Holy Land Trip

AIRPORT ARRIVAL

Monday June 9 to Tuesday June 10, 2008
Travel troubles from GrMonday June 9 to Tuesday June 10, 2008
Travel troubles from Grand Rapids Michigan to Tel Aviv , Israel.
Monday June 9, 2008
Although the travel was long and filled with some vagaries in timing when leaving the USA, the arrival in Tel Aviv was smooth. There are some 62 of us on the first phase of the trip and it includes 10 days in Israel at both Tiberius and Jerusalem. But wait! Back to the departure in the USA. You wouldn’t want to miss this!
The group, in order to get the best arrangements for flying, had to split up according to our itineraries (there were 4 different extensions after the Holy Land.) Which meant four groups had to come through three different airports? Then we all were to meet in NYC/JFK where Israir Airlines was to fly us at 11:00 PM all on the same plane, to Israel. But read on, there is more. Our plane (containing Ruth and Jim and the five others who will do the Nile River extension) was delayed in getting out of Grand Rapid MI by 40 minutes and then delayed further in Chicago. One irony at O’Hare was that we were scheduled to take off from Gate K10, we waited an hour but then were told to go to Gate H-14 (a long walk) but before they got our plane there we were told again to return to the loading areas and wait at K-13. So, we dutifully went back. Fortunately our luggage is packed to NYC so that was OK, We finally were off from O’Hare and headed for NYC some 45 minutes late (additional)

That was not the “interesting” part. It is still to come., After skirting a thunderstorm , and seeing the tops of some others the pilot decided to head for the coast of Long Island coming in from the south, where he made a very good landing, Now we have to get the bags from American Airlines, and then head for the International Terminal which is on the (east) side of JFK. JFK has a relatively new rail delivery system so a lot of walking is saved. One of the ladies had asked for a wheelchair and one came right away while we awaited the luggage. That allowed us to accompany her up and down on the way using the elevators. It was off to the International Terminal, for our 11:00 flight where we had to proceed through customs. It was now 10:30. At this time the rest of our groups in the 4 planes had arrived and had gone past us and were already loading onto the 330-200 Airbus. Our group was at a standstill. The reason was there was no record of our names being in the computer for ticketing. So we seven had to wait as the screeners from Israel typed in the data necessary, One by one (Paul, Karl, S. Cheers, A. Truax and S. Cheers,) All except Jim and Ruth were finally released to go through the baggage check and the long line waiting for International flights. Ruth and I were getting a bit more than anxious. By now the doors of the plane were closing and the others, on the plane who knew by now we were VERY late, were beginning to whisper, “How will they get to Israel, if Jim and Ruth miss this plane?”, and “Gee, I wonder what happened in Chicago?” The Rev’s Gary and Laurie got permission to leave the plane and look for us, the screeners kept phoning the plane people when each had been processed and on our way so they knew. Now there was just Ruth and Jim left and finally they cleared. They still had to get through that long, deep security inspection line before boarding the plane (and the long walk to gateway #37 B) which was a “fur piece” from that security spot.. As we finally cleared security, here comes Gary! Bless his heart! We are now through the inspection, with pieces of overnight items sticking out of the unzipped ‘carry ones’. Gary takes our ‘carry ones’ as we hear the loud speakers saying “Strohmers and Halers please board your now as your plane is about to leave.”. Gary reassures us “Everything is fine” , but inside we still have much anxiety. We hustle for the plane and there is Laurie at the gate faithfully waiting for us with her boarding pass in her hand! We have made it, albeit 45 minutes late . The anxiety begins to leave, stress is reduced, Gary and Laurie offer vocal reassurance and support as we walk the long boarding tunnel, quite quickly to the plane. All the handlers and agents are standing by the door awaiting our arrival. They smile, weakly and we smile back. We are fully loaded and ready to go. And greetings and a few cheers from our group are heard. Now the plane can finalize and secure for the flight. We take off at 11:57, so about 57 minutes behind schedule, but all safely aboard. There were many prayers said (both by the Methodists in our group and the dominant Israeli citizenry that was onboard.) Who also were patiently waiting to take off.

