ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE – WINTER 2020

Thursday-Jan 9, 2020

P/U group airport-We were there about 1 1/2 hours.  They have an Aroma Espresso Bar right at the entrance/exit for group pickup.  The group had a bit of a problem getting thru immigration but they all got through and got their luggage.

They were tired.  We had a full day ahead of us but it was raining, really raining outside.

Israel is experiencing the heaviest rain in 50 years in the north and the heaviest rain in 79 years in the south.  The worst flooding was in the south because the land is dry, desert while the north is relatively green.  We didn’t have any problem from flooding at the airport or where we were going but it was raining heavily.

We had lunch at Or Akiva.  This is a local mall near Caesarea.  It’s a good chance for the folks to mix with locals and hear the Hebrew language being spoken.  Many of the folks had McDonald’s, or pizza or  other types of sandwiches.  We ate at the Aroma Espresso and had salads, sandwiches or soup.  Still raining.

We got to Caesarea about 1pm and the rain stopped.  We walked thru the amphitheater, had a devotional, went to Herod’s Palace and then returned to the bus.  Very little rain until we got back on the bus and left Caesarea

Mt Carmel was a 45 minute drive in the rain.  Their guard saw us coming up the road in the heavy rain and opened the gate so that we could drive up near their chapel.  We got off the bus in a pretty good rain and went into the chapel.  Outside was the statute of Elijah slaying the prophets of Baal.  Excellent devotional in the chapel.  Some of the folks went up-stairs to the roof to see the view of the beginning of the Jezreel and across the Lower Galilee.  There is a list of things one can see but it was raining and folks didn’t take much time looking around.  This was a bathroom stop also and then all of us got on the bus.  The rain had begun again fairly hard, it was cold, everyone arriving had been awake a long time so we bypassed Nazareth and went straight to Nof Ginosar where we would overnight for 4 nights.

My first experience at Nof Ginosar was in 1992.  We stayed at an inexpensive place nearby that didn’t serve food so I went by and met their Food service manager and we began a friendship that’s lasted until today.  I contracted with him for our breakfast and dinner for about 10 years when we were in the Galilee unless we were staying at a place that had food service.  The food at Nof Ginosar has always been the very best food in the Galilee.  Based on our meals so far this week it still is excellent.

At 5:20 pm we had Bible Study in the Mt. Hermon room.  Dr Dukes is leading us through the General Epistle of James.

Dinner

Heavy rain all evening.

FRIDAY -JAN 10

We got up this morning and the sky was cloudy but not raining.  We had breakfast and loaded the bus for the morning devotional by Dr. Parker-He is talking about faith in Hebrews.

We walked across the parking lot to the Ancient Boat exhibit and then left the pavilion and walked down to the dock to get on the Galilee Boat.  We cruised the northern part of the Sea of Galilee pointing out the various landmarks for our folks.  Most of the people are first timers in Israel.  That is a rewarding experience to be with folks on their first trip to Israel.  We had our devotional on the boat and sailed back to Nof Ginosar with the sun peeking through the clouds.  We left the boat and loaded the bus and headed out to visit the Mount of Beatitudes.

It is a beautiful day.  A little chilly, a little cloudy but amazingly some sun peeking out.  By the time we got to the Mount of Beatitudes there was no threat of rain.  We had a great time visiting the site, having our devotional, taking pictures and then we returned to our Bus.  Our driver is Dobi.  He’s driven for us a lot and we really like him.  He is very good at driving.  Very good.

We went down through the natural amphitheater of the hill and drove around to the Primacy of Peter where Jesus met the disciples as they were coming in from fishing all night.  He suggested the throw their nets again and they caught so many fish that the net barely held them and Peter realized it was the resurrected Lord Jesus.  Beautiful chapel on this site and I really always enjoy visiting here because of the simplicity of the site.  We always take pictures.

Capernaum was just up the road from the Primacy and that was our next stop.  We visited the town of Jesus and the synagogue of Jesus.  Pictures, our devotional on the site, commentary about the site including Peter’s house and then returned to the bus where we would load up and go to dinner in Migdala.

We had lunch at a Falafel stand in Migdala that also serves schnitzel and shawarma.  Lunch didn’t take long and we were on our way in beautiful weather.  Thank you Lord.  It was still raining in many places in Israel.

Kursi on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee was our next stop.  Kursi is the site of the largest known Byzantine monastery complex in Israel, whose impressive remains have been partly reconstructed. On the side of the hill behind the monastery are the remains of an earlier chapel, built into a cave.

This is the traditional site for the healing of the demoniac of Gergasa and the casting of the demons into the swine.  Excellent site that gives a good representation of a basilica.

We left Kursi and drove further down the eastern shore toward the turnoff to Hippos, one of the towns of the Decapolis-a Roman city during the time of Jesus.  Oops we got there and the road was cut so we wandered in the bus through a farm-banana farm trying to get around the cut.  We couldn’t.  Bummer.  On the way out of the banana farm we stopped a four-wheeler and asked why the road was cut?  He said in the heavy rains, some land mines were washed out of the ground and were on the roadway up the mountain.  Thank you Lord the road was cut and we couldn’t drive up the mountain.

Today at sundown Shabbat begins, shalom Shabbat!  We had about an hour or so before everything closed so we visited Aroma and had coffee-I had ginger and turmeric tea, and then drove around the southern end of the Sea of Galilee to Tamar Bakfar-dried fruits, nuts, teas and an excellent stop.

Back to Nof Ginosar for overnight.  Bible study in James.  Off to be and 6am came way before I was ready!a

Thank you for praying for us.  Many blessings.

SATURDAY – JAN 11

Beautiful weather again where we are and heavy rain continues north of and south of us.

Breakfast at Nof Ginosar is outstanding.  We don’t have hot food this morning because it was Shabbat.  But there were eight kinds of bread, a multiplicity of pastries, five homemade jellies and jams, fresh vegetables, multiple salads and juices and coffee.  I think breakfast in Israel is my favorite meal.

Our first stop is BEIT SHEAN a city in the Northern District of Israel, which has played an important role in history due to its geographical location at the junction of the  Jordan River Valley and the Jezreel Valley.  In the Biblical account of the battle of the Israelites against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were hung on the walls of Beit She’an (1 Samuel 31:10-12). In Roman times, Beit Shean was the leading city of the Decapolis, a league of pagan cities.  Beit Shean was occupied as early as 6,000 BC and with a few periods of non-occupation continues to be a city until this day.  It has a long period of control by the various civilizations that ruled in the various periods.  But we are focusing primarily on the Biblical account in the Old Testament and the Roman occupation during the New Testament times.  It was and is an important city.  In Biblical times it was most often a pagan city.

We were at Beit Shean about 2 hours and then drove to BETH ALPHA.  The Beth Alpha synagogue was uncovered in 1928 by members of the nearby Kibbutz Hefzibah.  They stumbled upon the synagogues extensive mosaic floors during irrigation construction.  Excavations began in 1929 under the auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and were led by Israeli archaeologist, Eleazar Sukenik.  In 1962 Israel Antiquities Authority explored the residential structures surrounding the synagogue.  We don’t really know why they had zodiac representations and other pagan symbols in their mosaics.  It could have been for a variety of reasons, including the possibility of syncretism.

