Hope you all are doing well! We are having such a wonderful time here, but we do want you to know that we miss our families and are looking forward to seeing you soon. Hope all is well with each of you.
Today, of course, was another BIG day. It all started with an early-morning climb up Mount Arbel which led to a breathtaking view of the entire Galilee region. There we talked about discipleship and prayer before a thrilling hike down the mountain. Then, we headed up to the northern end of the Sea where we made stops at Tabgah and the Mount of Beatitudes. At Tabgah, we learned a little bit about fishing and Jesus's lordship in our lives. The Mount of Beatitudes was an exciting adventure as an Arab-Christian man, named Basaam, happened upon our group and asked us to pray for him. He openly confessed a lot of sin and struggle and we prayed for him there in the same area where Jesus spoke the words, "Blessed are the poor in Spirit." It was quite a moment. Afterwards, we had lunch at Chorazin and toured the city there - learning about insula (community), synagogue, and gethsemane. Our last site of the day was Capernaum - the home base of Jesus' ministry. We got to read Jesus' great discourse from John 6 on the foundation above the very temple where he would have preached those words. A powerful time. We finished up the day with a chance to swim in the Sea of Galilee. It was a much-needed time of refreshing after a long, hard day of hiking.
We are having a great time and really do appreciate all the hello's, well-wishes and prayers. Everyone is feeling good for the most part (aside from achy joints and muscles) and we are all pretty much over our jet-lag now which is also a blessing.
Enough talk....time for more pictures!!
1. Big group shot at Arbel, 2. Marty teaching at Chorazin, 3. Matt teaching at Chorazin 4. Our friend, Basaam - pray for him! 5. Matt teaching at Tabgah 6. Forge students on top of Arbel 7. Amanda, John, Jason and Kimberly atop Arbel 8. Having fun on the hike up Arbel 9. Fun in the Sea of Galilee at the end of the day!
It makes my heart so happy to see y'all on top of Mt. Arbel!! I'm praying that y'all will remember, remember, remember, all the things you are learning and seeing!! Beags, "I sing you to me!"
ReplyDeleteWonderful day . . . hope you rest well. :D Thanks so much for the pictures and the links! Hi to Loren. :D
ReplyDeleteVic and Suebee Ransom
Again - thanks so much for the updates and especially for the pictures. If I can't talk to Bacon Pitts at least I get to see his smiling face. I have shared these photos and blogs with several of the individuals that have supported Jason this year and it has allowed them to feel a part of this amazing trip. LOVE YOU JASON!!!
ReplyDeleteYou all look so good, happy and I'm sure your hearts are filled with joy at what you are seeing and hearing. The picture of everyone running into the Sea of Galilee is wonderful, I would love a copy. Please tell Casey, aka, Brian/Caleb Howdy!Love, The Hardings
ReplyDeleteMatt and Darcie,
ReplyDeleteWe passed Heidi off to Nana and Pops tonight. Heidi didn't cry but Deedee almost did! She is doing great! We all ate at Cracker Barrel up by Grapevine Mall and Heidi charmed the waitress with her smiles and jabber. Then Nana and Pops headed out for Plano while we headed for Ft. Worth. What a special time for us!
Love, Deedee and Papa
P.S. Sophia broke both bones in her lower leg on Saturday. Aunt Diane headed there today from here. More news later.
Thank you for your detailed posts and great pictures. Thought you would like to know that Nana and Pops met DeeDee and Papa for dinner tonight and sweet Heidi is soundly asleep at our house now. What a joy she is! She walked up to one of the pictures and said, "Mama and Heidi!" Love to you all. Tell Jodie hi and we miss you all. Love, Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the pictures that you are taking the time to post!!!! Yall look so hardcore!!! Love and am so proud of all of you. Please give Emily a hug for us! Mike and Susie Thompson
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting these updates. It is great to hear what is happening day to day. Love the shot in the Sea of Galilee today - beautiful! Praying for you all. Much love and huge hugs to Brooke and Andrew!! Mom and Dad H! And thanks for remembering my birthday BEFORE you left.:-)
ReplyDeleteenjoying the posts, pictures, remembering!
ReplyDeletesaying the Sh'ma everyday & praying for you!
Matt, thanks for all the great post and pics. Looks like a great trip. We miss you Clay!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I know y'all are having a blast and are absolutely exhausted, but just continue to make the most of it! What awesome pictures. Matt, thanks for keeping all of us back home updated. Praying for all of you! Love from the Dearmans! :)
ReplyDeleteThe updates are great - we look forward to them everyday! Lots of family and church members following along! So great to see everyone so happy and having such a great time! We see Matt D's camera in some of the pics - tell him we'll have a photo party for friends and fam when he gets home - can't wait to see Israel through his eyes! Love to him from his family!
ReplyDeleteMissing you all and praying for a sweet and blessed experience of a lifetime for each of you. Thanks, Matt, for the daily info and great pix!! Take care of each other! Love to all, Donna Golden and Clay...keep wearing the head gear so I can find you in the pix!! Love ya!
ReplyDeleteYour trek through the Holy Land is a blessing to those of us at home. We are all growing through faith and trust. Peace to all. JH
ReplyDelete