Updates from Pastor Larry

June 22

We arrived in Israel and met our guide Olga and bus driver Marshal. They took us to our hotel last night. Sabbath started at sunset. We stayed in Netanya by the Mediterranean Sea. We ate a Sabbath meal. It was unbelievable, everything you can imagine. It was buffet style. All kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, you name it they pretty much had it. Walked along the Mediterranean Sea after dinner. No shops were open because of being the Sabbath.

Mediterranean Sea

Netanya, outside of Tel Aviv, where we spent last night.

June 23

Started day two off at 6 o’clock in the morning with a breakfast that was unbelievable, all kinds of things. Some of them I’m not even sure what they are, but they were good.

We got on bus at 8 o’clock and headed to Caesarea, a port city that was built by Herod the Great. Of course all that is left is ruins. Paul was kept in prison for 2 years in the palace of the king. They had games, chariot races, and other things at the arena in Caesarea. All that is left of the king’s palace is just foundational. Some of it has fallen into the water. There was also an amphitheater there that was probably where Herod died of stomach pains as found in Acts.

We went to see the aqueduct system built by Herod, just so he could get fresh water to Caesarea. It was carrying water from Mount Carmel.

Caesarea

Aqueduct

Pool at Herod’s Palace at Caesarea.

Amphitheater

VIP Section of the Arena – Where chariot races and gladiator fights were held.

We left Caesarea and went to Mount Carmel where Elijah faced the prophets of Baal and defeated them. From Mount Carmel one of the highest points you can see is The Valley of Jezreel. It is an unbelievably large Valley that covers almost as far as you can see. There was a Catholic monastery there now that watches over that area on Mount Carmel.

Mount Carmel

Jezreel Valley

Elijah on Mount Carmel

We left Mount Carmel and ate at a local restaurant where you can get falafel or chicken schnitzel. Plus you could get lots of other stuff and a salad.

We left there and went to Megiddo. It is across the Jezreel Valley from Mount Carmel. Megiddo is mentioned several times in the Bible. Today it is in total ruins. At one time Solomon had his chariots and horses stabled there.

We walked through the water tunnel where they would get water without having to go outside of the city. From the top we can see Nazareth, Mount Moreh, and Mount Tabor, which also has significances in the Bible.

After Megiddo, we went to Nazareth and toured a city that looks much different than when Jesus lived there as a child. We went to Nazareth Village, a replica of Nazareth during the time of Jesus. We saw a winnowing floor, sheep pen, wine press, and watch tower. There was also an olive press, a carpenter home with carpenter shop and sewing room. There was a synagogue like the one Jesus taught in. There were olive trees and a grape vineyard among other things.

Synagogue in Nazareth

Weaver in Nazareth

Home in Nazareth

Carpenter Tools

Wine Press

Olive Press

Watchtower

Sheep Pen

Winnowing

400 Year Old Olive Tree

Olives

Driving through Cana, didn’t stop.

A settlement

Sea of Galilee – Going there tomorrow!

We left Nazareth and went to Tiberias to spend the night. We are staying at a hotel on the Sea of Galilee. Had supper at the hotel, roast beef, chicken, spaghetti and meat balls, salmon and all kinds of salads and deserts.