Israel Pastors Trip Blogs

We had a wonderful day yesterday as many in our group have already written.  The sites are so rich in history, beautiful to see, and absolutely amazing as you take in all the things that have happened right on those very spots.  God has brought an awesome group of people together for this trip and we have been experiencing such sweet fellowship throughout the day.  The devotionals have been very moving and inspirational.  God is meeting us here at every turn and we are so humbled by His presence.  It is difficult to describe all the feelings that stir within you  being in the very place that God chose to put His plan of salvation in motion.

Wish you could all be here!

We are updating Shawn’s blog together. Check out our summary and pictures from each day.

There are several in this Israel Trip 2009 blog who have reviewed the sites we saw and places we went on Thursday.  Needless to say it was an incredible day.  It is my great privilege to be hosting this very special trip.  The men and women in our groups are incredible people.  We are experiencing an indescrible knitting together of our hearts as we experience the places of the Bible together.  It is amazing they way God meets you in the depths of your spirit in Israel.

I must say that I was deeply impressed with the Nazareth Village.  This was the first opportunity I have had to visit there.  They have recreated an authentic experience of life as is was in Bible times, giving incredible insights into the truths of scripture.

Today, Friday, is our day at the Sea of Galilee.  Looking forward to an amazing encounter with God.

Wish you were here!

After a long flight we are here and on the run . . . we hit Tel Aviv on Wednesday around 5 pm or so, made our trek through the airport, arrived at the hotel, had about 20 minutes to shave and clean up and then off to dinner. Then we viewed some of the sites at Jaffa (Joppa) and then home to get in bed. Today, Wednesday we had the biggest breakfast I’ve ever seen and then off to view the sites of Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth Cana and then then checked in to our hotel in Tiberias. Then another hugh dinner . . . my gosh the food is great . . . but the sites and walking where Jesus, Paul, and Peter walked . .  . can hardly be put into words. I can’t wait to bring a group back here next year.

It’s about 12:30 am here and I am exhausted after a full day  . . . tomorrow I’ll be giving a devotional thought in Capernaum . . . the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and maybe being baptized in the Jordan River !!!!

Will try to get some pics up when I can figure out how . . . ahhhhh …. good night and Shalom.

Hello to all,

First let me say sorry for blogging yesterday. We had trouble getting on the internet. But here we are. It was a long trip, but no problems. Mark Dreistadt has done a wonderful job with our trip. Both in New York and in Tel Aviv we were taken right through.

First night we stayed in Tel Aviv, where our hotel was right on the Mediterranean Sea. The old city of Jaffa is a part of that city now. We saw the port where Jonah sailed, and also talked  about Peter’s stay with Simon the tanner and raising Tabitha from the dead.

Today we started at Caesarea–what an incredible place! The national park there is a history lesson of a life time and one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Herod the Great sure knew how to build. We also went to Mt. Carmel where Elijah called down fire, and to Megiddo. We saw both the dig through 26 layers of building and the plan where the last battle will be fought. The area for the last battle is huge, and it’s beyond what we can imagine to understand that the last great battle will be fought and won in this area. Then we went to Nazareth where Jesus lived  for many years. An evangelical group has started a recreation of what Jesus’ village would have been like when he was living there.The guide for the village really loves the Lord and it was wonderful. We then visisted a small church built  over the only spring in old Nazareth which is most likely where Mary would carry water home for the family to drink. I had a drink from that spring.

Tonight we are staying in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. We ate at a restaurant, where had so many wonderful Israeli dishes, including fish called Peter’s fish.The staff there gave us a special welcome on the PA system complete with a girl doing an interpretive dance to “We are standing on Holy Ground”.

The group of Pastor and wives we are with are wonderful; our guide is incredible, his name is Tsion Ben David.

We are so blessed to be here, I know God is with us and showing us many things.

Thanks for your prayers and interest. We love all of you.

Pastor Donn

This is where it’s going to get difficult. I truly can’t put into words all we’ve experienced so far. It feels like we’ve been here a week with all we’ve seen and learned already. Highlights: Joppa – beautiful port city right on the Mediteranian. Amazing to think about Jonah running from God right into those waters. Caesarea- the authentic ruins bring Bible stories to life. Cornelius baptized by Peter here and Paul tried before Festus. The footprint of Herod’s temple jutting out into the sea and the Roman Baths . . . unbelievable achetectural marvels. We’re bringing home a stone form Mt. Carmel where Elijah battled the prophets of Baal. Experiencing 26 layers of civilization, walking through a city gate that dates back to the days of Solomon and overlooking the Valley of Armageddon made Megiddo a personal favorite for me. Of course Nazareth Village with our Christian Arab (wait until you hear this guy’s testimony!) guide was a behind-the-scenes-look like never before at the life and teachings of Jesus. At each site we’re experiencing God personally as one of the 15 pastors on this trip leads a devotional thought giving insight to that particular site and we pray together. What can I say about the beauty of this Holy Land, the hospitality of the chosen people of God – incredible food, food and more food! -and the sweet fellowship of new Christian friends. I’m taking tons of pictures and notes and can’t wait to share them all. Thanks for your prayers. More tomorrow, I hope. The internet has been a little tricky . . .

A few thoughts before hitting the hay. Our days are packed full of amazing discoveries. First stop – Caesarea. Incredible to see this anchient city and think about Paul stepping on these very rocks. Mt Carmel where Elijah took on the prophets of Baal included an unbelievable look at the entire Valley of Jezreel and I’m packing a rock from the mountain to remind me to believe and trust like Elijah. We had a stirring devotional at Megiddo that had me thinking about Armageddon and Christ’s victorious return. Check out Rev. 16. Absolute blast in Nazareth at the re-created village that layed out the life of Jesus 2,000 years ago. I loved my time there. I drank from Mary’s well. On our way to our hotel for tonight I got my first glimpse of the Sea of Galilee- indescribable! Hope to fill you in on more tomorrow.