Monday Night, 9/15/08, Sea of Galilee

Hey Friends,
Just a quick note to catch you up on the traveling Plums....yesterday Abby & Hannah got baptized in the Jordan River. We also visited the Garden Tomb, a place that could have been the site of Jesus' burial. Even if it wasn't the actual spot, it really gave us a sense of the size of tombs in those days and just how huge the stone would have been that covered the entry way.

What else? Well, we are on the Sea of Galilee right now and stayng at this great spot called the Ginosar resort. We walk out to the Sea of Galilee for swimming, plus there is a pool here, too. The sea is 13 miles by 8 miles, you can see across to the other side and see the Golan Heights. All around this area is where Jesus did his public ministry...so we are visiting those kinds of places now...Caperneum, Peter's house, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Very beautiful gardens, but oppressively hot. Kids are all losing steam, getting in and out of bus, so hot. Tonight they wanted to swim in the Sea in the dark..some kids went down to the water without adults..miscommunication...and we closed it down and switched to playing basketball in the gym that is also available for guests. IT WAS SO HOT! But swimming in the Sea, in the dark, I don't know if I am ready to let them do that?

Took a beautiful boat ride on the Sea today and they played music for us, first our NATIONAL ANTHEM, then Canada's and I can't telll you what that did for our spirits to hear our anthems played and see our flag blowing in the wind alongside the Israeli flag! After that, they played familiar Christian songs, tehn ISraeli songs and we were all dancing and singing on the deck together. It was a blast. We also saw a boat today that was excavated from here that is believed to be about 2000 years old! It was made from 12 different types of wood, too. Amazing.

Well, that's the scooooop from the Sea of Galilee...kids are starting to realize that we are on the countdown to comehome and want to cram as much socializing in as possible...they are really like a family. The adults are enjoying one another too, so thank you for all of the prayers. Don't stop...!
Love,
lisa