Day 3

Mt of the Beatitudes overlooking Galilee and An example of the 2 fish 5 loafs

Mom a collecting sea shells at Primacy and A view of Capernaum and synagogue

Gadara: likely where pigs ran into sea and Our Lunch: A fish from the Sea of Galilee

Me, Mom and Jim before baptism and The Boat Ride!

March 28, 2008

Bible Study Theme: Be transformed from the inside out.

Places Visited:
Mount of the Beatitudes
Tabgha
Capernaum
Primacy of Peter
Gadara
Jordan River Baptism
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

Today was by far the best day of the trip to this point! We started off across and to the north of Tiberius at the Mount of the Beatitudes. This is where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7).
Next we took a short bus ride to Tabgha (don’t ask how to pronounce). This is the location of many scenes in the Gospel stories, including: (Matt 4:18-22) “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And the very popular (Matt 14:13-36) “(17) We have only here five loaves and two fish.” (18) He said, “Bring them to Me.” 5000 men plus women and children were fed that day and 12 baskets of fragments remained after all had their fill.
Then we took another short ride to the “Primacy of Peter,” told in John 21:1-24. This is where Peter and the other disciples went fishing after the Resurrection. They did not catch any fish and as they came to shore, they saw Jesus standing on the beach. He said, “Children have you any food? Cast your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” We had time to reflect after our bible study and we took pictures of the sea and admired the Lords creation and continued to be stunned by the beauty of the area around Galilee.

Capernaum was our next visit. It is known as Jesus’ own town. Jesus was known to stay in Capernaum and healed Peter’s mother-in-law here. We saw the ruins from Jesus’ time and a synagogue that was built over the old synagogue after the time of Jesus. There are many places in the bible that referred to Capernaum including: (Matt-4:12-17), (Matt-9:1), (Matt-8:14-15), (Matt-11:20-24), (Luke-4:23), (Luke-4:31), (Luke-7:1-10), (Mark-1:21-31), (John-6:59).
We took yet another short ride to Gadara (hillside). This is the site of (Matt-8:28-34), where Jesus cast out legions of demons into the pigs who ran off the cliffs and died. Today this area is below the cliff because of the lower water level and is full of land mines from the Syrians before the Six Day War.
After seeing the hillside at Gadara we went to eat a “Fish Lunch” similar to the fish Jesus and the disciples would have eaten on the beach at the Primacy of Peter.
After lunch we went to the Baptism site at Yardenit! (Matt 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23). Bible scholars agree that the actual site of Jesus’ baptism was about 90 miles south from Yardenit, but this location is nice because they have hand rails and waters are calm. I had to purchase/rent a robe to wear in the water, it was $9.00. Pastor Jim asked if we wanted to say anything to the group, before we were baptized, of course I couldn't resist. After that we waited as the others got baptized and we worshiped to the Lord as Pastor Phil played the guitar. Mom and I went up together and she took pictures and waited as I was being baptized and I did the same for her. Jim and Eric asked if there was anything I wanted them to pray for me about and then prayed a powerful prayer over me… I cried tears of joy thinking of the Lord and His acceptance of me. As I went under in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I came up a new and refreshed soul. Yes, it was cold water but I felt that I had been obedient to the Lord and finally showed my outward expression of my inward heart filled with the Spirit of the Lord! Mom was also baptized and we cried together, hugged and kissed! Something amazing happen just prior to us being baptized, a white dove swooping down and gliding low across the river and down stream! “And behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matt 3:16-17). My hope is that the Lord is “well pleased” in me!
When we were finished at the baptism site we took a peaceful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We crossed from Tiberius to where we ate lunch at Peter’s Fish House. The views and knowledge of Jesus on this very lake were overwhelming and breathtaking! We went out to the middle of the sea and held bible study and worship. I also bought Zoey a Rock pendant with a fish on it.
We held bible studies at six locations today! Lots of learning and fellowshipping!
1. Mount of the Beatitudes: Bible study and time to walk around alone and pray.
2. Tabgha: Bible study (short if at all)
3. Primacy of Peter: Bible study and time on the shore. Mom and I collected sea shells and prayed while admiring and marveling at the fact we were standing on the sea shore that Jesus once stood!
4. Capernaum: Bible study given by Eric
5. Gadara: Bible study given by Jim
6. Boat ride: Bible study, worship and prayer time

Things I learned in Israel today:

1. I learned that Jesus spent most of His life teaching in the area around Galilee.

2. Shabbat (Sabbath) From 6:00 Friday night (sun down) until 6:00pm Saturday night (sun down). Most Jews spend this time with family and in prayer. It is very important and a huge part of the identity and culture of the Jewish people. There are five meals (I think) with the 1st meal containing fish and wine and the last meal is meat. I also saw another side of the Shabbat that was interesting to say the least. It is my opinion, which means nothing, but is consistent with Jesus’ teachings, some Jews take the “No work on Shabbat” to the extreme! Example: You can’t push a button in the elevator or turn on a light switch or the air conditioner. I just don’t believe Yahweh intended all the man made rules to hinder the worship and praise of the His beautiful name. But that’s just my opinion…

