Susanville October 2009 Trip

We started off early this morning for Gilgal, to the site of where the Israelis camped after their release from Egyptian captivity.  What a sight, to see where they crossed the Jordan and entered into the promise land.  We held a service there, so moving to think we stood where the Holiest of Holies was placed and was able to pray there because of the Sacrifice Jesus made on Calvary.  Then we drove this huge bus down a little road to the springs of Wadi Qelt, an oasis in a desolate place, and was also able to view a Monastary built into the side of the mountain.  Then we traveled back to Jerusalem to sift through debris from the Temple Mount.  Our group found a lot of pottery, mosiac tiles, coins and a nail from a roman guards boot.  A very exciting and busy day.

Sorry I am still unable to upload pictures, even with lowering the pixels.  We will all have to get together when we get home and have an Israel picture viewing party! 

Sorry everyone Ihave some wonderful pictures, but when I try to upload i keep getting an error.  Today was a very busy day of hiking and going to some amazing places.  Our first stop was to a Ancient water cystern from the time of the 1st Temple, then around the time of the second Temple it was converted to a ritual bath.  All of this was from the home town of John the Baptist.  It was so cool in the cystern I decided to stay there all day, but on we traveled.  Our second stop was at the shepherd fields and more amazing teaching from Mosehe.  It was a wonderful and exhasting day.  Tomorrow we are off early in the morning for Gilgal.  Wish you all were here.

Today we toured a wonderful Botanical Garden near Bethelhem to explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of Israel.  The garden was beautiful, we toured the olive presses and the ancients homes there.  It is the end of the Feast of Tabernacles this week, so we were able to view the varoius "Huts" built for the feasts.  It was very interesting,  we also were able to view the ruins of a home and place of worship on this land.  The Garden was planted after the 6 day was and the Gentleman who was responsible carried buckets of soil to plant his garden, doesn't sound too bad until you understand the garden is 660 acres!  We met a beautiful young woman who's name was Michael, who presented us with olive oil pressed at their "oil press" and a packet of Hysop.  We also were introduced to a 10th generation Scribe who showed us how to make ink and who wrote biblical text by hand, the way it was so many years ago. He gave us the meaning of the ink, reeds, quills, and parchment used in the process of copings scripture.  He also brought his Talmud scrolls for us to view, and He read from, they were huge and over 200 years old.  Then it was on to the old city of Jerusalem to view so many things!  The temple mount, the wall Hezekiah built, the western wall. So many things to see, on the way home everyone was honking, when I asked why, Moshe stated it was Shabot and people needed to get home before the sun set and 3 stars rose in the sky.  Well it is very late here so I am off to bed.  I will repeat to you what I have heard all day "Shabot Shaloam"

Most of our first day was spent on the Airplane!  What a long long flight 17 hours!  By the time we landed and went though Customs we were all exhausted.  But when we started out of Tel Aviv we got our second wind.  First site the valley of Bet Shemesh home of Sampson, we viewed the fields where Sampson tied together the Foxes and set their tails on fire!  Then on the the Elah Valley where David fought Golaith, you cound just imagine the Giant on top of the mountain calling to the children of Israel "Come Fight Me" then out came a small boy with a sling shot.  The best part of the day for me was walking on the ancient road to Bethelehem, the very Road Joseph and Mary Traveled, and where Phillip ran to the Ethoipian to tell him about Jesus.  Then we were able to view the Jerusalem skyline at evening.  When we finally got to our rooms everyone was ready for some sleep.