Category - Travel

Grand Canyon National Park

This is one of the natural wonders of the world.  Deep rich red colors band the canyon walls throughout its 277 mile length the Canyon averages 10 miles wide and 1 mile deep.  It is immense.

The Colorado River runs through the Grand Canyon.

SEDONA

A beautiful city located in Arizona  in the Verde Valley just south of Flagstaff.  Beautiful red hued mountains jut up out of the ground creating a scenery of overwhelming beauty.  Sedona has more than 40 art galleries and just about as many coffee shops.  The people are friendly and the food is excellent.

When you visit Sedona be sure to take a jeep ride, hike some mountain trails and visit an art gallery.  Sedona is a relaxing and beautiful city.

SMALL GROUP TRIP TO ISRAEL – MAY 17, 2016 – MAY 28, 2016

 
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
MAY 17-28, 2016
TU-May 17
Well I must say that today was eventful in two ways I didn’t foresee. One very negative and one very positive.

Negative-Delta decided today that since there was 8 hours between our arrival at JFK and takeoff for TLV so they only gave us a boarding pass to JFK. At JFK we had to pick up our luggage and check in at the counter upstairs and then go thru security again. Not fun but one does what one must do. We hit a traffic seam and were able to pick up luggage, check in and navigate security in about 1 hr. The wait for the luggage was the most time. Done. Moving on.

Positive-ran into Charmaine Neville at the airport. Amazing woman. We visited with her in New Orleans, on the plane and in JFK. We were able to help her get her luggage and off to connect with United. We had a great time with her. She shared some about her early years. Great stories. Anyway she wants us to reconnect when we get back and we will. She was headed to Brussels to sing for 10 days then on to somewhere else. She will be out much of the summer singing on tour then back home. Fun. Special.

Every trip has its own flavor. This is beginning with new things unexpectedly. That’s good.

Dennis is stressing over their airport arrivals for the dig. Everything is changing. Jim is working on stuff for the dig. They are really poised for a great year at Gezer.

We will board our flight to Tel Aviv about 10:30pm and depart JFK about midnight. We should be there about 5pm their time which is 9am CDT. (8hours later)

We’ll pick up our van and head to Neve Ilan. We will base our day trips out of Neve Ilan for 4 days then transition to Maagan, Sea of Galilee 2 days then 4 days in Jerusalem.

WISE PATHS

My heart is right oh Lord
My heart is right
I have an excitement in my soul
This journey is meant to be

I’ve thought it through
I’ve prayed it through
Prepared, details
All I’ve done points to success

I don’t know
What I don’t know
But I’m ready to learn
Fear has no place in my heart

Journey proud today
I’m on the way
Obstacles rearing their head
You oh Lord have ordained my trip

I pray You remove all stops
No more gotchas
Be still my heart
Lord prepare me

I am yours
Fill my heart with YOUR thoughts
Make me a usable vessel
Equip me with eyes to see

Your Word oh Lord guides me
It speaks life, discovery, strength
Be my guide as I go
You Lord are my protection.

Clay Corvin 4/24/16

ONE MOMENT

Life is lived moment by moment
One moment strong
One moment weak
Too quick we lose our vigor
Too quick we give up

A moment to fail – don’t give up
A moment to succeed – be careful
Many lead lives of quiet desperation
Medicate it and we become an addict
Ignore it and it will gain the power to control

In youth we look pretty
Bones heal, injuries fix
Good as new we walk and run
Under the sun we age every day
One day we cannot run – walking is a chore

Our minds throw us off
They don’t see the aging
They don’t feel the waning strength
Until one day we are surprised
Life isn’t easy anymore – every day a chore

What can we do in a moment?
What can change in our situation?
Rejoice in the day!
Claim the joys of a life well lived!
Bend the knee to Jesus – let Him guide you

The competition isn’t between us
We are called to help and encourage
The value is in us – not what we do but what we are
Jesus our Creator calls us into service
People need the Lord – we are His hands and feet

A life well lived is our goal – Jesus changes everything
A life devoted to Him brings personal joy
What we give away cannot be stolen
Jesus is the reason we can seize the day
Life is lived moment by moment

Clay Corvin 5/7/16
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
WE MAY 18

It’s a long way from New Orleans to Israel. I like the trip-today 9 1/2 hrs from JFK. Lots of reading. Some napping. A lot of time to think about friends and to pray.
I am praying for safety of our trip. The traffic is challenging at best and the best is only occasionally. Stan will be doing most of our driving and he does good.
Time is the great challenge. So much to see and so little time.
Our daily junkets will be fast, lots of discussion as we ride from site to site and based on interest a lot of selection during the day.
Our first four nights will be at Neve Ilan in the Judean Hills. I think we are only 10 miles to downtown Jerusalem. It’s a beautiful suburban location with craggy, rocky hills all around.
We are 50 minutes out from Tel Aviv.
I’m thinking about our summer. The traveling will be over after the SBC in St LOUIS until the end of October.
I want to grow closer to the Lord. I want to change. It’s so important that we listen to the Lord and how he wants us to minister. At this stage of my life there is the thought sometimes to recline on the sidelines. Lord help me to stay active at the pursuit of the list. There are so many all around us. People need the Lord. I want to keep a daily commitment to be a witness. Jesus is Lord. Lord I believe with all my heart that everyone needs you. Lord help my unbelief.
Excited! Every trip I have taken to Israel since the first one in 1983 has been a blessing to me. I pray Lord that you will help me to be a blessing to the men that will travel with me on this Pilgrimage.
The Lord is good. He seeks to put good in our life. Praise the Lord.
Psalm 115:11-12 All who fear the Lord, trust the Lord, he is your helper and your shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
It’s 4:35pm Israel time and we are ready to land. 75 and scattered clouds. The sun is out and everything looks beautiful.

We landed, got our cars, went by SI Espresso, Neve Shalom and then up to Neve Ilan for the next 4 nights.
Tsvika Tsuk met us for dinner. Excellent meal. I’m shot. Heading to the room for the night.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
TH-5/19/16

Mid-sixties when we got up. Very beautiful day ahead of us.

First funny incident-got in the elevator with a man and three women. He made a to do about the weight on the elevator-maybe too much. I ignored him. We got to the lobby floor I stepped off and mr in charge pushed the button to hold the elevator when in actuality it was the close door button and the door immediately closed and too the man and three women up to the third floor. I waited for them to come back and held the door when it stopped. He sheepishly thanked me and they all got off with their luggage. Can’t make this stuff up.

First stop today is Gezer. Dr Parker is hurrying to a meeting there so we breezed right by SI Espresso. Be still my heart.
We were the first to arrive at the meeting at Gezer I thought but then Dennis and Dan walked out from behind a gate and Tsvika had been and gone and returned about 15 minutes later. They did their business, we toured Gezer and loaded the van and set out for Ashqelon. Lots of different ways to spell that ancient Philistine city.
Ashqelon is a coastal city on the Mediterranean 31 miles south of Tel Aviv. In the course of its history, it has been ruled by the Ancient Egyptians, the Philistines, the Israelites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Hasmoneans, the Romans, the Persians, and the Arabs. We visited the ancient mud brick gates, and drove the site. We also visited the beach. Today every one was properly clothed. This ancient city site occupies about 250 acres.
Old Man and the Sea was our next stop for lunch. Excellent!
Already we were running out of time. We drove to Latrun and visited Si Espresso and the just a short way to Emmaus. We visited the site and sat in the shade in their outside chapel and studied Luke 1:1-5.
We got back to the hotel at 4:45 just in time to rest and have dinner.

Quick night. We plan to leave at 7:30am in the morning and visit Bathabara, Qumran, Masada, and Beersheva.
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
FR. 5/20/16

We ate breakfast early at Neve Ilan. It got very chilly last night. I don’t think I moved all night.
Typical breakfast-exceptionally good. I did eat a bite of cheesecake in Brian’s honor giving full credit to him for my breakfast. They had the 8 types of cheese out and I did appropriate homage to them. All in all a very good breakfast. If you are willing to stand in line they also have egg omelets to order.
I did make coffee in the room so when I got to breakfast at 6:30am I had already had my coffee.
We left Neve Ilan at 7:20 and drove directly to the Dead Sea. It’s Friday morning and traffic was very light. Moslems worship on Fridays and many Israelis take FR & SA (Shabbat) for their weekend. Everything closes early today so at the Dead Sea we filled up with diesel.
Our first stop was at the Baptismal site across from Bethabara where John was baptizing. This is in the wilderness along the Jordan. The Israelis are cleaning the area removing more that 25,000 land mines so all of the ancient churches can be accessed. The Parks Authority has done a great job in cleaning and fixing up the baptismal site. We are very early and there is no one here except us and the army guards. They are there to keep people from crossing the border illegally. We looked, took pics, Jim shared some with us and then we moved on.
Kalia Beach was next. The guys took a dip in the Dead Sea. I waited at the car. Generally Gilla gets us in for free and that is a good deed for the entrance fee is about $12 each. I elected to read and relax. Cool breeze makes it comfortable. That is very unusual at the Dead Sea but it will get into the 90’s here today.

