April 22, 2012

Galilee: the most beautiful, wonderful place


The view from the tiny chapel where we attended church on the Sea of Galilee :)
At the end of March, we had the chance to spend ten days in Galilee- the place where Jesus performed much of His ministry. It was so wonderful. The weather was perfect, the grass was green, it was calm and quiet. It felt like a little slice of heaven. Here are some of the highlights:
The harbor near our kibbutz
On the boat on the Sea of Galilee
The first morning, we went took a boatride across the Sea of Galilee. The Jewish sailors are used to catering to a Christian audience so they blasted Christian worship music over the loud speakers and we all danced and sang. Great times. Half way through, we stopped the boat and Dr. Huntsman gave a great devotional about Jesus calming the storm and walking on water. He encouraged us to think about the storms in our life and to realize that we can feel calm, even in times of troubled waters. My classmate, Maddie, thought of a special analogy. The day we went, the water was pretty calm but it was really foggy and hazy. We could hardly see anything. She said that's how she feels about her life right now-- she is having no major trials, but just doesn't sense much clarity regarding the future. I feel that way, too.

We then went to the Mount of Beatitudes and read the Sermon on the Mount. I loved heaing all the tour guides gather their groups together and say, "Alright, everyone, let's open up to Matthew 5."
Hiking in the Golan Heights
The Hot Springs that weren't too hot....
Outisde the Church of Nain, where Jesus healed the widow's son
Just outside of Capernaum: where Jesus called His disciples and where Peter lived
At the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized
Hiking in Northern Israel
We could see Syria and Lebanon from here!
At Chorazin, a town that Jesus rebuked for its unbelief (Matthew 11:21)
Mediterranean Sea
Pretending to be princesses at an ancient Crusader castle called Nimrod's Fortress
Sometimes dance breaks are necessary when you're waiting to go see a documentary on  more ancient ruins
Bryson and I in the spot where Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)
Telling Dan at "Tel Dan"- this is an entrance to a city where Abraham went. Abraham walked through this city gate! 
Bailey and I overlooking Haifa
Ancient aqueduct  built by Caesar Augustus
At our little bungalow :) Right on the Sea of Galilee

We had such a great time in Galilee. I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to see so many of the sites where Jesus performed special miracles. Pictures cannot do this beautiful place justice, and I hardly documented all the neat spots we visited. However, I left Galilee having a stronger testimony of the loving Master and Healer that Jesus truly is.

1 comment:

  1. One of the great things about writing after you get home is that you get a tiny bit of perspective on how those things changed you. The best is that I can tell that you are *different* than you were before you went. These pictures were really beautiful, but I love the thought that is behind each of them. Thank you for sharing. Really.

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