Ein Gev -- "The Other Side"

WHEW!  

Can you tell the 31st was a "packed" day? I had to break it up into three distinct sections 

in order for it to make sense.  We arose very early and had to have all of our luggage down at the bus by 7:00am, breakfast at 7:15 and then a physically challenging, long day.

The boat ride across the Sea of Galilee was quite restful, and then we were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.  A "sharkia" blew in, however; and the wind actually shrieked through the palm fronds.  I could imagine that same "shrieking" sound greeting the disciples of Christ 

after their storm-tossed trip on the Sea of Galilee.  They really would have thought that they were on "the other side"! 

I have to say that the time in Ein Gev was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  It was out of the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem.  It was in the rolling hills, along the sea, beautiful, green, agricultural...as we drove in to Ein Gev there were fields of banana trees, fig trees, date palms, etc.  

Sunset at Ein Gev Kibbutz 

Kamal Tubas, Our Palestinian Christian Bus Driver 

 Michael Card Leading the Evening Session -- Frank and Holly Benyousky

Dalmanutha Across the Sea of Galilee from Ein Gev

Jesus Boat Exhibit; Crossing the Sea of Galilee

Pictures were not allowed at the Jesus Boat Exhibit, 

so have pulled one from the archaeologists involved 

in the discovery and recovery of the boat.  

There was a three year drought on the Sea of Galilee.  A couple of bothers who were fishermen and lay archaeologists were convinced that they would find something significant off shore.  One day they discovered some nails, and upon digging through the mud, found the remains of a first century boat.  Other archaeologists were brought in and the boat was rescued and a museum has been set up telling the story.  

Key Learning 

There are only eight people who can fit in one of these boats.  The person in the stern would be the one responsible for the rudder.  When the disciples yelled at Jesus, they are upset because He had "fallen asleep on the job" and they are about to drown.  Mark 4:36 states, "The disciples got in boats"...there was not enough room in one boat for all 12.

Boardwalk leading from the Jesus Boat Exhibit to the Dock 

Joint Venture of Palestinian and Jewish Students 

Carved Stones Along the Walkway 

Ship We Passed; 

Similar to the One We Were On

  Bruce and Michael Card

Dr. James C. Martin

Crossing the Sea of Galilee 

 Our Ship

Ron Davis & Karen

Wind and Sea Began to Pick Up

As  We Crossed; 

A windstorm from the east is called a "Sharkia" and usually occurs 

from November to March 

JoAnn and Jeff Attempting to Take an Action Shot of the Group during the Wind Picking Up

 Sunset on Sea of Galilee 

Fishermen on Sea of Galilee

Judean Wilderness, Jericho, and the Jordan River

Our assignment in the Judean Wilderness was to think about our identity in Christ, and then realize that Satan comes to challenge that identity. So, for our time in the Wilderness we were to focus on whatever is in our lives that challenge our true identity in Christ.  In Christ I am:  His daughter; deeply loved; He delights over me; He rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3).  Wilderness Where Christ was tempted:    

  

 Our Wilderness Experience 

We went off by ourselves for a time and contemplated our identity in Christ

Plant Life in Wilderness

 Old Testament Jericho is the "Tel" in the middle of the picture.  

Interesting that there is nothing built on it...just as the Bible prophesied. 

It was only 8 acres in circumference! 

Bedouin Coffee Shop 

on the Jericho Road.  

Loved the big coffee pot sculpture in the front yard; though the sign was a bit worn.  

"Valley of the Shadow of Death"

Off to the right side of the Jericho Road

Where robbers and thieves would hide to take advantage 

of unsuspecting travelers on the road.   

Sycamore tree on the side of the Jericho Road 

 Actual Roman road that Jesus and disciples would have walked on

Remains of the Hippodrome on the Left

Remains of a Shepherd's Hut

 Dirt Mound is all that is left of Herod the Great's Winter Palace 

After the Jericho Road...

We traveled to the Jordan River 

Dipping My Hand in the Muddy Jordan River

 Looking Across to the Jordanian Side

 Bonnie, Sally, Grace, Glenda, Karen, Jeff and JoAnn

Jordanian Guards

Israeli Guards on the Israeli side of Jordan

Dr. Jim Martin had an interesting thesis on Jesus' Baptism:  It was Christ's Ordination into Ministry.  John the Baptist is the prophet after the likes of Elijah; God's voice is heard, "You are My Beloved; in You I am well-pleased; and the Spirit of God descends in the form of a dove.  Jesus was 30 years old and that was the age of authority in Jewish society.    

Jesus in Jerusalem

Thought for the Day:  

As we stand amidst the Old Orthodoxy

remember that we are here to seek the New Reality:  

"I once was blind, but now I see."

 Continuing archaeological excavations at the Temple Mount

Entrance to Temple Mount

Courtyard inside Temple wall

Mezuzah at Temple Entrance

Huldah Gates -- sealed up by the Romans 

 Seam in Wall from Solomon's and Herod's Time 

 Ascent of David -- 13 Acres 

Leading to Temple Mount

 Temple Mount Security Checkpoint 

Controlled by Muslims 

We were warned not to wear any Christian or Jewish Symbols; 

to make sure we had our arms and legs covered; 

not sing, laugh, etc., or we would be escorted out.
Friend JoAnne had an olive wood cross confiscated by an angry guard.   

Dome of the Rock

Third Holiest Site for Muslims 

Built on the site of the Temple after the 

Temple was destroyed in 70AD

Al-Aqsa Mosque 

Court of the Gentiles 

 Standing in the Court of the Women 

 St. Anne's Basilica

St. Anne was the mother of Mary 

 Statue of St. Anne and Mary as a Girl 

Walking path to pool of Bethsaida

  Pool of Bethsaida 

Where the man had lain for so many years;  

it would have taken great faith to jump into water that deep 

and believe that you would be healed!

Triumphal Entry Route 

marked by cypress trees

Lion's Gate:  

One of the Gates into Old Jerusalem Quarter

 Michael Card in Fortress Antonia

 Roman Guards Incised Stones with Games

 Mosiac of Christ on Via Dolorosa

 Via Dolorosa

 Prayers placed in Western Wall

 At the Western Wall for Prayer

 Dove in Niche above Western Wall 

Flew in as I placed my forehead and left hand on the wall to pray

Cooed the entire time I was praying for Community Presbyterian Church!  

 Church of the Upper Room

 Column in the Church of the Upper Room 

 Statue of King David and Harp

Church of the Upper Room