The first time I went on a pastor’s familiarization tour, Masada was not included. In this pilgrimage I led, Masada was included but a flash flood spoiled our plans. The Israeli tour guide said they will try again the next day. We were all so glad the electric cable car system was restored to working […]
This was an interesting experience: a camel ride and some hospitality from Abram. Great idea and fun. We rode the camels to Abrams’ tent and there he welcomed us to a meal. We were blessed.
We visited the remains of an ancient site of a Qumran community in a semi arid landscape. It was cool but stark. It must have been hard to live in such circumstances where water concerns were predominant and this was reflected in the architecture and the space given for cisterns. The desert made me feel […]
We couldn’t sail on the Galilee lake on the scheduled day because of the strong winds. It wasn’t safe. That night we gathered and prayed that the unexpectedly cold weather would not sabotage the pilgrimage . The next morning it was not a particularly bright day but the sea of Galilee was sail safe and […]
It was, and probably would remain, the coldest baptism I have ever done. We did it at Yardenit – the baptismal site of the Jordan River. In the days leading to the baptism the unusually cold weather led me to give a way out for the parents of the baptism candidates, You know the weather […]
There is no magic nor a special blessing about doing a renewal of commitment to marriage in Cana. Jesus graced a wedding party at Cana and did a great miracle of changing water to wine. However this does not mean your renewed marriage will turn from water to wine. However doing a renewal of commitment […]
Near the Banias, remnants of the pagan temple of Pan, located near Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, we stood where it is claimed Peter declared, You are the Christ the Son of the living God in one breath, and in another he insisted that Jesus must not take the Calvary road. Lord, help me […]