing the markets and bazaars and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by many to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Afterwards, we will visit the Garden Tomb where we will worship and celebrate communion beside the empty tomb. How lucky we are that He is risen; He is not here!

Day 8
We will spend the day at leisure, shopping and maybe even revisiting a favorite spot.

Will you please hold my family in prayer during this journey? It is always hard to leave your children behind, and though we are leaving them in good hands (and ultimately God’s hands) this Mama cannot help but worry.

I am so excited for this opportunity to renew my spirit and feel God’s love washing through me once again. I do believe this trip will be life changing. Our Pastor said that you will never read the bible the same way again after visiting the Holy Land.

I cannot wait to share it with you!
Until then, please hold us in prayer.

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