Update

We have arrived in Atlanta and awaiting our last leg of the trip back to New Orleans. I am sure there will be many great stories that each one will want to share. The trip to the Holy Land truly changes perspective and allows one to see the scripture in a much brighter light. God has blessed our time in this land. It is hard to pick only a few favorite places because the highlights are numerous and each person is impacted in their own personal way. The best description is WOW and AMEN:)

Jeff Gould

Masada – Symbol of Freedom and Liberty

Some of the Jewish people were able to escape the Roman army that had surrounded Jerusalem. They went to the fortress of Masada, where they had food and water and were safe. However, 3½ years later the Romans had surrounded Masada and were about to take the fortress and make slaves of the Jewish people. The Jewish people on Masada met and decided that they would rather die than be the slaves of the Romans. When the Romans breached the wall on top of Masada, they found that no one was alive to be taken prisoner.

One of the founding fathers of our nation, Patrick Henry, made the following statement: “Give me liberty or give me death.” We Americans will always choose to live in freedom and never as slaves, or we would rather not live. Those of us who are Christians know the true meaning of freedom and liberty. Jesus said, “If you abide in my Word, then you are truly disciples of mine, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 36) We are all set free from our sins when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Bro. French

Photos from today

Most of our group near the Mount of Olives

Church of Nativity, said to be the palce of Christ's birth


Israeli soldier


Garden of Gethsemane




Jeff Fair with the donkey for hire in the place of the Triumphant Entry

Thoughts and Reflection

by Jeff Gould

I just wanted to give an update while in Israel today.

Below I will share two experiences that gave me very different feelings.

The first experience was having my photo taken with two Israeli soldiers. The Israeli women are required to serve two years in the military when they reached the age of 18, while the young men serve three years. I found great comfort with the Israeli forces all around Jerusalem fully armed. I never felt more comfortable in the presence of the military as well as in the presence of God’s chosen people. Although, it is challenging to know that they are greatly hated by many enemies. My hopes and prayers are that the US never fails to be a friend of Israel.

My second experience today. While in the city of Bethlehem, I was much more uncomfortable. Bethlehem is controlled by Arab forces and no Jews are allowed in beyond the separation wall that separates the territories. The separation wall has helped minimize the terrorist activities. We had to go through heavily armed check points and change buses to go into Bethlehem, the birth place of our Lord. After eating lunch in Bethlehem, we were standing outside and the Palestinian Authority Army personnel hurriedly showed up in a jeep and piled out of the vehicle and began stopping traffic in the street searching people and cars. I must admit that this was quite unnerving. I felt even more uncomfortable taking multiple pictures of them with my telephoto lens as they went about their business. Ultimately, I felt much better when we finished our business in Bethlehem and returned to Jerusalem.

Comment: I did not realize how much I did not know about this history and events.

Lastly, I will give you the highlights of what we did today in bullet form, otherwise I could write for days on the details and feelings. The simplest way to understand is to realize how overwhelming the day became as we literally followed the footsteps of Jesus. My eyes watered many times as we sat and heard the events that took place in the most significant places in the history of our faith.

These are not chronological events of Jesus and most places have a Catholic Church built upon the locations to commemorate the event. In addition, many of the events are believed to have occured at these specific locations with different degrees of certainly and historical validation.

We started on the Mount of Olives overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. What a tremendous view of the city and review of the history by our guide as well as Tommy French.

We then followed the path that Jesus took on Palm Sunday. An incredible walk down the hill knowing Jesus had such a triumphant entry.

We then descended into the Garden of Gethsemane, which actually has olive trees from Jesus's day. This was a remarkable feeling to know that our Lord spent part of his final hours here in prayer while the disciples feel asleep. It had to have been so lonely for our Lord.

Our next stop was the location of the Upper Room. Once again, it was almost beyond belief that we were in the area where the last supper took place and also where days later the disciples received the Holy Spirit and became bold in the proclamation of their faith, even unto death.

