After gathering our bags at the airport, we walked into Tel-Aviv’s sunny day and met Hedva, our guide. Her name means “joy,” and she most certainly lived up to that name! Dubi was our bus driver, and his name means “teddy bear” in Hebrew. These two IMMEDIATELY settled deeply into our hearts.
…And our touring began!
Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea
One of our tour members demonstrating the technique of a 1st-century outdoor (group) toilet.
Hedva’s handy graph of historical eras.
The Jezreel Valley.
Nazareth wool, dyed by natural products.
We dipped our toes in the water on the shore of the Galilee where Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?”
Listened to Hedva’s teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum
Magdala, the fishing village where Mary Magdalene lived. Archaeologists found a stone unlike anything else on earth (the one in picture is a replica–real stone is held somewhere safe until a museum can be built on this site).
Worshiped on the Sea of Galilee with Messianic Jewish brothers leading us. What a joy!
Abraham’s Gate – in the OT city of Dan, where it’s believed Abram first entered the Promised Land.
Only two people got to ride a camel this trip–this is my daughter. Can you tell she’s as excited about it as I was 20 yrs ago?
Wine Cellar in the ancient city of Bethsaida (OT city of Geshur).
One of the most memorable locations from my 2000 trip–even more developed now. Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I AM?”
Water at Caesarea Philippi coming straight from Mt. Hermon.
I circled people playing in the waterfalls of Engedi–yes, those rocks are THAT big! See the caves in the cliffs? Those are the caves in which David hid from King Saul!
Masada – Herod’s fortress in the wilderness across from the Dead Sea (Have you watched the movie, Dovekeepers?)
On our first day in Jerusalem, we visited the Temple Mount–and there were hardly any people there at all. By now we knew our trip was being affected by COVID-19. Petra cancelled, but we were also seeing some things because of lower tourist numbers that we might not otherwise have seen.
We visited two VERY meaningful sites that day: the Garden of Gethsemane and the Wailing Wall. It was an emotional day.
The Western Wall Tunnels (remember the tunnels mentioned in In the Shadow of Jezebel?)
The Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man.
I splurged and had a Diet Coke with my lunch – cool, huh?
We finished our full, rainy day at the Garden Tomb with communion together.
On Sunday, March 15, our guide and tour director received news from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism that our touring as a group was done.
We gathered the group, and Roy happened to be wearing my Of Fire and Lions t-shirt that reminded us, “The God we serve is able to deliver.” Dan. 3:37 We still had 4 days in Israel to enjoy!
Our final day in Jerusalem, we broke up into groups of 2-4 people and toured the city on our own. A couple of friends went with Roy and I to walk the rampart of the Old City.
Notice the shape of the opening where the watchmen would look out from the rampart all around the city–it’s in the shape of a cross… the world’s true protection.
We said goodbye to our sweet Hedva when we reached Tel Aviv for the final 3 days on our own.
And we had a little trouble with “social distancing” in the hotel’s tiny elevator. LOL!
We played on the beach. Carole Towriss and I loved the “Ben Gurion” statue.
We walked to Joppa (Acts 9-10)–now attached to the modern city of Tel Aviv–where Tabitha lived and where Peter stayed with Simon the tanner and had his vision that led to the Gentiles’ inclusion into the Church. (St. Peter’s Church pictured)
Some of us did find a camel to “ride” in Jaffa.
And we got better at social distancing when they asked us to sit only 2 at a table in the dining room (since our group was the only tourist bunch left in the hotel).
We did sneak away to the fourth floor “pod” for an impromptu hummus/pita party.
Some folks even had time to catch up on laundry before going home!
On Thursday, 3/19, we said goodbye to Tel Aviv. Our bodies healthy and refreshed. Our hearts full. Our lives richer with new friends and amazing experiences.
We Experienced THE BOOK in Israel.
All praise, honor, and glory to our God who guided and protected us each step of the way.
Comments 18
Thanks for sharing. I love to see others pictures.
Author
Hey, Greg!
