Capernaum and the Golan Heights...another incredible journey.

NOTE: I may have to edit or add to this post later, I am so tired tonight I can hardly put a sentence together, but it is such a good tired. :)

 

Today we enjoyed breakfast on the patio overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights that were occupied by Syria until the 6-day-war in 1967 reclaimed the land for Israel. Sitting there in such peace, it seemed surreal that many Israelis remember such fear from their not so distant past.

After breakfast we caught a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. We visited the synagogue where Jesus first taught, as well as the places he healed people, including Peter’s Mother-in-law and the man they lowered through the ceilings. Most of it is just foundations, pieces of tile or marble pillars, but to know that Jesus taught at that exact spot was overwhelming.

I was so blessed to bring the devotional at Capernaum. We’ll post the video of that in a follow-up blog-post when return to the states.

After Capernaum we visited the Mount of the Beatitudes, The church of the Multiplication (of loaves and fishes) the Church of the Mensa Christi, which is also the place where Jesus told Peter, on this Rock, I will build my church.

We ate lunch at an awesome restaurant that serves only one dish…St. Peter’s Fish. The same type of fish, the same way they prepared it in Jesus time. I usually hate fish…but of course you can’t be extremely picky when it is the only item on the menu…so I ordered the fish. When it came, looking at me from the plate, my stomach got a bit weak…but being the tough farm wife I am. I began taking off the parts of the fish I absolutely would not eat. The rest was actually quite good. I was glad someone else asked for tartar sauce before I thought of it. It seems asking for such a condiment is a complete insult to the cook. They will happily give you Lemons…and even salt…but please, don’t ask for tartar sauce or ketchup.

After lunch, our guide took us up through the Golan Heights. At times we were literally 2 feet from the borders of Jordan and/or Syria. There were countless bunkers and landmines still littering the hillsides from a war that ended the summer I was born. It was incredible to hear the stories from Tsion. He knew about the war first hand, having served as an officer with tanks in the Israeli Army until he retired and took up tourism.

While on the road we passed Gadara, where Jesus made the demons go into the swine and run into the sea. We also passed many ruins of homes and churches along the way.

Finally we came to a spot where Tsion told us to close our eyes and follow him…a feat which is rather difficult, but when we came to the end, and opened our eyes. We could see the entire region of Galilee…We were at Peace Vista, the place Israel took back from Syria. The view was breathtaking.

On our way back we visited the baptismal sight on the Jordan River, started by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Several years ago. The spot that is actually believed to be Jesus’ baptismal sight is not accessible, but the Jordan River still flows, ready to provide the place to commit or re commit lives to Christ.

A short break at our hotel gave Amber and me the opportunity to take advantage of the wonderful Mineral spa at our hotel. All I can say is Ahhhhhhh…much better. LOL

Dinner at the Deck’s Restaurant in Tiberius capped off another wonderful day in the Holy Land. Please continue to keep us in prayer. Tomorrow we leave here and go to Jerusalem. I know the presence of God is going to be so strong there…and I know that I have no idea what we will find in the City. What I do know, is we are ready.

Before saying goodnight this evening, Amber and I spent a long time in prayer, we were visiting in her quarters, and just felt led to pray…it was a sweet time with the Lord and we are both excited about what he will do with the rest of this trip.

Shalom to all.