This morning we were up bright and early, before most of the US people were in bed. Instead of our beloved big bus with Samer driving, we had a mini-bus. The luggage was stacked to the ceiling, and we filled almost all of the seats. We got through Tel Aviv security with minimal trouble. One … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 14

Last evening we visited with some Christian Aid Ministries folks. We went through Jaffa Gate on our way. Our last full day in Jerusalem…. We’re feeling sad about that; at the same time, we’re looking forward to seeing our homes and families again. We left Jerusalem behind temporarily and went toward Bethlehem. Our first stop … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 13

We started the day with an exploration of the City of David. The beginning of Jerusalem was this 14 acre patch of land bordered by the Gehinnom and Kidron Valleys. Hezekiah built an aquaduct through solid rock to provide water for the city during a siege. Walking through the tunnel to the Pool of Siloam … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 12

Post by Jackie (Kenaston) Hershberger We had a special experience offered to us for our second Shabbat in Israel. David and Devorah Katz, an Orthodox family with whom Joe is acquainted offered to open their home and share their evening with us. David came to Israel to study 30 years ago and remained as a … More Shabbat II

This morning we left the hotel on foot. Traffic was extremely light because of Shabbat. We walked through the Rose Garden to the menorah-shaped monument outside the Knesset (parliament) building. The monument depicts various scenes of Israel’s history from Biblical times to modern times.From there we walked to the Israel Museum. There was a large … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 11

This morning a few of us were on the roof, looking toward the Sea of Galilee for the sunrise, and learning to blow a shofar. After breakfast we had devotions by the Sea of Galilee. Then we were back on the 90 traveling south. We stopped at Bet She’an. This is the city where the … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 10

We had a beautiful start to our day by taking a boat ride on the sea of Galilee. It’s a beautiful, warm, sunny day. Joe has been hoping for a chance to make us really sweat, and today the weather cooperated with him. On the boat, we were privileged to sing along in worship as … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 9

What a relief this morning to leave our luggage in the hotel, and know we’ll be coming back to the same place this evening! Everyone was busily catching up on laundry since it would have extra drying time. We drove northward, crossing Jordan and spying the famous snow-covered peaks of Mount Hermon. This part of … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 8

This morning we slept in and didn’t have breakfast until 7. We then drove to Nazareth Village. This is a reconstructed first century farm in the Nazareth area. After the village was started back in the 90’s, an archeological dig uncovered an actual winepress from Jesus’ time, carved into the rock. In the synagogue of … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 7

We left Jericho this morning, driving westward. We went through the outskirts of Jerusalem, and on towards Tel Aviv. Joe doesn’t give us a lot of info ahead of time for the day’s agenda. Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel, by population and also geographically. It is hilly. Tel Aviv is almost a different … More Taste of Honey (Leadership Study) Day 6