The flight From JFK was a smooth one taking us over the “circle route” that is, northeast from NYC via Long Island, CT, MA, NH, ME, NB, just missing PEI, skirting the Northern tip of Newfoundland, south of Iceland and then crossing over Ireland, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Balkan countries, (had a view of the Adriatic coast briefly, Greece and the Aegean Sea, the western tip of Turkey, the Mediterranean and finally arriving at Tel Aviv on Tuesday June 10 at 5:15 PM local time. That would be 10:15 Am Grand Rapids time. Hope you followed that!
The David Ben Gurion Airport (named after Israel’s first Prime Minister) is beautiful and still under construction in some places. There is beautiful art work throughout. The security and passport checks went smoothly and the busses were waiting for us right outside the door.
We had a good tour of the roads between the airport (near the Mediterranean Sea )and Tiberias (on the Sea of Galilee and is not really a Sea as it is fresh water and inland). It has had 12 different names. We began to get a visual impression of the dry land, and rocks, as well as the fences, walls and separation between the countries (Palestine, Israel, Syria and Jordan, and the old borders that existed when Israel became a country in 1948. It is very complex. There are many areas of farmland and fruit orchards , plantations (bananas) as Israel does grow much of its own food. More on this later.

Our arrival the Royal Plaza Hotel was smooth, albeit we ate dinner at 9:30 PM, which was saved for us . It was a vast amount of salad choices (30), assortment of hot dishes (20) and many desserts (15) and drinks . People did not linger as most wanted to get bedded down and start to get some rest. Most of the travelers had a restless sleep the first night in Israel. And wakeup as usual was 6:00AM each day.

After morning breakfast (again many choices and eggs as you wanted them), we loaded the busses for the day’s stops and learning. Our guide , named “Tsippy” was excellent and really a scholar in Christo/Judeo history and archeology. We were particularly impressed with her tying the words and vocabulary to the places and events. Her knowledge of especially the Old Testament as well as the New was astounding. She is a master at word derivatives , especially Hebrew Here are the places we visited for the first day at least in brief.

First stop was Valley of the Winds, where it was very hot. It is a very narrow, rocky valley where Jesus walked through on the way from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee . It was the same spot perhaps where he stopped for water along the way. (A small stream meanders along here). It is surrounded by the tall mountains (4--6,000 feet) that in the winter are almost bound to be filled with snow. (Remember Jesus birth and the “Shepherds in the snow”)? This spot has a feeling of “I wouldn’t want the Roman army to be camped here when I walked through.” The day continued with a boat ride on Lake Kinnereth to view the spots where Jesus commissioned his first disciples.
Caparnaum-where Jesus centered his ministry, spoke in the synagogue and angered the Pharisees.
The Ancient Roman boat (circa 300 BCE) found recently and partially preserved and displayed. This was very similar to the boats that the disciple/fishermen used.
The Mount of Beatitudes. The place where Jesus delivered “The Sermon on the Mount”. This is a church dedicated to that Sermon.
Tabgha- a traditional site for the calling of the disciples by Jesus.
The site where: Jesus “Fed the Ten Thousand” with the two fish and five loaves. (The fish were locally caught). We ate lunch near there at “The Fish Restaurant.”
Chapel of the Primacy. “ Lord you know I love you “ (Peter) (A Catholic nun’s order site built with Mussolini’s help by and for Italians in the Holy Land. Dedicated to the Pope and his descendancy from Peter.
The house that Peter’s mother lived in.
All of these sites could be seen from the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and we recalled those times as portrayed in the Bible. We had a devotion on the boat.
Finally an extra visit to: the Jordan./Syrian border (just looking, folks) this side of the barbed wire and land mines. Jordan controls much of the Jordan River “corridor” and has developed much good farmland there.
Each day devotion was given by members of the groups and the pastors present. It usually tied in with the site we were at or a recently visited one. On the boat we sang hymns as well.
Finally we ended the day with a renewal of our Baptismal vows with a splashing of water on our bodies at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It is called Yardenit, on the Jordan River.
After supper some 30 of us walked to Lake Kinnereth (Sea of Galilee) for a refreshing swim among the fishes and rocks. None were able to walk on water nor did they try.