Our next site was EIN HAROD On the slopes of Mount Gilboa.  It has a cold spring that bubbles in a cave that flows into the Jezreel Valley.  Although a peaceful setting today with green lawns and eucalyptus trees for shady picnics, it was at one time known only for war.  More than 3,000 years ago, after Joshua’s victories and before the time of the Kings, 15 different Judges ruled Israel.  These Judges, 14 men and one woman, were more like “deliverers” than what we think of as actual judges today.  One of the most famous of these Judges was the “warrior” Gideon. He may not have seemed like a warrior when the angel found him threshing wheat in a winepress  (Judges 6:11), and making excuses (Judges 6:13-17), but he did eventually live up to the angel’s greeting. This “mighty warrior” delivered Israel in spectacular fashion.  The “Spring of Harod” is the pool where Gideon chose his 300 warriors to battle the Midianites. The warriors were chosen based on how they drank water (Judges 7:1-8).  Those who lapped the water like dogs were left behind in historical obscurity.  The 300 warriors who drank with a cupped hand went on to immortality. God ordered Gideon to send away 22,000 troops, confusing the Midianites. This spring holds the history of the beginning of a great battle. What started as a battle with tens of thousands became a battle of mere hundreds. The water test dropped Gideon’s army again to a mere 300 men!  Who would dare lead such a tiny army against 135,000 Midianites? Maybe the One who holds all things in His hands.  In Judges 7:2, God explains that He is the source of our power over impossible circumstances.  In Gideon’s case it was God-sized odds, 450 to 1.  This lesson still rings true for all of us today; faith in the one true God of Israel is a majority no matter what the odds.  The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men.  I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’  (Judges 7:2)

We left Ein Harod and went to Tel Megiddo-(Armageddon).  We had lunch first and then toured the site.  This is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo. (A Tel is an archaeological mound.)  It is situated about 30 km south-east of Haifa. Megiddo is known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance, especially under its Greek name Armageddon. During the Bronze Age, Megiddo was an important Canaanite city and during the Iron Age, a royal city in the Kingdom of Israel. Megiddo drew much of its importance from its strategic location at the northern end of the Wadi Ara defile, which acts as a pass through the Carmel Ridge, and from its position overlooking the rich Jezreel Valley from the west. Excavations have unearthed 26 layers of ruins, indicating a long period of settlement.

Time seems to pass too quickly on these pilgrimages.  We hurry across lower Galilee to Sepphoris or Zippori.  It is a village and an archaeological site located in the central Galilee region of Israel, 6 kilometers north-northwest of Nazareth.  It lies 286 meters above sea level and overlooks the Beit Netofa Valley. The site holds a rich and diverse historical and architectural legacy that includes Hellenistic, Jewish, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Crusader, Arab and Ottoman influences.  In early Christian tradition it was believed to be the birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus.  Today a 5th-century basilica is excavated at the site honouring the birth of Mary.  Notable structures at the site include a Rloman theatre, two early Christian churches, a Crusader fort partly rebuilt, and over sixty different mosaics dating from the third to the sixth century AD.  We walked most of the site and it has a steep hill where the Crusader fort and a Roman residential structure is and then down the hill to walk the ancient streets of the Roman town of Sepphoris.

We completed our tour of Sepphoris at 4 pm.  It gets dark today at 5:15pm so we hurried across the Lower Galilee to the Porian descent down Highway 768 from sea level to 700 feet below sea level to Highway 90 so that we could see from sea level the beautiful view of the southern end of the Sea of Galilee.  (PORIYA comprises three adjacent villages south of Tiberias in northern Israel, specifically Poria, Poria Illit, and Poria-Kfar Avoda.  All three lie along Route 768 overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  As of 2006 the cumulative population was 1875.)

We drove north on Highway 90 through Tiberias and Magdala to our hotel Nof Ginosar for our Bible Study at 5:45pm and dinner at 6:45pm.

It was a really good day.  Our group is outstanding.  Everyone has done their best to keep the group moving efficiently so that we can see everything we can of the land of Israel.  This is shaping up to be the very best tour EVER!

Thank you

Clay

SUNDAY – JAN 12

We left Nof Ginosar at 8am.  Dr. Parker continued our morning devotional in Hebrews.

Chorazin was our first stop today.  It is located above the Sea of Galilee about 300 feet above the Sea of Galilee and is on Hwy. 8277 about a mile from Vared HaGalil.  Chorazin along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, was named in the gospels of Matthew and Luke as “cities” in which Jesus performed mighty works. However, because these towns rejected his work (“they had not changed their ways”), they were subsequently cursed (Matthew 11:20-24; Luke 10:13-25). The gospels make no other mention of Chorazin or what works had occurred there.

Their currently is more archaeological work on the site.

They have a synagogue from the 4th Century that was destroyed and rebuilt in the 6th Century.  It is a black basalt synagogue, similar to the original synagogue at Capernaum.  We had our site devotional and took a group picture.  Walking into and out of the site was easy now since they have put in a concrete walkway for easy access.  We are facing a real time crunch today so we were not here long.  Folks took pictures and asked questions and we loaded the bus and headed  north up highway 90 passing Tel Hazor, the chief of the three (Tel Gezer, Tel Megiddo) treasure cities.

Tel Dan (ancient Laish) is located due north up the Hula Valley on Hwy. 98 in Israel on the Lebanon border.  It is one of the important antiquities sites in Israel, and the state of Israel has proposed that it should be declared a World Heritage Site. The city of Dan is mentioned in a number of sources – in Bible stories and in archaeological finds from Egypt and Iraq. The ancient city reached its height during the Canaanite and Israelite periods. In the days of the Kingdom of Israel, King Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves at Dan. The excavations at Tel Dan have been ongoing for decades, and have revealed, among other things, a Canaanite brick gate that is considered to be the earliest of its kind in the world, and fragments of inscriptions mentioning the House of David and the name of the ancient city.

We were permitted to enter at the back gate.  The rain has flooded much of the site and we were not interested in slogging through the mud on the main trails of the large Tel.  By entering the back Gate we were able to visit the Abraham Gate and the Israelite (Ahab) Gate.

Abraham Gate (the Canaanite Gate) – an ancient gate from the Canaanite period. The gate was made of mud bricks, and has been preserved to its full height of 7 m. We walked back toward the exit gate and visited the Israelite (Ahab) Gate.  Good site visit and out the exit gate and we were on our way around to Caesarea Philippi about 3 miles around from Tel Dan on Hwy. 98.

Caesarea Philippi (Banias) was a place of Pagan Worship from the earliest times.  The landscape has an abundance of water.  This forms a series of water catchment areas within the Banias National Park, one of the distributary channels of the Jordan River, and a 10-meter waterfall, the largest in Israel.

Alexander the Great conquered this region and from here started his Hellenization of Egypt and Syria.  The numerous natural resources have made Banias a place of pagan worship, especially of the god “Pan”, from which derives the name of the place: “Panias”, in Arabic “Banias”, since in the Arabic language there is no letter “P “.

“In the Hellenistic era, the city experienced moments of prestige. Here Herod built a temple in honor of Emperor Caesar Augustus and, before dying, divided his kingdom among his three sons. Banias was destined for Philip, who made it the capital of his kingdom by giving it the name “Caesarea di Philippi” to distinguish it from Caesarea Marittima, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. During his reign, the region developed economically and culturally: coins were minted, and temples, baths, theaters and other public buildings were built.

The archaeological site is located at the foot of Mount Hermon, on the Golan Heights, near the border with Syria and Lebanon. Those visiting it can see the ruins of different eras, ancient structures, palaces, an old water mill in operation, the Grotto of Pan and even touch the refreshing waters of the Hermon River. But above all, the place marks the moment when the identity of Christ and the mission of Peter were understood.

Jesus visited the location cited as the “Gates of Hell” where Christ taught his disciples, Matthew 16:13-19, and had his interchange with Peter.

After Peter confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, Jesus replied , “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18, 19).   This discourse continued and our site devotional dealt with this statement of Jesus to His disciples.

We had lunch in a Druze village, Masade, at a local cafeteria offering a Druze specialty sandwich of unleavened bread, labneh cheese and hyssop, falafal pita which is excellent or chicken schnitzel in a pita.  Lunch was at 3,200 feet above sea level which means we have climbed from 700 feet below sea level to 3,200 feet above sea level here on the side of Mt. Hermon.

