At Tel Dan, we actually were able to see the gate that Abraham stormed to free Lot after he was captured by the Caananites. We were so awed by the fact that archeologists had uncovered the actual gate and road leading to it and that we were standing where Abraham had stood! There are many sites that are "traditionally thought" to be certain Biblical sites, but our guide took us to ones where there was actual physical evidence to support it. Amazing how you can see Scripture "come to life"!

These pictures are from our early morning boatride on the Sea of Galilee. Our captain is a believer and a wonderful Singer. He led us in some beautiful praise and worship songs in English then Hebrew. Our pastor/guide read scripture and we prayed together. It was so amazing to be where Jesus actually walked the shores and as our guide pointed out- the water too! Unbelievable experience.

For some reason I cannot add any more pictures now but I will try again in the morning. I don't know when I have been so tired! We hiked up and down mountain paths of stone for over two hours today and man, my legs are feeling it! I loved seeing Herod's fortress at Mezada. The guide we have is an archeologist and he had so many interesting things to add to what we saw. Then seeing Ein-Gedi, the place where David and his men hid from Saul in the mountain caves was so incredible! It was quite a hike but worth it. Our guide said it was a level 6 hike but Bryce said if it was ,then level 10 must be climbing straight up a cliff! We all were huffing and puffing! It really brings to mind that old hymn "He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock" and how God protected David. After lunch we went to the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and it was so facinating! When we left there, we headed to the Sea of Galilee where we are spending two nights. We are staying in a nice Kibbutz guesthouse right on the water. A kibbutz is a very interesting concept where a community owns these family styled motel like places where the people who own the Kibbutz work. It originated from the Jews that immigrated from Russia and they sort of had this communist - socialist mindset. No one owned anything but everyone owned it all. Most failed because of the fallen nature of man to be lazy and now almost all are more capitalistic and seem to work very well. It is a very safe and family styled community and I am enjoying the people. In the morning we will go on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee so I can't wait! Talk to you then!

Hello from the Holy Land! It is 3am here but we r wide awake. My body thinks it is 6pm so...

It is 930 here so after a very long day and a yummy supper we r going to bed in our Kubbutz! I will have internet tom!

We landed safe and sound! Now 2 hour ride to the Negev! Text more later...

ing all night!

We are waiting to leave for Tel Aviv! 'The Lord's compassions are new every morning. Great is Thy Faithfulness.' Lam 3:23 I am counting on that after fly

We are ready to go!

Well, we are sitting in the airport now in Atlanta! I have not been able to get my phone to connect to the Internet so I will only be able to post in the evenings, mostly when we get back to our hotels. Our first night will be in a "Guesthouse" so I do not know if I will have Internet access then but all the other hotels will. Getting through security was quite an adventure! I went through first as we were sure I would go through quickly and be on the other side to get our belongings. WRONG! I beeped and continued to do so as I began removing one thing at a time until I had only the bare essentials to protect my modesty. After I was thoroughly searched and tested for explosive residue, I was cleared. Bryce then began his own ordeal! He of course beeps every time because of his replaced knee and the metal in his neck. Add to that, his dark hair and forbidding countenance, he is always suspected of something evil. He was thoroughly searched as well and was, as he says, "assaulted" by the officials.Bryce said he thinks the guard made a pass at him! He says to assure everyone that our airline is extremely thorough. So we wait now for our connecting flight to Philadelphia. More later!

learn how to use it!

Wow, we leave for Atl after Church this morn! I had such a day yesterday trying to get ready. I broke my phone and finally got another, I just hope I can

Only 5 more days until we leave to go to the Holy Land! We are so excited!