I was thinking as we drove down the ancient activities in this area. Jesus certainly walked the area we descend from Jerusalem. Of course the Jericho road detours down Wadi Qelt so after that we are on new ground. But as we arrived at Bethbara all around us is the wilderness, just across the way is Jericho and the Mt of Temptation. Great stories here with great meaning for us. One thought for sure is that in Christ we are never alone. He stays closer than a brother. He is with us not because of what we do but because of who we belong to. Praise the Lord. Praise him in my heartache, and temptation. Praise Him as I rejoice on a beautiful day. Praise him on the rainy day. Everyone everywhere and in all circumstances praise the Lord. He is good and He loves me and you.
Qumran was our next stop. Jim Parker led us through the site. I love the short movie of the site and enjoyed the visit. Some good pics of the Dead Sea and the roadway below.
On the drive to Masada we passed the En Gedi reserve and the guesthouse. I’ve stayed here many times but not in the last 12 years. We arrived at Masada about 11:30am. We are making good enough time to get to Beersheva before they close.
We are 20 minutes from Beersheva so hopefully we will make it before closing.
Beersheva was closed but Achmed let us in for 20 min which was enough time to visit Abraham’s well and the ancient mud-brick city.
We left Beersheva about 3:45 and went straight to Lachish.
Lachish was a Judean city destroyed by Sennacherib during the time of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18. We know exactly how Lachish was defeated as the Sennacherib wall relief from his palace in Nineveh hangs in the British Museum and details the battle. Of course the Lord defeats the Assyrians before they can lay siege to Jerusalem.
Now we continue our northern trek and travel past Bet Guvrin and Mareshah to the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath. We take a few minutes to gather 5 smooth stones and review the story of David and Goliath and then proceed to Tel Qeiyafah- the town of two gates. This is an Israelite city at the time of Saul and may have been the place where David tried on Saul’s armor and decided to use his sling to defeat Goliath. The site sits immediately above the location for David and Goliath’s confrontation.
Stan has driven us all day. We have traveled many kms. And he has handled the driving admirably.
We are heading back to Neve Ilan and stopped at Tel Bet Shemesh for a few moments. This is Samson and Delilah country and the little town of Zoar was just over the hill. Our final stop of the day was SI Espresso at Latrun. It was a great end to an excellent day.
We got back to Neve Ilan at 7:05 pm. A long touring day.
We had our Shabbat meal with a dining room filled with people celebrating with their families.

Great day.
Shabbat shalom from Israel.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
SA. – 5/21/16
I like our Israel Pilgrimages because they highlight our relationship with the Lord.
We are studying Luke this trip. Jim has gotten us thru John the Baptist’s birth. It’s rich. It calls me to think critically about what I do each day and how I see the Lord’s activity in my life. Jesus is with each one of us and the Lord is serious about his commitment to us. Thank you Lord.

We met Tsvika at a SI Espresso outside of Tel Aviv. He will be with us all day.
Our first stop is Caesarea. We began at the theater and moved through the site. The surf was up and was throwing water across the break. Interesting new finds were on display in the 2nd Harbor Museum. Tsvika is a repository of a vast amount of information. He does a very good job of detailing the history.
The weather was really nice.
We ran into some of the folks we met from New Orleans (Don & Teresa) who flew with us and were doing a Tauck Tour of Israel. Nice folks.
We did watch the movie of the history of Caesarea. It is excellent.
We had to hustle from Caesarea to Acco for a 1:00 pm restaurant reservation at Uri Buri. We went through Haifa and the tunnels and the new road.
Acco is another favorite place and we went around to the Crusader Walls and parked in front of Uri Buri in a reserved spot. Grateful we had the parking space as the wall area was packed with folks relaxing on Shabbat.
Our lunch was superb. We had many different fish as there were many small plates that we shared. A very good meal.
Zippori National Park was our afternoon stop. Tsvika led us through the governor’s house which is the location of the Mona Lisa of the Galilee and many more mosaics. The group climbed to the top of the Crusader fortress. Tsvika took us through the Nile mosaics, the Cardo and the Decumanus Maximus. We then traveled across the site to the water system.
This completed our touring day but we had a two hour drive back to Neve Ilan. We got back about 7:45pm. Another long day but absolutely outstanding. We traveled north and south on the Ancient Via Maris. It was great traveling thru the countryside.

Quick dinner at Neve Ilan and time to pack and sleep. Breakfast in the morning at 6:30am and off to the north at 7:30am. We have an appointment at Ginosar for the Jesus boat-the small one. We will also travel up to the Golan.

Nothing will be impossible for God. Luke 1:37
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
SU- 5/22/16
Early departure from Neve Ilan traveling to the Galilee.
We traveled the ancient Via Maris and took the Iron Pass into the Jezreel. This was the same pass that Tutmose III used when he came and conquered Megiddo. Allenby also came this way when he fought the Turks at Megiddo.
The drive continued through the Jezreel to Bet Shean and north to Maagan where we put our luggage in their care and immediately went to Ginosar to go on the Sea of Galilee in a Jesus boat. This is a boat that is essentially the same as the boats at the time of Jesus. David Smadar was the boat captain and was very helpful with info about the Sea of Galilee. The boat was run by electric power and had a tiller. Authentic. Jim Parker led our devotional. The atmosphere was perfect for beautiful pictures.
After we completed our sailing on the Sea of Galilee we visited the Ancient Boat at Nof Ginosar.
Back on the road we drove to Koah Junction above Hazor for lunch at the Aroma coffee. Great sandwiches and salads plus superb coffee.
Our journey continued north to Tel Dan where we visited the Abraham Gate-a 3,500 year old mud brick gate at the ancient city of Dan.
Caesarea Philippi was our next stop. Jim Parker took everyone up to the site and discussed Mt 16:13 and following dealing with Peter’s Confession.
We had a 2:30 appointment with Ilan Schulman for
Jeeps on the Golan. We spent 2 hours with him and went all through their part of the Golan. At the overlook of Syria Ilan explained the current situation as we listened to the shelling over in Syria. What a mess the have in Syria.
Ilan told us about Merom Golan Kibbutz what they farmed, manufactured and produced. They have 1,400 cattle, many large orchards, mfg. jet plane engine parts, grow broccoli and other winter crops in the summer and many other things. A very diversified conglomerate.
Well we had a full day. We had been going since before six so we decided to go down the mountain range and go straight to Decks, a very good local restaurant. We got there about 5:45pm and had a great meal. On the way to Maagan we were stopped in Tiberias by a festival at the cemetery that had the city locked down. We had to go thru Poriya to get back down to Maagan. The trip was 8 miles and going thru Poriya made it 15 miles. But we made it back, checked in at Maagan and are ready to crash.
More tomorrow.
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
MO – 5/23/16

Beautiful day. The Sea of Galilee is gorgeous. Breakfast and on the road to Kursi by 8am.
Very nice drive to Kursi. We visited the basilica, discussed the Biblical backgrounds, took pictures, Jim visited the underground graves and took a picture for us and off we go to our next site – Bethsaida.
Bethsaida is one of the three cities that Jesus curses-woe unto you Bethsaida. It is a well developed site and we enjoyed the walk thru and the Bible discussions.
The group that is doing archaeological work at this site has begun the dig season. They were doing their morning organizational meeting as we arrived. We quietly moved by them to the southern edge of the site overlooking the Jordan where we discussed the historical activies.
Next stop was the Jordan River overshadowed by the tel. Bethsaida is outside of the Jordan Delta now but at the time of Jesus it was much closer.
We moved on and stopped at the bridge to look at the Jordan River again.
We then went on up the hill and by Chorazin and Vared Hagalil to the Mount of Beatitudes. Good visit.
Jim did the Biblical reading and devotional right in front of the building.
We were glad we had Gilla as she averted a couple of traveling issues before they were issues. She is a delight. I learn stuff from her every time we get together.
We left Mt of the Beatitudes and drove back to Chorazin. Really good Biblical site. Discussions about Jesus comments, curses of Chorazin. We visited the synagogue and returned to the van.
Capernaum, the town of Jesus was our next stop. This is a big site with the white synagogue called the synagogue of Jesus, but it is built later than Jesus’ time over the synagogue of Jesus. Additionally there is the house of Peter, an interesting church, insula, carved stones and an excellent olive press. Actually even more stuff than I’ve listed and it is all interesting. Site devotional. Discussions. Off to lunch.
We had St Peter’s Fish at St Peter’s Restaurant. Okay.
We finished our touring day with two more stops:
The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and fishes-beautiful mosaics
The Primacy of Peter (Jn 21) Jesus met the disciples on the Seashore and reclaimed Peter. Excellent chi ch with the table of Christ.
Two ideas from today:
Nothing is impossible with God
God’s activities change things

Tomorrow we travel post haste to Jerusalem.