We met Ilan Shulman at Merom Golan about 1:30pm for our Jeep Adventure in the 4,000 acres of Kibbutz Merom Golan.  Ilan is an IDF Intelligence Officer in the Region and after we four-wheeled up to the Syrian-Israel border he shared with us the terrorist situation on the border and in their area of the Middle East.  We finished our time with Ilan’s group about 4pm and drove back to Nof Ginosar.  It was foggy coming down the Golan.  We arrived back at our hotel about 5pm.

Bible Study at 5:45pm, dinner at 7pm and then off to bed (in a few minutes).

MONDAY – JAN 13, 2020

The trip down the Jordan Valley to Bethabara, the ford in the Jordan where John was Baptizing took about 1 1/2 hours.  The Jordan is full, and the land is lush and green.  They have just had one of the heaviest rains in 50 years here in the Jordan Valley and indeed rain records have been recorded all over Israel with heavy flooding in many of the desert areas.  The wadis going to the Dead Sea have been glutted with water but I don’t think they have had any drownings down there.

Bethabara. “house of the Ford, place of crossing”) name used by some versions of the New Testament for the site “beyond Jordan” where John the Baptist was Baptizing.  This is traditionally where he baptized Jesus.  “Bethabara” also appears on the 6th-century Madaba Map.

Traditions based on interpretations of the scriptural texts connect the site with two other miracles: the crossing of the River Jordan, whose waters were divinely restrained and Joshua led the twelve tribes of Israel into the Promised Land and the place where the Prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:9, 11).  When we arrived we were going to walk down to the water but we discovered the water had come up to us as the Jordan had seriously risen and was almost up to our landing.  It would be very hard to baptize someone in the Jordan today.

We continue down Hwy. 90 toward Qumran which would be our next stop.  We pointed out Jericho, the Judean Wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days and Kalia Beach where we would finish our day floating in the Dead Sea.

QUMRAN and the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is probably the greatest archaeological find in history.  In one event we moved the Oldest Old Testament translation back in time from 1,000 AD to 200 BC.  Now we had OT Bible in Hebrew that dated 1,200 years older and they were exactly without any major differences like those current translations of the OT Bible.  Dr. Parker took us through the details and then we toured the site.  Qumran is amazing.  We had lunch and then hit the road for Masada, the wilderness fortress.

MASADA – The fortress of Masada was built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod, whose architectural feats have left their mark throughout the country. At the beginning of the great revolt against Rome in the year 68 CE, the site was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, and Masada became their last stronghold.

In the year 72, the Romans besieged Masada and succeeded in reaching the steep fortress after constructing a huge earthen ramp on its western side. In the year 73, the 960 Jewish zealots living at the top of Masada chose to commit suicide rather than to fall into the hands of the Romans alive. Their deeds left behind a saga of courage, heroism, and martyrdom.

We took the lift to the top of Masada and toured the site.  It’s huge and we spent about 2 hours in the fortress.

KALIA BEACH-I think about 15 folks went into the Dead Sea to float in that extremely salty, mineral water.  It’s different.  The stuff in the water is great for psoriasis, other kinds of sores, and general aches and pains.  The black mud on the bottom is prized for its healing properties.  There is much more to it but that generally summarizes the facts.  It is important and its good for folks to experience it.

It was dark as we entered Jerusalem. The 15 miles from Kalia Beach to Jerusalem goes from 1,300 feet below sea level to about 2,900 feet above sea level.  A 4,200 foot climb in 15 miles which is a fair climb.  My ears popped about 1,000 feet above sea level.

The Dan Panorama would be our home until we depart late Thursday night.  Our fair-well dinner will be here at the Dan right before we go to the airport to return home.

We had dinner at 6:30 and Bible Study at 7:30pm.

Our tour has been extremely exciting and our students intently involved in the examining the land of Israel.  It is really wonderful to travel with so many first timers to the Land of the Bible.  The pilgrimage is everything we planned for it to be.  If you have not been to Israel, you really need to come.

One of the students when we were at Gethsemane asked if this was part of the Mount of Olives.  Yes it is and in fact it is at the base of the Mount of Olives.  “You mean it’s that close?”  Yes it is.  Then I showed him how when Jesus came to Jerusalem he would go thru Bethany about 1 1/2 miles from Jerusalem on the south-eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.  Then he would continue to the top of the Mount of Olives which was a sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem (2/3 of a mile).  The brow of the Mount of Olives is where we would have a beautiful view of the Jerusalem ( also where on Palm Sunday they hailed Jesus as the king and he said if he hushed the crowd the rocks would cry out).  Down at the bottom of the hill is Gethsemane which means “olive oil press” and indeed is an Olive tree orchard with some of the trees more than 2,000 years old.  Great question as were hundreds of other questions.

Another good day and an excellent pilgrimage continues.     

TUESDAY – JAN 14, 2020

WE DONT REMEMBER DAYS. WE REMEMBER MOMENTS

We are at the Dan Panorama until the group leaves Thursday night after our farewell dinner. The week will go fast.  Breakfast then we leave the hotel for our touring day.

Gethsemane is our first stop.  We are the early birds here because everyone else is on the Mount of Olives.  There are only a few groups here and the Catholics priest, Spanish, permits us to go into the Garden even though our appointment is at 10am.  Blanca asks him for permission in Spanish and I think received favor because she spoke to him in their native language.  Chilly.  Devotional overlooks the Kidron Valley and looks up at the Eastern Gate (Golden Gate).  The Garden has some olive trees that date back to the time of Christ (the roots do anyway because the Romans in 70AD destroyed everything in Jerusalem-the roots would have survived).

Mt of Olives is our second stop.  It’s bit of a drive to get around by Wadi Joz and then up the hill.  The traffic is ferocious as it often is in Jerusalem.  The view of the Old City is spectacular and the students had a lot of fun riding the camel.  Our devotional was in a small alcove overlooking the Kidron Valley and the Old City of Jerusalem.  It is crowded but some of the 8 o’clock crowds have departed.  Dobi winds up directing traffic to get everyone in and out.

The Old City of Jerusalem is circled by a wall almost 1 1/2 miles in circumference.  Starting with the Jaffa Gate on the West side of the city.  You enter the Christian Quarter or Armenian Quarter through this gate and traveling clockwise around the city the next gate is the New Gate, maybe two hundred plus years old that was cut so the Catholics could get to the Latin Patriarchate without going through the Moslem Quarter.  The Damascus Gate is next and is on the north side of the Old City and is the border for the Moslem Quarter.  The Herod Gate (Flower Gate) is next about 200 yards further from the Damascus Gate and enters into the heart of the Moslem Quarter.   Continuing our trip around the Old City the Lion Gate (St. Stephen’s Gate) is next and it also enters the Moslem Quarter and the beginning of the Via Dolorosa.  The Dung Gate (and next to it a very small gate called the Tanner’s Gate) is next and it is on the southern side of the Old City and enters the Jewish Quarter.  Next is the Zion Gate.  It enters the Armenian Quarter and the western side of the Jewish Quarter.  That completes our circuit of the Old City and its gates.

St Peter in Gallicantu (the place of the cock crowing) is our next stop.  This is the traditional location of Caiaphas’ House where Peter denied Jesus.  There is a Roman Stepped Way next to this location.  This Stepped Way dates back to the time of Jesus and would have been the way that the guards/soldiers would have brought Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane across the Kidron Valley and up to Ciaiphas’ House.

We left St. Peter in Gallicantu and drove down to Ramat Rachel for lunch.  This is a very wealthy kibbutz on the outskirts of the city and borders Bethlehem.

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was our next stop.  We crossed the border into the Palestinian Terr. and traveled Manger road to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.   Adjoining the older facility is a fairly new St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church.  The visit went well, we were only in line about 30 minutes because we came before 1pm while others are having lunch.