16 weeks

Waving Hello!/Arm and Shoulder Blade

Front View/On Back

Sticking thumb in nose/Smashed by Braxton Hicks Contraction

Day 2

Caesarea and the Site of Paul's trial in Caesarea at the Hippodrom

Example of Tomb with Stone ; the Megiddo Valley from Mt Carmel

Megiddo Valley from Megiddo ; Site of the hill in Nazareth Luke 4

Picture of Cana taken from bus and The Jesus Boat

March 27, 2008

Bible Study Theme: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Matt 28:18

Places Visited:
Caesarea
Mt. Carmel
Megiddo
Cana
Megiddo Valley
Nazareth

Today we started out at the ruins of Caesarea! We had a bible study at an amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and found out Caesarea was a place where 200,000 people lived in its time. It was anchored by the largest sea port in the area. The very significant find was a stone engraved with Pontius Pilates’ name. There was also a second theater with a hippodrome. This was most likely the place Paul was put on trial.

Next we went to Mount Carmel; where the prophet Elijah made his stand against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets Asherah. (1 Kings 18). We also had a bible study here and could see where Elijah took the prophets to be killed and where he ran off to.

After we left Mt. Carmel we headed for Megiddo and the Megiddo Valley. There was approximately 25 to 27 cities of ruins built right on top of each other overlooking the Megiddo Valley (Valley of Armageddon). From where we stood we had a 360 degree vantage point of the entire valley. No wander everyone fought over this piece of real estate. This was a truly awesome sight to be seen! We also had a bible teaching on the top of the hill, before moving to the middle of the Megiddo. In the middle of the ruins was a well dug out in the iron ages. We walked deep down into the well, through the cave and came out on the other side where the water source was located.

Leaving the Megiddo Valley we were dashed off to a hillside overlooking Nazareth. This is believed to be the spot mention in Luke 4:28-30, where Jesus was nearly thrown off the brow of the hill on which the city was built.

When we left Nazareth we did a drive-by of Cana. Cana is the location of Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine. We took a picture as we drove by on our way to see the Galilee Boat. This is a boat found on the shores of Galilee when the waters were receded one year. It was found to be approximately 2000 years old. You know… Jesus’ time!

Our final stop was in Tiberius. After checking into our room and eating at the Holiday Inn in Tiberius, mom and myself joined two other members of our group and walked the shore line of the Sea of Galilee and shared in some deep fellowship and prayer.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day!

Things I learned in Israel today:

Israeli’s must serve at least 3 years in the Israeli Defense Force (Their Army)
Muslims do not serve in the Army!
Israeli’s would rather see a conservative Republican in the White House

Highland

http://www.highlandschurch.org/include/popups/ViewSermon.aspx?id=325

9 1/2 weeks

Welcome to the Baca Blog! Larry and I have been so blessed with two major events this year. He was able to travel to the Holy Land with his mom and her Calvary Church for a 2 week trip of a lifetime!! Second, the day he came home (April 7) I revealed to him that we would be expecting the most amazing blessing of all! A child! As you can see I posted a picture of the 9 1/2 week baby lying on it's back, feet on the right, head on the left (for those of you who arent used to reading these).

Day 1

March 26, 2008

Bible Study Theme: Say “Yes” to the Lord. Lord help me to say yes to your commands!

Places Visited:
Joppa
Netanya

We landed in Israel! The flight over was not so bad in comparison to our first leg, (PHX to London 10hours). This flight was 4 ½ hours and went by pretty quick. The Lord granted us sleep and rest on the way. We left London at 8:30 London time and arrived in Tel Aviv at 2:30 pm Israel time. Going through customs was easier than I thought it would be, no problems with luggage or finding our guide. Our guide’s name is Nir. He is really nice and makes lots of jokes that take a few seconds to sink in. Our bus is really nice too. We each have 2 seats to use to spread out. Mom and I have the back of the bus so we have an extra seat. There are 24 of us, 19 from Roswell, 2 from San Antonio, 2 from Nevada, and Me.

The first stop was in JOPPA, which can be found in the Old Testament in the book of Jonah. When Jonah was asked by God to go to Nineveh and deliver His message, but instead Jonah boarded a ship and tried to run away and hide from the Lord. So there are lots of thing depicting the “Big Fish” in Joppa. In the New Testament it was the home town of Peter (Acts 10:5). He had a vision from the Lord to go and eat of what was previously unclean for a Jew to eat. There was a church there in Joppa that we stopped to take pictures and have a short bible study. It over looked the Mediterranean Sea. Someone tried to charge us 1 shekel to use the toilet, at that point we didn't even have shekels. Our bus ride to our hotel was uneventful.

Our hotel is called The Seasons Hotel. It is located right on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea. We ate an array of foods (tasted one of each to say we tried it). Then we took a stroll to the beach. Mom and I had to say we were in the Mediterranean Sea! It was quite warm about 68 or so (I think), I was pleasantly surprised. Our rooms are two bedroom suites, we have an awesome view of the ocean with a balcony and window that opens. So I’ll be listening to the waves tonight as I fall asleep.

Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessing!

Things I learned in Israel today:
Gas is about $7.00 gal
The shekel is 3.5 to 1 verses our US dollar