Have a great day. Ours has been outstanding and yours will be too.
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
TU – 5/24/16
Maagan and the Sea of Galilee were in our rear view mirror by 8:00pm. A quick stop at the Aroma Espresso Bar and off we go south to Jerusalem. We are going up to Jerusalem.
We made one stop about half way to Jerusalem at a CafeCafe and then completed our trip to Jerusalem about 10am. Jim Parker parked the car in the Dan garage and joined us in the van.
It rained on us some of the way to Jerusalem.
Traffic was typically very difficult but we finally made it to the Mount of Olives. We took lots of pictures. Jim Parker did some historical sketching. Then the rain returned so we drove over to the Aroma on Mt Scopus at Hebrew University to have lunch. Good lunch. I love their Tuna Salad.
This trip I’ve mostly had as my coffee drink cold Americanos. Excellent taste and perfect when you are sweaty.
Stan is doing a marvelous job of getting us from point to point. He took us to St Peter in Gallicantu from the Aroma on Mt Scopus. That alone is a feat of daring but he got us there in one piece. Traffic is a real challenge. I’m very serious. It is a challenge. He and Jim Parker both do a good job driving us in Israel.
We began our tour of St Peter in Gallicantu at the overlook. You get an amazing view of the southern walls of the Old City, the City of David, Silwan (Biblical Siloam), the Kidron Valley, the Hinnom Valley and the Church of the Field of Blood. Then we walked up to the Church and visited the Roman Stepped Way and the portico where Jesus would have been beaten and tried by the religious leaders. Horrible things done there and Peter denied him there.
Stan took us up the hill, thank you, and we continued our tour walking to the Upper Room. It didn’t have a lot of people. We took pictures, Jim and Gilla shared and we moved on toward the Jewish Quarter.
It wasn’t a long walk from the Upper Room thru the Zion Gate and across the Jewish Quarter to Shorashim to visit Moshe and Dov. Moshe was off so we visited with Dov a few minutes and moved on toward the Holy Sepulcher. We stopped at the Judgment Gate in the Russian Orthodox Church. It is very near the Holy Sepulcher.
The visit to the Holy Sepulcher included all of the sites and a group singing. Very touching.
A few minutes of shopping. Then the group came by the Mamilla Mall Aroma and got me and we headed over to Gethsemane.
Another good visit.
We are all very tired and it’s after 5pm. We turned left from Gethsemane and stopped at the place you can pull off the road. We crossed the street and took pictures of the Kidron Valley and all of the stuff there. Tombs, structures and the walkways. Interesting.
We continued back to the Dan Panorama slowly. So much traffic. It took us about 30minutes to get through.
We checked in, put our stuff in the room and went down for dinner at 6:30.
Very good, exhausting day.
More tomorrow.

ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
WE-5/25/16

We began our pilgrimage on TU 5/17. It seemed as though we had lots of time to do everything we wanted to do. In fact we have been pressed everyday to get all that we wanted to that day done. We’ve had several 12 hour travel days and yesterday I think we all hit the wall and just slowed down. Oh yesterday was full but we didn’t run at it we just smoothly went thru the day. Now our traveling partners will be leaving out in the morning. Stan and I will spend much of the day tomorrow at the Gezer Dig site mostly trying to stay out of folks way. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making some new friends.
Today was a very good day. One of my favorite days of every trip. We spent the day in the Old City. But let me begin.
We are at the Dan Panorama. I’ve stayed here so many years that the folks treat me like family. It was good to see everyone. Breakfast is one of their many specialities. They have something you will love including eggs to order, honey dripping from the comb, 5 kinds of yogurt, a half dozen kinds of cheese, and at least 5 types of fruit peeled and/or cut. Juices, breads, sweet breads, espresso and on and on. Just good. Their beds sleep real good also.
Jim Parker transferred back to the dig this morning. Stan dropped off Tom and Phil at the Herod Gate and they went down to the Pool of Bethesda then met Stan at the Lions’ Gate (2 Lions over the gate-also known as the Sheep Gate or St. Stephen’s Gate.). They then went to The Gezer dig and spent the day out there. Stan said they had lunch at Latrun and got back about 4pm.
Herb went with me and Gilla. Stan dropped us off at the Dung Gate. We visited the Western Wall first. I always find this experience very moving. It is not Scriptural at all but it is a location where the light and life of Israel has burned brightly. As noted in the Old Testament in Zechariah 8:5 the city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing. Today as we made our way to the Western Wall the plaza was filled with school children. Young boys and girls were taking surveys asking what the Western Wall meant to us. I was touched as I thought of this prophecy. Every time I walk thru Hurva Square I come face to face with God’s prophecy. The only way Israel lives is because of the Lord God, the Living Lord exploding into our day and time in Israel and especially in Jerusalem.
Our visit complete at the Western Wall we moved on to the Temple Mount. I could spend a lengthy time assailing all that is here but I won’t. We toured the Temple Mount, taking pics, discussing history and the buildings on the site. We walked all of the Temple Mount and exited by the Lions’ Gate where I walked out and took pictures.
Our next stop would be Saint Anne’s Church. It is a Roman Catholic Church that is located at the beginning of the Via Dolorosa near the Lions’ Gate. Next to the church are the two pools of Bethesda. The actual church was built in about 1138AD near the remains of a Byzantine Basilica over a grotto believed to be the home of Anna & Joachim the parents of Mary the mother of Jesus (Tradition.) The acoustics in the church make a perfect echo. Groups sing in the church and the sound is often very stirring.
Outside of the church is the Pool of Bethesda where In John 5 we hear about the healing by Jesus of a paralytic. The site is much different than it would have been in Jesus’ time. We read the Scripture passage.
We began our walk on the Via Dolorosa. We would only go to the Austrian Hospice where we would turn right on Al Wad and go north out of the Old City but I will get back to that after a moment.
We discussed the Stations of the Cross as we walked to Ecce Homo the words used by Pontius Pilate (behold the man) in the Vulgate translation of John 19:5, when he presents Jesus (who has been scourged and had a crown of thorns shoved down on his head) to a hostile crowd shortly before the crucifixion. We went down to the original pavement. Moving.
The Austrian Hospice was next. It is a very relaxing place for a break. Hot tea, coffee, soda water and apple strudel. Good break. Quiet, cool courtyard. Superb! A beautiful old Austrian mansion converted to a guesthouse.
We were now going north out of the Old City. Under Ariel Sharon’s house and on up to the Damascus Gate (the gate beautiful). Pictures. Then we crossed the street and up a block to the Garden Tomb.
An excellent visit to the beautiful, scenic Garden Tomb bedecked in flowers. We shared greetings with Sammy-he said hi to pastor Mel.
We toured the Garden area and the tomb and back to the Old City going in the Damascus Gate and up by the Holy Sepulcher and then up to the Jaffa Gate. We had a late lunch at Nofoura on Latin Patriarchate Street. Wow. Great lunch-outstanding hummus and huge Greek salads.
It was nearly 3PM so we caught a cab and back to the Dan. Quick rest, and dinner with Gilla and Neil. Time for bed already. Early day. We take Our friends to the airport and then to Gezer.
Blessings from Jerusalem.

1 Chron 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my borders, and that Thine hand might be with me and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” And God granted him that which he requested.

Well it was an excellent email. Please keep in mind that the vision creates the future and I’m believing your future will be bright and significant. I think between the two of us you can accomplish most of what you are purposing for your tour in India.
We can lay out specifics soon but I am glad you are developing your plan. It makes good sense.
Let’s see what we can do and if you will need to do some.
I am praying that the Lord will bless the activities of your hands and your heart and that He will constantly be enlarging your work.