Edward Tabash and sons people meet us at the border and run interference for us the whole time we are in the Palestinian Territory.  The group visited their Olive Wood store after our visit to the Church of the Nativity.

Returning to Israel from Bethlehem we visited the American Embassy right on the border and then the very large scale model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ and the Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are stored.

Devotion in the Alon Room at the Dan Panorama, dinner and the day was over for me.  I was worn out.  It was a rewarding, long day.

Blanca and Jim Parker took those that wanted to over to Shaban’s store in the Christian Quarter for shopping.  It’s magical, exciting, memorable to walk through the Suk at night.  They had a good time.

Five of our students stopped at Razzouk’s and got a Christian tattoo.  Tattooing is an art the Razzouk family introduced to Palestine centuries ago.  Bringing it with them from Egypt when they moved here for trade, this art has been in the family for 700 hundred years starting in Egypt. Their ancestors  used tattoos to mark Christian Copts with a small cross on the inside of the wrist to grant them access to churches.  Those without it would have difficulty entering the church; therefore, and from a very young age (sometimes even a few months old) Christians would tattoo their children with the cross identifying them as Copts.They continue this family tradition offering tattoos to visitors to the Old City of Jerusalem.

WEDNESDAY – JAN 15, 2020

Another beautiful day.  The weather is cool but not cold and the Sun is shining.

We began our day at the Temple Mount arriving about 7:45am.  We were ahead of almost all of the tour groups and indeed walked right through Security and onto the Temple Mount.  Today there is the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque (705 AD) is built on the ancient Temple Mount and is the third holiest site in the Moslem faith.  It is the Distant Mosque noted as the location of the midnight ride of Mohammed whose horse’s hooves touched the rock of Moriah where the Dome of the Rock stands.

We left the Temple Mount, walked by the Lion Gate and went to the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne Church.  Both date to the time of Jesus.

The Group:

Visited Wailing Wall (the Kotel Tunnel) which goes alongside of the Temple Mount about 1,600 feet and is the street level of the city at the time of Christ.

Lithostrotos is located about 300 yards up the Via Dolorosa from the Church of St. Anne.  It is a part of the Roman arch and Antonio Fortress where Jesus was condemned and is a street pavement below from the time of Jesus.

The group had lunch in Jewish Quarter

They returned and visited the Russian Church of the Judgement Gate and the Holy Sepulcher and then had a short time of shopping in the Muristan and surrounding areas.

They completed their touring day in the Upper Room.  They were the only group at the time in the Upper Room so they sang a song and had the devotional.

They returned to the hotel for our Bible Study and dinner.   

MY Day:

I left the group at Bethesda and wandered the Old City.  I visited the Damascus Gate area, walked the Via Dolorosa, stopped and had mint tea, talked with some shopkeepers, went through the Jewish Quarter and part of the Armenian Quarter,  up to the Jaffa Gate area, had soup at the Aroma Expresso Bar at the Mamilla for lunch, walked around the city outside the walls and up to our hotel the Dan Panorama arriving shortly before the group returned.   Lots of walking (13,000 steps for me.

Another outstanding day of touring.

THURSDAY- JAN 16, 2020

Last touring day.  Group goes home tonight and arrives home in USA mid-morning Friday.

We moved a little slower this morning.  I think all are tired as we have gone full speed for 9 days including today.  We had breakfast and left the hotel at 8:30am.

Our first stop was Herodion.  It is a truncated-cone-shaped hill, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of Jerusalem in the Judean Desert.  Herod the Great built a palace fortress and a small town at Herodium, between 23 and 15 BCE, and buried there.  The Herodium is 758 meters (2 ,487 ft) above sea level and is the highest peak in the Judean Desert.  Today, Israel National Parks Authority controls the site. The site visit took about 1 1/2 hours.

Our next stop was Yad Vashem.  Yad Vashem is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Israel’s largest Holocaust memorial is set on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance on the edge of Jerusalem. The new Yad Vashem Museum opened in 2005 and its nine chilling galleries of interactive historical displays present the Holocaust using a range of multimedia including photographs, films, documents, letters, works of art, and personal items found in the camps and ghettos. Yad Vashem is a place which is not fun to visit, but is definitely somewhere that all visitors to Israel should experience.

We went to the Damascus Gate on the north side of the Old City of Jerusalem and got off the bus to take pictures of the Gate and then walked a long block up the street to the Garden Tomb.  We had good lecturer from the Garden Tomb Society, visited the Garden Tomb, had our site devotional and the Lord’s supper.

We were stopping early today so the group could go back to the hotel and get ready for the 7:15pm transfer to the airport for the return trip home.  Our farewell dinner is at 5:30pm at the Dan Panorama.

Great Pilgrimage.  Wonderful group.  Many many experiences and outstanding educational experience.

Clay Corvin

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE 11/16-25/2017

ISRAEL – TUESDAY – 11/14/17

Today was going to be our rest day before our group comes on Friday 11/17 but instead we had to take the van back to the airport and swap for a van that worked. It was a nice drive from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion.  We had to hunt all over the airport for the El Dan car return and finally found it and after 30 minutes had the replacement van.

Here we were on the coast and needed to do something interesting, so we drove over to Ashdod and had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants- Idi’s -a superb seafood restaurant. Great lunch.

Our next stop would be the Mamilla where we parked. This too was exciting because the spaces are so small and the van so big, but we worked it out.

The afternoon was dedicated to the Old City of Jerusalem. Lovely time visiting our moneychanger, the Holy Sepulcher, walking through the Christian Quarter then over to see Moshe and Dov at Shorashim in the Jewish Quarter.

A relaxing low stress day. Beautiful.

Tomorrow we will run up to the Galilee. More on that tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY IN THE VALLEY

November 15, 2017

Today we traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee and back again. It was dusty in the Jordan Valley.

We drove 250kms to Gamla Nature Reserve and about 150 of those kms were in the dusty Jordan Valley.

I enjoyed the drive noting that they same drivers in New Orleans had followed me to Israel-like the person that waits until you are almost on them and they slowly pull out while you are desperately slamming on your brakes and they are oblivious to your presence or the young lady texting and coming to almost a complete stop in the middle of your lanes of which there are two and she is holding both of them hostage. Yikes. That will elevate your blood pressure. But it really was fine and I do enjoy driving this Renault Traffic. It’s a good 9 passenger van.

Aroma Espresso was our first stop. It is located at the south end of the Sea of Galilee.  It’s about 1 mile from Maagan on the Southern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Very good coffee.

We left the Aroma and continued our trip to Gamla.

The Gamla Nature Reserve, set high in the Golan Heights of Northern Israel is a magical place where eagles nest, archaeological ruins lie, and the quaint and stunning setting, including the breathtaking view down towards the Sea of Galilee are inspirational! Near the bottom of the Gamla Reserve is the remains of 1st century Synagogue.

We were permitted to drive down to the bottom of the Reserve. It is always a good experience.

The drive north took 2 1/2 hours. Two lane roads and lots of traffic.

The return journey was about the same driving time plus a return to our Aroma at the junction for a late lunch.

We drove back into Jerusalem about 5:30 pm. It was a 9 hour day and worth every minute. I love Israel and the Holy Land. This was a great day. Thank you Lord.

THE OLD CITY

THURSDAY – NOV 16, 2017

Walking 15,000 steps covering nearly 3,000 years as we walked around the Old City of Jerusalem.

I love the Suk (market), the narrow streets overrun by people, the up and down of the streets and the chaotic noise and hum of Jerusalem.

We just moseyed thru the Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, the Moslem Quarter and more. I visited with more friends including Moshe and Dov. Oh and we had coffee at Aroma morning and afternoon, mint tea at Ali Baba’s and lunch at the Quarter View. A really good time.

