Two Cows and a Cave

Shabbat Shalom from Israel.  I am one of the members of this wonderful group in Israel.  My name is Jodi Behn and I am visiting Israel for the first time with my husband, Dave.  Being a Jewish believer makes this trip especially exciting. Today was without exception the best day yet, but we keep saying the same thing over again.

First we started today with worship as a group down on the Sea of Galilee which is actually a lake! After the prayer from Pastor Mike, we listened to a couple of worship songs that led us into God's presence is such a powerful way. This water was glistening and calm....truly a beautiful experience. While we were sitting there a couple walked down the pier and sat down with us, and listened to the music and both had tears. Kathleen hugged the woman and thanked her for joining us. It was a very moving experience.

Next was the hardest but most incredible hike to Mt Arbel. It took some of us a couple of hours but halfway up we were treated to seeing a magnificent look at a crusader encampment built in the mountain!   Any of you who know me know I don't do heights very well.....well that seems to have gotten a lot better with God leading the way and a group of wonderful new friends and some old ones encouraging me along the way. (Thanks to Danny and Amanda, my hubby, Kathleen and Roger)! I appreciate you "talking me down off the ledge" (not really) but they did help with my moments when fear gripped me along the very narrow very high path. The final part of the hike was rock climbing where metal handholds were used to help pull ourselves up to the TOP! We then saw the entire Sea of Galilee, and Jordan on the other side....OMG, I really couldn't believe I did it. We were treated to some awesome teaching from Mike on what does it mean to follow a rabbi!

We stopped in Magdala which is a new dig here and tourists are not getting to see it yet but we did. This is the area where Mary Magdalene came from. Very interesting to see that the Bible and history is still being unearthed to this day. At this dig they found a Moses seat which is part of the synagogue where the Torah would be interpreted. Also uncovered was a menorah probably from the third century.

The weather today was gorgeous and our trip to Capernaum was especially touching, to walk where Jesus walked and where he preached in the synagogue!!!! He was probably handed the scroll of Isaiah....today the spirit of The Lord is on me he would have recited, and that Scripture became fulfilled in Christ. OMG, it really is making the Word come alive. Ronan our Israeli guide beautifully described the synagogue and what would happen in ancient times there as well as today. He also treated us to some of the portion of his Torah reading in Hebrew when he was bar mitzvah. I sat there and realized that my heritage and root to this culture spans continents and I am still connected and will always be connected to the nation of Israel by Yahweh and my roots run deep.

Ronan told us all about how rabbis have authority to pass on their rabbinic duties to the next rabbi when it was time for them to step down, but that usually wouldn't happen until a student was almost 40!   We were then treated to teaching by Pastor Mike when we moved on from Capernaum to Chorazin where we heard about repentance and rest for our souls by giving out burdens to Christ.

Our final stop of the day included the Mt of Beatitudes or where they believe Jesus preached about those who are blessed and who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. We sat listening to Pastor Mike's inspiring lesson while gazing out at the Sea of Galilee....really???   Pinch me, am I really here?????

Yes, I am, and I couldn't be more exhausted from everything we've done or more excited about what's coming tomorrow!!!!!

Thank you, Lord, the day is finished off with a marvelous meal, and some great conversation with Mike. It's finally time to get some shut eye since I promised Rosemarie Arrevelo and Steve Pollock that I would meet them at 5:30 tomorrow morning for a dip in the Sea of Galilee!! Oye vey......shalom.

Jodi Behn