We’ve had a great trip. Stan and I are eating dinner with some folks from the Dan.
The dig at Gezer is going very well. It was in the 90’s today and half a day was plenty for me. I did those kinds of things in the 1990’s but I’ll pass now. Great young people at the dig. Gary Meyers is the best. Glad to see Sarah and Autumn there. Autumn is exceptional. She does very good work and will make a mark for herself. She said the dig was to expand her horizons but that she isn’t an archaeologist.
The young man from the registry office-Paul’s assistant whose name escapes me is doing a good job there. Parker-Cole-Warner have done an outstanding job putting this program together. Jim has recruited Liberty University to join us.
You got more than asked for. Hope your day is good and no more Saturday classes.
I’m talking with Rick this summer trying to define the next 10 years. I know, beyond 3 is a crap shoot but I have so many more things to do I want to reach out for the best.
This has become rambling.
Best to you.
This Israel trip may be the best yet. It went entirely too fast. I’m ready to start over again.
ISRAEL PILGRIMAGE
TH, FR, SA- 5/26-28/16
Three days in one- our pilgrimage ended so quick.
TH- took three of our folks to the airport at 7am-Stan drove swiftly and we made it a little after 8am. After dropping them off we had an appointment at SI Espresso at Latrun for a cold Americano and then quickly drove over to Gezer.
We took pictures of everyone and had a very good visit at the dig site. The crew of 38 that they have there is superb and they are making great strides in the work this year. (If Jim finds the ark all of our lives will go in the history books.) it was good to see everyone. They are doing a great work. Pray for them over the next two weeks.
We ate lunch at SI Espresso. Two cold Americanos. Excellent.
We got back to the Dan at 2pm. Stan has us in Timeline that tracks everywhere we are minute by minute.
I puttered around in the room and went to the lounge. I read and took a 1 hour nap. Stan walked all over the new city-about 5 miles I think.
At 6:30 we met a friend and went to his house for dinner.
I’ve never been on the Mount of Olives at night. Very nice. Children, little children, everywhere. Most of these folks are Israeli citizens. Lots of fun. We got in about 10pm. Read and to bed.
FR morning I slept until 8am. Breakfast and then Stan and I went to the Israeli museum with Gilla. They had a new exhibit-Pharaoh in Canaan- just superb. Enjoyed it. Enjoyed the exhibit.
We met Neil, Gilla’s husband at Ima’s at 1pm. Good Israeli meal.
Back to the Dan at 2:30. Took a nap and Stan walked the city again. We packed and visited with Ibrahim until he closed at 6pm. Dinner at 6:30. Loaded the van at 7:15pm and arrived at the rental return at 8pm. Turned the van in and by 8:30 were waiting to go thru security. We were at the lounge by 9:15pm and are getting ready to go to gate C7 to board the plane. I will have to change from JFK to LaGuardia and prayerfully hope to be in New Orleans by noon.
Bless you
The May Pilgrimage was a great success. Many wonderful memories.
Clay

12/27/15. Recap of SA and SU travel to Israel
A long travel day, losing 8 hours as we travel to Israel.
Time to read, and think and anything else to ke p your mom needs occupied and not thinking are we there yet? Nope you aren’t. It’s a good route on Delta they JFK but the elapsed times from our house to the airport in Tel Aviv is 22 hrs.
A long grueling trip that is simply to be endured and then you are there and the trials of the trip quickly fade.
Now I remember the old days, it took 36 hours to get to Israel. And not too many years before that it was and 8 day trip on a fast boat. So we are blessed.
We saw Dr. Danny Akin SEBTS president at the luggage carousel. He comes to Israel often and brings his students. He said after Israel he will go to Prague to visit some of their 2+2 students. I love seeing p pile traveling to Israel.
Dr Parker drove into Jerusalem and he made it to the Dan without GPS nor did he make a wrong turn. Dead reckoning. He also did a good job of safe driving.
Gilla met us at our he hotel SU night and had coffee with us.
The drive in not Jerusalem was a mixed bag for me. I remember the nights in the 80’s and 90’s when coming up to Jerusalem was on a crowded dark road. Now the road is modernized, wider and lights everywhere.
Israel is 1/5 the size of LA and has 6million plus population and a lot of drivers that need desperately to take drivers Ed.
Ps 147:5 How great is our God. His power is absolute. 6 The Lord supports the humble brings the wicked down into the dust. 11 The Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.
Just a few of God’s 7,000 plus promises in His Word.
Blessings from Jerusalem.

Israel -Monday -12/28/15
Beautiful, cool, sunny day in Jerusalem. Jim Parker, Mel and I parked at the Mamilla Mall and went straightway to see our money changer. We had mint tea and conversation, changed our dollars to shekels at a good rate, Turkish coffee and much more conversation. His son Omar came by and we spent time with him. After about two hours we walked to the Holy Sepulcher.
Not many folks around. The Doorman, Wajeeh Nuseibeh, recognized Mel and we visited with him. Jim Parker and I went in to the Tomb and stood in a very short line to visit the tomb. The grandeur of the Holy Sepulcher is foreign to our idea of Church but has and is meaningful to Christendom around the world. I try to be mindful of that and always visit with that in mind. It is the place recognized across the millenniums as the place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We lingered in prayer for a half hour and then walked to the Jewish Quarter to visit with Moshe and Dov Kempenski at Shorashim. We had talked with Dov earlier in the morning when he came by Aroma in the Mamilla. We were having coffee and Dov saw us and we talked a bit. Now we were at their shop and enjoyed the fellowship with both of them.
Carol and Gilla our guide and friend in Israel went to lunch near our hotel. Carol enjoys every opportunity she has to visit with Gilla.
What a wonderfully beautiful day.
It was after 3pm and we had spent the day in the Old City. Talking with friends over coffees or mint tea. Now it was time to head back to the hotel. Jet lag was catching up with all three of us.
We finished our our day with Bible Study in the birth narrative in Luke. We met in my room. Jim Parker led the study. He is a great student of the Word and an outstanding teacher. It was an enriching experience.
Dinner and off to bed. Another great day. As Mike Moskau often said “Every day is a good day.” This truly was a good day.
Psalm 147:1 Praise the Lord for it is good to sing praises to our God.

We are certainly praising the Lord as we prepare for our Pilgrimage group to arrive on Wednesday afternoon. Praying that all will go smoothly and well, safe flight and all in the group are healthy.
Please pray for Donna Parker’s family. Her sister’s husband died. She will have to miss the Israel trip as she ministers to her family in their time of grief.
Bless you today.

TRIPS
Sometimes epic journeys involve some very mundane days. Monday was one of those days. Dr Parker left early to work at Gezer with his colleagues.
I did several things in the morning and then about noon went to rest for a half hour and then go to the Old City. I woke up at 3:30pm. Evidently I was much tireder than I thought. Monday was a quiet, peaceful day.
Dr Parker led in Bible study-Luke 1 the story of John the Baptist birth.
Dr Warren and George Rieger arrived in time for dinner.

TUESDAY
Difficulties. 5 of our pilgrims flights missed their connections and our ground folks were scrambling to get them here and connected with our group. Most of the folks will arrive this afternoon so it’s a waiting day. No glamour just waiting. Reading, conversation and waiting.
Jim Parker, George Rieger, Bill Warren and Carol took the van on ahead to Mashabei Sadeh our overnight and we will join them about 8pm for dinner and a quick Bible Study.
Still waiting. Blessings.

JOY
Deut. 7 voices God’s love for Israel
Ps 87 declares God’s love for Jerusalem more than any place in Israel
Ezek 16:60 everlasting covenant
Study God’s Word -physically

Let the Lord speak to us

Like Mary we will. treasure everything we see and hear in our hearts

Translate the Word of God from black &white to full color-we will unpack all that happens here when we go home over the next year. We will read our Bible and see where we’ve been.

JOY. PSALM 147

What gives the Lord joy?
He created everything
It’s good to praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord
Sing His praises
Voice His praises
It’s good to praise the Lord

He builds
He takes care of the outsider
The poor, the widow, the orphan
Praise the Lord for His watch care

He heals
The broken-hearted
Giving them help in their time of need
Praise the Lord for His healing

He knows all things-all things
The number of stars and their names
The number of hairs on your head
Praise the Lord for His knowledge

He is all powerful
Abundant strength
All knowing -Infinite understanding
Praise the Lord

Sing praises to the Lord
He gives us rain
He makes the grass grow
Praise the Lord

He gives food to the animals
He clothes the flowers
He knows our needs
Praise the Lord

He favors those who fear Him
He rejoices in our praise
He gives us 7,000 plus promises
Praise the Lord

What gives the Lord joy?
Our praises gives Him joy
Our worship gives Him joy
Praise the Lord, Worship Him

Clay Corvin
Jerusalem, Israel Dec. 29, 2015

ISRAEL DEC 31, 2015. TH
Departed Mashabei Sadeh at 7:45am and headed north. Our first stop would be Tel Beersheva. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all lived here. The Well of the Oath (also seven) located near modern day Beersheva a thriving city of the Negev Region of Israel. We visited the archaeological site, saw a replica of the Horned Altar, the water system, the ancient well, saw a herd of Camels in the distance and discussed the Biblical history.
Next stop would be at Masada in the lowest point on Earth 1,372 ft below sea level The Dead Sea. Amazing. Oxygen is very rich here. Masada was an enriching experience. Seeing Herod’s Fortress and walking through it, hearing the story of the Roman invasion and the suicide of 993 Jews (refused to be slaves) and the the resolve of the modern state of Israel “NEVER AGAIN.”
Quick drive up the Dead Sea to Qumran, then up to Bethabara (house of the ford, place of the crossing.) This location is shown on the Madaba map. It is the place where John was Baptizing and where Jesus was baptized. Additionally it is the place where Israel crossed on dry ground (waters parted-Israelites couldn’t swim(joke)) into the Promised Land (Joshua 3).
We backtracked a little Kalia Beach on the Dead Sea for folks to take a dip then sprinted north up the Jordan Valley to Aroma Espresso Bar at the Junction then checked into Maagan for five nights, Bible Study until 9:45pm and crashed.

