Loril's Message From Israel - 20 June 2009

Hi, Everyone,

Sorry I haven't blogged since arriving in Jerusalem. Finding an internet connection has been hit or miss. But, tonight, I have had some success!

Jerusalem: As you probably already know, we arrived in Jerusalem a couple of days ago. It's been very hot and busy here. Much different than Galilee, which was quiet and peaceful.

Our ride to Jerusalem took us through some ruins (read Shane's blog) and then to Caesarea Maratima, which is on the Mediterranean Sea. Wow was that beautiful!!! We saw some beautiful Herodian ruins, and it was one of the places Paul was imprisoned. We also saw the harbor where Christianity left the Holy Land and went out to the rest of the world. Pretty incredible.

Jerusalem has been a hard place to be. Our trip was planned to be chronological with Jesus' life. His ministry in Galilee, and then Jesus putting his face toward Jerusalem, where he would die.

We arrived Thursday night, and spent our first full day in Jerusalem on Friday. We walked the Via Delarosa on Friday, commemorating Holy Friday. It was very poignant, walking the way to Calgary. The road is uphill all the way with many many steps. It is no wonder Jesus fell three times on the way.

When we arrived at the place of his death and the place he was buried, it actually is a church--the Church of the Holy Sepulchre--a huge church--actually, it is three churches in one--Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic. The church was built around the Skulls hill, Calgary, and the tomb of Jesus. The church is very iconoclastic, smells of insence. and is rather opulent.

We visited the tomb today. We also went to the Wailing Wall and prayed.

Palestinian City of Bethlehem: Probably the most interesting part of today was our morning trip. We crossed the wall and went into Palestine, to the city of Bethlehem. There we went to the church of the Nativity and saw where Jesus was born.

The wall around the city is tall so that the Palestinians can't see outside of the city. We had to show our passports leaving Bethlehem. So sad to see Jesus' birthplace as occupied land. More on this when I return. we had a very interesting day there.

Tomorrow, we go to Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. We are all getting pretty tired. So much walking. I am pretty tired, but we are all going into the Old City for a beer on the roof of a restaurant.

Peace,

Loril

Loril's Message From Israel - 16 June 2009

Golan Heights: Today, we visited some beautiful places in the Golan Heights area, which is a high mountain area. Just to our west was Lebanon, and to our north was the Syrian border, which the Israeli's took during the Six Day War in 1967. Now Israel occupies land that Syria still owns. It's weird and sad.

Caesarea Phillipi: We also visited Caesarea Phillipi, and looked at the ruins of the Temple of Pan, Augustus, Zeus, etc., all pagan Gods. The grotto of Pan was a focal point in the worship of this half-man half-goat, flute playing deity. For at least two centuries before Christ, sacrifices were cast into the cave as offerings to Pan. At that time the main spring emerged from this large cave (... meaning that they drank from this sacrifice infected water afterwards). Pretty disgusting, huh? Earthquakes have since caused the water flow to emerge elsewhere.

Banias: We also hiked deep into the forest to the ruins of the palace of King Agrippa II, as well as the ruins of the city of Caesarea Philippi, and the cardo, the main road through Caesarea Phillipi. We also hiked down to the Banias Falls, which feeds the Jordan River. We also saw a Crusader Castle high up in the hills. A lot of hiking today. Very hot but very beautiful. I took a lot of pictures!

Tomorrow, we have a retreat day before we head to Jerusalem. We are all chipping in on some jet skis to play in the Sea of Galilee. Early Thursday morning we head South to Jerusalem.

Hope all is well! I am praying for Dennis!

Loril

Loril's Message From Israel - 14 June 2009

Hi everyone!

Sea of Galilee: Today we had a wonderful boat trip on the Sea of Galilee. It was very sunny and hot and beautiful. We traveled to the sites we've visited here in Galilee (those on the shores of the lake) and saw them from the water side.

Gergesa: We also traveled across to the area Jesus healed the wild man of the Gerasenes. After that we boarded the bus and traveled to the Jordan River, where we were able to walk in the river. The site we visited claims it is not far from where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. Like maybe an hour's drive. We couldn't get to that place because it is under military control and is not accessible. It was still pretty cool to walk in the river. Then we had lunch at a local restaurant.

