I felt like I was there

Day four in  Israel. We hiked. We talked. We sweat. We swam. Happy day. Really good food. Sometimes you have to embrace the oncoming Galilean Cow, sometimes you have to eat a falafel, and sometimes you have to show your chutzpah (Passion, Determination) in passing other tourists of a certain age demographic, who all have matching hats. Hiking Mount Arbel, walking through ruins of 3^rd century synagogues and swimming in the Galilee. Such is life in Israel. From Ellis.

HELLO!! Hi mom and pops!! It’s Lacey and today we went on a big hike to Mount Arbel. We hiked and climbed up the side of the mountain... but luckily there were handles… HELLO! Halfway up we saw caves that various people groups used to live in/hideout in but many times other people groups were hunting them down and would smoke them out and kill them. It made the persecution that we read about in the Bible more real.  We hiked and climbed a big mountain and it was really humid so I drank lots of water from the camel bak. It really brings to life the idea of Jesus being our Mayim Chaim or living water because who doesn’t want that when you are living in the desert?!  So, picture this, at the top of the mountain we find one of the only places with shade under a tree and we have views of the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias, and Magdala. All places mentioned in the bible! Dave Ferreira talked to us at the top about how even Jesus retreated to the mountains to have time alone with the father. It was a good take away and reminder to remember to make time for God even after Joshua when we don’t have that time carved out. And guess what! Last night I had an epiphany… God sent His Son HERE to DIE for us. WOW!!

Desiree Here! Today I was truly impacted at Tabgha, where Dewey taught us. That very beach tells Peter’s story. Dewey portrayed it to us as if he was Peter himself and I felt like I was there with Peter. This story is one of God’s love for us, agape, and how he will always give us a second chance. No matter what we’ve done, no matter what we will do, God will always be there extending His gracious hand toward us to give us another chance when we fail. On the beach of Tabgha, where we stood today, God showed an unconditional love and saving grace that would be extended to everyone once He died on the cross.