Northern Israel/Syrian Border

Today we drove as far north as you can go in Israel and stopped at a popular overlook. A couple of tour buses were there at the same time we were there. We listened to a Jewish guide talk to his group about what we were seeing. The nearest village, about 2 miles away, was supposed to be occupied by the United Nations. UN was in big black letters on background of white on buildings and trucks. He called them the United Nonsense (which is a pretty general opinion shared by some of us). If you have been keeping up on the news you might have read last week that ISIS in Syria was getting closer to the Israeli border so the UN workers fled into Israel. Wonder why they came this way?

On the way north (The Israel border with Lebanon and Syria is just about 25 miles north of where we are staying.) we stopped at the Hula Valley Nature Preserve in honor of my good friend Jo who is being buried today. She was my (Charlene's) best birding buddy for the last 40 years. We have been known to delay the tour bus because the two of us were looking at some Syrian woodpecker or something. The Hula Preserve is known for the thousands of pelicans, cranes, and other water birds who live there or stop there on migration. They have bicycles, golf carts, or tractor pulled bird blinds that people can rent to navigate the reserve. See picture below of us four on a bicycle built for six. You sit in a circle but all pedal.

The other main place we stopped at today was Banias (Caesarea Philippi in the Bible) at the foot of Mt Hermon where there was a temple to Caesar in the time of Jesus. Next to that was a cave where sacrifices were made to the pagan god Pan (Panias, Banias). The cave entrance was called the Gates of Hades. We read the scripture where Jesus took his disciples and asked Who do men say I am? Who do you think I am? and Peter came out with the right answer. We talked about why Jesus might have asked that question with all the pagan worship right in front of them.

Today and yesterday when we returned from our driving tour, Edith and David have taken the car and gone a couple of miles away to the city of Tiberias where David found a workout room in Caesar's Hotel for $6.50 a day. While he was in the workout room Edith was visiting shops and talking to locals. (Charles and Charlene were resting and having a cold drink on their patio.) The Bushes also found a little business where they got their clothes washed, dried and folded for $12. At the kibbutz hotel (Nof Ginosar) where we are staying we found out they would do about 2 bras for that price.

Right now it is 4:30 pm Friday and they are setting up for Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve) when the lady of the house or group will light the Shabbat candles and say the blessings. Some of the groups staying here are Jewish and most are Christians. Some of the Jewish guides will show their Christian groups how it is traditionally done.

David at Sea of Galilee / Boat Ride

We rode out into the Sea of Galilee on a boat called Faith. Daniel, the captain said his was the only boat out there owned by a believer in Jesus. He led worship songs with his mate playing the keyboard. A guide on the boat had us spread our arms and point our left hand to Migdal and our right hand to Bethsaida which covered about 20 miles.She said to remember that about 80% of Jesus' ministry took place between our hands. That was a new thought to all of us.

We visited all the Bible locations in that area including Peter's hometown of Capernaum, the Beatitudes mount, and the place of feeding 5000

.

Jordan River Baptisms

Wednesday we visited the site at the Jordan River where so many pilgrims want to be re-baptized. These pilgrims chose to just watch the others in white robes sing and dip in the water. We saw busloads from Nigeria, Korea, Ireland, India, Hong Kong, Kenya, etc. 

Ruins at Beit Shean

Tonight we're staying at a Youth Hostel in Beit Shean......and the youth have arrived!! Watched
2 bus loads come in shortly after
we did. One thing is for sure, Kids are just KIDS all over the world!!
We visited Qumran earlier today. This is the place where ancient manuscripts were discovered by a young boy in 1947.....the Dead Sea Scrolls.
At Beit Shean, we strolled through an archeological site where 18 layers of civilization have been excavated. An entire city....with arenas, Roman bathhouses, shops, etc. David, of course, was marveling at the magnitude of some of the construction. Maybe the most memorable place was the public
latrine.....this little video says it all!!

Dead Sea pictures of the real people on this trip

Today we went to Masada, such a fascinating place......and to the Dead Sea. We did the whole mud bath and floating in the Dead Sea and everything!!
Realized Charlene posted pics of she, and Jim & Nancy Rose from their Feb 2013 trip.....so I'm including a couple of today's pics!

(Charlene) My pictures are all mixed up on my Kindle and it was a dead sea picture. Now I've fixed it. Anyone out there ever written a blog and inserted pictures using a kindle and just a pinkie?

Dead Sea

Bags are found

Our bags were found the third day and were delivered to us at our Ein Gedi stay on the Dead Sea. We have clothes and lots of unnecessary things now.