In the afternoon we walked up the Bab Al Wad to the Damascus Gate and out into East Jerusalem. I love that part of the city too!

We visited with our merchant friends outside the Garden Tomb and had a special time meditating and praying together at the Garden Tomb.

The day could not have been more beautiful. An outstanding day!  Thank you Lord.

FRIDAY MORNING – Nov 17, 2017– JERUSALEM

Ezekiel speaks of different people groups that are at war with God. God was their enemy. It is a desperate situation for mankind to be at war with God and yet we see that all around the world.  Bloodshed, evil, destruction and on and on. It is the plight of mankind on their own.  I’ll do it my way!

God reminds the reader that he hears every contemptuous word that people speak. He sees every act done in anger, pride and hate. He reminds them that He, God knows everything.

God cautions us to hear His Word.

I must confess that I am so often hard headed and deaf when it comes to listening to the Lord. Jesus wants to spend time with us, to guide us in the right way and enable us to deal with daily life.

When I am here in Jerusalem and all of Israel I am reminded that Jesus was a physical human being like me and yet was the divine Son of God. He is God. He lived a sinless life and willingly went to the Cross and died for my sin and was raised from the dead by the power of God.

That is a powerful message to each one of us. We can build a strong friendship with God in Christ. Jesus knows the desperate situation I often find myself caught up in and willingly comes and walks with me as He guides me back to wholeness. Lord I need your guidance for every area of my life. Manage me Lord. Let Jesus manage your life.

Please continue with us as we travel the Holy Land. I’m going to breakfast, pack the van, checkout of the Dan Panorama and drive to Tel Aviv to pick up our pilgrimage group at the airport. It has been a great week. We finished out the day yesterday at the Garden Tomb. Pray for us. We love each one of and pray for you.

Keep the Son in your eyes.

Friday night 11/17/2017

Thoughts on the Journey of LIfe

God by a decision of his will decided before the throwing down of the world

Jesus didn’t do anything accidentally die. He himself provides that redemption on the cross

Jn 1:1 the Word was being God. Jesus was eyeball to eyeball to the FATHER. The Word was being God.

This one was being in the beginning with God.

3-all things came into being thru Him. Wasn’t there before and now was. Everything was created by Him. By the Word of God these things came to be.

That which came to be in him was life. Not just physical existence. But a new quality of life.

Jn uses a word in Jn 3/16. Ever lasting. A new quality of life. The kind of life we will experience in Heaven. In him was life and the life was the light of man. The light shines into the darkness.

11 into his own things he came-his own creation. We belong to him. His own didn’t recognize Him.

13-14. Not out of blood, the will of the flesh. Out of God. AND THE WORD FLESH CAME TO BE. GOD IN CHRIST HAS BECOME A MAN. SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THAT LIFE AND LIVE WITH HIM.

HE PITCHED HIS TENT AMONG US.

JESUS HAS ENCOUNTERED HIS CREATION FOR HE CREATED ALL THINGS.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE

SATURDAY MORNING EARLY-NOVEMBER 18, 2017

It’s Saturday morning and we are at Maagan at the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee, Israel.

Our pilgrimage group arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport about 9:30am on Friday and they finally walked into the reception hall about 11am.

We collected all and headed for Caesarea about 1 hour and 1/4 away. Lunch first at a small mall in Or Akiva then at 1.30 we toured Caesarea. This is an outstanding Roman/Christian era Archaeological site. It is a good walk to go thru along the Mediterranean and thru the fortresses. As we left the site we passed by the ancient Roman aqueduct. It carried water to the city from the nearby Carmel Mountains.

Our drive to Mt Carmel, the site where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal took about 40 minutes. When we completed visiting Mt Carmel (Muhraqa) we turned towards Maagan on the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee and arrived about 5:30pm. Dr Dukes led in Bible Study.

Friday was a very quick day!

It’s 6:35am on Saturday morning. Sunrise was at 6:09. We will be traveling around the Sea of Galilee and up to the Golan today. Many miles to travel.

I hope your day goes well.

I’ve been thinking about the power of God today. Our Lord Jesus offers us the help we need. Help that exactly fits us. Jesus calls us in James 1 to remember what we read in His Word. When we remember we have power. When we have power we can stand against our tendency to sin. It’s our choice. Remember the Word and claim victory. Forget the Word and get run over by the world, the flesh and the evil one.

Remember it is your choice. Choose to remember God’s Word today and claim your victory-His power.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE

NOVEMBER 18-19, 2017 – SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Let me recap Saturday:

We left Maagan at 7:45a. Our first stop was Capernaum. We were the first group there so we were able to do our devotional in the White Synagogue. Then quick stops at Peter’s house and the rest of the city.

2nd stop was the Primacy of Peter where Jesus fed the disciples on the seashore.

Next up to the Mount of the Beatitudes where we ran into some friends. We were on the western side of the site for our devotional.

Chorazin was our final stop before leaving the Sea of Galilee.

We drove up into the Golan to Tel Dan. We were so pressed for time that we only stopped at the Abraham Gate at Tel Dan and then drove across to Caesarea Philippi where Peter declared the divinity of Jesus. This is the site where the god Pan was worshipped (Banias-Arabs of the area used B for P).  It is at the base of Mt Hermon and was a cultic worship center at the time of Jesus.

Lunch in the Druze village of Mesada was next on our itinerary. Excellent lunch. We finished about 1:45pm and went straight-way to Merom Golan and met Ilan Shulman for our Jeep Trip thru the wilderness of the Golan. We completed our trip at 4:30 and began our 1 hour drive back to Maagan for overnight.

Today is Sunday. Dr Cornelius Tilton led our music and Dr Nelson Price gave our devotional. We arrived at the Galilee Boat ride at 8am and enjoyed a very calm and beautiful time on the Sea of Galilee sailing from downtown Tiberius to Nof Ginosar. We saw the ancient boat at Nof Ginosar and then loaded our bus for our journey across the Galilee to Megiddo.  We ate lunch and toured the site then we drove to Jezreel and saw where Ahab had his Palace and somewhere nearby was Naboth’s Vineyard.

Next stop was En Harod (Gideon Springs)-the location of Gideon testing his army at the springs. Such a beautiful site at the foot of Gilboa. It reminds us that where we see defeat God sees victory. Our God is a gracious God. The Lord is good.

Beit Alpha is next. This is a Synagogue from 530AD built under the Emperor Justinian. It has a beautiful mosaic which gives us insight into the syncretism of that time.

Next, we complete our drive across the Jezreel Valley and visit Beit Shean which was in Roman Times Scythopolis.  Excellent site visit. About 32 of our 45 folks climbed to the top of the Tel where the Old Testament was located.  No didn’t walk up with the young folks.  Many steps to the top.

Back to Maagan, Bible Study, dinner, coffee and off to bed.

EARLY MONDAY MORNING- NOV 20, 2017

It’s early Monday morning and most of you in the USA are asleep.  We will be touring the Northern Galilee today and over to the Lebanon border and Acco or Acre.  It will be exciting.

I was reminded in Psalm 118 this morning to give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love endures forever. I must constantly remind myself that love isn’t a thought it is an action. Our Lord is in a position of aggressively and constantly acting towards us with His love. He cares. He knows.  He is concerned. The Lord God Almighty loves me in a way that always seeks my best good. That makes me want to shout with joy.

As we traverse the Holy Land pray with us and for us. The Lord Jesus is great and mighty, He is our victory and He loves me and you.

Thank you, Lord, that you do. Today I am grateful for Jesus and wanting to become more like Him.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE – Mon/Tue – Nov 20-21, 2017

The Fifth Gospel- The Holy Land

Monday as we traveled thru the land of Israel we came face to face with the Fifth Gospel- this land that God chose to reveal himself in human form. We are putting together those events and locations that span the Old Testament and New Testament and even until today.  Jesus is alive and he is alive in us.