Thursday June 12, 2008

Another sumptuous breakfast , with real ‘perked’ coffee, cheese, fruit, toast or “what ever” buffet style then we loaded the busses (2) for the day’s itinerary.
Today it was mostly archeological , but not exclusively. Any of these sites you can also look up on the internet for details.
South of Tiberias is an ancient site of Beit Shean, (5000 years old) where Jesus passed on his way to Jerusalem from Nazareth. The sheer size of the 200 acre site was unbelievable. More than 20,000 people lived her at one time. An earthquake (749 BCE), destroyed it six years after the Muslims had captured it. The “dig” has been going in for about 30 years. IT had bath houses, and exercise gymnasiums.

Then it was a trip to the Mediterranean Sea and the historic site of Ceasarea. There was actually time to get our feet wet in the Mediterranean Sea. (It is also a thriving town nearby) This site is larger than Beit Shean. It is in this amphitheater, the place where Paul was imprisoned and sent to Rome to be tried (“I am a

VALLEY OF THE WIND

Roman citizen”, he said) A number of Jewish leaders were also executed here in the revolt of 62 AD. The amphitheater we sat in and read the story of the centurion, Cornelius, and Peter’s dream and return here to tell him of Jesus story
The site of Megiddo where 25 cities have been built n one another for the last 2700 years. It sits high above the Izreal Valley where some believe the Battle of Armageddon will be held someday. Major battles have been fought here in the past. The Valleys between this site and Nazareth as an example are the “breadbasket” of Israel. This site also has a well which was outside the fortifications and a 300 foot long tunnel through solid rock(limestone) which they were able to conceal and draw water from it for all of its existence (never was discovered by the enemies. The Egyptians, Persians and the Syrians all held it at one time or another.
Finally, a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of Mary, where the only well left from Jesus day is still flowing in that church. It is believed that Jesus could have drawn water from that stream. IT still runs , in the church, today.
We took the scenic route back to Tiberias before supper. Some went to the local” spa” to try out the waters of healing.

It was a very historical and archeological day. Seeing sites that have been around for 5,000 years is pretty special.

Friday June 13, 2008 We move our bags to Jerusalem.
The bags were set out at the curb at 7:15, we had breakfast, greeted the morning and away we went. It was a wonderful stay by the Sea of Galilee. First stop was the Qumran site of the Dead SITE AT BEIT SHEAN

Sea Scrolls. We thought that the Sea of Galilee at 840 feet below sea level was tough, well “you ain’t seen nothing yet”, until you have done the Dead Sea with its 1600 feet below sea level!!! It is hot in the sun, and little wind is blowing. We walked around the site of the Essenes who were the radical Christians who in the first two centuries (ACE) formed a very legalistic society at that place, while waiting for the 2nd coming. They hid the scrolls (the accurately copied ones) which remained hidden until the 21st century. The ruins of the buildings they met and worshiped in were still there. I got some fresh squeezed orange juice for Ruth just before the us pullede away. (There are many vendors and “hawkers” at all the) sites in the south

We had talked about Jericho which was next on the list. This is reputed to be the oldest city in the world. This was pretty ironic as we had just come from the lowest point in the world at the Dead Sea at some 1600 feet below sea level. It was very evident of the dry and arid climate here . Thinking of Jesus walking to Jericho from Bethany in the heat of the summer, as well as the Hebrew children who assisted Joshua when "the walls come tumbling down”, it became easy to see what a tasks this would be especially in the summer heat. It is also the site of the spies sent by Joshua (Bin Nun) who found Rahab the prostitute and gave them the information. She and her family were saved when the “walls came tumbling’ down”. This is truly desert .

Near this place we visited one of the tall hills which were “fire beacons” for signaling across the miles in the Old Testament times. Caesar had built near here, a reservoir for water from the springs that was the water supply for Jericho. The spring still allows a few trees to grow along its watercourse. This is amid the driest of sand and rock. This was truly the desert of eastern Israel. From the high cliffs near here is the traditional spot where Satan tempted Jesus and Jesus said “Begone Satan” and continued his fasting in the desert.