Tabgha: It's been a great day here in Israel. We will be here in Tabgha, at the Pilgerhaus, through Thursday, then off to Jerusalem. Tomorrow we visit (I think) Cesarea Philipi, which will be a bit of a drive from here, and Nazareth.
I just can describe what an absolutely awesome experience this is to be here. It is so moving--sometimes overwhelming so--and so beautiful. This area is a mixture of desert, hills, and places that are kind of an oasis. When I step out of my room, the immediate area and climate reminds me of Hawaii. Such gorgeous flowers, and a bit humid here on the lake. Also quite green.

I will write more tomorrow afternoon.

Shalom! Loril

Loril's Message From Israel - 13 June 2009

Hi, Friends,

The last two days have been incredible. We spent yesterday in Capernaum and Mt. Arbel. Both places were amazing. I took a lot of pictures but something went south with my memory card and I lost them. I am going back to Capernaum next Thursday, on our last day in Galilee/Taghba, so I'll take more. I will get copies of pictures taken at Mt. Arabel from some of my fellow pilgrims.

Capernaum: To visit the town where Jesus began his ministry was a very moving experience. The Benedictines have built a church over the ruins of Peter's house, but left much the 1st century house uncovered. It was awesome to stand there and look at rooms that Jesus no doubt hung out. Some of the structure is still preserved so one can get a sense of the layout. I will get more pictures of that. Really wonderful.

Mt. Arbel is another beautiful place in Lower Galilee, above Tiberias. It is 282 meters above sea level and 481 meter above Tiberias and the valley. The mountain is also located near the sea of Galilee's western shore in the vicinity of ancient Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. The mountain's sheer face can be easily picked out by the casual observer from most points around the lake. Below Mount Arbel lies the Valley of the Doves, a natural access route into the lake area and a route probably used by Jesus as he traveled back and forth to Cana and Nazareth.
Arbel has only one possible mention in scripture. In Hosea 10:14 we read:

Therefore tumult shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be plundered as Shalman plundered Beth Arbel in the day of battle; a mother dashed in pieces upon her children.

From this early reference we realize that Arbel had a rather bloody history. Apparently the Assyrians had mercilessly killed many Israelites by forcing them off the face of this mountain. Later, the historian, Josephus, mentions that the Seleucid general, Bacchides, captured the mountain and executed many people there. Also in 39 BC, as Herod the Great rose to power, he too killed many of those Jews who opposed him by slaughtering them on this same mountain. As they hid in caves on its sheer north side, Herod let his men down in baskets and fished them from the caves, forcing them off the cliff to their destruction below.
There might be cause to wonder if the strange prophetic reference to the "land of the shadow of death," in Isaiah 9:2, could be in some way be associated with the deep shadow cast by Mount Arbel. Could the prophetic reference possibly refer to the slaughters that had gone on in the area? If this could be so, it would connect Arbel with Capernaum, the area in which Jesus would focus his ministry. If there is a prophetic connection with Arbel, we have an interesting contrast with the "shadow of death" and the "Light of Life."
Mount of Beatitudes: Today, we visited the Mt. of the Beatitudes, a place that is thought to be where Jesus taught the Disciples the "Blessed are those..." in Matthew and Luke. What a beautiful cliff about the Sea of Galilee. A beautiful church is built on the site thought to be the place Jesus taught--but it could be anywhere in that vicinity.

Bethsaida: We then traveled to the area where the miracle of the loaves and fishes took place. A church has been built over the rock that folks from 28 AD on believe to be the place Jesus and his disciples ate their supper with the crowd. The rock is huge and flat, like a table. Most of it is underground but a portion of it sticks up right in the middle of what we would call the chancel area of the church.
I can't describe how incredible it is to be here and to walk through these places where Jesus most certainly walked. The air in the holy sites almost tingles.
Tomorrow, we take a long boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. And, speaking of the Sea of Galilee, I am headed out to the lake for a swim with some of my new friends.
I'll write more tomorrow. Hope all is well with you.

Grace and peace,

Loril