Tonight we are looking forward to seeing how Jews prepare for the Sabbath (sundown on Fri. 'til sundown on Sat.). In late afternoon stores and restaurants close up and families begin to wind down (no work) before sharing in the Shabbat dinner, which we will join also.
Early this morning we arrived at the Mount of the Beatitudes - where Jesus shared his ideas about life (the Sermon on the Mount). We all took time to reflect on our time in Israel so far as well as what God might want to share with us. We are becoming closer as a group and were very excited to visit the Jordan River. Several of us hiked around beneath a canopy of lush trees to see the source of the Jordan as well as Tel Dan. We saw an ancient flower mill of a wealthy man and the city gate where the king and societal leaders sat to carry out court-hearings. Tels are several layers deep containing the remains of thousands of years of cultures, one upon another.
Our group became more excited as we nervously prepared many in our group to be baptized - some people were re-committing their lives to Christ and God while other men and women made first time public professions of faith. Lastly we stopped to see (traditional site) where Jesus appeared for the 3rd time to His disciples, inviting them to cast their nets again on the other side of their boat and join Him for breakfast.
Early this morning we arrived at the Mount of the Beatitudes - where Jesus shared his ideas about life (the Sermon on the Mount). We all took time to reflect on our time in Israel so far as well as what God might want to share with us. We are becoming closer as a group and were very excited to visit the Jordan River. Several of us hiked around beneath a canopy of lush trees to see the source of the Jordan as well as Tel Dan. We saw an ancient flower mill of a wealthy man and the city gate where the king and societal leaders sat to carry out court-hearings. Tels are several layers deep containing the remains of thousands of years of cultures, one upon another.
Our group became more excited as we nervously prepared many in our group to be baptized - some people were re-committing their lives to Christ and God while other men and women made first time public professions of faith. Lastly we stopped to see (traditional site) where Jesus appeared for the 3rd time to His disciples, inviting them to cast their nets again on the other side of their boat and join Him for breakfast.
