Israel...Saturday, May 16, 2009

The highlight of my day today was visiting Capernaum (Jesus' home during his ministry); the second highlight was being baptized in the Jordan River. Both of these were very powerful experiences spritually speaking. First, being able to walk in the same places that Jesus is thought to have slept, walked, and ministered and seeing how short the distances between places were was just amazing. Jesus is thought to have spent a great deal of time at St. Peter's House in Capernaum and in the Synagogue there. This is where the healing of the woman with the issue of blood took place as well as several other miracles. Neil Armstrong was once asked since going to the moon was the highlight of his life, what was the second best thing. He stated, "Going to the moon was the second best thing I did in my life; visiting Capernaum was the greatest thing I've ever done." I concur. While being baptized in the chilly Jordan was great, walking in Capernaum was awesome. As my friend who is here with me (whose husband, Andy, you see baptizing me above), "How cool is that?"

Muslem presence felt in Nazareth!

Note the sign over the group. When we took this photo, there was a Muslem priest who was just spewing poison in a shouting tone over the public address system in downtown Nazareth. We had no idea what he was saying--he was speaking in Arabic, but he was definitely angry. We were amazed at the signs that hung in the city. The Muslem world is very upset about the Pope's visit. He is scheduled to speak at a large ampitheatre in the city in the morning. People will start going into the line with their tickets at 0200 and will file in until 0800 when the gates will be closed. BBC news is supposed to film from the courtyard in our Hotel--St. Gabriel's Hotel. It is at the highest point in the city. Forth-fifty thousand people are expected in the ampitheatre.

Photos from First Day in Israel.

Rami Arav--lead archaeologist for Bethsaida

excavation, his partner, Orna. The hole to the

right of the guy in the orange shirt is where the hinge for

the gate at first century Bethsaida into inner city.

View by the tree is from a 3000 year old road that

overlooks terraces. The road is on the third terrace.

The landscape is of the Galilee District.