ISRAEL JAN 1, 2016 -Friday
Intermittent rain all day. We visited Biblical Kursi where Jesus confronted the Demoniac and threw the demons into the pigs, stopped at the Jordan River at the old tank bridge and then went to Nof Ginosar and sailed on the Sea of Galilee. It was rainy but not heavy waves. After the trip in the boat on the Sea of Galilee we visited the Ancient Boat from the time of Jesus at Nof Ginosar and then had lunch at a restaurant in Migdal (the town of Mary Magdalene-Mary of Migdala). After a short drive to Tabgha (Primacy of Peter) where we had our devotional on the beach, we visited Capernaum the town of Jesus.
We have devotionals at each site.
It was only a short drive up the hill to Chorazin (1 of the 3 cities Jesus cursed) and then across the hill and down to the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount In Matthew 5-7.
Two days of non-stop intense Biblical teaching. At the end of the day we made a stop at Tamar Backfar and picked up dates, tea, dried fruit, chocolate, nuts and other goodies to distract us as we discussed high level stuff at night and to fend off hunger during the day as we traveled the land the Lord loves. Bible Study, dinner and to bed.

ISRAEL JAN 2,2016 -SATURDAY

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL day in the Galilee. Every day is a good day. This was the long sprint day as we would travel from the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee to the Lebanon Border at Rosh Hanikra.
We exited the Sea of Galilee via Porya on hwy 767 to hwy 65 to hwy 79west. That took us to Sepphoris, know as Zippori about 4 miles from Nazareth. This is an ancient Roman City that ruled this region of the Galilee. The Jews of Sepphoris had been integrated into Roman society. Beautiful mosaics, excellent Cardo and decumanus streets, and in a luxurious Roman villa at the top of the site a mosaic with the Mona Lisa of the Galilee. Stunning. It was a rather long walk to the villa but well worth it.
Mt Carmel at the site where Elijah challenged, defeated and slew the prophets at Muhraqa was next and then off to lunch at the Druze village. Really a good, rewarding day so far.
After lunch we drove north to Akko. We got off the bus at the light house and walked around to the port including a stop for pictures at the caravansary. Then from the port we continued thru the Suk to the Coppersmith Shop and loaded the bus. About 30 minutes later we were on the border with Lebanon. The sign on the border said Beirut 120km and Jerusalem 205km. We took lots of pictures while at Rosh Hanikra loaded the bus and hit fast forward to Maagan. We got back just in time to begin the Bible Study at 6:15pm, dinner and off to bed. Another enriched, blessed and joyous day. The Lord says he loves this land and while I’m going to continue to live and rejoice in the USA I too love Israel, the land of the Bible!

ISRAEL JAN 3, 2016 -SUNDAY
We’ve had rain all week but amazingly time after time we had enough time in between downpours to visit sites. The worst rains have generally been when we were traveling from site to site or having a devotional on the bus or having lunch. The touring so far has been superb. I think I’ve worn my raincoat non-stop and more than any other trip to the Holy Land. Great trip! Maybe the best ever so far and today proved to be just as good! One thing for sure none of us has gotten a sunburn.
During the ride today I’ve thought about the young people on our trip. Old folks do that. I’m so proud of all their devotionals, interactions and their input into our Bible Studies. Christendom in America and the world is going to have good future Christian leaders. Praise the Lord. They will face much harder challenges than we have faced and will have to deal with a much different USA than we grew up in. Come Lord Jesus.
Well, we did tour today even though it’s taken me so long to get to it.
Our First site was Beit Shean, House of Peace. It is an important city at the junction of the Jordan River Valley and the Jezeel Valley. Indications are that there was a city here in the sixth millennia BC. It was an important Egyptian city, Philistine city, Israelite city, Greek city, Roman city, Byzantine city, Arab city, Ottoman city and today an important city in Israel. The archaeological site in Beit Shean today is developed in the Roman period. It’s a big site to walk thru, beautifully restored and in excellent condition. We lingered at the site and hated to leave. Several said if we had the time it would be a good place to sit in the amphitheater and meditate.
Nonetheless leave we must and our next stop was at Beit Alpha just a short drive west from Beit Shean.
This is a sixth century synagogue and the mosaic central to the structure gives us an indication of the syncretism that sweeps through the land.
Ein Harod Springs where Gideon was instructed by the Lord was our next stop.
Finally we got to Megiddo and its 26 levels of occupation. We had lunch then we toured the site. Discussions and teaching after lunch and an excellent walk on the site.
We finished our visit about 2:30 and headed to Nazareth. Nazareth traffic is a zoo. What is most important to us is its relationship with Jesus. We took the Nazareth road to the Precipice and had a wonderful view of the city, no traffic problem and the traditional location of where the people wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff. Great visit.
Now we turn towards Maagan. The last stop of the day was at Tamar Backfar-dried fruit, nuts, teas and other goodies.
Bible study. Dinner. Bed. Another outstanding day.
We begin thinking about Jerusalem. We will be there Tuesday

PSALMS OF ASCENT- PSALM 120-134

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE (Psalm 120)
by CLAY on 09/09/2012
O God heal my lying lips, my heart is hard, I protect myself Failure never my fault,
it’s him or her, my upbringing Never would I admit, mean spiritedness, selfish
devotion to sin It’s always someone else, never me, can’t you see how I’m wronged?
Lying tongue be quiet, God speaks, it is your fault Where you walk, who you are with,
selfishness is a false foundation Addiction is a convenient way to disavow
responsibility, it must be something else You live in a world bent on disaster, you
cause you pain, bend your knee in Jesus name
Woe is me, can I get an amen, don’t you know my hard story? Judgment comes
without my plea, God knows the truth, my heart is hard and cold Jesus can set you
free, He loves you and me, claim Christ’s gift-a warm heart that’s free O Lord I need
you, you are the only way to be free, Come Lord Jesus and deliver me

Bless you on your journey!

ISRAEL JAN 4, 2016. Monday
Early morning departure (7:45am) so we can make an Aroma Espresso Bar stop then on to the north.
First stop at the Abraham Gate and the Jeroboam Gate at Dan. We are on a tight schedule to get everything in today so we didn’t have time to do the nature walk at Dan.
Caesarea Philippi is our next site and it didn’t take long to drive there. Wow. Great visit. As we think about Jesus comments here we can see how this place would be a big draw for people. This is the center of worship for the Worship of Pan. It was an evil place.
Masade, a Druze Village on the Golan was where we would have lunch. Options were falafel, schnitzel or labneh with hyssop. We got there about 11:20am and were on our way to meet our Jeep Tour in the Golan by 12:05.
Ilan Shulman is the owner of Golan Tours. We met him and 7 of his associates at Merom Golan for a 2 hr tour thru the out back of the Golan. We went off roading, off off roading and really off roading across the Golan near Ben Tal and on the border. We visited a front line bunker and Ilan shared his views of the current situation. We had tea and cookies. It was cold, the ground slippery and we had a great time.
We left Merom Golan about 2:35pm and on a dead run across country we went to Gamla. Gamla is the Masada of the north except 5,000 people committed suicide by jumping off the cliffs rather than be slaves. It is the Grand Canyon of Northern Israel. Amazing.
We got back to Maagan at 4:35 and had Bible Study at 5:15, dinner at 6:30 and to our rooms to pack, sleep and head to Jerusalem in the morning.

SRAEL JAN 5, 2016-Tuesday
This is a long driving day. After breakfast, loading the bus, leaving Maagan, quick stop at Aroma, we were on the way to Jerusalem.
Our first stop was at Caesarea by the Sea. The weather was beautiful-crisp, huge waves on the Mediterranean and a strong wind blowing. We visited the Crusader Fortress, the port where Paul left for Rome and I picked up an espresso at the Harbor. Then on to the Byzantine City and the Hippodrome, Herod’s house 17,000 m2 (I don’t really grasp how big that is but it is huge) and the amphitheater. Our group sang with a Korean group in the amphitheater. Amazing.
We left Caesarea and had lunch at Or Akiva-most of the group at McDonalds or Pizza Hut-me at Aroma!
Now we were on the way to Bethlehem. One stop at Latrun (bathrooms) where I couldn’t pass SI for an Espresso. Excellent!
Bethlehem was superb because we didn’t have a huge line and basically we were in and out in one hour. The Church of the Nativity always impacts me in a deep and significant way. Not unlike in Jesus day there aren’t many people paying attention to their relationship with Jesus. Most of the Christians have left Bethlehem and more are leaving each day. One day soon there will only be an edifice there as a testimony to the birth of Christ. Pray for peace in Jerusalem and a Christian witness in the Holy Land. Come Lord Jesus.