One of the more difficult places for me was in St Peter's church where we descended to the very bottom of the place where Jesus was held in a very small cell before his death. I literally sat on the floor as David Goza (our Pastor) read the relevant scriptures and I felt like weeping. I would have loved to stay there for hours and just reflect on the events of Christ. This was also the area where Peter denied Christ three times and we literally heard the rooster crow.

Once in Bethlehem, we went to the Shepherds field where the angels announced the birth of the Lord to the Shepherds. I can’t even imagine what went through there thoughts as this event unfolded.

We then boarded the bus again to go to the Church of the Nativity. I sat next to the believed birth place of our Lord. It does not get much better than this in that this was the birth place of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He is the reason for our hope.

Obviously, these are the very high points of the day with little detail, but the walk was incredible and the thoughts are only beginning to sink in. I can now begin to understand how a pilgrimage of this nature for ever changes your view of Christ and how much he truly did for each one of us: You and Me. This act of love will never be matched by any one any where at any time.

Tomorrow will be very challenging as we walk the Via Dolorosa -- The Way of Suffering. WOW.

Never forget: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

HE IS THE REASON FOR OUR HOPE!

Camel Rides

We had the opportunity to ride a camel yesterday. Here are some of the pictures.

Dead Sea

After touring Masada, we floated in the Dead Sea, soaked in the hot sulphur baths and played in the special black mud.

The Dead Dea as seen from Masada

Floating in the Dead Sea swimmin' hole

Jeff really wanted to hug Br. French as a thank you for organizing this trip...

Masada

Sitting in the oldest synagogue ever, used by the Jewish refugees on Masada shortly after the destruction of the 2nd temple in 70AD. The black line on the wall separates the walls that were found intact from those rebuilt by restorers.

This room is where Eleazar and the other leaders decided that the group should commit mass suicide rather than accept capture and torture by the Romans.




The round rocks we are sitting and standing on are Roman catapult balls from the siege of Masada in 75AD.

By special request: Boy with Goats

Sorry -- no boys tending sheep yet, but we did see a couple of boys with their goats.

More posts coming later

Had a great day at Masada, floating in the the Dead Sea, and a Camel encounter. Going shopping and then dinner. Look for pics and stories later.

Ridley and Cathy pictures

Hello from:

Caesarea,




the Sea of Galilee,

the Mount of the Beatitudes,

Megiddo (Armageddon)

and the Israel/Jordan border.


It's all so amazing.

Bro. French's pilgrimage baptism of Bro. Goza

Cathy and Ridley for Brooks

Cathy, taking lots of great pics.












The one that got away. Ridley on the boat in the Sea of Galilee.

Bro. French reading the scriptures at the Temple of Pan.

Becky's pilgrimage baptism in the Jordan

Jordan, look at Grammy getting baptized in the "Jordan" River!!! The water was a little cold, but it was so exciting being baptized in the same river that Jesus was. I miss you and so glad that mommy let me know that Jake is doing ok. Grammy is going to float in the Dead Sea tomorrow and also going to the sulphur springs . Planning on that healing my feet and arthritus!!! Grammy loves you both, so much... yall stay well

mommy and daddy too. LOVE, GRAMMY

Random Photos

Jewish cows: a Guernsey / Holstein cross known locally as Goldsteins










A boy and his camels

Reflections on the Sea of Galilee

Reflections on the Sea of Galilee

Jeff Gould

Early in the morning I sat quietly and focused in anticipation of God providing a magnificent sunrise. As the sky started to show signs of light, I could see the profile of the mountains appearing through the haze across the Sea of Galilee. Minute by minute the skyline was transformed into an amazing picture being painted by God as I watched in awe. Suddenly and without notice the sun revealed itself over the mountain top as a perfectly circular object showing light where darkness previously existed. Darkness can not exist in the presence of light. As the sun shown brighter and brighter, a single beam of light reflected on the water like a path between me and the sun. It was truly inviting and drew my attention to the sun. As seen in the picture, it was the only visible path that led directly to the sun. WOW! God revealed to me through His creation the following reflection:

As the light of the morning sun replaces the darkness of the night, darkness is also overcome by God’s Son (Jesus). There can be no darkness in the presence of the Son. Additionally, the single channel of light radiating from the sun also reminds us that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son. Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through me”. The picture God chose to paint this morning truly validates the one and only way to God is through Jesus His Son. There is no other way.

