Last day in Galilee

Note the blue skies; this picture just lets
you know the beautiful weather we are having!

A morning boat ride on the Sea of Galilee greeted us this morning...blue sky, calm water, warm sunshine, peaceful daylight--how different from some of the experiences of Jesus and his disciples. After a full day of teaching the people, a tired Jesus asked the disciples to take him across the Sea of Galilee. He crawled under the covered section, wrapped himself in his cloak and fell into a deep sleep. Only a short while later, it seemed, the disciples awakened him in a panic as the waves washed over the edge of their small boat. For Jesus to come out of a deep sleep and immediately shout at the winds and waves to stop shocked even his followers. Most fish are found along the shore, so that's where the fisherman usually concentrated their efforts--and usually in the early morning. To be crossing the sea at night, in the dark, on water known for its fierce storms, would have been terrifying for the disciples.

Casting a net on the Sea of Galilee

We next traveled on to Gamla, home territory in ancient times for the Zealots, who led several revolts against Rome and challenged its authority repeatedly. When a revolt started in nearby Caesaria, Rome had had enough and sent 60,000 troops to quell it. After a seven-month siege, they wiped out whole villages and all inside with utter brutality; this included villages like Gamla, high in the mountains of the Golan Heights. Our group hiked down a rocky cliff face to Gamla. It was a challenging hike, but we worked together as a community of faith, and all made it down.

The hike to Gamla

Our next stop was Kursi. Jesus had just come across the Sea of Galilee, where we know storms tried to keep Jesus from landing. He encountered the man with demons. After Jesus cast them out (into the pigs on a nearby hill), the man was cured. He asked to come with Jesus, but the Lord said no, he should tell the people here what had happened. When Jesus came back some time later, a multitude of people showed up to hear him, and the feeding of 4,000 followed. Years later, a bishop arose from this area who played a key role in the writing of the Nicene Creed. So from the healing of one man who believes, many blessings follow.

We ended our afternoon near the place where Jesus gave us the Sermon on the Mount. In a quiet place in the church yard of the Church of the Primacy of Peter, enjoying the warmth of the spring sunshine, looking out over the Sea of Galilee, Bill spoke from memory, as if he were Jesus addressing us, the words so many of us have loved, but puzzled over.  Blessed are the poor in spirit...; you are the salt of the earth...; do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...; do not worry about what you will eat or drink...; ask and it will be given to you....

Bill reciting from the Sermon on the Mount--a powerful
and personal way to hear these familiar words.

Where did we see Jesus today? In the experience of community through a rough walk; in hearing in a new way God of Scripture; realizing his power in calming the storms that threaten us; seeing eagles flying over Gamla and noting their promise of strength for the weary; hearing of Jesus who crossed the sea to serve one person and what a difference that made for years to come. ~ Lois

Another Day in Galilee: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Jordan River

Today began with watching the sunrise come up over the Sea of Galilee (yes, at 5:45 am!) and we were reminded that "because of the Lord's great love...his compassions never fail. They are new every morning."

We are staying in a wonderful resort on the Sea of Galilee which is next to an Israeli kibbutz. The food, served as a buffet for over 200 people, is great!

Today we visited Dan near the northern border of Israel. In fact, we looked across the valley to Lebanon and the Golan Heights. We also passed fields protected with barbed wire and marked "Danger -- mines," reminding us of how much war still marks this area. Yesterday, we also heard jets frequently flying overhead. One of Israel's largest military bases and airfields is located nearby.

But Dan has a beautiful nature preserve. We walked the trail in silence, listening to bird calls, seeing the flowers, hearing the rushing water that leads into the Jordan River. It's a beautiful place. We saw the ruins of the ancient city gate of Dan, the second largest of the tribes of Israel, and found the site of a high altar where they found a golden calf during excavations. We learned that the tribe of Dan was not particularly satisfied with the portion it had received from the Lord and began looking longingly at "better" sites nearby. Bit by bit, they accommodated themselves to the local culture and worship. When Jeroboam became king of the northern tribes, he didn't want his people going to Jerusalem to worship, so he set up a place to worship in Dan on his kingdom's northern border (as well as in Bethel, on the southern border), moving the people even farther away from God. Many years later, when John refers to the 144,000 members of ancient Israel surrounding the throne (Rev. 7:4-8) all of the tribes are mentioned except Dan, which traded its inheritance from the Lord for something of their own choosing. Bill asked us, "What inheritance has God given us? Are we treasuring it?" His meditations always give us food for thought.

Next we went to Caesarea Philippi where there is a cave dedicated to the god Pan. The deep cave earned the title "the gates of Hades." This is where Jesus took his disciples and asked them "...and who do you say that I am?" After Peter answers, Jesus says, "You are Peter...and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Never knew about that connection before today.

