Hi there,

Today began early for a long but magnificent day that took us to places Jesus walked and some great learning from the Bible.

We began at Bethsaida and learned about the story in II Samuel 13 about David's Son Amnon and Tamar.

Our next stop was Banias, or Caesarea Philippi, as it's known in the Bible, the sanctuary for the worship of the god Pan. Here Jesus brought His disciples to declare himself as the Messiah. Matthew 16 tells us of the occasion when Jesus asked them who did people say He was and Peter declared him "..."the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus replied by telling them that "...You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not overcome it."

When then we left Caesarea Philippi and traveled to Banias, the headwaters of one of the tributaries of the Jordan River and the home one of the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom, Dan. This place has a large nature conservancy where we felt like we were back in the Northwest and the remains of the City of Dan, the northernmost settlement of Israel. Once again we were blessed with Biblical history that has brought the Word to life for us.

We left Tel Dan and went to the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the "Sermon on the Mount", found in Matthew 5. This may be the most beautiful spot in Israel; peaceful and encouraging of prayer and contemplation.

Lunch was scheduled next where we enjoyed the crowd favorite, Peter's Fish. We all got a Talapia (Peter's Fish), head and all, but didn't find any coins in any of them. We learned how to take out the bones and as Julie tells us, ate them as the Israelis do, with our fingers.

The afternoon found us 1st at Kafur Nahum, known to us as Capernaum, the city Jesus called home after He left Nazareth to begin His ministry. We saw Peter's Mother-in Law's house, the Synagogue where Jesus likely taught and all the city included.

The late afternoon was dedicated to our service at Yardenit, the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River where several of us recommitted our Baptismal Vows and worshipped our Savior. To say that it was a meaningful time would be an understatement, we were all very moved by the experience.

The day ended after a 2 hour ride back to Jerusalem where we welcomed dinner and a restful evening. Tomorrow will find us praying for each of you at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) and going up onto the Temple Mount and then off to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum.

We moved our Hotel, so we are not in the Ambassador, rather are in the Grand Court Hotel where we will be for 3 nights and can be reached at 972-2-5917777, or on the emergency numbers you have for Pam Fogg or Graig Flach.

Thanks again for following us and praying. Have a great night and day tomorrow.

Shalom

Doug