Days 1 & 2 - From Lisa Jones

What an amazing time we're having in the Middle East! Of course, the traveling is a killer - but it's so worth it! And we're thankful to God for arriving safely. I've experienced so much already that it's hard to believe that I've only completed 2 days of our 9 days of touring (this excludes our traveling days). Journaling is vital to keeping it all straight!

Day 1 - Mt. Nebo, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jerash

• Mt. Nebo - the site where Moses stood to see the Promised Land before he died. Totally amazing views of the land the Israelites would soon conquer under the leadership of Joshua. God was so gracious to take Moses to this particular spot. The view was magnificent and inspiring. You could see Jericho, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and the land beyond the Jordan. I did not want to leave the top of the mountain.
  
• Bethany Beyond the Jordan - the site where tradition says Jesus was baptized. One of the neat things we're experiencing on the trip is that the correlating Scripture is read for the site that we're at. Truly it does give a new perspective when reading the Word. I could almost visualize John and Jesus in the water, God speaking from Heaven, and the Spirit descending like a dove.
  
• Jerash - a city that flourished in the 1st century AD, thriving from robust trade due to the Pax Romana (Roman Road). Imposing Roman ruins remain there, including Hadrian's Gate and the Hippodrome. Ashley & I even wrote in a chariot around the arena - fun stuff!
  

Day 2 - Cana, Nazareth Village, Mt. Pressepic, Tabgha, Peter Primacy, Capernaum

• Cana - city where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine for a wedding. A very special thing happened here today - the couples who are traveling with us took the opportunity to renew their vows. One of the couples with us have been married for 55 years! It was a sweet moment.
  
• Nazareth Village - a replica of a village during the time of Jesus. If any of you have been to Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, you can probably imagine what the Nazareth Village was like.
  
• Mt. Pressepic - if Mt Nebo was awe-inspiring, this was beyond that! It's impossible here to describe everything I saw here.
  

My 1 hr. time limit on internet is just about up. I will have to continue at another time...hopefully tomorrow!