Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Friday, November 2, 2007

Morning Itinerary: We were busy, busy today once again traveling on the winding, picturesque roads surrounding the Sea of Galilee, making stops at the Mount of Beatitudes where Dr. Charles Miller Jr. of Chatham, VA, read the Sermon on the Mount ("Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God..."); Capernaum, the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry and site of the excavation of a synagogue built in the 3rd to 4th century; and the excavation at Bethsaida which, translated, means "house of the fisherman, where tradition believes Jesus made the statement recorded in Matthew, "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Memorable Boat Ride on The Sea of Galilee: After a lunch of St. Peter's fish in Deck's restaurant on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, we boarded a boat for a ride on the breathtaking waters once calmed by Jesus in the midst of a storm. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder/president of The Fellowship, told the Journey Home to Israel Tour members that the Sea of Galilee is reminder "that there are moments when our lives are choppy, moments when our lives are stormy, and times that are placid." Calling the body of water a "holy place," Rabbi Eckstein said, "There’s a history a beautiful history here. For all of us, this is a place of re-centering our minds, our emotions." To everyone’s delight, Rabbi Eckstein played his guitar and sang three songs including How Good and How Pleasant It Is for Brethren to Dwell Together.

Renewal Baptisms in The Jordan River: Forty-nine tour participants clad in white robes recommitted their lives to God in a renewal of their baptisms during full immersion in the chilly Jordan River, the same tributary where Jesus was baptized. Glorious "hallelujahs" were shouted as Rev. Jerry Clark, IFCJ director of church relations, baptized the faithful during the afternoon ceremony. Asked what the renewal meant to her, Marylou Petit-Reid of Kissimmee, Fla., responded, "It was just being that much closer to Jesus."

Evening Shabbat Experience: Rabbi Eckstein explained the significance of Shabbat, which Jews observe from sunset Fridays through sunset Saturdays, during an impressive evening dinner in the Sheraton Hotel in Tiberias. "Shabbat creates an island of time for you to spend with the Lord, an island of time to bring the Lord into your home and into your family," Rabbi Eckstein said, surrounded by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and baby granddaughter.

Surprises of Israel: For the majority of tour participants, who are enjoying their first trip to the Holy Land, there are the surprises of seeing McDonald's, Burger Kings and KFCs along the highways surrounding the Sea of Galilee. Sightings of ostriches and wild buffaloes brought squeals of delight. And, believe it or not, there are more cell phones in Israel than in any other country (the sad result of Israelis wanting and needing to stay in touch with their loved ones during times of peril.).

Update on Everyone: All is well with everyone, including the tour's two hardiest troopers 90-year-old Lucille Maczino of Palm Bay, Fla., and Al Garrett of Center Point, Tex., who will be 86 on Tuesday.

Itinerary for NOV. 3: We pack our bags early and head up to Jerusalem driving through the Jordan Valley with a stop at Beit She'an, where six Egyptian temples have been discovered.