A highlight of the day was visiting the Jordan River where Bill invited us all to step into the Jordan and think about the Spirit who moved on the face of the waters at creation--a time of when darkness was over the deep--and who later also descend on Jesus after his baptism--another time which desperately needed the shalom only he could bring. As we all stepped into the muddy waters of Jordan, we reflected on how God calls us to bring shalom to our world.

Standing in the Jordan River

Today was another interesting day, full of beauty and learning. At the end of the day we again spent time sharing some of the places we saw God today as well as some of what we heard him say. Here are some of the comments shared by members of our group:

• the beautiful sunrise
• Christ setting himself out in the world as an example for us
• the nature walk in silence
• that God put it into the heart of Israelis to protect all these antiquities and the debt of gratitude we owe them
• people coming from all over the world to learn more of Jesus
• idols come and go, but our God is always the same, from one generation to the next

We then closed by singing, "My friends, may we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ our Savior."
~ Lois

Day 4: Sepphoris, Nazareth, Mt. Arbel, Magdala

Another beautiful day of blue skies, gentle breezes, and 70 degrees. Absolutely perfect, especially for those of us who have been enduring a brutally cold winter.

We started the day in Sepphoris. As we sat in the theater, we learned that the word we always translate as carpenter can also be translated stone mason, which makes a lot of sense when we see how few trees there are and how many stones! So Bill conjectured that Jesus and his father, "carpenters" both, might have worked on this theater since Nazareth is only four miles away. Bill also quoted some lines from one of Euripedes' plays, when Helen of Troy says almost the same words that Jesus uses: "How often have I longed to gather you ... as chicks under my wings, but you would not." Strange coincidence?

Nazareth gave us a broad view of the Jezreel Valley with its rich and fertile lands. We remembered and could "see" the many Old Testament stories that took place here--Abraham and Lot (giving Lot first choice of the land), the great battle of Barak and Deborah vs troops Sisera commanded, Gideon and his 300 men, Saul dying at Mt. Gilboa, Elijah and Elisha's ministry to Israel, the birthplace of Jonah. At each place, Bill has some of us read Bible passages that give us new insight into the words we so often take for granted, tying Jesus' ministry and God's promises to what we are seeing and how we should be living today. For those of us who hoped to see Jesus in new and more personal ways, these days have been richly fulfilling.

First view of the Sea of Galilee

Nearby, Mt. Arbel gave us a perfect outlook for the Sea of Galilee and the towns of Capernaum, Bethsaida, Magdala, and Tiberias.  Sixty percent of Jesus' ministry took place here.  In beautiful sunshine, we took 20 minutes or so to read Mark 1-9 and realized again how many sick were healed in these towns and how many miracles Jesus did here during the first part of his ministry.  The people eagerly sought him out and the crowds followed him everywhere. Still, as in Cana, how often Jesus told them not to tell about him because it was not his time yet, even though all these miracles and parables pointed to his work on our behalf and God's great love for us his people.

Our last stop of the day was Magdala, the home town of Mary Magdalene, the first person at the tomb on Easter morning. Two or three years ago, the Catholic Church planned to build an ecumenical Christian center there, but when they started digging the foundations, they found the site and ancient ruins of Magdela. As our guide said, "We came here to open our arms wide to Christians everywhere, but God showed us he had bigger plans and, through this discovery, to open our arms even wider to serve anyone who wishes to come." Before we left we gathered in the new ministry center and again sang "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." Beautiful harmony. The priest acted surprised when we asked permission, but came over to thank us as we left. The center, its mosaics, its view of the Sea of Galilee is meant to invite all who come to go deep into the water, trusting Christ to hold us secure.

We end each day asking "Where did we see Jesus today?" and "What did we hear him say?" It's beautiful to hear what has been especially meaningful to each of us as we grow closer to each other as we also grow closer to God.

~Lois

Caesarea, Megiddo, Ibillin

Some days there are almost too many highlights. Here's the short list: Caesarea and the monuments to self and Rome by Herod the Great; Megiddo, the fortified town guarding the fertile Jezreel Valley and the valuable crossroads to the east and west; and then Ibillin and the school founded by Father Chacour that provides educational opportunity to children of all faiths and citizenship: Palestinian, Druze, Christian, and Jew.

We started the day in Caesarea, seeing the impressive projects undertaken by Herod the Great: the amphitheater for plays, the palace and harbor for over 100 ships, and the hippodrome for chariot races--complete with viewing stand for visiting royalty and row upon row of spectator stands filled with cheering crowds. Herod was intent on giving tribute to Rome, and also to himself, letting everyone know of his own grandeur and power. Paul himself was tried and imprisoned here, so he may well have had the hippodrome in mind when he wrote the words of Hebrews 11-12, speaking of the "great crowd of witnesses" who encourage and cheer us on our way as we run the race marked out for us. I think these verses took on new meaning and a visual impact that will stay with us long after this trip is over.