But what is the key?

While many scriptures speak to the answer, my favorite one is found in Romans 10:9-10. “That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved”

We are saved by grace through faith.

Conclusion:

God is continually revealing himself through his creation. We simply need to slow down, be still and listen. He speaks, but we don’t always hear. AMEN

We're in Jerusalem!

We ascended to Jerusalem this afternoon and have occupied the Sheraton Hotel. Dead Sea and Masada tomorrow. More posts after dinner...

For Mindy

Mindy, this is your mother .....need to know about Jakey.give him kisses from Grammy. Blog me about how he is doing, also is he walking on his own yet... love and kisses to my Jordan and you and Kev too. love , MOM

Favorite (so far)

So far my two favorite places to see are Caesarea and the Sea of Galilee. Caesarea was unbelievable when you consider how massive and how old this area is. The ampitheater was just the beginning. Imagine walking on the same stones that Jesus and the apostles walked, while looking at the Mediteranean Sea. The boat ride on the Sea of Galilee was amazing. The same place where Jesus calmed the water for the apostles, provided a coin in a fish for Peter and preached to the crowd from a boat. We had our Sunday worship led by Brother David, while sitting in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. How cool is that! When we landed we were able to go through a museum where they have an actual fishing boat that was recently discovered. It's only been two days and we have seen so much. I'm looking forward to heading to Jerusalem tomorrow.

It's 9:00 pm here and 2:00 pm there!

Cathy Smart

Pepsi vs. Coke

For my wife, the ultimate Coke lover / Pepsi hater...

90% of the restaurants serve Pepsi.

- Jeff Fair

Top 10 Comments Overheard When St. Peter's Fish Was Served

10. If Dr. Goza blesses it again, maybe it will taste better.
9. Did somebody bring Tony Chacherie's in their carry-on?
8. Is it too late to order the beef?
7. June, why do you look so pale???
6. I paid $20 for this? (Wait, I had a coke, so I really paid $23 for this?)
5. I think this thing is staring at me.
4. Any leftovers will be served at dinner.
3. Peter had a stronger stomach than me.
2. Don't choke on the coin in its mouth.
1. If this were a crawfish boil, J.D. would have sucked the head.

Fun with Lunch

Before:

After:

Flags on our Boat

Crusing Galilee

Sea of Galilee near feeding of 5,000

too much to report

Folks, there is absoutely no way we can tell you everything we saw and experienced today. The only thing I can say is that everyone needs to take this trip at some point in your life. This experience has impacted my perception of the Bible and my understanding of Christ and his experience and ministry on earth in a way that I never imagined. To actually walk the hillside where Christ delivered the Sermon on the Mount, to see Capernaum (headquarters of Christ's ministry and location of Peter's house), to put my hands in the Sea of Galilee, to ride a boat across the water, and even to eat a fish (albeit a whole fish complete with eyes) freshly caught this morning from the Sea of Galilee...how can I describe it? We went on to see Caesarea Philippi and the paegan Sanctuary of Pan near where Christ told Peter than on this rock I'll build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. We concluded the day with visits to both Lebanon and Syria borders and our guide explained how even in this century the people of Israel continue to fight off enemies who wish to destroy them.

we're back at the kibbutz now and will go have dinner and hopefully get some sleep. Some of us have had trouble adjusting to the time difference. Love to you all!

Falafel for Lunch

Roman Bath House at Caesarea

June & Tiny at Haifa

Horse wattering trough at Megiddo

Sea of Galilee

Roadside tomb with stone rolled away