Greetings all … Ministry, travel, touring and relocating have come in an awesome array of God’s gracious hand of protection and blessings on this team. Friday found the women engulfed in a wonderful outreach opportunity with the women of Calvary Chapel Tel Aviv. Hearing the testimonies from Betty & Regina and sharing the love of Jesus, found many open hearts and joyful smiles. After the men had a relaxing morning, we all headed up to Ceasarea, which was about 90 minutes up the coast from Tel Aviv. It was a beautiful day to drive and to take in the fantastic sights of Herod’s palace and outdoor playground. The city was founded by Herod the Great in 22 BC and was the seat of the Roman government for over 500 years. We arrived back at the hotel and after a well needed dinner, we headed out into Tel Aviv for some street ministry and witnessing opportunities. What a blessing it was to find a perfect spot right next to a water fountain and in the middle of a high traffic area. The weather was wonderful, the music and worship were awesome and many people heard the Gospel. The music CD’s were given out and the people really appreciated them.
Saturday morning… after breakfast we packed up and headed for Tiberias for our next three day stay. John and Dan remained behind as Sam West had taken ill with possible pheumonia and John was able to fill in for him and teach the Saturday session. The rest of the team headed up to our first stop along the way which was Beth Shan National Park. Located at the juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys, it is here, that after the Philistines had killed Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, they hung their bodies on the walls of Beth Shan. The Jezreel Valley is a likely spot where the Battle of Armagendan will play out. At the base of Mount Gilboa, Gideon chose his 300 men at the Spring of Harod. We climbed to the top of the mountain at Beth Shan and sang a few worship songs as we looked over the Jordon Valley. How sweet that was! We proceeded up to the east side of the Sea of Galilee to an area called En Gev where we stopped for lunch and met up with John and Dan. St. Peter’s Fish was a huge hit with everyone. Eating something that is looking back at you (a whole fish) is a real treat! We traveled after lunch to our hotel on the sea in Tiberias and got settled in and relaxed until dinner. Afterwards, we met up with Peter Hill and his family at his church in Tiberias for some Worship, Study and Communion, which John led. It was so amazing to see how the Spirit was present in this place. By the way, his church is on the second floor of a building and the room that we were in could fit about 35 folding chairs. All chairs were filled and the Lord was glorified in an awesome way. After communion, we had some time of fellowship with everyone there. We then headed as a team into town for some street ministry. However, the rain began to fall and we decided to relax underthe umbrella of an outdoor cafe and enjoy some Israeli coffee and deserts. Back to the hotel for a good nights rest.
Sunday morning… after breakfast, we met up with Peter Hill again and we were headed up to an area about 30 miles North of the lake called Kiryat Shmona. This area is about 10 miles from the Lebanese border and suffered much damage during the recent war with Hezbollah. We participated in a clothing outreach to the Lebanese Christian refugees that have been living in this area for some time. After the 1967 war, many that fought along side of Israel and against Lebanan, found themselves not wanted by Israel and afraid to go back to Lebanan, so they settled in this northern area, keeping to themselves. For 4 hours we were able to bless these people with the love of Jesus, with worship music and with clothing for men, women and children.
It was, however, those of us from Calvary who were blessed, as the conversations and smiles that were traded between one another, along with the hospitality, food and coffee from these wonderful Christians were a great blessing to us. Great stories were shared and the Gospel was rendered along with CD’s. We then headed up to an area further North East called Tel Dan a city of Ancient ruins and the northern most city of Israel. The tribe of Dan, not satisfied with it’s allotted inheritance in Judah, chose to settle here. Ultimately, they gave way to idolatrous worship that plagued Israel. Abraham passed through the gates at Tel Dan. Across the ridge to the Northeast is Mount Hermon, which is the most likely the “Mount of Transfiguration.” We then headed back for dinner and a free night. Some of the group went into town for some shopping and coffee. Love this Israeli coffee!
Monday morning…we began, as we do every morning, with prayer. After breakfast we headed out to meet up again with Peter Hill. We visited a museum with an attraction called, “The Jesus Boat.” Discovered by two brothers who are fishermen along the coast of lake, they discovered what appears to be a boat that would have been used during the first century by fishmen from this region. The cool thing was that after a 20 minute movie about the boat and it’s discovery, we had a surprise visit by one of the brothers who found the boat. We took some time to shop for souvenirs and then headed around to the eastern side of the lake to an area called Kursi, which is the proposed location where Jesus cast out the heard of pigs from the demonic man. We then headed to an area about 1 mile further south and Steve made a very plausible case as to why this event probably happened in this other location. During our stop here, we met up with a group of cyclists who were touring around the lake. (approx. 4 hour ride) One of the men was a retired Brig. General from Israel during the 1967 war. His stories were fascinating and his group appreciated that we were here in Israel doing the work we were doing. We then headed to the area of Capernaum, which was really the base of operations for Jesus during his public ministry. It was here that he called Matthew (Levi) to “Follow me.” Here, he taught in the Synagogue, cast out demons, healed the sick, and in fact performed more miracles here than any other place. Located on the northern end of the lake, it was a perfect spot as the trade routes came through Capernaum. We then headed for a lunch break…visited what is known as “A Solitary Place.” It is here that Jesus would get alone and pray.
We visited the Mount of Beautitudes. Although a bit dark by this time, we could still get a sense of the wonderful words Jesus had shared with His disciples. We said good-bye to Steve and headed back to the hotel for dinner, some relaxation tonight and then preparation for the third leg of our trip which will be to Jerusalem tomorrow morning. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your continued support and prayers. We know that they, along with God’s favor, have been constantly revealed to us, almost moment by moment. Shalom “Praise the LORD…How good it is to sing praises to our God. How pleasant and fitting it is to praise him.”