We will be in Jerusalem the next three days. We will see you soon.

WHERE ARE YOU?
God Gen 3:9 Then the Lord God called to the man and said to him him”where are you”

Seeking-physically
Emotionally
Spiritually
Confronting
Sin
Impatience
Selfish
Reconciling
Beloved
Valuable
Others

WHERE ARE YOU?
Where are you
Yes physically
Surrendered – self-controlled
Hale – not so hardy
Give yourself to Jesus
Let go – let God
Eat right – exercise right
Be who God calls you to be

Let go of the ghosts
They can’t hurt you anymore
Give up your wrong things
Adopt God’s things
Hold yourself accountable

Quietly sit before God
Let Him have His way with you
Know that the Lord is good
Every thought He has for you
Is a thought for good
Jesus loves you
Not your job, money, skills-you

Sin is your biggest problem
You are covered up with it
Everyone- All – without exception
Jesus forgives sin – your sin
We love one another – forgiving
As Jesus forgives us

Impatience is a killer
It says we are more important
It denies we love
Am I more important than God?
Servanthood, service, 2nd place
Everyone is important

Give-an attitude of gratitude
Equips us to be usable
Useful to the Father
Give-what you have
Give-all you can
The Lord will take care of you

The Lord is at work reconciling you
You are beloved
An eternal love
An Unbreakable love
The Lord will not let go of you
Your name is etched in His hand

Remember you represent Jesus
You are His hands and feet
Do no one ill
Do the next right thing
Keep up on confessing your sin
Jesus already knows-you know
He loves you
Love the ones you’re with

Clay Corvin
1/7/16
On the Road to the Herodian

ISRAEL JAN 6, 2016-Wednesday
Jerusalem all day. 15,000 step day-I have short steps! Some others had 12,500 steps. Many!
We circled the city in the bus. Jaffa Gate, New Gate, Damascus Gate, Lions Gate and got off the bus for the day at the Dung Gate.
We headed for the Temple Mount. Very tight security and it took us about 20minutes to clear. No Bibles. No touching for even husband and wife. No praying. Okay it is a Holy Site but when the kids playing soccer and playing tag it diminishes the Holiness in my mind but so many things don’t make sense.
We walked the Temple Mount seeing the Dome of the Rock, Al Aksa Mosque, the Golden Gate, and much conversation about the Temple.
Our appointment for the Kotel Tunnel was for 9:40 so we had to hustle from the Temple Mount out the Chain Gate back to the Western Wall and the Kotel Tunnel.
Five of us walked around to Bethesda and waited on the group to complete the Kotel.
Our group arrived at Bethesda. We sang in the Church of Saint Anne and had our devotional at The Pool of Bethesda. Excellent.
Then on to the Via Dolorosa and our stop at the Lithostratos-the pavement where the soldiers taunted and beat Jesus. Again a great devotional.
We moved on along the Via Dolorosa and interrupted our trip to the Holy Sepulcher to meet an appointment with Moshe at Shorashim. Very good time as Moshe shared the Jewish understanding of their faith and how it differs from ours. Moshe does a good job and doesn’t duck any questions. It certainly helps us to understand our differences but also doesn’t change the way we view our faith. Thanks to Moshe as he seeks to bring understanding to the marketplace. In our faith we are focused on Jesus, saved by His shed blood and eternally adopted into the family of God.
Lunch break in the Jewish Quarter.
A visit to the Holy Sepulcher and return to the hotel, and off to bed.

ISRAEL JAN 7, 2016 -Thursday

Excellent day although we changed the afternoon up.
We visited the Mount of Olives first thing.
But first breakfast. The Dan Panorama, just one of the Dan chain hotels here in Israel, has a superb, extensive, comprehensive breakfast. And it is excellent.
They have a raw bar with 4-6 cheeses, packaged yogurt, about 10 vegetables, 3-5 kinds of smoked fish, orange & grapefruit juice and fresh fruits. The hit bar has 3-5 items including eggs scrambled, boiled and often a poached egg dish with cooked veggies and a chocolate muffin with chocolate sauce poured over it. Also an eggs to order chef with made to order waffles.
Then there is a bar with 5 kinds of croissants, an apple Danish, and several other stuffed pastries, 5% fresh yogurt with 7-10 different things to add to it-walnuts, muesli, granola, and other things, plus honey dripped from the hive rasher.
They also have a bread bar with 5-10 types of bread, butter, jams and jellies. The restaurant is Kosher. It is very very good.
I would suggest you try the Dan Panorama when in Jerusalem and any of the other Dans in Israel. We love it.
After we completed our pictures, devotionals and teaching on the Mount of Olives we walked down the Mount of Olives to Dominus Flevit, and on down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane where we had the devotional for Dominus Flevit and the Harden of Gethsemane. We running tight on out time for entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane so we had just stepped into Dominus Flevit and continued down to our appointment in the garden of Gethsemane.
The Church of All Nations was just across the street and that was our next visit. Amazing ancient Olive Trees and a significant edifice.
We loaded the bus and traveled around the Old City where we would again visit the Western Wall and visit the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount.
Our lunch break was in the Jewish Quarter just up the steps from the Western Wall. Good lunch and a short walk over to Mt Zion where we got back on the bus and drove to the Herodion. We climbed up, down and thru the place that Herod built. I think several folks really enjoyed the exercise and others of us were just grateful we could do it.
Haas Promenade, the Southern Overlook of the Old City of Jerusalem was our stop on the way to the Garden Tomb. It is just in front of the Hill of Evil Counsel which thru history has been the location of Israel’s enemies and detractors. Antiochus Epiphanies IV lived here.
We weren’t here long as we had a 4pm appointment at the Garden Tomb. We were about 20 minutes early to the Garden Tomb and headed back to the hotel about 5:15pm. We completed our Bible Study, had dinner, Neil and Gilla joined us and then off to pack and to bed.
Another beautiful day in Jerusalem, the Holy City God loves.

ISRAEL JAN 8, 2016-Friday and Sat HOME.
Last touring day. Sad. Ready to go home but just hate to leave. Many other thoughts when we woke up at 6am. Busily packed up and triple checked the room. Down to breakfast, quickly to the room to get everything down and load the bus and off we go.
First stop is Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. Hard. Tragedy. Evil incarnate. Dear God how can human beings be that evil and yet they were. It reminds me of the statement that all it takes for evil to rule is for the righteous to stay quiet. Lord Lord forgive us for the times we’ve witnessed evil and stayed quiet.
Today we are pressed for time to get everything in but away we go to stop number 2 at the Israeli Museum. We visited the Jerusalem Model, quick lunch, and then the Shrine of the Book. A few skipped lunch and literally ran to see a small part of the Museum. On the bus at 12:30pm.
The Upper Room always speaks to me. Here Jesus said farewell to his Disciples. I’m reminded that most of them were still young men, many not even 20 even after walking with Jesus 3 years. I understand why it seems so chaotic and that they just don’t get it. But they remembered his Words. It changed their life. As we do the Lord’s Supper we reenact this very scene in our churches. We had a site devotional and went out singing.
Loaded the bus and down to Saint Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied the Lord 3 times.
Love is a critical element in our life. As Jesus forgave Peter His love helped Peter get over himself and come to the realization that the real battle to change the world is in our heart. We lead cold lives disdaining all but those we like or those who. n help us. Christ calls us to love the unlovely and our brothers and sisters. Quite frankly these two sites, the Upper Room and St Peter in Gallicantu move me to introspection and confession. LORD SOFTEN MY HEART TOWARDS OTHERS. LORD HARDEN MY HEART AGAINST EVIL ESPECIALLY THE EVIL IN ME!
Well I’m not trying to preach in my itinerary- just report the facts as I see them. Praise the Lord.
(I’m writing this as we are one hour into our flight home. Eleven hours to go to JFK. Our flight path goes across Turkey just south of Istanbul, over Sofia, Munich, brussels, London, Ireland and the North Atlantic. It seems we are flying a little north of the pat we came in.)
Now as we leave St Peter in Gallicantu we set a course to the Airport with three more stops before we checked in for our flight home.
The Elah Valley where David slew Goliath was first. The air was thick with dust from the desert. It was so thick it looked cloudy and you couldn’t see very far. Gilla our expert Israeli guide detailed the fight. Two site devotionals dealt with David and Goliath and Saul and David and the aftermath of the rescue of Israel from the Philistines. Amazing story. Amazing history. Great location. Today it has a rich green cover because it is rainy season. Beautiful. The Elah Valley has such a rich history. Israel and the Philistines meet here in battle many times. I’m so grateful we have this story preserved for us today and the fact that now when you read that story you will be able in your mind’s eye to see the physical setting as you read and think about David and Goliath.
Our second stop was at Latrun for bathrooms. I think all of us were needy.
I walked into SI’s Espresso Bar and the young lady that is the day manager recognized me as we stop here two or three times (third stop this trip) each trip. Anyway she was there the other day when we came thru and she asked if we were heading home. Yep. We are. Sad/glad but we are. Told her Jim Parker who she knew by name and several others of us would be back around May 18. Her response was “we miss you!” How nice. The espresso was good too.
Now we are off to dinner in Jaffa at “the Old Man & the Sea”. The meal was good. Oh and as we drove from the Elah Valley the rain began. Boy did it rain.
We arrived at the airport at 7:45pm, unloaded the bus, waited in line, cleared security, checked luggage and all the other stuff related to coming home and was seated at the gate waiting for the time to go by 8:45pm. That was quick.
Well we visited 16 National Park sites and 34 other sites for a total of 50 different sites in Israel. This will give our trip participants a broad understanding of Israel and a fantastic color palette to read the Word of God with. The 34 sites don’t include our walking thru the Suk in Acco and Jerusalem with their sights and sounds nor do they include the rich perspective we got at the Dead Sea, Jordan Valley, the Golan, the Hula Valley, riding the Via Maris, driving across the Jezreel Valley, seeing the Mediterranean at the Lebanon Border and quite a few more. We also saw all the Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem and Gehena. The vistas of the overlooks are a base of visual imagery that will equip you to develop your relationships with the land during the time the Bible was written. It is a rough terrain to walk everywhere so I think you will understand that the people were rugged and fit.