One of Herod's architectural accomplishments

Aquaduct to Herod's palace complex in Caesarea

Ray Vander Weele at the aquaduct

Then we drove on to Megiddo, a fortified town strategically located at the head of the key pass through the Carmel Mountains and guarding the rich, fertile Valley of Jezreel--land of Ahab, Jezebel, Elijah, and the prophets of Baal. This spot protected one the three crossroads to the east and south and west, and therefore was a coveted location. Bill reminded us of the importance of "location, location, location." Important locations have purpose, provisions, and protection. Megiddo had all three. Another name for Megiddo is Armageddon, where the armies of the kings of earth will meet the angel of the Lord...and a voice will come from the throne, saying, "It is done."  And we are reminded of Jesus' words on the cross, "It is finished."

And then on to Ibillin to visit the school founded by Father Chacour, a Palestinian displaced and driven from his home town and family lands in 1948 when the Jews took over control of Israel.  But he refused to live with bitterness and anger, and after completing his religious training, went to this tiny village high on the mountainside and worked tireless for decades to break down anger and hostility between Jews, Palestinians, and Christians.  Realizing the power of education, he began a school in 1981 with four classes and 80 students.  It now has 2,300 students from grade 1 through high school.  It welcomes students from all cultures and religious faiths, and offers a comprehensive education that prepares students for advanced training in university, medical schools, and technical institutes.

Cal Hoppe with an engineering student

Students at Ibillin 

We were joined at dinner by some of the teachers and high school students, who charmed us with their bright minds, warm laughter, and eager conversation.  They are prepared to work across cultures and gave us a glimpse of the walls that divide their land and cultures. In a place dedicated to living the beatitudes, we left impressed with the dedication and vision of Father Chacour, and the calling God gives all of us to work for peace and reconciliation.

Beginning the pilgrimage

Ready to board the flight from Vienna to Tel Aviv

Today our group spent lots of time on buses, in airports, and on planes, giving us all time to share a  little of who we are, one-on-one or in small groups. We come from all over--from Florida, Montana, West Virginia, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Ontario.  We represent a variety of callings--pastors, teachers, nurses, missionaries, physicians, engineers, speech pathologist, college professor, financial planner, writer...reflecting some of the many ways God gives us to serve and calls us to follow. But we know we are not defined by what we do, but to whom we belong and choose to follow.  We are all eager to be on this pilgrimage of faith and discipleship.

We had our first history/geography lesson from Khalil, our guide.  He pointed out that because Israel was at the crossroads of three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), it  has been torn by political power struggles for years--from the Egyptians, the Hittites, the Persians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks--right up to the 20th century,  placing it at the center of territorial battles, even today.

Pastor Bill introduced our theme verse, Psalm 84:5-7:  "Blessed are those who strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage...." As we all gave a sentence on our expectations for this trip, over and over again we heard things like, "I want to see and experience where Jesus walked" and "I want to deepen my faith and see Jesus in a new way." Bill challenged us to see God with all our senses--seeing, walking, tasting, touching these places that played such an important role in Jesus' life, as we follow his path from Nazareth and Galilee to the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem. He also encouraged us to sense Jesus' presence in our lives, making this also a pilgriimage from our heads to our hearts as we follow him.  We are eager to place our feet on the path.

~ Lois Konyndyk

Travel update

We arrived safely in Vienna. It's a great group and lots of great connections and conversations already taking place. We are looking forward to our time in Israel, to walking in some of the cities and towns where Jesus walked and taught.
~ Lois Konyndyk

2014 Pilgrimage

Welcome to the blog for the 2014 "In the Light of Jesus" pilgrimage to Israel! We hope to use this space to post periodic updates from the group traveling on March 17-29, 2014; Lois Konyndyk will be the lead 'reporter' and others are welcome to send updates as well.

See the tour brochure for the general itinerary, and check back later for updates!  We'll also keep a permanent link to this blog in the Calvin phone app (free download) during the days of the trip.
Susan Buist, Calvin alumni office

Pilgrims:

Bill and Lyn Vanden Bosch, tour leaders
Lois Konyndyk, Calvin representative
Julie Ackerson
Mary Ackerson
Nancy Bolt
Ron and Rosemary Byle
Jerry and Linda Clemons
Gerald Groggel
Jan Heerspink
Cal and Sandi Hoppe
Doug and Joyce Jeltema
Shirley Meyering
Kathy Mills
Bea Nagelkirk
Marge Penning
Roger and Joan Sikkenga
Douglas and Dawn Terpstra
Greg and Joan Uitvlugt
Larry and Kathy Vandergrift
Ray Vander Weele
Dottie Voss
Pat Westveer
Stanley and Mary Workman
William and Nancy Zeilstra