Our travel program Monday took us to the Israel coastal border with Lebanon, and then down to the ancient city of Acre.  We walked all thru Acre, the ramparts, the harbor, thru it’s intricate pattern of tiny zigzagging streets, the Crusader underground city and finally lunch in a really neat little sandwich shop.  Great food. Good service.

Sepphoris was our next stop.  It is a recreated Roman capital of the Galilee. In it is a gorgeous mosaic- The Mona Lisa of the Galilee. It also has many other mosaics and a cardo and cross-street.  It is a healthy walk. On the way out we stopped and looked at the Moskau Institute For Archaeology’s work on the cisterns the Romans had built.

Last two stops were Tamar Bakfar near the Sea of Galilee and Aroma Tsamah at the junction. Tamar Bakfar is a dried fruit, nuts of all kinds, dates, herbal teas and a host of related items. Great little shop to wander thru.  The Aroma where Manny is the GM is great. They got us in and out with our coffee.

Back to Maagan, Bible Study, dinner and overnight.

TUESDAY – NOV 21, 2017

Tuesday morning begins our transition to Jerusalem. Today we visited Bēthabará where John was baptizing on the Jordan River. This is the crossing where Israel entered the Promised Land.  There were many pilgrims being baptized while we were there but we had to move on after a devotional and short stay.

Qumran was our next site. We viewed the film.  Dr Parker shared with us about The Qumran community, we visited the site and had lunch.

Most of our pilgrims wanted to swim in the Dead Sea.  We went to Kalia Beach and let them experience the Dead Sea.

It was about an hour from Kalia Beach south to our next site visit; Masada, the wilderness fortress of Herod the Great. It was overcast and cool and we had a very good site visit.

Now we turned our focus to Jerusalem and drove straightway to the Dan Panorama. We unloaded the bus and got everyone checked in and had Bible Study and dinner and off to rest for the night.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE

WEDNESDAY-NOV 22, 2017

Rained most of the day. Trekked thru the rain and made some headway. Began the day on the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, then the Western Wall, the Kotel Tunnel, the Church of St Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. We walked out of the Lions Gate and connected with Tobi our bus driver who drove us to Bethlehem for lunch, a visit to the Church of the Nativity and short time shopping in Bethlehem. We did all of our site devotionals on the bus except for Bethesda and our final site of the day, the Upper Room.

Back to the Dan Panorama for Bible Study, dinner and overnight.

Our Nov Pilgrimage is winding down. We will all be back home by Saturday-night.

STRONG. (Psalm 89:17)

The world the flesh and the devil attack us

It pleases God to make us strong

Do not believe the lie, It can not control us

Sin has lost, Jesus bore the cost

My life counts, no matter my pain, or loss

Christ proclaims my victory

Background can be overcome

Christ will fix us, His character becomes ours

All the things wrong with us

Jesus knows that fixing us takes time

We don’t surprise Him, don’t quit

He will never, no never,, not ever leave us

Peace reigns when Jesus is in control

We bend the knee, He speaks to our soul

Listen as Jesus guides you, He is on your side

Jesus gives us His strength, we change

He is Lord, follow Him

Clay Corvin. 11/24/17.   Jerusalem

TRUST

God is trustworthy, we can trust Him with our life

He knows all about us, loves us, forgives us

Seeks our best good, knows what we need

Brings us to an understanding of that

Too many people lead lives of quiet desperation

No joy, no peace, the future grim, the present desperate

I️ do not accept that, I️ trust the Lord

Everyday is a good day, I️ can live without fear

I️ know every tomorrow, is filled with God near

All my steps lead to the future, held in the hand of God

I️ rejoice this moment, each new day brings me closer to Christ

He is lord, He gives life, I️ can be confident in the moments of life

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, He is with me giving me peace

His peace is a present thing, a foundation for joy

I️ stand and shout, Jesus is Lord, Lord of All

I️ trust Him; I️ live,I️ grow, I️ change, Life is peace and joy

Clay Corvin   11/24/17   Jerusalem

TEACH

Teach me to do your will oh Lord

Place my feet on firm footing

Guide me in your righteous way

Convict me of my sin

Call me to forgiveness

Lord God Almighty I need You

Cutoff my enemies Lord

I fear for my life

In Christ is my strength

Use me to help the hurting

Showing my care for you to them

Walking in forgiveness and peace

Keep me focused on Your goals

My heart aches for your presence

I want to know you better Lord

You Lord are worthy of all praise

Honor and glory to You O Lord

Let my life reflect my love for You

I desire to study Your Word

Jesus is my life

Knowing it will soon be done

So many to be won

Help me hurry Lord

That no one perish without You

Clay Corvin 11/25/17   Jerusalem

Israel Pilgrimage – Thursday/Friday 11/23 & 24/2017

Two fast paced hectic days.  Thursday was spent in and around the Old City all day.

Dinner in Jaffa at the Old Man and Sea

ISRAEL 12/30/13

Tomorrow closes out 2013.  This has been a particularly difficult year on top of the challenges of 2102.  I am thinking and writing from SI COFFEE, LATRUN.

I’m in Israel recovering from the trip over getting ready to receive our Israel Pilgrimage Group on the afternoon of the 31st.  Our group will tour Israel studying the Bible and historical events related to Israel’s history.  It will be a marvelous experience.  

Dr. Jim Parker is just a few km’s from Latrun.  He is working at Tel Gezer for a couple of hours and I’m drinking coffee at SI with Jim Dukes.  He has been my friend since 1976.  Sharing these Israel Pilgrimages with him has been one of the great joys of my life.  Thank you lord.  

Every trip I take to Israel is better than the last.  I suspect familiarity for me breeds happy, happy, happy!

I miss family but have a real sense of urgency to get every one of your students at New Orleans Baptist Seminary to Israel. It is so critical for those sharing the Gospel to visit ground zero, to know what the land looks like and the nuances of the people that lived here and that write under the Lord’s direction the Good News for us.  I’m encouraged by every group that comes.  Once they come to Israel the Bible is now in living color.  

The weather today is chilly 52, and the sun is shining.  I’m  am still drinking coffee and enjoying thinking DEEP THOUGHTS (actually mostly daydreaming.)

I slept 8 hrs last night after sleep deprivation for two days and nights.  I’ll be in good shape tomorrow.  

Yesterday we went to Jerusalem which is fairly close-15 km’s.  We are staying at C Hotel in Neve Ilan.  It’s comfortable and has good food.  It also is less expensive than staying in Jerusalem and is closer to Gezer.  

This afternoon we will drive over to Ein Karem (Spring of the Vineyard) which is the home of John the Baptist.  It is southwest of Jerusalem and is a very pleasant town.  We don’t often get by there and I take every opportunity I can to get there.  

Travel

Travel frees us from the ordinary

Letting us see and participate in the extraordinary

People count and we see that in distant lands

They count with God and with us

Their differences melt away- they are like us

The Human Experience is similar across the world

People want to be valued

Societies extoll their virtues but they are like us

We are like them even in our dissimilarities

History measures us, reminds us, encourages us, worries us

I am who I am

Not better or worse than you

Knowing you completes me

My quest is fulfilled in travel

Enjoying, reveling, coaching, tired, rejuvenated-blessed

Clay Corvin.  12/30/13.  Latrun, Israel

ISRAEL 12/31/13

Last day of 2013. I’m at Ashkelon this morning. Jim is out in the rain. I’m sitting in the van. I know they need the rain so I’m thanking The Lord for the trip down here from Neve Ilan this morning and ignoring the rain. We are about 200meters from Gaza but all is quiet. 

We travel back to Ben Gurion to meet our group arriving about 3pm. Our Pilgrimage will kick into high gear when the group arrives and we will be traveling at a high level of intensity. Hopefully we can all keep up. 