Our guide Gilla Treibich is a key part of our team to make these trips work program wise and time wise. She is constantly helping us develop the daily itinerary to maximize time, deal with weather and traffic on the highway and the sites and to make sure that our pilgrimages are as safe as possible.
Our driver Ezra Toby was spectacular. Excellent. Always helping us to get from site to site as efficiently and safely as possible. He was very kind to all of us.

We were blessed by Toby and Gilla.

What a great group. They were on and off the bus as efficiently as a group of 51 could get on and off a bus. Excellent. Wonderful group of people.

The Dan Panorama was superb. A great way to end a pilgrimage.
Maagan is so beautiful and I always sleep so well there.

Our Dec 15-Jan 16 Pilgrimage was a success anyway one can measure it. So proud to travel Israel with this Godly group of folks.

BY the way, Adam and Kelly handled all of the on the ground logistics for our travel to and from, keeping up with where everyone was and making sure we were where we should be. Mel and Paul got us through the sites and cities and also out of them and back to the bus timely and effectively.

I’ve never had a group that moved together so well. Thank you. God bless you.

Our Bible teachers were superb. The site devotionals were excellent and the daily devotionals were enlightening and good.

Our music was really really good. Thanks to Jonathan.

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM. SHALOM.

Tivoli and Ristorante Sibilla

Tivoli is an ancient town in Lazio located about 30 kms. north-east of Rome.  It is the location for Villa d’Este and is a delightful day trip from Rome.  We traveled by metro to the bus station to Tivoli and it was only about an hour as we made good connections.  

One of the reasons for going to Tivoli is Ristorante Sibilla (La Sibilla di Tivoli).  It is one of the oldest restaurants in the world, it began in 1720 and it has been owned by the La Caita & Frittella families from the 1980’s, but the structure was originally put up in 1720.  Stunning. Exceptional.  Amazing panorama.  Really good food.  A family atmosphere.  It is located in the heart of Tivoli.  We walked through Tivoli and visited the ristorante for lunch.  Great meal.

back streets of Tivoli

Eating outdoors on the patio

archaeological site within the restaurant

Clay as we began our walk through Tivoli

Carla & Jimmy

ROME PILGRIMAGE-TH 9/24/15 – TH 10/01/15

A JOURNEY BEGINS
A journey begins, it’s often harsh, especially after 65
Time is the enemy, not enough, too much
We put our minds on hold or think of tomorrow
Nothing is comfortable but we tell our mind relax, ignore
We will soon be there, all will be well, you’ll see, promise

Day – night – there, another journey
Luggage, immigration, transfer
Hotel, stunning sights, new smells, strange sounds
The light is perfect, pictures, walks
Dinner tastes unusually good, fading, worn out it’s time to sleep

A new morning, although the first night’s sleep is a little fitful
Showered, refreshed, dressed, sunny
Out the window amazing sights, a new place, adventure ahead
Walking to breakfast, hungry, the difficulty on the journey forgotten
I’m here, quick breakfast, all put together, let’s go…
Clay Corvin    9/24/15 at JFK waiting on flight

DAILY ITINERARY

It’s been an all day journey so far.  It’s just the price you pay for adventure.
Two days and it seems like a week.
15,000+ steps -FR & SA 9/25 & 26. I’m sitting here forcing myself to write and I’m worn out.

FRIDAY 9/26 we got here after lunch and began touring with Carla at 3pm.
We walked 10 blocks to Manzoni Sta and caught the subway to Piazza del Popolo- the northern entrance to Rome. Beautiful walls 20+feet high made of Roman brick.
I’m going to give you a very edited version: visited churches at del Popolo and then up the street to Spanish Steps, across town to the Pantheon, the de’ Francesi Church with 3 Caravaggio’s and finished at Piazza Navona.
Coffee at Tazza d’ Oro, gelato, several other churches and then took a cab back to the Lancelot. Great dinner meal. Wonderful day. Jimmy began our Romans Bible study.

SATURDAY 9/26 breakfast, Bible Study in Romans continues. Carla took us to the Coliseum, then Palatine Hill, Forum, St Mary Major and finished at la Scala and St John Lateran. We walked from there back down to the Lancelot.
Jimmy continued our Bible Study in Romans, dinner and heading to bed.
We of course had coffee many times and profiteroles.
Excellent day. We have really done a great many things at a fast pace.

SUNDAY 9/27 in Rome.  Dr Dukes is leading our Bible Study in Romans.  We did our morning worship and Bible Study after breakfast and then went to Manzoni Station up the street from the Lancelot to catch the metro and go to meet Carla north of the city.  Our major purpose today is to visit several of the ministries of Sant Egidio in the city.

Our first stop is where Carla has faithfully ministered over the last 4 plus years: Comunita’ Di S. Egidio, Cappella Di S. Francesco.  Carla teaches Italian as a Second Language to immigrants.  We met some of the folks she teaches.  Additionally, she helps register immigrants so that they can bring them into the community in Rome.  Precious folks from Africa, Middle East, and South America.  As a side note Carla lives in a rough neighborhood and ministers in a rougher neighborhood.  I’m used to working in rough neighborhoods, lots of homeless, etc. and I recognized this as a rough neighborhood.

Our second stop was at Comunita’ Di S. Egidio, Borromeo ( may not be the exact correct name).  I don’t know how to fully describe this community.  It is made up of homeless, elderly, and handicapped.  It is overwhelming emotionally to come into a community like this and see and feel the love, acceptance and welcome spirit that all have.  There was one person that is an atheist, communist and unbeliever and yet there he was in the midst of what has become his family and he still a staunch unbeliever.  I must say that this was deeply touching to me.  After the mass everyone, all, hung around outside in the courtyard talking with one another, listening, sitting and just generally enjoying each other.  They hung out.  About noon they were going to have a lunch together.

We caught the bus nearby and traveled downtown to Piazza Largo Argentina (about 40-minute ride) and transferred to the #8 Tram to go to Trastevere (across the Tiber).  In Paul’s day this would have been where the Jews and Christians lived.  One can see the lights on Palatine Hill from there at night.  Nero in charge of the world and Christians at his mercy?  I believe that Paul and others disagreed with this and many were martyred for their faith.  But, let me continue on what we are doing today.    We walked from the tramline across Trastevere to Santa Maria in Trastevere.  Along the way we passed the Baptist Church as they were finishing their worship.  Stirring singing.  We visited the Santa Maria church which dates back to 340AD and was originally a Titular Church, one of the oldest in Rome.  Pope Saint Callixtus founded the house church on this site in 220AD.

We went to the Trattoria de Gli Amica, excellent food and service, which is a ministry of the Comunita’ Di S. Egidio.  We also saw their original church where they were formed in 1968 in a little church building on Piazza Sant Egidio.  Remarkable location.  The Comunita’ is a movement of 60,000+ laypeople in over 73 countries around the world.  They are committed to spreading the Gospel and helping the unfortunate.  A multitude of helping ministries and evangelism.

We had an appointment at the Borghese Gallery at 3pm.  That is a museum one can absolutely love.  They have 5 Caravaggio’s which is reason enough for me to go but in addition almost every item in their collection is noteworthy especially the Bernini sculptures of which David is one of my favorites.  For the first time since I have been visiting the Borghese they permitted us to take pictures but I must confess they do little justice to the real thing.  Lovely.

