Matthew 14:19 (NIV)
“And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave then to the people.”
I’m not sure how to describe today except to say WOW, WOW, WOW! The emotions that have run through all of us are amazing. Today we truly spent time where Jesus was, and worked, and laughed, and loved, and taught, and preached, and fed, and healed, and did miracle after miracle. We spent the day in the places that Jesus did 80% of his miracles.
Our day started at the Sea of Galilee (which is the lowest lake in the world) where we took a boat out to the middle of the sea. Pilar said the good news was that we got to go on the boat, the bad news was we had to catch our own lunch.
In the middle of the sea the motor was shut off and we had devotion time. It was so calm and still today on the water and from the middle we could see all around the sea and all the places that Jesus did miracles. It was amazing. After a good time on the sea, we docked in Magdala and head up the road called the “Way of the Sea.” Pilar said this would be like our route ’66. It’s the road Jesus would have taken to get from place to place.
We headed to the Mt. of the Beatitudes and had some quiet time there also. it was amazing overlooking the Sea of Galilee, listening to the sounds of the birds, feeling the sun and breeze on our faces in the same spot that Jesus would have been preaching.
From there we headed to the place where Jesus fed the 5,000 with just two fish and 5 loaves of bread. Again this was amazing and so heartwarming. Needless to say several of us had liquid praise “tears” several times today. We then went to the spot where Jesus asked Peter “Do You Love Me” three different times. We also saw Capernaum, which is where Jesus stayed most of the time.
Then we headed to the Jordan river for a celebration of our baptism. 12 brave souls dawned white gowns and headed into the chilly waters of the Jordan River. The song says the Jordan waters are chilly and cold and it is soooooo true – or at least it was today. Pastor Steve Peters and I were so blessed to celebrate the baptism of 10 of our group. All went completely in the water but one and we put water on her head. I can’t describe the feeling I had. Two of my people, Barb J and Sue W were the first. Then after all 10 were done it was my turn, and Sue and Barb came back down to help Pastor Steve with me. It was amazing. We all remembered our baptism and rejoiced. There were about 6 HUGE catfish who were trying to help us. I’ll tell you more when I post pictures.
Tonight is our last night here. We go back to Jerusalem tomorrow morning early, get to see the Holocaust Museum and then head to the Garden Tomb where we will celebrate the Lords Supper all together. After that we have and early supper and head to the airport in Tel Aviv. Our plane doesn’t leave here until 11:10 pm Israel time, which would be 3:10 p.m. Iowa time. We arrive back in Des Moines at 10:46 p.m. Iowa time. Please pray for safe travels. Still one today who couldn’t go with us due to illness. It would be a long flight back if you were sick so keep all of us who have not had this in your prayers.
No blog tomorrow but will start putting picture up soon after I get home and my feet back on the ground. Between the group of those who went we have several thousand pictures. See you all soon.
All for now, more to follow,
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Deb
No comments:
Post a Comment