Day 03 - Mon Nov 28

Another day of joy and discovery! It is wonderful to witness our participants becoming accustomed to our new surroundings. Not only are relationships being built, but our participants are feeling increasingly comfortable around each other, buddies, and support staff. As the jet lag continues to wear off and energy levels increase, our participants’ personalities are on full display. We are all becoming hooked on hearing Angie’s enthusiastic, “WOW!” when we enter a new place. Calvin and Nate are becoming fast friends, fist-bumping and checking in with one another throughout the day. Jean showed off a new vest she crocheted and took a turn pushing the olive press. John’s exuberant laugh is contagious as he declares how proud his parents will be to hear that he ate fish today on the shore of Galilee! Once-shy Deborah is opening up and sharing her thoughts more, Kristen is teaching us that she’s always game to try something new, and Rich swells with pride when he correctly answers one of George’s questions.

It was a day full of sensory experiences. What a gift to be able to feel, see, smell, touch, and taste our way through the Bible! We felt the wind, reminding us of the presence of God, during our devotional time after breakfast. We saw a reconstruction of a first century home, walking through the rooms and climbing a ladder into the upper room. Our participants touched a flour mill and took turns working an olive press. After hiking down from our time overlooking the Sea of Galilee and listening to George read the Beatitudes, we made it down to the shore where we could smell fresh fish roasting on a charcoal fire. Everyone then had the opportunity to taste the fish and remember the story of Jesus cooking breakfast for his disciples in John 21. And all of this took place before lunchtime (which was the best falafel in all the Galilee—and maybe the world)!

Now we’ve made our way out of the Galilee, down the Jordan River Valley, and to the Dead Sea at dark. Tomorrow morning will begin with a float on this famously salty water, and I for one can’t wait to hear Angie’s, “WOW!” Wow, indeed. We’re awestruck by all our awesome God is doing and expectant for all he has to give tomorrow! Thank you for your prayers!