Thursday, May 22, 2014

Day 2 -- Holy Land 11th Journey

What a beautiful sunny day with light breezes here in the Holy Land. (We are seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the USA.) 

After a wonderful breakfast at The Ron Beach Hotel Restaurant that included fresh honeycomb our day only proved to get sweeter.


Our first stop was Mount Carmel. This is the place where 1 Kings 18 happened, yes, the mountain where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal. Pastor Jim read the moving story. 

Next we drove southeast to the town of Nazareth. Our hearts were wonderfully warmed as our Nazareth Village guide, Jonathan, led us on a visual journey of the New Testament. We learned details about the life of Jesus while in Nazareth and saw a farmer, a shepherd, a carpenter and Hannah, the village weaver. Also, a 2,000 year olive press was available for teaching us about the place of pressing (like Gethsemane).

After spending a wonderful time learning about Jesus' conflict as a result of His visit to His hometown synagogue, (recorded in Luke 4) we enjoyed a customary Middle Eastern Lunch cooked over an open fire by Mary, the village cook. 

Our dear friend, Pastor Nizar, a true "Nazarene" (because he was born in Nazareth and is now the pastor at the local Nazarene Church) joined us for lunch. Afterwards he warmed all of our souls with his personal testimony. 

Our day of discipleship journeying ended with a walk to Mary's Well, the Church of the Annunciation (where Gabriel appeared to Mary) and a walk through the open Nazareth market. Emily (one of our new friends who joined us from Germany) read beautifully from Luke 1.

Finally, my son, Grayson, prayed a heartfelt and meaningful prayer as we left the Traditional Nazareth Site of Mark 6:1-6. (His Dad was deeply moved.)

With our minds inspired, our hearts warmed and our souls glad, we arrived back at our Sea of Galilee hotel around 5:30 p.m. Stay tuned. More glorious things to report tomorrow, Lord willing. 

Grateful 

2 comments:

Karen Michael said...

My heart is moved as I read your blog...missing my other home away from home. Love and prayers to all.

i am Grateful... Kerry i am. said...

Today I told Steve: "I thought I heard Karen M. laugh on the bus." Memories.