...just as they did so long ago.

Today is Thursday November 16th, day 5 of this forever life changing trip. As they say in Hebrew this has been a “Sababa" kind of day. Said with a thumbs up it means, good, all is well. I say AMAZING! Our day began and ended in the Sea of Galilee. This morning at 8:30 AM four sisters in Christ were baptized, Zoe Utterback, Suzanne Newman, Peg Keffer and Kathy Donley. As they came out of the water the group shouted, “Glory be to God”.

Qatzrin
“It’s not about your personal pita, it is about community”. This is the simple theme that comes to mind. A beautiful village where we actually pressed olives into oil, rolled out our individual pita breads and watched them cook over an open fire. We all gathered around large tables and shared a meal of bread, goat cheese, hyssop oil and preserves just as they did so long ago. “Family”, “Community” comes to mind. I was reminded that our families and extended families today are so important. We need to pray for each other, love each other and share our lives with each other.

Mt Bental and Golan Heights
I wondered why here? What is the Spiritual significance of Israeli bunkers and old battle zones from the 6 day war? Pondering the view of battle scarred Syria and stories of Israeli success I was reminded of God’s favor and protection on Israel.

Caesarea Philippi
We visited this pagan Roman city built in honor of King Herod by his son. It was here that Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?” Wow! we stood on the ground where Jesus declares that He is the Messiah.

Dan
One of the 12 tribes of Israel, turned pagan. Visiting the location of Dan (northern Israel) is not what struck me, but who lived there and what they did. The great grandson of King David turned to idolatry. Yes, the great grandson of King David! King Jeroboam. My heart immediately burdened with the truth and that is; we must pray continually for our children and grandchildren.

Today was a day filled with history and facts. As a matter of fact everyday is so far. I’ve tried to be brief so, how did we end this day? After dinner a group of us decided to go for a swim, in the dark in the Sea of Galilee. A little on the cool side but well worth it. I could not possibly be in Israel, staying seaside in Galilee and not go in the water. The very sea on which my Jesus walked on water. As we ran into the water you could here screeches of joy yelling, “I’m swimming in the Sea of Galilee”

Shalom
Alicia Hinshaw