The Sky is BLUE

After just three hours sleep in 2 nights, I didn't trust myself blogging, even after the bracing waters of the Jordan. So crashed, and here we are at another day.

Beautiful morning. Here's the view out Mike's and my window looking up the hill, away from the lake, to upper Tiberius.

The Synagogue in Capernaum

We came to Capernaum, "the town of Jesus." This is the place where he lives in his final years (Matthew 4:12-17) and does much of his ministry. It is where he heals the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13), and the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12), delivers a demon-possessed man in the synagogue and heals Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:31-44).







The current synagogue dates from the 3rd century A.D. and sits over the original synagogue that was used in Jesus' day. We can see some of the remains of the original.

On the Lake

We wake early and enjoy a delicious buffet, though Lanny is not quite sure if his hot dog is tofu or turkey.


The Sea of Tiberius, otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee, is the lowest freshwater lake in the world at around 700 feet below sea level. It is 13 miles long by 8 miles wide. It is set in the bottom of a basin. Behind us, as we head out on the Lake, are the hills of Tiberius. On the other side, invisible because it's so overcast, is the Golan Heights.

Steve, the messianic pastor leading one of the small groups joining us, leads us in communion. It is a wonderful beginning to our time in the Holy Land.

When our time on the lake is done, we find ourselves in Ginosaur, where the famous "Jesus Boat," was discovered after drought saw lake levels drop. Housed in a museum by the kibbutz, the boat, which is 2000 years old, was carefully preserved over a period of ten years.

In Israel in The Galilee

Well, we're here, but as the walking dead. Some of us didn't sleep at all on either plane. Thankfully this is the land of resurrections, so tomorrow we should be good.

But first, a bit of room arranging. The rooms are small but comfortable. The two beds are small and together. Somewhat awkward. We push them apart. As far apart as we possibly can.

Now we can sleep. It's an early rise here where Jesus walked. And first thing tomorrow: a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Our Reading for Today as We Fly to Israel

Jeremiah 23:3:
Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold. And they shall be fruitful and multiply.

Kiwi Gets Frisked In Germany!

Landed in Frankfurt in the morning after no sleep on the plane whatsoever.
Jumped on the train from A to C. Someone in the bottom left hand corner of this pic looks worried about a certain end times date.

We all got frisked and wanded. My kiwi (our intrepid mascot) got dusted all over for explosives.
We are 2/3 of the way through our flying. Waiting to board the plane to Tel Aviv. Everyone's tired, but pretty exited.

Pregnant Pastor Eats Healthy for Baby

Look who's eating healthy!

And look who's NOT!

Mr K Drives the Bus

We have a pleasant bus ride down to O'Hare with Mr Knapton at the wheel. Topics of conversation range from cults to end times. In this photo I believe we are discussing certain end times theories. Barb despairs of our skepticism. This is gonna be a FUN trip!

Come With Us to Israel

You can join us each day by reading the Scriptures related to one or more sites we'll be visiting.

Here's a link to a daily reading plan I've put together that follows our itinerary:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Byb58i-BbxpLUkNqMXdPdV9UTnlOLV9YZlZsU0JGdw

Pregnant Pastor Poses after Potluck

Ok, ok. It's an optical illusion based on the angle of the light and the way my cell phone altered the shape of my shirt. Yeah, right.

Anyway, here are the LakeView Israel Pilgrims. Or whatever you want to call us. And we are p   s   y   c   h   e   d  !