On the Road to Bethlehem
On the Road to Bethlehem
[June 17th, 2006]
Today we visited places where Jesus walked, spoke, and performed miracles. We used the weekend for a transition between Mar Elias and Bethlehem stopping at some of the most holy sights on the way. We started by going to Tabgha at the Church of Bread and Fish that housed the rock where Jesus was said to have placed the bread to change the five loaves and two fish to feed the five thousand. It also had a famous mosaic from the Byzantine time of the loaves and fish. Then we stopped at Capernaum, 
the town of Jesus' ministry. We saw Peter's house and an old Jewish temple. We also went to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, where Jesus blessed Peter and made him the shepherd of his people. Many of us waded into the Sea of Galilee and later took a boat ride into the middle 
of the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing to be in the place where Jesus calmed a storm and walked on water. We left the sea and went up the mountain on which Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. Our group has been having devotions in the morning, 
but today we saved it and read the Beatitudes in a small garden on top of the mountain. We ate lunch at a monastery and then had an hour for meditation and prayer. This time was peaceful, spirit-filled, and rejuvenating. After leaving this holy place, we drove through Tiberius, 
a Jewish city, and through the Qumran mountains, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and also where many Bedouins reside. On the way to Bethlehem, we drove through the magnificent city of Jerusalem. We pulled up to the town of Bethlehem with a wall surrounding it. The Israelis are 
building this wall around Bethlehem, an Arab town, where they cannot leave or enter. When we arrived at the gate, Paul said, "This reminds me of the sally ports at the prison where I used to work." On the outside of the wall, there was a huge sign reading, "Peace be with you. -Isreali Department of Tourism". When we arrived at the hotel I looked outside to see children playing with trash. 
It is heart-breaking to see the poverty these people are forced to live in.-Thank you for all the blog posts- it helps so much to know that you guys are praying! We love you and miss you! -Katie
posted by MMUMC VIM '06 @ 9:39 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
WOW! I was moved to tears when I read of your time on the Mount and at the Monestary. Then I read that it was Katie who wrote today's blog and that did it! I am so happy for you guys and so thankful for your safety... And so especially grateful for this blog and the photos! God bless each of you as you prepare for this week of service. Love and Prayers, Barb (And Glen)
i'm so glad that each of you have had such a blessing by being able to see all these places. this is truly awesome to read each day, so i can't even begin to fathom what it must be like to actually be there. you remain in my prayers each day. i love and miss you katie. <3
Your Sea of Galilee pictures brought me to tears as I realized Jesus still brings the calm to my "Sea of Galilee" storms and He does the same for all who will trust Him. God bless you for taking His message...so that others can know HIS peace in their storms.
Peace & Love,
June
It's so amazing to know what you guys are doing and seeing. It is so moving just to see the pictures and here the stories of how all of your lives are being changed. You are in my prayers daily. I love you Katie.
Love, Jackie
Oh wow. I can hardly think of the actual places so far away that Jesus traveled. I think that this trip you guys are on is something that every Christian should experience. Someday I will try to make this trip myself and I'll be able to see this wonderful land myself. It's hard to fathom little Katie so far away but it sounds like you're experiencing something absolutely wonderful. My heart and prays are with you all as you make this wonderous journey. Love and best wishes for a happy and safe journey, Michael B. (MichaelDan)
p.s. I miss you Newanda =P (that's Katie for all of you who she hasn't told)
Wow. I really don't know what to say, I think everything was basically covered in everyone else's commments. Everything looks so beautiful in the pictures, but I suppose you never really see much more than that in pictures do you? You are all in my prayers, I hope you will continue to work wonders in the lives of many. Love, Meghan
Katie,
We are so happy that you are having such a rewarding experience in the Holy Land. I sure liked my stay there, but was not able to do nearly as much as you as it was a military tour if you will. God Bless you and the whole team. Look forward to your safe return. You will cherish these moments the rest of your life. Bartok Crew
Katie,
We are so happy that you are having such a rewarding experience in the Holy Land. I sure liked my stay there, but was not able to do nearly as much as you as it was a military tour if you will. God Bless you and the whole team. Look forward to your safe return. You will cherish these moments the rest of your life. Bartok Crew
Katie, your parents have been keeping us informed on your special adventure. Tom thinks it's great that you are getting to experience the Holy Land. He had such a different experience because he was there as part of the military. God bless you for all of your hard work and concern. Good luck in the remainder of your visit. We hope you have a safe return, and we hope to see you again before you head out to college. Love,
Tom and Christa and all the girls.
P.S. You never did play the song...
This blog is such a blessing! It is a joy to read and see the pictures. It makes us wish we were there to experience it with you! You are walking where Jesus walked!! And ministering in His name. Wow. We are praying for you all! Love, Diane, Phil, Jackie and Jessie
Hey Everyone!!! I am so glad to hear that you are getting to experience the places where Jesus taught walked and performed miracles!! Soak it all in! I want you to know that you are not only being great witnesses in everywhere that you go, but you are also being great witnesses to us back at home! It is amazing to see how God has been using your group in so many ways! I am praying and cheering for you here as I sit on the sidelines! Keep running the race, cause you still have 1 week more to go! God is going to use the next week to do GREAT things!! Are you ready for it?! I am!!! Can't wait till the next post!! In Christ, Tim
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