The Hills Are Alive
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
26
33
Trip End
Mar 18, 2008
Jerusalem,
Israel
Monday, March 3, 2008
From the title of this entry, can you guess who is writing? Even though Michael "really liked" Julie Andrews, the "Sound of Music" has always been a favorite of mine. The pictures that we're including are certainly not in the Alps, however, the hills where we hiked our first day in Tiberias are part of the "Switzerland Forest". Thus, the title of this blog is appropriate - and for other reasons, too.
On Saturday morning, Michael and I set out on foot to find a dirt road that we could see behind our hotel. It was not quite a road but more of a wide path that hugged the side of the hills and gave us a beautiful view of Lake Galilee. The hills were alive with lush green vegetation and the wild flowers were just beginning to appear. This rocky path eventually became a steep incline, and we could see ruins at the top. That gave us incentive to keep going. The ruins are from a Crusader castle. I guess that's not considered "old" around here, because the mosaic floors are exposed and it is completely open to wandering people. We were not the only ones exploring up there. There was a family from the Ukraine that called us over to share their drinks and snacks. We pulled our our dried fruit from the backpack to add to the "picnic". The two men spoke a little English - yet we toasted to "friendship" and shared in laughter. Those hills became alive with hospitality. As we said our goodbyes and started the downward path, we could hear children's voices off in the distance.
Path in the Hills
Coming from another direction and another path, looked to be a group of about 25 children whose cheerful voices filled the hills. At one point, Michael and I stopped to catch our breath and I heard some other heavy breathing that wasn't coming from us - there lounging under some trees were three cows. They fit right into this forest.On Sunday, we rented a little car and drove around Lake Galilee. We have also included a couple of pictures from that day to give you a little taste as to why Jesus loved the Galilee area. The water, the hills, the rocks, the ordinary people who touched Him - all these things He left as He went to Jerusalem.
As I reflected on our little encounters in the hills, I began to think about Jesus and the encounters that He and His disciples had in these same hills. As they walked along the paths, they shared, laughed, debated, and listened to Jesus. The people that they met along the way were challenged by His words, changed in their beliefs, and made the choice to follow Him.
Michael and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of 23 travelers from Palatine and 11 travelers from McHenry who will arrive tomorrow to tour this land with us. We will be asking them to contribute their thoughts and feelings to our blog during our days together.
As you begin this new week in your own homes, you may want to think about how Jesus makes your "hills" come alive. He walked with people here in this place, and He walks with us in our own places. So let us praise and thank Jesus together.
Pray for peace.
Jolene and Michael
P.S. The "What Is This?!" from last week was not guessed correctly. It was a Roman game that soldiers played that had been carved into the pavement stones from the 1st. Century. The stones were found under what had been the Roman fortress in Jerusalem.
Comments
Galilee
M&J.. Something I heard on radio this week.. but never really paid attention to was the fact that all the disciples were from Galilee (except Judas).. don't forget to go for a swim in the lake too.. (it isnt any colder than green bay on new years day ! ! Heh ) Love,, R&C