The final visit of the day was perhaps the biggest surprise of the tour so far. We knew that Bethlehem (Bet Lekhem) was a divided, secure community, and had just learned of the three types of security “passes” that were allowed. “A”=Palestinian control (No Israelis), “B” Israelis control = No Palestinians, and “C” = Mutual control. Our guide did not have permission to enter Bethlehem as that gate is under Palestinian control. We all had to get out of the bus as someone was seen taking a pictures of the 20 foot high wall . NO one was interrogated, but we had to get our passports out and wait until we were cleared. Bethlehem is very poor, the result of the partitioning has made its mark. Many vendors here trying to make a buck, and most were men in their twenties. We visited the cave where Jesus was reputed to have been born, but later found that it was behind the wall of that site. The church is the Greek Orthodox church with it’s many vigil lights and icons. The other cave was the site where he was born and we visited that as well. It was very plain. (The many church denominations vie for control of their property and hence the confusion over identity. (I may refer to this at another time.) We also visited the Shepherd's field where they saw the angels and received the message of Christ’s birth. It looked very pastoral yet with its hills, and barren fields. N.B. This time of the year is the time of driest grass so there is no grass growing anywhere.
The stop at another Greek Church was at the Annunciation Church which has still the well that Jesus probably drew water from when he was a boy there. IT is the only well left in Bethlehem.

As we left Bethlehem we offered a prayer for their safety and peace. It was very depressing to see the state the city was in. Very few people have permission to leave town.

Each of the above evenings ended with a fine dinner and some social time. The group is cementing relationships more strongly each day. During each day there is tie or devotions as we read and meditate on the sites and their reference to the Bible in relationship to specific sites and people. “Tsippy “ is working diligently of teaching us the Biblical relationships between the people and events and the paces that we visit. She is very good and as I said before , a scholar on words and definitions. I hope this “blog” gets to you and that you can follow along. The internet is wireless (with a fee) so I have waited to get my money’s worth. Tomorrow . we try some shops and tour Jerusalem inside and out.and Rapids Michigan to Tel Aviv , Israel.

Monday June 9, 2008
Although the travel was long and filled with some vagaries in timing when leaving the USA, the arrival in Tel Aviv was smooth. There are some 62 of us on the first phase of the trip and it includes 10 days in Israel at both Tiberius and Jerusalem. But wait! Back to the departure in the USA. You wouldn’t want to miss this!
The group, in order to get the best arrangements for flying, had to split up according to our itineraries (there were 4 different extensions after the Holy Land.) Which meant four groups had to come through three different airports? Then we all were to meet in NYC/JFK where Israir Airlines was to fly us at 11:00 PM all on the same plane, to Israel. But read on, there is more. Our plane (containing Ruth and Jim and the five others who will do the Nile River extension) was delayed in getting out of Grand Rapid MI by 40 minutes and then delayed further in Chicago. One irony at O’Hare was that we were scheduled to take off from Gate K10, we waited an hour but then were told to go to Gate H-14 (a long walk) but before they got our plane there we were told again to return to the loading areas and wait at K-13. So, we dutifully went back. Fortunately our luggage is packed to NYC so that was OK, We finally were off from O’Hare and headed for NYC some 45 minutes late (additional)