The Herod Exhibit at the Israel Museum ends before we get to Jerusalem on our tour so we will take everyone into Jerusalem to the Herod Exhibit this afternoon. 

Ashkelon continues to get the rain. We are moving along driving thru the site. 

We finished at Ashkelon, had lunch at Latrun and returned to Neve Ilan. 

We went to the airport at 2pm. 

Our group arrived at the airport at 2:40pm. They ran the gamut of airport things, we loaded the bus and on to Jerusalem to the Herod Exhibit at the Israel Museum. 

The group has been traveling a long time. 

We will go to our hotel in about 1 1/2 hrs. Good start to our pilgrimage. 

ISRAEL JAN 1, 2014

Tel Gezer, an ancient treasure city overlooking the Via Maris was our first stop. Amazing work being done on the Tel by Southwestern Bapt Theo Seminary, and the water system by NOBTS – the Moskau Archaeological Institute. Standing stones, ancient gates and secrets being uncovered at Tel Gezer. 

Lots of bus riding today. We traveled the via Maris north to Caesarea. We visited the Crusader City and the ancient Roman City. Walking thru the site it is easy to imagine ancient cultures living here and the way this place impacted the ancient world. In Acts 10 we see the pivot point in history when Cornelius came to Christ. 

Ok. The day is passing too fast. We drive by the aquaduct at Caesarea and then head to Megiddo to visit the 2nd treasure city in Israel. 

Megiddo was our lunch stop and then tour the site.  Megiddo has 26 layers of civilization and is designated as a world heritage site.  It has many specific items to see on the site from several different strata including a water system. 

Mt Carmel where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. We went to the very top of Mt Carmel next to the Carmelite Mission. Amazing site. When turning to the Biblical story it is overwhelming to see what The Lord did- 1 Kings 18

Now we turned towards the Galilee and went straight to the Aroma on the outskirts of Afula.  Great stop. 

We arrived at Nof Ginosar, checked in, ate dinner and the Bible Study – Matthew. Now it’s 10pm and I’m done for the day. 

Clay

ISRAEL JAN 2, 2014

Thursday must mean quick because our morning has gone quick. 

First stop was the Primacy of Peter. Jesus told Peter he was still useable!  

Capernaum was our 2nd stop. The town of Jesus. He based most of his ministry around the Sea of Galilee here. 

Mt of the Beatitudes our 3rd stop was just up the hill. Beautiful location overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Moving location and stirring charge. 

Chorizin is just 2 1/2 miles away. It is overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It was one of the 3 cities Jesus cursed. The synagogue and the city is made from the black basalt stone.   

Now we are on the road to Tel Dan. 

Morning in Galilee. 

Clay

ISRAEL Jan 2, 2014- Afternoon

Tel Dan where we visited the gate Abraham walked thru. Stopped at the Ahab gate. Beautiful nature park with lots if water from Mt Hermon. 

Caesarea Philippi is the location of Pan worship in the north. We are on the border of Lebanon. Huge pagan worship site. Interesting that Jesus would bring His disciples here to announce that He was God. 

Beautiful weather. 

Lunch in Masade, a Druze village on the slopes of Mt Hermon. 

We met Ilan at Merom Golan, a local kibbutz. Ilan and his folks took us on a jeep ride thru the Golan and the militarized zone. 

We were right on the Syrian border about 35 miles from Damascus.  We had herbal tea and cookies on the border and had a lecture on current events. Our jeep ride ended at Ben Tal at Cafe Anon- Coffee in the Clouds. 

ISRAEL JAN 3, 2014

Stunning sunrise over the Galilee. We begin our touring at the Ancient Boat Museum at Nof Ginosar (1st Century AD boat recovered from the Sea of Galilee) and then onward to a boat ride on a very choppy Sea of Galilee.  

We finished about 9:45am and transferred to our bus and rode to Bet Shean. Tsvika Tsuk with Gilla guided us thru Bet Shean. TSVIKA is a world renowned scholar and journeyman in archaeological sites in Israel. We always enjoy his visits. 

We had lunch at a small falafel stand near the park entrance after we completed Be Shean. Excellent falafel and schnitzel. Good magnum bars also. 

Next stop was Beit Alpha. The location of an ancient synagogue. It evidences syncretism early on in the life of the Central Galilee. 

En Harod, Gideon Springs was the next stop. JP shared. It brings to full color the Biblical story. Once you’ve visited Gideon Springs you will read the passage much differently. 

We met Tsvika at Sepphoris in Central Galilee, just 2 miles from Nazareth. Outstanding mosaics, cistern, ancient synagogue, Roman Streets and public buildings and the Mona Lisa of the Galilee. Wow. This is a 5 star site. 

Clay- Friday- nearing Shabat. Shabat Shalom from Israel

4:02pm 

Shabat shalom!

Jan 4 – SA

Today we move from Nof Ginosar in Tiberias to the Dan Panorama in Jerusalem. But in between we had a few stops. 

Jericho was first.  We visited the site at the Temptation Inn, the overlook to the Old Roman Road and the Sycamore Tree in downtown Jericho. 

Qumran was next. Amazing site. Dr. Parker shared from his dissertation on Qumran and pointed out the physical points of the site. 

We drove down to Masada and had lunch and visited this stunning site. It is an overwhelming physical presence rising up out of the desert floor. 

We went from Masada north to Kalia Beach. Many of our folks went swimming in the Dead Sea. The water is oily and heavy. The water is so heavy that you float and make sure you don’t get water in your eyes. When you get out you have to rinse off very well. 

Now we are going up to Jerusalem. Another typically wonderful day in Israel. 

Clay

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE. – Jan 5, 2014- SU

Today was Jerusalem All day.  Gethsemane, Mt of Olives, Dominas  Flavit, walk down Mt of Olives, Church of All Nations, Jewish Quarter, Shorashim, Kotel Tunnel, St Anne Church, and Bethlehem.  

Lots of walking. Aha moments. Great lunch in the Jewish Quarter. Shopping in several places. 

Returned to our hotel, the Dan, by 6:45pm for dinner.  A fast paced, non-stop day. 

Clay from Jerusalem

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE JAN 6, 2014- MO

Our weather has been just perfect throughout the whole trip. One more day of touring and then home. 

We began in the line at the Temple Mount. It’s amazing and disappointing at the same time. Jim Parker reviewed the physical aspects of the site last night so I think all were prepared to visit the site. It is disappointing we can’t read the Bible or pray on the site. Lord change this situation. Gilla took our PILGRIMAGE GROUP thru the site. She does a remarkable job. I really like having ear buds to hear her details of the site.  

I went ahead of the group to visit with a shopkeeper at the Lions gate and had mint tea. Very enjoyable. 

St Anne’s Church and Bethesda was next. Maddie and Gilla sang in the church. 

We began the Via Dolorosa, visiting the Lithostratos, the Judgment Gate and finishing at the Holy Sepulcher. Our group shopped for a short while and then had lunch in the Jewish Qtr. 

A visit to the Upper Room and then a visit at Yad Vashem Holacaust Museum. 

Devotionals before dinner. 

Clay from Jerusalem. 

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE -JAN 7, 2014- TU

All journeys come to an end. Today is the final day of our Israel Pilgrimage and it has been outstanding-many aha moments-The Lord has spoken in many different ways to the pilgrims on our journey.  Our goal was to discover and we did!  Biblical insights too many to recount. Tears of joy at several junctures and encouraging reminders as we met history.  Jesus came with us and guided is and we traveled the Land of the Bible. Thank you Lord. 

TU was to be a bit of a slower pace-we were packed for our return to USA and left the Dan Panorama at 9am. 

