Today was our first full day in Israel and we went to where it all began.

On our way to Bethlehem we stopped at Herodian, the mountain that Herod the Great moved, literally, to where he wanted it, in order to be buried there. He may not have been the greatest king to the Jews but he had a lot of amazing building projects! We had a beautiful view of Bethlehem and Jerusalem just 6 miles away. We also saw actual shepherds keeping watch over their flock just outside the city of Bethlehem, and saw how it would be all too perfect for the Angels to appear to them!

Next we made our way to the Shepherds Fields, a church dedicated to the Shepherds who first heard the Good News of great joy and sand "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" and read from Luke 2. From the shepherds mountain we could see a clear distinction of the Apartheid Wall/Security Wall that separates Jerusalem from the Palestinian side. Bethlehem is the largest, Christian, Palestinian city and from Herodian you can see how difficult it is for the Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully.

Next we were invited to a wood shop that supports local carvers of Olive Wood - and among other souvenirs we bought a gift for the church! :)

After this we got a new guide for seeing the Church of the Nativity. Our regular guide is a Christian who was born inside the walls of Old Jerusalem and has lived in New Jerusalem for many years. Since he is not a Palestinian, and Bethlehem is in Palestinian territory (just 6 miles away), he could not go inside the church with us. Our new tour guide was great, but it really puts a new perspective on the issues between Israel and Palestine as we watch them from afar in the United States.

We did see the place where it is believed that Jesus was born and where Mary laid him in a manger. The Church of the Nativity had an Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic Church that all claim rights to the same building. Needless to say, it makes any church issues we might encounter seem SO MUCH more manageable!

We finished the day by going to the Church of St Peter at Gallicantu where Jesus was imprisoned the night before he was crucified and where Peter denied knowing him, three times, just as predicted.

Our days continue to be very full and we are quite often exhausted, but it is worth it!

Don't forget to check out our Facebook page for photos!

This morning our main purpose was to cross into Israel. Normally it wouldn't have been as big of a deal except for the fact that this busiest crossing checkpoint where we were supposed to go, had to stop accepting people at a certain time because the Shabbat, the Sabbath begins for Jews on Friday at Sundown, 4:23pm. On top of that, there were 22 BUSES of Palestinian individuals making their way back from a Holy Day outside of Israel and all coming back today. Well maybe not all, but 22 buses feels like a lot. It reminded me of the worst parts of Black Friday and why it's crazy!

After making it across the border into Orael, (with our bags!) we had to quickly make our way to Qumran before the National Park closed for the Sabbath. We saw Qumran where the oldest pieces of Biblical scro were found on accident by a Jordanian shepherd. After a visit here and a late lunch we made our way towards Jerusalem. To say coming into Jerusalem is awe-inspiring is an understatement. The drove up is beautiful!

We also made our way to the Garden at Gethsemane and that church that sits on top of it, remembering Jesus' suffering as he prayed before his crucifixion. The church is beautiful and we also got to see a 3000 year old tree, which means it is very possible that Jesus was praying under THAT tree the night before he was executed.

Finally back to the hotel and up bright and early for some new site seeing!

It is rather difficult to get photos loaded on this blog, but you can certainly check out our FB and they are posted there! :)

Today was somewhat bittersweet, but all in all a great first day.  We arrived to a fabulous dinner, not really sure if it in fact was dinner, or breakfast, or lunch, according to our stomachs, but thankful for the amazing spread no matter our body clocks.  After much needed night's sleep we were up and ready to get to Petra for the day.

When meeting our tour guide downstairs we discovered that there was snow in Petra, and we were not able to travel there.  Our tour guide had tried many different options in hopes we could get there today, but the police said do not come, the roads will be closed...  This was a major bummer to many, as several had come on this trip, JUST to see Petra.  Our guide, Michel (named after the archangel Michael), said, "Eh, don't worry, it's just a bunch of rocks."  That kind of brought things into perspective though, he made us laugh, but we certainly wanted to see it.  Our guide and driver have been great, and we were able to see Mt. Nebo and Madaba in addition to Jerash, an ancient Roman city sitting in the heart of a modern city

Jerash is about 20-25% uncovered/excavated and has more than 80% to go and is the second most visited site in Jordan, just under, you guessed it... Petra :)

Our tour guide, Michel, and bus driver Aladdin (yes, Aladdin) were very helpful and knowledgable as we toured through Jerash, which was no where on our plans.  After a full morning of ancient ruins, and learning about older days in Jerash/Jordan we headed out to lunch.

