November 3, 2004

This is my last day in Galilee, so I will be getting new photos, diary and impressions to you tomorrow. These are pictures from my first day in class here in Jerusalem. I was looking at the pictures I have taken and was thinking about how we get where we are going. We were at the top of the Mount of Olives and it is a wonderful view. When you go you have to beware. The warnings tell us that there are pick pockets looking for the unsuspecting tourist. (There are not as many tourists these days!) There are also children and adults wanting to sell you pictures of the city, post cards and even olive twigs. Olive trees are as plentiful as Maple trees back home. Can you imagine buying a few maple leaves for twenty or fourty cents? On the top, you can go for a camel ride. If you only take a picture of the camel, they still want some of your money (and they got it).

When you go on from there to the other side of the mountain, you head for Bethany. I think I said in another entry that Bethany is about 2,000 steps from the other side of the mount of Olives. If you look down the hill toward Bethany you see the security wall. I don't have a picture from up about yet. I do have pictures from Bethany. These are two pictures with children heading home from school. If you see the words, Abu Dis, that is the Arab name for the town we call Bethany. In some villages and cities, the wall goes around the town, here it goes through.

Some journeys are hard to take and provide many obstacles and barriers. When we are in the midst of a hard journey we appreciate help. When we are on a journey that is easier, we are in the position to help those who are encountering more barriers than they can manage. It is true here and it is true right where we all live.

I know it's not Christmas yet, but I wish you peace,

Ralph+

November 4, 2004

We returned from Galilee today. We went through much of the region of Galilee, spent our nights and some of our day time in Nazareth. There too, we heard the sounds of Ramadan; fireworks, prayers and music. We saw fertile land, the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. In the next day or two, I hope to add and entry for our Sunday School children, who asked some specific questions about Galilee. One question was, "what type of fish is in it?". The rumor that I heard was that the type of fish in the Sea of Galilee was Holy Mackerel. I found out that there are no Holy Mackerel in the Lake. Look for an entry on the Christian Education page of our web site for answers.

My first picture for today is a shot of the Sea of Galilee, or sometimes known as Lake Tiberias. It is a beautiful, clean lake, about 16 miles long and about 8 miles wide. It's water is used for drinking and irrigation throughout much of the country. People still fish its' waters. Jesus spent time in boats on this lake. From a nearby hillside, He could see his friends in trouble on a boat and walked on the water to help them. We know that Jesus went to Synagogue(church) in Capernaum. The second picture is of a synagogue in Capernaum that may have been there when Jesus was. It is a short walk from what is believed to be Peter's home. So, I may have walked where Jesus fished and worshiped and visited his friend. I am wondering if the last picture might be one of the children Jesus told his disciples that he wanted to spend time with and love. They thought it was a waste of his time, but Jesus didn't. He put his arms around them and listened to them. When we do the same, we walk where Jesus walked.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Ralph+