We went to St Peter in Gallicantu where Mel and Lionel shared. This was the location where Peter denied The Lord. Their is an ancient Roman stepped way that comes from the Mt of Olives across the Kidron Valley and up by this location.  I’m always touched by history here. 

Our next stop was the Garden Tomb. One of my favorite places in Jerusalem.  Always very emotional for me.  A very visual site.  When I read about, think about or study the crucifixion this location is in my minds eye.  Again, thank The Lord. 

Lunch was at the Jewish Market, Mahane Jehuda (sp).  Lots of people, overwhelming number of small shops that served food, coffee, fresh fruit, etc. Fifty one people spread over several acres of a local market is a recipe for disaster but our master guide Gilla, JP, Mel, Paul and Adam kept up with everyone and the group did a great job of making it to our meeting point, loading the bus and we were on the road. I think this place was an excellent stop. It put us in the midst of the local Jewish population letting us mingle with real Jerusalem. 

It didn’t take us long to get to the Herodian but it was 2:30. This day time is passing with a vengeance.  Our visit took us back to where we began on Dec 31 at the Herod Exhibit at the Israel Museum. Herod was an evil megalomaniac and a great builder.  When you come to Israel don’t miss the Herodian. 

Elah Valley and the David and Goliath Confrontation was our next stop. Most of our pilgrims picked up 5 smooth stones. Although this was the place of confrontation, there have been about 100 million stones picked up but they will serve as a remembrance.  

We had to get gas for the van and I discovered there was a coffee shop with superb espresso so I got one for me and one for Jim Dukes. 

Our farewell dinner is at the Old Man & the Sea in Jaffa at 6:30. We have to rush to make it arriving at 6:45pm.  Oh my the meal was spectacular-pic attached. 

It’s 3:22am EST- 10:22am Jerusalem time. We’ve traveled a long way and have in the last few minutes crossed onto North America. We will arrive at JFK about 5:45am.  Praying for safety and a quick return today to New Orleans and another successful Israel Pilgrimage. Thank you Lord for a safe journey and for Your constant presence. 

Clay Corvin 

 PICTURES:

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013

THOUGHTS ABOUT ISRAEL

Our flight from the US was uneventful including Dr. Parker and Dukes just making the plane at JFK. We were about 30 min late but made it through customs and over to ElDan Car Rental timely and soon were on the road to Neve Elan where we will be the next three nights. We did stop at Latrun (SI) for coffee. The weather is very nice, chilly and clear. We arrived at Neve Ilan about 5:30pm and had supper at 6:30pm. The meal was a Shabbat recognition. There were about 300 people from the local area dining with family. Shabbat is when families generally have the evening meal together. Neve Ilan is about 20 km from Jerusalem. We are in the general area for Emmaus. We are tired. Our bedtime isn’t far away.

THOUGHTS ABOUT ISRAEL

I love the land of Israel, The Lord does to
Arriving is always a coming home, departure sadnes
It is an Eastern Culture, Much different than our own I’ve read so much about it,
That’s why it seems like home

When I am here the Bible is always in my hand, the Lord`s presence near
Thoughts of the Savior, Remembrances of prophets Breathing Israeli air,
Sustenance for my soul The land of the Bible, Where we see God’s actions took hold
How about today, Is it really that important to visit Israel? It enhances our understanding,

When we see Scripture alive We see the dust, the rustic browns and stunning blue skies The Galilee is very special, We see The Lord at work, ministering to great need Every time I come it is different, New People, an insight birthed anew The intensity of our pilgrimages, Tends to hold my attention When I go back home, then I will have time to think thru all the things I saw and heard Israel is a place that will connect with you, Jesus loves you
Clay                  12/28/12

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

December 29, 2012-January 9, 2013

DAILY ITINERARY

December 29-SA-Day 1-depart USA on U.S. Air

December 30-SU-Day 2-arrive in Tel Aviv, overnight at Hotel Neve Ilan.

December 31-MO-Day 3- We will begin our day with a devotional and then to begin our first day’s pilgrimage in Israel we will visit Tel Gezer and then travel south, visiting the Valley of Elah, where the battle between David and Goliath was waged, as well as Tel Lachish 2 Kings 14:19 where Amaziah was killed by his enemies, where Joshua fought (Joshua 10:34), and Babylon and other ancient nations battled across the centuries. We will also visit the well of Abraham at Tel Beersheva and then continue our south-bound travel thru the Wilderness of Zin and on to the Makhtesh Ramon and then overnight at the Ramon Inn, where we will have dinner.  We will have the daily Bible Study each day before dinner, time permitting.

January 1-TU-Day 4-Today we will travel north to the region of the Galilee. We will visit the ancient Nabatean city of Avdat founded in 3^rd century BC before making our way down to the Dead Sea, where we will visit the sites of Masada and Qumran. We will then make our way up the Jordan Valley to Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, where we will have dinner and spend the first of four nights.

January 2-WE-Day 5- This morning we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We will also visit the Christian sites around the Sea of Galilee, including Capernaum-the town of Jesus, the Primacy of Peter, Chorazin, and the Mount of the Beatitudes. After continuing our drive across the country, we will make our way towards Cana in Galilee and Nazareth where we will visit the city overlook.  From Nazareth we will drive to Sepphoris where we will visit a town built by the Romans during the time of Jesus.  We will finish our touring in the late afternoon and arrive back to Nof Ginosar for dinner and overnight stay.

January 3-TH-Day 6-Today we will visit Kursi before meeting our drivers for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights. Afterwards we will visit Caesarea Philippi where Jesus taught His disciples and Tel Dan Nature Reserve before returning to Nof Ginosar for dinner and overnight stay.

January 4-FR-Day 7-Our journey today will take us across Central Galilee to visit Tel Megiddo (7,000 BC to 586 BC) that guarded an ancient trade route, then to En Harod (Spring of Harod) where Gideon prepared to fight the Midianites (Judges 7), next to Beit Alpha and then to Tel Bet Shean (Roman city of the Decapolis Scythopolis) before returning for our last night at Nof Ginosar.

January 5-SA-Day 8- After an early breakfast we will begin our journey south towards Jerusalem. Our first stop will be Mount Carmel, where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. We will then visit Herod’s beautiful coastal city of Caesarea, and Tel Arsuf, also Apollonia originally settled by Phoenicians. We will then arrive in Jerusalem at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, where we will have dinner and spend the first of three nights.

January 6-SU-Day 9- Today we will be in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting Mount Zion, the Upper Room, St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Mount of Olives overlook, Dominus Flevit, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations. There will also be time to do some shopping in the Old City before arriving back at Ramat Rachel for dinner and overnight.

January 7-MO-Day 10- Our first stop will be at the Panorama Overlook, which will provide a breathtaking view of the city. We will then explore the Temple Mount before walking the Via Dolorosa. Making our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, we will visit several sites, including the Russian Orthodox Church. There will also be some time to explore and shop in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City before arriving at Ramat Rachel for our final evening in Jerusalem.

January 8-TU-Day 11- On our last day of touring we will visit several sites in and around Jerusalem, including the Herodian, Nebi Samuel, the Israel Museum, and Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum). We will have dinner in ancient Jaffa before arriving in Tel Aviv for our late evening flight home via U.S. Air.

January 9-WE-Day 12-Arrive back home in USA.

HOTELS:

Dec 30-SU-HOTEL NEVE ILAN -TEL: 011 972 03 9190669.

Dec 31-MO- RAMON INN -TEL: 011 972 08 6588822. FAX: 011 972 08 6588151.

Jan 1-TU-NOF GINOSAR HOTEL -TEL: 011 972 04 6700320. FAX: 011 972 04 6792170.

Jan 5-SA-KIBBUTZ RAMAT RACHEL-TEL: 011 972 02 6702555. FAX: 011 972 02 6733155.

Ophir TOURS-TEL: 011 972 03 5269741