That was not the “interesting” part. It is still to come., After skirting a thunderstorm , and seeing the tops of some others the pilot decided to head for the coast of Long Island coming in from the south, where he made a very good landing, Now we have to get the bags from American Airlines, and then head for the International Terminal which is on the (east) side of JFK. JFK has a relatively new rail delivery system so a lot of walking is saved. One of the ladies had asked for a wheelchair and one came right away while we awaited the luggage. That allowed us to accompany her up and down on the way using the elevators. It was off to the International Terminal, for our 11:00 flight where we had to proceed through customs. It was now 10:30. At this time the rest of our groups in the 4 planes had arrived and had gone past us and were already loading onto the 330-200 Airbus. Our group was at a standstill. The reason was there was no record of our names being in the computer for ticketing. So we seven had to wait as the screeners from Israel typed in the data necessary, One by one (Paul, Karl, S. Cheers, A. Truax and S. Cheers,) All except Jim and Ruth were finally released to go through the baggage check and the long line waiting for International flights. Ruth and I were getting a bit more than anxious. By now the doors of the plane were closing and the others, on the plane who knew by now we were VERY late, were beginning to whisper, “How will they get to Israel, if Jim and Ruth miss this plane?”, and “Gee, I wonder what happened in Chicago?” The Rev’s Gary and Laurie got permission to leave the plane and look for us, the screeners kept phoning the plane people when each had been processed and on our way so they knew. Now there was just Ruth and Jim left and finally they cleared. They still had to get through that long, deep security inspection line before boarding the plane (and the long walk to gateway #37 B) which was a “fur piece” from that security spot.. As we finally cleared security, here comes Gary! Bless his heart! We are now through the inspection, with pieces of overnight items sticking out of the unzipped ‘carry ones’. Gary takes our ‘carry ones’ as we hear the loud speakers saying “Strohmers and Halers please board your now as your plane is about to leave.”. Gary reassures us “Everything is fine” , but inside we still have much anxiety. We hustle for the plane and there is Laurie at the gate faithfully waiting for us with her boarding pass in her hand! We have made it, albeit 45 minutes late . The anxiety begins to leave, stress is reduced, Gary and Laurie offer vocal reassurance and support as we walk the long boarding tunnel, quite quickly to the plane. All the handlers and agents are standing by the door awaiting our arrival. They smile, weakly and we smile back. We are fully loaded and ready to go. And greetings and a few cheers from our group are heard. Now the plane can finalize and secure for the flight. We take off at 11:57, so about 57 minutes behind schedule, but all safely aboard. There were many prayers said (both by the Methodists in our group and the dominant Israeli citizenry that was onboard.) Who also were patiently waiting to take off.

The flight From JFK was a smooth one taking us over the “circle route” that is, northeast from NYC via Long Island, CT, MA, NH, ME, NB, just missing PEI, skirting the Northern tip of Newfoundland, south of Iceland and then crossing over Ireland, England, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Balkan countries, (had a view of the Adriatic coast briefly, Greece and the Aegean Sea, the western tip of Turkey, the Mediterranean and finally arriving at Tel Aviv on Tuesday June 10 at 5:15 PM local time. That would be 10:15 Am Grand Rapids time. Hope you followed that!
The David Ben Gurion Airport (named after Israel’s first Prime Minister) is beautiful and still under construction in some places. There is beautiful art work throughout. The security and passport checks went smoothly and the busses were waiting for us right outside the door.
We had a good tour of the roads between the airport (near the Mediterranean Sea )and Tiberias (on the Sea of Galilee and is not really a Sea as it is fresh water and inland). It has had 12 different names. We began to get a visual impression of the dry land, and rocks, as well as the fences, walls and separation between the countries (Palestine, Israel, Syria and Jordan, and the old borders that existed when Israel became a country in 1948. It is very complex. There are many areas of farmland and fruit orchards , plantations (bananas) as Israel does grow much of its own food. More on this later.

Our arrival the Royal Plaza Hotel was smooth, albeit we ate dinner at 9:30 PM, which was saved for us . It was a vast amount of salad choices (30), assortment of hot dishes (20) and many desserts (15) and drinks . People did not linger as most wanted to get bedded down and start to get some rest. Most of the travelers had a restless sleep the first night in Israel. And wakeup as usual was 6:00AM each day.

After morning breakfast (again many choices and eggs as you wanted them), we loaded the busses for the day’s stops and learning. Our guide , named “Tsippy” was excellent and really a scholar in Christo/Judeo history and archeology. We were particularly impressed with her tying the words and vocabulary to the places and events. Her knowledge of especially the Old Testament as well as the New was astounding. She is a master at word derivatives , especially Hebrew Here are the places we visited for the first day at least in brief.