Generally, when we are in Rome we stay at the Hotel Lancelot.  I’ve been staying here for 12 years and find it to be a home away from home.  Our groups have always been very welcome and the staff and owners go out of their way to take care of us.  One of the owners is Faris who exercises his gifts in hotel as its chef.  He is outstanding.  The meals at night are definitely gourmet affairs and I’ve never had a bad one.  I became mostly a vegetarian about 2 years ago and Faris is also a vegetarian so the meals he prepares me and other vegetarians is outstanding.  This week we have been dining on the patio under the stars.  Oh wow it is elegant and delightful.  GREAT.  By the way J. Dukes is looking forward to dinner tonight because we are having Faris’ profiteroles which are excellent.  Sorry we get a little carried away with the food.  One of the great things about having wonderful meals at the hotel is that when we drag in from a 15,000+ step day one is not looking to go anywhere else except to eat and go to bed!

This day was the main reason for my trip this year, that and to set up our November 18-26, 2016 Rome Pilgrimage.  I completed my business this morning with Lubna for our journey and only have to finalize the air in late January to put the trip together.

MONDAY 9/28 EARLY- Stan led the group to the Vatican Museum this morning.  They were traveling from Manzoni to Ottaviano when the metro stuck.  Stan brought them up from the Metro and went to a hotel and called two cabs for them to travel to the Vatican Museum.  His quick thinking got them there only about 15 minutes late.  They are having a great day at the Vatican and I’m thinking about a nap.  Blessings to each of you.  Hope you can all come to Rome with us in 2016!

MONDAY 9/28/15
TODAY, Monday was a relaxing day.  My total step output was less than 8,000 steps and I finished the day tired but not worn out.  It was still a busy day finishing up things and getting stuff put together.
In the afternoon I met the group for lunch after their tour of the Vatican.  Stan led the group and he and Mel had been before but the others had not.  It was an eye-opening experience for them and Carla does such a marvelous job of taking folks thru the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s.  I ate too much at lunch and purposed not to do that again.  The Pizza is soooo good and the Caprese is superb!  Oh well I’m planning on starving when I get back home.  How does that go?  “When in Rome!”

We visited St Peter in Chains where we viewed Michelangelo’s Moses after taking the long way around to St Peter in Chains, by my reckoning we went about 2,000 steps out of the way but just sayin it was definitely the long way and when we went back I went my way, sauntered back, took about 20 pictures and stopped to talk with someone on the way and then to my surprise as I neared Capo di Africa there was the group still on route to San Clemente where they would visit the ruins beneath the church. I think my feet just naturally find the shortcuts.

Dr Dukes led in the Bible study as we continued in Romans and of course for dessert we had profiteroles.  Super good!  The folks went out after dinner to walk around.  Rick showed back up in a few minutes.  I said short walk.  He said his only commitment was to the gelato shop and back.   I think that was wise.

TUESDAY 9/29/15
All but me and Jim Dukes went to Florence.  They left at 6:30am this morning and hopefully will return in time for dinner tonight at 7:30pm.
I slept till 7:15am when I woke with a start.  I had planned to have breakfast at 7:15 with J Dukes but obviously it would be at 8am.  We had a leisurely breakfast discussing various world situations and coming to many good conclusions but mostly we just had an excellent breakfast.  The croissants which I don’t normally eat were fresh and warm and good.  Yum.  Oh well another meal where I didn’t observe appropriated restraint.  I did really good the first four days but gave in this morning.  Excellent.
We met Carla at 9am and walked to terminal B and took the metro out to the next to last stop and got on a bus to Tivoli-about an hour ride up into the hills outside of Rome.  Tivoli us a beautiful little hilltown where the travertina used in building Rome came from.  We rode thru the valley and up the hill on crowded two lane roads.    The bus made lots of stops and took about an hour to get to Tivoli.  It’s only about 30 kms so it was a little slow but very scenic.  The bus was hot but the seat comfortable.
Such a beautiful town.  We walked the town from front to back, up and down and across.  The people are friendly and outgoing.  Several greeted us.  It was a very nice and enjoyable walk.  Even though it was up and down two hills it wasn’t intense so it was fairly easy.
OK.  THE REAL DEAL TODAY: Lunch at Ristorante Sibilla in Tivoli established in 1720.  WOW.  They have a wisteria covered dining area outside, the day was stunning, the overlook of the valley was beautiful and the food was the very best.  We started with a Caprese salad which was the best I’ve had.  I had vegetable soup (turnip green based) and Jim and I had risotto with seafood and cantaloupe (amazing.)  Carla had sardines and pasta (looked good?)
This was a relaxing and enjoyable meal.  Lots of conversation and some planning for tomorrow and next year when we return.  Carla knew some of the folks here and enjoyed meeting them.  We walked the entire town again and caught the express bus back to metro B.  It only took about 30 minutes to get back to the metro line and another 25 minutes to get back to the hotel.  What a sight filled day.  So much green and beauty.  Such a wonderful little town.  Tivoli is definitely worth a visit when you visit Rome.  It is easy to get to also so add it to your trip plans.

ROME -TU (9/29), WE (9/30) & TH (10/01)
Every trip and pilgrimage I’ve taken (the number is more than 100 and I hope to take 100 more) has its own character. Some are super intense, some mountain top experiences and others are just special. This trip falls into the just special classification.
I’ve been so blessed to travel with some of the greatest people who travel easily and love the adventure of traveling.
TU. J Dukes and I (9am)went with Carla to the Manzoni entrance of the metro and traveled to the next to last exit on line A and then caught a bus to Tivoli. Really good day of exploring in a picturesque hill town in Lazio just outside of Rome.
This is the city of Villa D’Est which we had visited several years ago. We didn’t include it in our walk today instead walking up and over the hill and all around the town.
We had lunch at Sibilla, a restaurant begun in 1720. We ate outside under their wisteria covered canopy. The food was superb. We had vegetable soup, caprese salad and a seafood risotto with cantaloupe. Amazing. The restaurant was next to Roman ruins overlooking a very deep gorge with a beautiful waterfall.
We also discovered some very nice apartments that rented for $500/mo. Nice. We got back to the Lancelot about 4:30pm. Wonderful day of adventure.
Another great evening meal at the Lancelot. Faris does a consistently outstanding job preparing excellent evening meals at the Lancelot. We always take our evening meals at the Lancelot. The food really is very good and by 7pm each night I’m at the end of my ability to walk any more that day.

WE. A special day. We all opted to take the morning off. Some walked over to San Clemente and some did other things. The time passes so fast.
We were going out to Carla’s for lunch and were to arrive about 1:30pm. She lives at the very northern edge of Rome, a 15-20 min bus ride beyond the end of Metro B. Another adventure. Unfortunately Carla’s mom fell and banged up her shoulder. Carla had to take her to the emergency room and while nothing was broken Carla’s brother came and stayed with her mom and she met us at her apartment about 2:30pm.
She had made the preparations for lunch before she took h r mother to the emergency room.
Lunch was excellent. Caprese salad, meats, bread, Carla’s picnic salad, homemade bean & pasta soup (I love soup especially hearty soups), sausage, tomatoes and several other things. It was quite a spread even for the 7 of us. We loved her apartment. It is quite adequate, and a much nicer neighborhood than I had thought. We met Nello the cat. He actually obeys Carla very well.
I was honored that Carla thought enough of us to invite us into her home. She is our friend and the 7 of us and Carla had good fellowship.
Our whole trip has been special.

TH we got up, breakfast, airport compliments of Giovanni and son (even our transporter went out of his way to take care of us) and some 20 hours later here I sit at whatever altitude on a commuter jet about 2 hours from New Orleans.
Thank you for your prayers. We had such a good time and accomplished all of our reasons for going. I’m already looking forward to our Nov 18-26, 2016 Pilgrimage to Rome. Hope you can go with us.

Barcelona is Spain’s second most populated city with a population of 1.6 million.  It is the capital city of Catalonia.  Barcelona is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea.  It was founded as a Roman city and in the Middle Ages was an important city in the Crown of Aragon.  Today it is an important cultural center and a major tourist destination.

We loved touring the city.  It’s Modernist architectural  influence is renowned.  Three buildings by Antoni Gaudi are World Heritage Sites.  Additionally there are several Gothic Basilica’s, and a Romanesque church (St. Pau del Camp).

We had a great time traipsing about Barcelona.  The city is very clean.  The taxi drivers are exceptionally good and we were well taken care of as we traveled the city.  Our meal at the Crazy Crab with friends was excellent.  The meal at the 4 Gats while historic was only mediocre.  WE PLAN TO GO BACK ONE DAY AND SPEND A FEW MORE DAYS SIGHT SEEING.  BEAUTIFUL CITY!

Lisbon, Portugal is a must visit for anyone that travels to Europe.  Rome and Paris get much more attention but Lisbon is a stunning city.  It has a mild climate, beautiful hillside neighborhoods, and fantastic streetcars, funiculars and elevators.  I love walking its crowded streets, the outdoor eating, the beautiful friendly people and the excitement that you feel from being in Lisbon.