We had a good day going up on Masada. Now we wish we could see the old Peter O'Toole movie of "Masada."

We later went swimming (floating) in the Dead Sea. That is always a unique experience if someone hasn't done it before so it was a required course for the Bushes. They also got to apply the Dead Sea mud before showering. It's just a fun thing to do---no really good reason----tourists just do it.

This morning I was thinking about Jo and how we went on a botanical tour here the last time she was here. A friend took our picture while we hugged a tree. I went back to the same are this morning and patted the tree again. (You didn't think Charlene would be seen hugging a tree alone do you?)  

Pictures of Israel thinking of our dear friend Jo

These photos of the Dead Sea (where we are right now) remind me of the four times Jo &Curtis have been here with us in years past. Jo especially loved the botanical gardens here on the grounds of the Ein Geri Kibbitz Hotel situated on a hill between the sea and David's Wilderness. When the sun comes up in the morning we will see what the Israel 365 blog shows below. I opened it just as I was reading an update about Jo. (Monday here) She has gone with Jesus and as she would say, "It is excellent!" When we arrived here tonight I checked email and saw that Jo who has ALS is in critical condition and may soon be away with the Lord. I knew it could always happen while we were gone but didn't really think it would happen so fast. I stayed with her a few days before we left home and pushed her around in a wheelchair outside on a beautiful day...talking to her about the plants and birds and all the trips we had gone on together over the years.

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From: Israel365 <israel365@israel365.com>;
To: <mundych@yahoo.com>;
Subject: Sunday Snapshots ✡ "With All Your Heart"
Sent: Sun, Oct 26, 2014 11:00:57 AM

The depths of dedication Having trouble seeing this email? View it in your browser Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely upon your understanding. PROVERBS (3:5)   בְּטַח אֶל יְ-הוָה בְּכָל לִבֶּךָ וְאֶל בִּינָתְךָ אַל תִּשָּׁעֵן משלי ג:ה b'-takh el a-do-nai b'-khol li-be-kha v'-el bee-na-t'-kha al ti-sha-ayn Today's Israel Inspiration Today's verse instructs us to trust in the Lord.  Life in Israel often includes a constant struggle against adversity, and requires a great deal of  trust and faith.  Against great odds, the Jewish People returned to the land with faith and conviction of heart. "Heart to Heart" is Israel's National Blood Bank, sustaining Israel's blood supply to help ensure that sick and injured Israelis can get the blood they need in case of emergency. I want to support Israel's national blood bank, "Heart to Heart" » Antisemitic Opera Sparks Outrage An opera which opened at the Met in New York has stirred very strong feelings beyond the arts community. "The Death of Klinghoffer" is based on a real and recent tragedy: the hijacking of an Italian cruise ship and the murder of a disabled Jewish-American passenger in 1985. Watch here » Israel has a Homegrown Jihadi Problem There are over 30 Israeli Arab citizens who have joined ISIS, according to Israeli intelligence estimates. Read more » Israeli and American Flags Lapel Pin This beautiful lapel pin features the flags of two great allies: America and Israel. Made of sturdy metal with a quality plastic coated enamel design, it is just the thing to show where your heart lies. Get this Great Deal » Today's Israel Photo Seeing the beauty of Israel really touches the heart.  The way it is developing inspires and amazes. Today's picture, by Daniel Malkiel, really captures one such moment. View more scenes of Israel » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day » Sunday Snapshots We hope you're enjoying our newest feature, Sunday Snapshots. Send us your best Israel photograph with a description, if possible, and don't forget to include your name and where you are from!   Stay in Touch » Thank you Rob Laskin, for sending us this stunning image of a sunrise at the Dead Sea. Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com Copyright © 2014 Israel365, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website, www.israel365.com. Our mailing address is: Israel365 34 Nahal Ein Gedi Apt #17 Beit Shemesh 9909875 Israel Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences forward to a friend

Israeli Breakfasts

One of my (Charlene) favorite experiences in Israel has always been the wonderful breakfast buffets when we stay in hotels. We usually eat enough to last until dinner. The variety of locally grown fruit, breads, fish, cheeses, yogurts, and salads are amazing. And fresh-squeezed orange juice is certainly a treat. Just don't expect bacon. Yes, I said "salads" because everywhere serves green salad, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers for breakfast along with tuna fish. It's better than it sounds since we are usually stuck in our "breakfast ruts."

David, Edith, Charlene at breakfast 

The day we left, at the Houston airport we saw our individual breakfast quirks. C & C had McD's egg biscuits, Edith had iced latte and David had the smoothie place make him a smoothie with his special protein powder. All were happy with their choices.

