Israel News Updates
May 25, 2012
We had an early departure from the hotel in Jerusalem and safely arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. We were able to move through
security with minimal challenges and boarded our flight for New York. From there our group cleared security and made our next connection for Tampa.
Our return to Tampa was a wonderful time of being welcomed back to our place of departure. It was a gripping reminder that our group will not
likely be together again this side of heaven. Yet, the things we experienced and learned on the trip mean that we will never read our
Bibles the same again. Thank you to all who prayed for us. Please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Shalom!
Carl Martin
May 14, 2012
Greetings once more from Israel!
To be sure we packed a great deal in for the last day but did so without the promised rain that had been forecast. Yes we are
grateful. We began with treking through the rabbinic tunnels from ancient times then to the Western wall (wailing wall). Next we
went to the temple mount and saw the mosque and shrine from the outside.
We then walked a good portion of the Via Dolorosa and saw the traditional sights of the place of our Lord's death. We gave a brief
window of time for shopping at the shoppes in the old city. From there we went to the Museum where we had light lunches.
We then visited the Shrine of the Book viewing portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex on display there.
From there we visited Yad Vashem to see something of the anguish of the suffering that went on during the Second World War. It was a
gripping time but we had to move through quickly because time was of the essence today.
Our last stop was the Garden Tomb. That was a wonderful capstone for our trip to conclude with viewing the place of the skull
and the empty tomb. The British folks are such a warm contrast to those in charge at the Nativity in Bethlehem. We concluded
with a meaningful communion service in the garden.
Now we are back at the hotel to get ready for dinner, then pack and be ready for an early morning departure to return home.
Many thanks for your prayers for us. Please continue as we make our return. This has been an excellent group. We have
remained in good health and in good spirits. All are tired to be sure, but I believe all are richer for having made the
investment of being here.
Carl Martin
May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!
Greetings from Jerusalem. We have had another very full day with lots of unique opportunities to see and do things. We were able to get
to Masada and I conducted our meeting in the ruins of the 4th Century Byzantine chapel high on top of the mountain. I spoke on the
Ascent because that day 40th from April 1st was last Thursday. It was a great time. I met a professional scribe who was at work on
the mountain and received from him a small piece of parchment with a word of blessing on it for me. I was emotively struck by the experience.
We ate at En Gedi on our way back up to Jerusalem. I had some spaghetti for a change from falafel or schwarma.
We returned to Jerusalem to tour area of Solomon's porch, etc. and got to see the upper room and David's tomb.
I don't think anyone will need rocked to sleep tonight!
Carl Martin
May 10, 2012
It was a full day today as we went to Dan, then to Caesarea Philippi, then to Capernaum after lunch near Mt. Hermon. Then we visited the
Sermon on the Mount site and took a ride on the Sea of Galilee. We ended our time looking at the ancient Jesus boat in a museum.
All of us are tired but happy. Thanks for your prayers. Continue.
Carl Martin
May 9, 2012
After another full but delightful day in Israel, everyone ate well and should sleep well too. We had a few remnants of jetlag today.
We went from Jaffa to Caesarea to take in the sights and history there. From there we went to Mt. Carmel to see where Elijah withstood the prophets of Baal.
From there we journeyed to Megiddo to see the crossroads of the Middle East and the place spoken of in Revelation. We climbed down the steps to the tunnel
that Solomon built for water supply. Amazing!
We next went to Nazareth to visit the old village before stopping at the place where Mary surrendered her life to do the Lord's will. We were really surprised
to learn that the city of Nazareth in Jesus' day would have been the size of the playing field of a football field. Today it is a city of 80,000.
Please continue to pray for us.
Carl Martin
May 8, 2012
Greetings from Israel. We had a safe and good journey. Everyone is considerably tired, but happy to be here. We were able to walk along the
Mediterranean Sea and visit the house of Simon the Tanner this afternoon. We had a tasty buffet dinner followed by a debrief and devotional time as
we enjoyed the last shades of daylight over the "Great Sea."
Thank you all for your prayers. Please continue. We had gone to Verizon before departing to be sure that we could add international service
during the trip. We were assured that we were good to go. However, once we got here we found that was not the case.
We have an early wake up call and an early departure as we head north to Nazareth tomorrow.
Shalom!
Carl Martin
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