Snapshots in My Mind

I tried to come to Bridge Bible Church Israel 2015 with no pre-conceived ideas and no set expectations. I knew it would be an incredible trip of a lifetime. I knew it would make the Bible come alive. I knew I would be with great friends and make new ones. I knew I would sit under the incredible teaching of Dr. Sam Meier, Pastor Eric Simpson, Pastor Ryan Doughty, and our local Israeli guide Ronan. But as far as what any of that would actually feel like, or look like…I didn’t want to try to imagine. I just wanted to experience each moment and soak it in as it happened.

To that end, I decided to stay off of all social media, internet and technology for these 10 days. Except for writing this blog, and checking Messenger to report in with family at home, my goal has been to be very “in the moment” at all times. In fact, I haven’t even taken any photographs (knowing that my wife and others are capturing some great pictures). I have tried to capture those images in my mind…to soak in the emotion and knowledge and imagery of each moment of each stop along the way. I’ve had some amazing memories the past few days, Here are some of my “snapshot” highlights of today.

Beginning the day standing at the shore of the Sea of Galilee…Pastor Ryan spoke on Hebrews 11 and the great cloud of witnesses (Biblical patriarchs that we’ve been learning about) that surround us today. As he spoke at that site, I felt that cloud of witnesses cheering me on in my faith.

Getting on a boat for a Sea of Galilee boat ride…Dr. Sam taught about the imagery of the Sea being the most powerful symbol of evil for the Hebrews and how when Jesus calmed the seam he was actually conquering that very image his disciples had of evil and death. I felt the power of Jesus to conquer the fear in my life.

Enjoying a wonderful dance party on the boat…this served as a chance for us to simply celebrate as a group,

At Dan… learning so much from the Old Testament and how the Tribe of Dan did not accept God’s wonderful gift of land and how they took matters into their own hands and the absolute mess that caused for them. I can still hear Dr. Sam talk about the difference of veering from God, and adjusting back to him, as opposed to leaving Him and staying on that wrong road.

Finally, baptisms in the Jordan River…I got the amazing privilege of seeing a woman who started our Israel trip not knowing Jesus, profess her new faith and get baptized in the same river where Jesus himself was baptized.

These are but a few of my “snapshots “ that will never leave my mind.

by Brian Wohlgemuth