I set up a Google Photos album for those who have a gmail acct (that I have their gmail email). I sent an invite to you and Jen to join the album so we can all upload pics to that single place if you’d like to share!
So glad to see the pics! Thanks for sharing!
Author
Glad to do it. It’s fun to relive the moments. 😉
I love looking at your pictures, glad for the descriptions too! So I assume you didn’t have any serious delays getting back into the US? Glad you didn’t have to be quarantined 2 weeks at the border!
Author
No big delays–except that when leaving Jerusalem, there was a HUGE crowd of Yeshiva students (orthodox seminary) who were going back home to New Jersey because school was closing for Passover and likely for the rest of the year. Our plane was over 1/2 full of Orthodox young men (some with families). It was a VERY interesting flight home!
The pictures are wonderful! Thank you for taking all of us along with you. Welcome home!
Do archaeologists have any ideas of the significance of the Magdala stone?
Author
The only thing our guide mentioned about the Magdala stone was that it was the only stone of its kind on earth. The replica they had onsite looked like most of the others sitting around (to my eyes!), but I’m not sure if the real one looks different.
These are fabulous, Mesu! And I’m so glad you were able to walk to Joppa. I’d love to live there someday. 😌 Thanks for sharing your amazing journey. Be healthy and safe — praying the Lord will give you wisdom in the days ahead. 🙏🏼💗
Author
Thanks, dear friend! Live in Joppa, huh? I wish we’d seen it in its thriving, alive state. It was almost totally deserted when we saw it. Very strange. But a beautiful place for sure!
Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. How wonderful to be able to experience the land of the Bible! I’m so glad that the coronavirus did not spoil your special trip.
Author
Thanks, Irene! Several times during the trip, we wondered if we would have to cut it short, but the Lord was soooo faithful!
Oh wow Mesu! I enjoyed the pictures and read everything underneath them. I really enjoyed reading about your life and healing too. You blessed me. I have almost the same thing as you and it’s not fun. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, and a heart problem called mitral valve prolapse. My heart beats so fast sometimes it makes me out of breath. My heart skips beats a lot of times. I do take a medication that supposed to keep my heart slowed down but sometimes it still beats very fast. I try to take it easy most days but there are times I have to work in the house a little at a time. If I overdo it I will be in pretty bad pain for a couple days so I try to be careful. But you know through it all God is good to me and when I could no longer work as a CNA at the nursing home God stepped in and helped me get my disability check. I worked there for 27 yrs. I had worked other places but I had been there the longest. I’m sorry I wrote you a book.
Author
Hi Brenda! I had no idea our stories were so similar. This Israel trip was MUCH more strenuous than I anticipated. There were times I really thought I couldn’t walk another step or my heart would leap out of my chest, but because I’d had plenty of heart checks (all clear) and knew it was simply POTS acting up, I kept going. He gave me more strength, more endurance as the trip went on, and more blessing as I took one more step than I ever thought I could. He is soooo faithful!
I really enjoy these pictures! I wanted to go sooooo bad, but as a mother of 5, it wasn’t possible😓
Your books give me so many mental images that seeing these actual photos brought tears to my eyes. My husband says he will take me one day😉
Author
Oh, Melanie, I’m so glad you enjoyed the pics! Yes, 5 kiddos need your full attention at the moment, but the day will come when the Lord will call you and your sweet hubby to place your feet on His Promised Land. He’ll provide both the way and the time–not without challenges, of course–and you’ll realize it was so worth all the struggle and waiting to get there! I hope I get to take you there!
I enjoyed your pictures and the comments. Brought back a lot of memories because I was able to tour Jordan and Israel in 2013. I am so thankful that God allowed me to go and he took care of any problems. I’m a reader and love your books.
Author
Hi Sarah!
The memories never leave us, huh? Even when we went this time, and everything had changed so much in 20 years, it still felt as if we’d just been there yesterday. So familiar–like coming home. I still pray we’ll get to return soon and go to Jordan!
Thanks for reading and your encouragement! Blessings, dear one!