Enjoy!

Passover is one of the three major feasts in Israel. Kids are out of school and most families will get together and celebrate with special events or trips.

One of the girls on my Nightwatch team is from Northern Israel, up by the Sea of Galilee. She invited us to spend the weekend with her and her family. So, about a dozen of us jumped on a bus and drove 2 1/2 hrs up to Tiberius (west side of the Galilee).

We had an amazing time enjoying the north! I love it up there. It’s much different than Jerusalem, it’s kinda like retreating to the country when you live in a big busy city.

Here we are “camping” by the Jordan. Below that is Matt…aka. Mr Wilderness. This goof-ball went treasure hunting in the dark to find “stuff” that could help us with the fire. He came back with huge tree branches, rocks and my favorite…a, um, well it’s a “shovel” of course!

Here are the Germans making “Smores” for their first time! Israeli smores that is, complete with strawberry marshmellows and all! Oh, and the 2nd picture, Zach and his giant smore!

Matt and Gabi doin’ a little dance (I think?)! Below that, a morning swim in the Jordan.

Boat ride time…across the Galilee we went by “faith”. Me and Gabi smile for the camera.

We stopped in the middle of the sea and sang and danced as we watched an absolutely stunning sunset.

We hiked up to Mt Arbel, which over looked the Galilee and Tiberius. A breath-taking view!  The 2nd picture, the guys being silly, of course.

The Hinton’s blow the shofar and bless us with the Aaronic Blessing (in Hebrew)! I get chills every time I hear the sounding of the shofar…it’s one of my favorite sounds in all the earth!

Our Passover BBQ-Seder…Absolutely delicious, except for the fish patty-things that are a tradition for this meal…in the blue dish (beware in case you ever have to eat one…they’re a bit funky tasting!). On the center plate is what you’d typically see during a Passover Seder. Usually a Seder runs from 2-6 hrs long (at lest), depending on how much of the traditional readings are inserted. Nonetheless, it was amazing to be here during this feast, truely a huge gift to my heart…as I have always wanted to celebrate this special time with the Jews.

Here we are hiking in the Golan (one of my favorite places in Israel). We hiked a 5-hr trail which took us way down into a huge valley or ravine and through several pools and waterfalls. In one part, we all had no way of continueing on the trail unless we swam across a really deep, freezing cold river at the base of a huge waterfall. (sorry, not the one in the picture) The 2nd picture is of one of the smaller falls we past, and if you look closely, you will see some guys repelling down the falls.

After our 5 hour hiking adventure, we then decided to take one last swim, but this time we pulled over during our drive home to jump in the Galilee. It too was cold, but felt great! I think we used up all our reserve energy, and didn’t last too long simming though!

On our last day, we went up on the Mt. of B-Attitudes, where Jesus preach His famous “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt 5-7). And then journeyed into Capernaum. Here we are, one big happy crew up in a fig tree!

While browsing a 24-hr-Mart in Israel, I was surprised to find a familiar face. Yep, the face of the beloved Larabar packaging (yum, one of my favorite bars…I especially recommend cashew cookie). In the states, the price range is $1.00 – $1.50. However, come to find out, it’s not just me who has a high value for a Larabar…their price is 9.90 NIS (shekels), equivalent to $3.00 USD! Oh, and considering the dust, I don’t think freshness is guaranteed…so I passed and will have to wait ’til I’m back in the good ‘ol US of A.

I am now part of a team called the “NightWatch” and we pray for Israel through the wee hours of the night. And every Thursday we do what is called “Mobile Watch” which is where we go to different locations throughout Jerusalem and pray on-site. Last night at 1am we went to the UN headquarters. It was awesome to pray for them and the land where their offices are located. Which, by the way, is on a mountain called “the Mountain of Evil Council” and is where Solomon’s wives lived with all their foreign idols and gods.

This mountain has an amazing view of the Old City. Here we are “Standing on the Wall” praying towards the Old City…”Awake, Oh Sleepers!”

This is a picture of the Old City…kinda looks like Jerusalem’s on fire!

This is the Gate that faces the east..aka. the Golden Gate and the Beautiful Gate. (I took this picture standing on the Mount of Olives.)
There is a Muslim graveyard in front and the gate has been closed off for hundreds of years. However, one day the Messiah (Jesus) will return through this gate and establish His kingdom forever!

Afterward the man [an angel] brought me to the gate, the gate that faces east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the east and His voice was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory…And the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east. Ez 43:1,2,4

Notice the thick hedge all around…yep, guess who’s all hedged in here? Ps 139:5 “You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”Sorry about the sideways pictures…if anyone knows how to rotate photos using a Mac, feel free to let me know.

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words…and sometimes a pictures doesn’t really say anything at all, but it’s still nice to look at.

Olive trees are very common in Israel and are actually quite fascinating. Did you know that the older the tree gets, the wider it’s trunk becomes. And what actually happens is that the trunk begins to separate and the bark falls off a little bit. What is so amazing is that these trees then have new little shoots that spring up from it’s roots. As the shoots grow, they actually become the strategic support that the tree needs to survive and not fall over.

Baby shoots springing up from the root

Both these trees are thought to possibly be the area of the garden of Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane are eight remaining ancient olive-trees. The name Gethsemane is derived from the Hebrew Gath-shamma, meaning “oil-press”.

Also, another fun fact is that olive trees must be cultivated, if not then these otherwise “wild” olive trees bear no fruit.

Oh, and by the way, the olives here are absolutely delicious!

Here’s my new view from my new abode. Amazing, isn’t it?

Here’s some more kids (at the park in Jerulsalem)…and story coming soon about the guy in the front who was raised from the dead!…stay posted

and more kids (in Jericho)

I went into Jericho today with a team to give food and clothes to the poor. Jericho is a city that has been given over to Palestinian Authority. And I must say it was awesome to just love the people and play with dozens of kids!

Here is a picture one of the girls made me with all my new little friends. I’m not sure if you can see it, but one of the little girls, Hneia, ran up to me and gave me a big hug and kiss and put her butterfly clip in my hair. So cute!