We heard the Islamic call to prayer while we were there, and enjoyed a wonderful buffet of food.

After lunch we headed towards Madaba.  Madaba is a place that may not be as famous as Petra, but is seriously helpful in understanding pilgrimage to the "Holy Lands."  

The Madaba Map is part of a floor mosaic in the early Byzantine church of Saint George at Madaba, Jordan. The Madaba Map is a map of the Middle East. Part of it contains the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the Holy Lands and especially Jerusalem.. It dates to the 6th century AD and helps us understand the early pilgrims and what they were coming to see.

Following our time there we headed to Mt. Nebo where Moses was allowed to view the promised land, but unable to enter it because he had disobeyed God when the Israelites were complaining to him about bringing them into the wilderness and needing water. Oh the irony as we were there on a rainy day and unable to see much.  On a much clearer day than we experienced, you can actually see Jericho and the Dead Sea from the peak of Mt. Nebo.  It is easy to see why God would have wanted Moses to visit here, and show him what has been promised to Abraham's ancestors.  It was still rainy, so we did not stay there very long, but were treated to hot tea as we entered a mosaic making shop that looks very similar to the mosaics like on in the floor of St. George Church.  The process is very time consuming and definitely an art! This particular place employees nearly 80 artists and over 1/3 of them are special needs individuals. The government is incredibly supportive and offers to ship any of their art anywhere in the world for free as a way to support their livelihood and art.

After another dinner at the hotel, and more conversations about our itinerary with others, we have settled into the night, anxious to cross the border into Israel and see what it has to offer!

We are so excited to share our journey with you!  We hope that you will join us in prayer as we make this journey, and we will also hold you in prayer at some of these most sacred sites of our timeless faith community.

We will post updates as much as we can - but in the meantime, you can check out our itinerary below.

o   January 13, 2015 - Depart the USA on an international flight to Amman, Jordan

o   January 14, 2015 - Arrive in Amman, Jordan and transfer to the hotel

o   January 15, 2015 - Petra

§  We will travel south from Amman for a visit to the famous Rock City of Petra. Just getting to Petra is an adventure. We’ll ride a horse or carriage to the Siq, the long, narrow entrance into Petra. Once there, we can marvel at the rose colored rock and extensive carving. A whole city was literally cut into the cliff sides. 

o   January 16, 2015 - Mt. Nebo, Madaba, cross border to Israel, Jericho, and Qumran

§  We will visit Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34) before he died. On a clear day we may have an inspiring, breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Continue to Madaba, "the city of Mosaics," where we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George that features a vivid sixth-century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. We will then travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of the Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Jericho, we will visit the ruins of the ancient city which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:20). From Jericho, we will see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11).  We will then make our way to Jerusalem for the night.

o   January 17, 2015 - Ein Karem, Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Fields, Church of the Nativity, Herodion (Jerusalem)

§  In Bethlehem, we’ll visit the cave revered as the place Jesus was born (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby we will view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. We will visit the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done (Matt. 26:30).

o   January 18, 2015 - (Jerusalem) Old City, Cardo, Southern Wall Excavations, Teaching Steps, Western Wall, Pool of Bethesda, Church of St. Anne, Antonia Fortress, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre

§  On this day we will enter the Old City and visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. We can walk the
 Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored, view the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. We will visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1 - 11), walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

o   January 19, 2015 - (Jerusalem) Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Mt. Zion, Upper Room, House of Caiaphas, Garden Tomb.

§  We will have the opportunity to stand in "an" Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Mount Zion is also where we’ll see King David’s Tomb. We will visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57) where Jesus was imprisoned for a night and worship at the Garden Tomb (Matt. 27:33).  We will also have the opportunity to see the sound and light show at the Tower of David!

o   January 20, 2015 - Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana and Tiberias

§  On this day we will visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial. We will travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other and then travel to Nazareth, his boyhood home (Luke 26-56). We will then recall Jesus’ first miracle as you ride through Cana (John 2:1- 11) and overnight in Tiberias.

o   January 21, 2015 - Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, and Tabgha

§  With Bible in hand, we will cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee. Along the way, we will enjoy a special on board worship service. We’ll arrive in Capernaum, where Jesus chose to center his ministry and visit the synagogue site where Jesus most certainly taught and worshiped (Matt. 4:13; Mark 3:1, 8:5 and 14). We will travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7) and at Tabgha, we'll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17).

o   January 22, 2015 - Transfer to airport for return flight to USA