Joppa / Beach in Tel Aviv

 Nude Beach

(Edith) I am posting this to show everyone what kind of beach Charles and Charlene took us to this morning. Well, it is a nude beach --for all those under 3 years old. This is Saturday (Sabbath or Shebat) so families are out for their day off. We saw maybe 4 couples dressed for Synagogue but dozens of families are riding bikes, skating, sailing, surfboarding, swimming, and even horseback riding along the beach and sidewalks across the road from our hotel.

We are in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning. It's sunny and in high 80's so a very warm day on the Mediterranean Sea side of Israel. We are staying on the upwind side of C & C since their suitcases did not arrive with us yesterday and they have no deodorant or clean clothes.

They don't know if or when their bags will be found since the Lost Bag department is closed today for the Sabbath. We hope they show up by noon tomorrow when we head for the Dead Sea area. There are no Walmarts so we will have to get out on the streets in the morning and try to find some necessities for them before we take off for the south.

We walked to Joppa (Jaffa) and talked about all the times it is mentioned in the Bible. In the picture below Joppa is ou

Ready to Roll

Having coffee on the Mundy's back deck before we scurry off to the airport. This is the awaited morning. Air France flight direct from Houston to Paris and then on to Tel Aviv. We'll be in Israel in a mere 18 hours. cm

Jerusalem Day 6 - Light Show Last Night & David' Harp

Last night we went to the most spectacular light show in David's Citadel inside the Old City. It was way more than I expected. Using just lighting, sound effects and music, the history of Jerusalem was told from Creation to the present day. Charles has been reminding us of the history of Israel for two weeks so we recognized each period as the scenes changed. The high stone walls of the Citadel are used with scenes projected in trompe l'oeil (look it up) to make life-like images. Some twenty projectors change the existing walls into a night sky, an ancient city burning or being rebuilt, armies marching, the queen of Sheba visiting Solomon's palace, King David sitting on his balcony playing a harp, or children playing in a realistic Jerusalem of today.

No photos were allowed during the show so below is a picture of the full moon right before the show started. The images were imposed on these walls and all the walls around us.

Thanks to our friends at CFI that we talked to the other day, we wore warm clothes last night and carried our "blankies." It was probably 55F. with a little breeze but we four were comfy watching the show. Others could rent a fleece throw for 55 shekels ($16).

This is a picture of one entrance of the house we have lived in this week in Jerusalem. This is the side E & D live. C & C have rooms opening on the other side (looking toward the city wall). The foot traffic comes by on that side (and the segway tours).

Since we leave Israel tomorrow, today was our last full day here. We all walked to the Western (Wailing) Wall again because David had a specific prayer list he wanted to take there. Then we split up and went wherever we wanted. D & E stayed in the Old City and did some shopping (looking and talking mostly). C & C rode the light rail to the end of the line and back.

One blog that I follow (get in email every morning) is Israel 365 http://israel365.com/             
Each day it includes a beautiful picture from the Holy Land, an inspirational paragraph, a scripture in English and Hebrew (with phonetic pronunciation) and other tidbits. If you just go to this link you see only part of what is sent each day. Subscribe and see for yourself. Just like with our blog, you can unsubscribe when you tire of it.

This was one of the pictures a couple of weeks ago. It is a picture of "David's Harp" which is a huge structure we saw them begin to build when we lived there in 2008. From a distance it looks like a huge harp but it is actually a beautiful support for the new light rail train. I had never seen it from this viewpoint on the train before. Today Charles and I rode the train to the end and back just so I could see this from this view. The train was so full that the picture I took had arms, legs, and heads in it, with very little view of the harp.

Before We Leave

We leave Thursday October 23 for Israel. The 10 day forecast for most of the country is generally cooling down from the high 80's to the high 70's so we have adjusted our packing accordingly. Weather there is similar to Houston except without the extreme highs or lows.

As most of our friends and family know, we have been a dozen or so times and lately we go every year. Since our desire is to get every Christian to experience the Land of the Bible, we have taken large groups over the years. And we have lived there twice doing short-term volunteering for Christian humanitarian groups.

But this trip (like the one last year with the Roses in picture above) will be a "private tour," including just us two and one other couple--David and Edith. Charles does all the planning and making of arrangements so that the rest of us just have to "get in the car." We have been so many times before that he knows what he wants to include, especially since it is a first time for David and Edith. The problem is that he can't cram it all in 10 days so we will be gone 16.