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

Waking up in the Holy Land of our God is surreal in and of itself, but add all the energy, an amazing group of believers, and GTI tours- we not only saw but experienced.  

It’s different in person. When you see places you’ve read in scripture in literal living color, it hits differently. God chose His people and this place for a reason.

For me it becomes more REAL. More tangible. Like you can reach out and touch it. It’s really hard to put into words. In my head, this place freezes in time - Aa time when there were no cars, no stores, and no cell phones and in a way it has. In our hearts may we never forget the history and what it meant. 

Today we got up (after losing an additional hour of sleep due to Israeli Daylight Savings Time) and hit the ground running.. well maybe not running but we were ready.  

We hit a garden first. A garden called Yad Hashmonah at Kiriath-Jearim located in the mountains of Judah. And one of the first lessons was that context matters and that’s something we know, but again the depths of history changes how we see it. We learned the natural resources of the country and with it being milk, honey, almonds and olive oil no wonder God called it the Promised Land. We learned of seasons and harvests. It was extremely enlightening.  

We also ventured to the creek bed where the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob defeated the god of the Philistines or as we often refer… where David defeated Goliath. We then gathered stones from that creek.  

In addition, we visited Beth Shemesh and spoke of Samson and the part he played in God’s plan.  

We saw something unbelievable at Beth Guvrin/Maresha in an underground home. As hot as it was outside, it was that cool inside.  

Lastly we had a praise service in a quarry after we learned of the God-given chalky underground resource that generates revenue for God’s people. 

My brain is on overload. I barely scratched the surface of all that we have learned. I can’t believe it’s only the 1st day! 

So excited for more!! My lens is forever changed.  I will never be the same.  

Thank you Lord for this incredible opportunity!! Believe me when I say - words are inadequate. 

Wendi Billington