If you are looking for Challenge 2010 go to the post dated 11/15/10.
Today I am sharing pictures from my time in the Galilee region of Israel. My friend and roomie, Kristin Adams, will be in many of the pictures I share. She was our worship leader for the trip and oh, my goodness, were we ever ushered to the throne by her voice. Kristin often does the worship music for events where I speak. I’ll share more about how she blessed us. Many asked us if we are sisters. Yes, we are sisters in Christ, but not related otherwise.
In this picture, the Mediterranean Sea is in the background. We are at the site of King Herod’s palace in Caeserea. It is a stunningly beautiful location and one of my favorite stops on the tour.
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| Kristin Adams and me at Caeserea |
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| The ampitheatre at Caeserea. |
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| Remains of King Herod’s pool at Caeserea |
The Sea of Galilee is 600 feet below sea level and the city of Tiberias sits on the edge of it. Tiberias was built in 5 A.D. There are 27 – 28 types of fish in the Sea of Galilee. Our guide, Wisam, reminded us that the Sea of Galilee symbolizes life and birth, while the Dead Sea symbolizes death.
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| Tiberias from the Sea of Galilee |
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| Kristin and me on the Sea of Galilee. |
The picture below was one of many times we just laughed our heads off. We were at the church/location at Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fish. There were small areas all over the property designed for groups to have a moment of worship and teaching. However, at each of the locations, there was this sign. Do you get it? At the location of the largest picnic known to man, you can no longer picnic. What the heck??? Guess Jesus would just be out of luck if He showed up and wanted to offer a picnic, huh?
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| Tabgha |
We spent a few hours at the Jordan River so that those in our group who desired to could be baptized. I was baptized in the Jordan on my previous trip. This is not the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism because that site is not available to tourists.
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| Jordan River |
We spent a few hours at the ruins at Bet She’an. These are spectacular ruins and the pictures simply do not do them justice. Bet She’an was mentioned once in the Bible when King Saul and his sons were killed and their bodies were hung on the walls of Bet She’an. Bet She’an was one of the cities of the Decapolis and it was the 2nd most important city of it’s time. An earthquake covered the city in 749.
The picture below is of the largest bathhouse ever uncovered.
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| Ruins at Bet She’an |
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| Roman sauna at Bet She’an. Elaborate piping system was used to heat the water |
Our tour guide stopped us in Bet She’an and pointed out the swastika in the mosaic in the floor. Most of us did not know that the swastika was not an original idea of Hitler. It was used in antiquity to refer to the endless power of Jesus.
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| Swastika at Bet She’an |
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| Leah at Bet She’an |
This part of Bet She’an had my name written ALL OVER IT. Anyone who knows me knows that I NEVER miss a bathroom stop. NEVER!! So, when Wisam took us to view the public latrine, I just about fell out laughing. Cindy, you would have loved this.
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| This speaks for itself!! |
The ancient Romans would sit here and do their ‘business’. In this picture, I have not assumed the proper ‘position’. They did not sit up on the stone, but rather sat between the stones. Ok, I know…..TMI.
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| Never miss a bathroom opportunity!!! |
More pics later in the week. Do not forget to pop over to the Internet Cafe’ and register for the November giveaway. Click here. Also, it is not too late to register for my giveaway here at The Point. I will be giving away two copies of my Bible study on Thanksgiving Day. Click here to find out more. 
