Day 01 - Shephelah: Yad Hashmonah, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Beth Guvrin (Maresha)

Today was a great, hard, jet laggy kind of day!

We experienced ruins, graves, archeological digs, olive presses, a wine press, a watch tower, the valley where Samson lived and interacted with Delilah and fought the Philistines.

We had several times of teaching, breakfast lunch and dinner. New friends were made, many steps were taken, and many miles were driven  

We looked out across the valley where David fought Goliath and we’re reminded that God wants us ready to shoot our shot when He calls on us.

Our minds were stretched, faith was grown, and our bodies were tested. New friends were made, old friendships were renewed, and many lights were shared. 

And there were God moments galore! 

Dan Coughlin shared one of his God moments:
“There was a teaching (photo included) Pastor Craig is watching Pastor Melissa teach a lesson on John 15 that he taught her after he learned it from a Rabbi. Others are also in the photo, learning the lesson that they will pass on to others.

I love how Melissa pointed out the difference between looking at the text through an Eastern lens and a Western lens. She explained that we are not wrong to look at it from a Western lens, but that there is also much to learn from the Eastern perspective.

Melissa was able to teach like Jesus taught, pointing to an example of a vine while giving the teaching. I will never read John 15 the same way again, and it was one of my favorite passages before the trip.

This trip has been everything I hoped it would be. I have had the opportunity to interact with passionate teachers who are teaching straight from the Word of God and through the Spirit. This has made me admire and love Jesus even more.”

God is so good and it was a good day!