Four Days in Galilee

I think Galilee is my favorite region in Israel. What an amazing time touring this beautiful part of the country. And what a challenge it was for Larry and me. The highlight was climbing down the Arbel Cliff (photos to be posted soon) above the Sea of Galilee. We had a fantastic view with very little haze overlooking the lake and across to the Golan Heights. The bus took us to the top and we hiked over a distance for some comments from our fearless professor, Dr. Wright, and then we started down the cliff. At least the national park service provided iron hand grips to help us through the more difficult spots and a vinyl type rope that was horizontal to the face of the cliff while we inched along on about a four inch wide ledge. Yes, it was scary and I thought what am I doing. . .but we made it safely down along with grandparents of a JUC student who were 78 years old! We all climbed down and one of our students is overcoming her fear of heights so we were an encouragement to each other.

The days were long but we were able to come back each night to the Ein Gev Kibbutz at the base of the Golan Heights on the east side of the lake. They operate a guesthouse for tourists and provided a wonderful breakfast and dinner each day. We always have lunch at one of the sites we are touring and the school packs all we need so we make our lunch--mainly pita bread stuffed with whatever is sent. We also took a boat ride part of the way onto the lake and then turned around and headed out for the day. At the Mt. of Beatitudes we counted 28 tour buses. Dr. Wright says he has never seen it this busy. Most tourists do not travel where we go so when we encounter all these tourists it just doesn't feel the same, but my heart is blessed that so many people from all over the world want to come to these special places. I over heard a woman pastor from Nigeria introducing herself to a priest at the site of Capernaum. So many interesting people.

Not only did we visit the very large sites of Hazor and Bet Sean, we also saw the synagogue at Chorazin north and above the Sea of Galilee. We traveled through the Huleh Valley that once was a swamp but now is one of the most agriculturally productive areas in Israel. We visited Dan and Caesarea-Phillipi and hiked to the Banias water fall. We rarely sit still on these trips!
We concluded our day on Sunday at the top of the Golan Heights and looked into Syria--we were only about 50 miles from Damascus with Mt. Hermon looming near us. We were at an old military outlook point that is now a memorial park with a coffeeshop. It was very cool there. We were able to go into the bunkers and catch a glimpse of what it must have been like to be stationed there. There are several Druze villages nearby with beautiful farmland. We were also able to look over into Lebanon and turning south we could see into Jordan. It's really an amazing place to be.

As I look at this land and experience it to a small degree, I stand in awe of how Jesus and the apostles traveled all over preaching the gospel and making their way down to Jerusalem through hilly and rough terrain. That is no easy task to walk all that way on foot. I know there were many small towns and villages along the way where people were healed and lives changed. We were at Nazareth on the top of the mountain and as I thought about Jesus growing up here and looking at the views he must have had, I felt very privileged to be there and felt that these experiences will help me be a better Bible Study teacher. The village is now a much larger city but the views are the same. Our field study trips are always asking questions about location, the international highway, why certain kings wanted that specific travel route, etc. We look at the passes armies have marched through and why. Megiddo is another amazing site that was huge. From the top of Mt. Carmel to Jezreel, I felt like we stepped back into the days of Elijah and the Kings of Israel. We saw the places where the Israelites turned away from the true worship of God to idols. How sad! There is a war ongoing for the hearts and minds of men and women, boys and girls and I believe Satan is doing all he can to turn people away from the true light. My heart has been challenged and renewed to be faithful to the end and to be obedient to the One who loves me and gave his life that I might be forgiven and live.

As we pulled into Jerusalem last night, everyone was weary and thankful to be back at our "home away from home," Jerusalem University College.