Oh my goodness, what a day . . . we left out of Tiberias for a day of sightseeing and study that took us entirely around the Sea of Galilee. I'll give you the cliff notes . . . first we saw a 2000 year old boat from Jesus' time discovered in the Sea of Galilee just 23 years ago. It was discovered because of a drought and what an amazing site to see. Then we boarded a boat for a ride on the Sea and headed for Capernaum. There I gave a devotional and focused on the story of Jesus healing the Centurion's servant and the words of the Centurion . . ."Jesus, just say the word and he will be healed."
Then off to Tabgha where we visited the place that commemorates where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish . . . the Mensa Christi . . . where Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?"
Then a quick bite to eat and off to the Jordan River as it leaves the Sea of Galilee to a baptismal site . . .9 of us were baptized . . . I baptized my wife . . . what an experience . . . words can't describe so I won't even try.
Then off to the Mount of Beatitudes for a very moving reading of parts of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as we sat on rocks in a place that could have been the very place where Jesus taught. Unbelievable!
Back on the bus and heading north passing Bethsaida, the birthplace of Peter, Andrew, James and John . . . onto the Golan Heights with a breath-taking view of the Sea of Galilee from the Peace Vista . . . as well as some more current history and then descending back into Tiberias on one of the steepest and most curvy roads I've ever been on in my life . . . and in a tour bus at that.
In fifteen minutes I'm off to dinner and then to bed because I'm running on 3 ½ hours of sleep.
Don't worry . . . those of you joining Ann and me on our trip in February and March next year . . . it will be a much slower pace but just as life changing. I can't wait for you to be here and us walking together where Jesus walked. I'm sooooooo excited for you.
For those of you who would still like to join us, it's not too late! Just email me at george@coolchurch.com and I'll get you all the info you need. We will have one more informational meeting on Oct. 7th at the Happy Valley campus if you'd like to hear more about this opportunity of a lifetime!
Hey Pastor George, great to hear about your experiences. Lyndee and I have been to all of the places you mentioned and even 23 years after our trip, it remains a highlight of our lives! Lyndee was baptized in the Jordan River by her father who was also a Pastor. I am in Texas for the next week and I really enjoy reading about your trip. God bless, Greg Wallace
Posted by: Greg Wallace | September 12, 2009 at 06:31 PM