Trip update

Its been 15 days since last post. I had hoped to do so from Israel, but internet access was spotty...and I chose to use the internet time I did have to let the kids know we were doing well.

So what do you say about a two week Bible teaching tour of Israel? I have been home for 36 hours and I am still more or less speechless ( that may be the effect of jet-lag). I doubt that is true... simply put, this trip was incredible. To go and walk in the land of Christ is such a humbling experience.

People ask what I liked the most. It is very hard to say. There was so much. I loved the archeology. I loved places like Bet Shaan. There is a great story behind this archeological marvel. The actual place is where the enemies of Saul and Jonathon nailed their bodies to the wall. It was discovered about 20 years ago by a farmer who was plowing some ground. His tractor hit something and when he started digging and found the very tip of a Roman column. Not knowing what he had, but suspecting something, he let government officials know. They swooped in, took all his land, and begin excavating. What they found was amazing. A large city that had some of the classic columns, a Roman theater that seated several thousand people, a main North/south road commonly called a "Cardo" ( for heart). The East/West road was also very impressive. This was the area that most of the commerce took place. Addiitonally there were major religious sites , along with a "tel" ( or a mound) that was very impressive. The visit there set the stage for much more in the way of archeology that has revealed so much history in Jerusalem.

I loved Jerusalem. Of course the highlight was to study God's Word, looking at many of the steps of Jesus and be able to see it. Besides the walls and the different spots like Gethsamane, Golgotha, Caiahphas'house, the city of David, and the Western ( wailing- a term the jews do not like) wall, I think I was amazed by the topography of the area. Jerusalem is built on a series of hills... with large valleys below. To see the Kidron Valley, the Valley of Hinnom, and the central valley was amazing. I think that seeing that and understanding the physical test of walking all of that area over and over was striking to me.

Multiply that a hundred times when walking down the Mount of Olives as Jesus entered into the city in what is called the "triumphal entry", and you have something pretty special. Then take that feeling and begin to think about what Jesus was really doing when he entered into Jerusalem, knowing that he was on his way to his death! It is almost too much.

Personally, it was so amazing to share this experience with Pam. She had been there 30 years ago. But honestly, so much had changed in that time that it was nearly a new experience for her. She did so great, and was such an encouragement to me. All the while, knowing that her kids were half a world away, and one of them expecting a child in the coming days.

We also shared the trip with a couple from our church. Dale and Linda Pittman had gone to Israel 4 years ago, and since that time had wanted to invite us to go with them. I could not imagine taking that kind of trip on our own and getting as much out of it. They were so reassuring, generous, and good to us. Special friends who love God, love His Word, and the land of Jesus.

There is alot more to write about...so consider this a start. God showed himself to me in some very significant ways. What a blessing.

More to come....hopefully with some of the 900 pictures that Pam took. ( Yes, I said 900! Digital cameras are pretty cool.)

PS- Baby Grace is close to coming- any day now. So pray for Elizabeth and Nathaniel.