First stop was Valley of the Winds, where it was very hot. It is a very narrow, rocky valley where Jesus walked through on the way from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee . It was the same spot perhaps where he stopped for water along the way. (A small stream meanders along here). It is surrounded by the tall mountains (4--6,000 feet) that in the winter are almost bound to be filled with snow. (Remember Jesus birth and the “Shepherds in the snow”)? This spot has a feeling of “I wouldn’t want the Roman army to be camped here when I walked through.” The day continued with a boat ride on Lake Kinnereth to view the spots where Jesus commissioned his first disciples.
Caparnaum-where Jesus centered his ministry, spoke in the synagogue and angered the Pharisees.
The Ancient Roman boat (circa 300 BCE) found recently and partially preserved and displayed. This was very similar to the boats that the disciple/fishermen used.
The Mount of Beatitudes. The place where Jesus delivered “The Sermon on the Mount”. This is a church dedicated to that Sermon.
Tabgha- a traditional site for the calling of the disciples by Jesus.
The site where: Jesus “Fed the Ten Thousand” with the two fish and five loaves. (The fish were locally caught). We ate lunch near there at “The Fish Restaurant.”
Chapel of the Primacy. “ Lord you know I love you “ (Peter) (A Catholic nun’s order site built with Mussolini’s help by and for Italians in the Holy Land. Dedicated to the Pope and his descendancy from Peter.
The house that Peter’s mother lived in.
All of these sites could be seen from the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and we recalled those times as portrayed in the Bible. We had a devotion on the boat.
Finally an extra visit to: the Jordan./Syrian border (just looking, folks) this side of the barbed wire and land mines. Jordan controls much of the Jordan River “corridor” and has developed much good farmland there.
Each day devotion was given by members of the groups and the pastors present. It usually tied in with the site we were at or a recently visited one. On the boat we sang hymns as well.
Finally we ended the day with a renewal of our Baptismal vows with a splashing of water on our bodies at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It is called Yardenit, on the Jordan River.
After supper some 30 of us walked to Lake Kinnereth (Sea of Galilee) for a refreshing swim among the fishes and rocks. None were able to walk on water nor did they try.

Thursday June 12, 2008

Another sumptuous breakfast , with real ‘perked’ coffee, cheese, fruit, toast or “what ever” buffet style then we loaded the busses (2) for the day’s itinerary.
Today it was mostly archeological , but not exclusively. Any of these sites you can also look up on the internet for details.
South of Tiberias is an ancient site of Beit Shean, (5000 years old) where Jesus passed on his way to Jerusalem from Nazareth. The sheer size of the 200 acre site was unbelievable. More than 20,000 people lived her at one time. An earthquake (749 BCE), destroyed it six years after the Muslims had captured it. The “dig” has been going in for about 30 years. IT had bath houses, and exercise gymnasiums.
Then it was a trip to the Mediterranean Sea and the historic site of Ceasarea. There was actually time to get our feet wet in the Mediterranean Sea. (It is also a thriving town nearby) This site is larger than Beit Shean. It is in this amphitheater, the place where Paul was imprisoned and sent to Rome to be tried (“I am a Roman citizen”, he said) A number of Jewish leaders were also executed here in the revolt of 62 AD. The amphitheater we sat in and read the story of the centurion, Cornelius, and Peter’s dream and return here to tell him of Jesus story
The site of Megiddo where 25 cities have been built n one another for the last 2700 years. It sits high above the Izreal Valley where some believe the Battle of Armageddon will be held someday. Major battles have been fought here in the past. The Valleys between this site and Nazareth as an example are the “breadbasket” of Israel. This site also has a well which was outside the fortifications and a 300 foot long tunnel through solid rock(limestone) which they were able to conceal and draw water from it for all of its existence (never was discovered by the enemies. The Egyptians, Persians and the Syrians all held it at one time or another.
Finally, a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of Mary, where the only well left from Jesus day is still flowing in that church. It is believed that Jesus could have drawn water from that stream. IT still runs , in the church, today.
We took the scenic route back to Tiberias before supper. Some went to the local” spa” to try out the waters of healing.

