March 9, 2013 Sat Day 4

                                         The whole day will be about 'Faith and Trust'
            Words cannot possibly describe the experiences of the awesome day we had today.

Marcel leaving the Lebanon Bldg. at the Kibbutz Hagoshrim  After 2 nights stay here. 

Breakfast.

Beautiful orange flower growing between rocks.

After an opening prayer by Dale, we headed for the boat ride and communion on the Sea of Galilee

Little (2") gecko greeted us as we walked down the dock to the boat. 
He sure blends in with the background.

After we all got on the boat, the Canadian flag was raised, and we all sang "O Canada".

Our whole group plus a few people joining us from Sweden. 

Sea of Galilee Worship Boat.
Name of the boat is 'Faith'

Michael W. Smith songs were played.

Sue and Kairy

Marcel and Alida 

Sue, Kairy, Dale and Janice

Jon

Shortly after we got on the Sea of Galilee, the engine was turned off to prepare for Communion

We were all deeply moved by the peace we all felt. 

Pita bread was dipped in wine.

Ruth played Amazing Grace beautifully.
Rami sitting in the back is one of the singers.  He plays the keyboard.

Daniel Carmel singing:  'How Great Thou Art'.
Daniel is a worship leader and owner/operator of the 'Sea of Galilee Worship Boats'. 

Neil, Dale, Gretchen, Sue, Sandra and Janice,
clapping and singing along to the songs Daniel sang. 

Stan and Wendy

We watched a short video about how this boat was found and prepared for transport.
Found in 1986  

Egret

Lunch outside along the Sea of Galilee.  Gorgeous weather. 

After the boat ride, we thought it fitting to have the fish...but didn't expect to have a whole one on my plate

Not a problem, he was pretty friendly.  I got a very grateful farewell kiss that I didn't eat all of him.  

After having lunch, we went to the ruins of Capernaem.   

  Bougainvillea

It was here, in the house of Peter, that Jesus restored Peter's mother-in-law.

Ruins of the city of Capernaem with the synagogue in the back. 

Inside the synagogue. 

Thousands of people came to listen to Jesus.  All walking the small path on the left. 

Capernaum is the center of Jesus' Galilee ministry.
He lived here for a period, healing the sick and preaching in this synagogue.
Only the foundation is left of the synagogue.

Shores of the Sea of Galilea.
Here Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea (Matthew 8:26), taught from Peter's boat (Mark 3:7-9), performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Luke 5: 1-11),
calmed the storm, and walked on water (Matthew 14:22-23).

Ficus tree.  Wendy.

Maryann

Shady Ficus tree.
The sons of Zebedee put their boats in the water here. 
And it is where Peter denied Jesus 3 times. 

On route Matthew 14: 15-36 was read. 

And Jesus said, "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church".  

Loaves and Fishes

Lemon Tree

Starting our walk down the Mt of Beatitudes to the Sea of Galilee.  About 40 minutes.

We had to pass a farmer's house and walked down a dirt road past various crops.

Blessed are...

• ...the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
• ...those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
• ...the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
• ...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
• ...the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
• ...the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
• ...the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
• ...those who are persecuted for because of righteousness: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)

This hill at the northwestern point of the Sea of Galilee,
 it is where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  (Matthew 5: 1-12)
....Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called Sons of God... 
This one pops out at me because of the unrest  in Israel. 

We experienced a sense of peace and true fellowship today.  

Basalt on the path.

Lava Rock

Rami drove us safely to our next destination,
Kibbutz Ma'agan on the Sea of Galilee. 
Gorgeous Bird of Paradise flower grew in the garden.  

Sea of Galilee.  The mountain in the back is Tiberius.  

The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River, rainfall and springs on the northern side.  
More properly designated a lake, the Kinneret (the OT and modern name) is 13 miles long 
and 7 miles wide. At its deepest point the lake is only 150 feet deep. 
We stayed at the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee.  

Our home for the next 2 nights.  Little cabins.

Spur-winged Lapwing

Our little home

Cute little living room.

One minutes walk to the shores of  the Sea of Galilee from our cabin. 
Tomorrow morning at 7 am, whoever wants to re-confirm their baptism may do so.
Full immersion or sprinkle.

Love you all.  Wish we could share this experience with you. Think I said that before.  
Hugs to all our grandchildren and children. Hope to skype soon.
Alida/mom/grandma