Well, it would take days and more of a book than a blog post to share about Israel, but it was amazing! To be honest, pictures and stories can’t really do justice to how rich and blessed the trip was; but for the sake of your time and mine, here are my Top 16 Memories listed in the order of when they happened. My favorite memory was #10. Otherwise, I can't really weigh or compare.
And this is not even including Caesarea Philippi, Tiberias, Bethlehem, Tel Dan, Capernaum, the Jewish Quarter, the Via Dolorosa, and so much more, which all deserve attention. Each hour was so special in a "I can't believe I get to be here" kind of a way.
And this is not even including Caesarea Philippi, Tiberias, Bethlehem, Tel Dan, Capernaum, the Jewish Quarter, the Via Dolorosa, and so much more, which all deserve attention. Each hour was so special in a "I can't believe I get to be here" kind of a way.
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| Disclaimer: I'm 95% sure this is the right picture. 😊 |
2. Steve’s teaching/sharing each day
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| Steve sharing at the Coliseum in Caesarea |
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| Father Tim is leaving Israel after many years and changed his flight so that he could give his very last tour with our group. It was beautiful to see his heart to make Jesus known at this ancient site. Photo by Rob Hare |
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| He brought Scripture to life through story-telling (reminds me of our Come & See method with EE!) and gave us time to meet with Jesus through prayer. Photo by Rob Hare |
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| Our boat's name was Galilee Worship. :) |
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| And reading them there! |
6. Dipping my feet in the Jordan River
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| With Laura. It may look nasty, but oh-so-refreshing in such hot temperatures! A few minutes later, we verbally renewed our baptismal vows as a group. |
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| With 41% salt, no plants or animals can live in the Dead Sea; but it's quite easy to float! Just don't get it in your lungs, or it's off to the hospital! Photo by Rob Hare |
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| It's a long way up to the ancient site of Herod's escape palace: 900 meters or almost 3000 feet! He clearly wanted to make it extremely difficult for his enemies to come and get him! |
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| From "inside" the former palace grounds overlooking the Dead Sea |
9. Getting to meet and listen to our special guest, Yair Netanyahu!
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| Before I left, my dad asked me twice to say "hello" to Benjamin Netanyahu. I didn't get to personally, but I passed on the message through his son! |
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| Jerusalem at night |
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| How we got this VIP room with a balcony is another story! |
11. Getting to meet up with SAMS director and associate director in Jerusalem!
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| So special to see these two there! Fresh off the plane and their first night there, they still met with me on my last night in Israel! |
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| Along a path at the Garden of Gethsemane |
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| Garden as it overlooks the Temple Mount |
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| Women on the right, men on the left |
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| My Prayers. They never destroy the thousands of slips of paper prayers because they consider them holy. Twice a year, they sweep them and bury them at the Mount of Olives! |
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| With leader Wayne and friend Laura outside the Embassy Photo by Rob Hare |
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| Every diplomat who enters Israel must visit the Yad Vashem. The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations is outside with trees planted for those who risked all to save Jewish lives. Here is the tree planted for Corrie Ten Boom and her family. |
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| Our group waiting to enter the tomb before taking communion together. Steve reminded us that communion is not something that we do for God, but that God has done for us. When we remember His work on the Cross, the word remember actually goes deeper than recalling Jesus' action, but through His act of love and sacrifice, He has actually re-membered us to His Body. This is what we celebrate at communion. Photo by Rob Hare |
Bonus: Got to fly through Paris on the way home!