It was a very historical and archeological day. Seeing sites that have been around for 5,000 years is pretty special.

Friday June 13, 2008 We move our bags to Jerusalem.
The bags were set out at the curb at 7:15, we had breakfast, greeted the morning and away we went. It was a wonderful stay by the Sea of Galilee. First stop was the Qumran site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We thought that the Sea of Galilee at 840 feet below sea level was tough, well “you ain’t seen nothing yet”, until you have done the Dead Sea with its 1600 feet below sea level!!! It is hot in the sun, and little wind is blowing. We walked around the site of the Essenes who were the radical Christians who in the first two centuries (ACE) formed a very legalistic society at that place, while waiting for the 2nd coming. They hid the scrolls (the accurately copied ones) which remained hidden until the 21st century. The ruins of the buildings they met and worshiped in were still there. I got some fresh squeezed orange juice for Ruth just before the us pullede away. (There are many vendors and “hawkers” at all the) sites in the south

We had talked about Jericho which was next on the list. This is reputed to be the oldest city in the world. This was pretty ironic as we had just come from the lowest point in the world at the Dead Sea at some 1600 feet below sea level. It was very evident of the dry and arid climate here . Thinking of Jesus walking to Jericho from Bethany in the heat of the summer, as well as the Hebrew children who assisted Joshua when "the walls come tumbling down”, it became easy to see what a tasks this would be especially in the summer heat. It is also the site of the spies sent by Joshua (Bin Nun) who found Rahab the prostitute and gave them the information. She and her family were saved when the “walls came tumbling’ down”. This is truly desert .

Near this place we visited one of the tall hills which were “fire beacons” for signaling across the miles in the Old Testament times. Caesar had built near here, a reservoir for water from the springs that was the water supply for Jericho. The spring still allows a few trees to grow along its watercourse. This is amid the driest of sand and rock. This was truly the desert of eastern Israel. From the high cliffs near here is the traditional spot where Satan tempted Jesus and Jesus said “Begone Satan” and continued his fasting in the desert.


The final visit of the day was perhaps the biggest surprise of the tour so far. We knew that Bethlehem (Bet Lekhem) was a divided, secure community, and had just learned of the three types of security “passes” that were allowed. “A”=Palestinian control (No Israelis), “B” Israelis control = No Palestinians, and “C” = Mutual control. Our guide did not have permission to enter Bethlehem as that gate is under Palestinian control. We all had to get out of the bus as someone was seen taking a pictures of the 20 foot high wall . NO one was interrogated, but we had to get our passports out and wait until we were cleared. Bethlehem is very poor, the result of the partitioning has made its mark. Many vendors here trying to make a buck, and most were men in their twenties. We visited the cave where Jesus was reputed to have been born, but later found that it was behind the wall of that site. The church is the Greek Orthodox church with it’s many vigil lights and icons. The other cave was the site where he was born and we visited that as well. It was very plain. (The many church denominations vie for control of their property and hence the confusion over identity. (I may refer to this at another time.) We also visited the Shepherd's field where they saw the angels and received the message of Christ’s birth. It looked very pastoral yet with its hills, and barren fields. N.B. This time of the year is the time of driest grass so there is no grass growing anywhere.
The stop at another Greek Church was at the Annunciation Church which has still the well that Jesus probably drew water from when he was a boy there. IT is the only well left in Bethlehem.

As we left Bethlehem we offered a prayer for their safety and peace. It was very depressing to see the state the city was in. Very few people have permission to leave town.

Each of the above evenings ended with a fine dinner and some social time. The group is cementing relationships more strongly each day. During each day there is tie or devotions as we read and meditate on the sites and their reference to the Bible in relationship to specific sites and people. “Tsippy “ is working diligently of teaching us the Biblical relationships between the people and events and the paces that we visit. She is very good and as I said before , a scholar on words and definitions. I hope this “blog” gets to you and that you can follow along. The internet is wireless (with a fee) so I have waited to get my money’s worth. Tomorrow . we try some shops and tour Jerusalem inside and out.