Archaeological Dig

 Since we arrived in Israel, we had been to archaeological dig after dig, site after site, and on Wednesday, we got to do our own dig. We found bones, pieces of pottery, and shells. But when a helper said that the area right next to me was a hot spot for finding stuff, Kara and I both called it, and she said that I could dig there. I found pieces of charcoal, bones, pieces of pottery, and shells. But the best part was when I found a fully intact clay jug, used for things like holding water, oil, and wine. It was a truly amazing thing to find. When we went to the Israel Museum on Friday, there were a lot of jugs like the one I had dug up, but they were all formed from separate pieces of pottery glued together, but the one I found was completely intact. It was surreal for awhile, it felt like someone had placed it there and said good luck to whoever can find it first, but that isn't what it was. This was a fully intact jug from 2000 years ago, and I was the first person to touch it in 2000 years. It was a great experience, and it was a great way to start the end of our tour in Israel.

- Josh Sperr

Today (Friday, June 30th) we went to Yad Vashem. This place is a memorial site to the victims of the Holocaust. This was a very eye opening and moving place. One of the first things you see are garden of trees which represent The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations (people who helped the Jewish people). The trees were green and beautiful. Across the way, there was a sculpture that had multiple gray, rectangular stones that sat tall above a hill. These stones represented the numerous gravestones that were left unnamed during this dark time. After the sculpture, we walked through a memorial site for the children, the 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN murdered during the Holocaust. This site was specifically for the children who lost their lives in 1933-1945. This site was incredibly heart breaking. Our eyes saw the innocence that was snatched away from these children... we saw the precious faces of the healthy young; ambitious for life..we heard the names of the children who were murdered through the ridiculous beliefs...This site also had 7 candles lit up around a dark room that was filled with mirrors so it looked like there were millions of candles that lit the room. After remembering the loss of the children, we walked towards The Holocaust History Museum. The museum building itself was an art sculpture. The building was light gray and was shaped like a spike because it represented the open wound (the deaths) that will never be healed over Israel. The building has sky windows that naturally lit the building entirely. This is supposed to represent that the Holocaust was happening right in front of people. Walking through the building was very depressing. The building led you through the story of the Holocaust: the happy lives of the Jewish people, Hitler's rise to power, Anti-Semitic laws established, Concentration and Extermination camps established, Germany conquering neighboring countries, and the allied countries fighting back. Throughout the exhibits, there were names and short stories of the victims. This helped us really feel close to the victims and put ourselves in their shoes. There were also personal belongings from the victims to help you visualize their lives. At the end of the building, there was a big dome that was covered with numerous pictures of the lives that were lost during the Holocaust. It was so moving and heart breaking to look into the eyes of the people that were unjustly murdered.

- Abby Kohls

The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations

Thoughts from a Returnee

From the eyes of a second timer, there is a reason to return to Israel.  Getting to do the water sites was the thing I was looking forward to the most.  I did get to go through Hezekiah's Tunnel.  It felt good to be wet in this heat.  The last time I was here, we had to deal with a snow storm.  Not a chance of a snowflake this time.  Dealing with the heat has been doable.  Finding shade or walking in the shade has been key.  As our guide Erez tells us every morning, "Welcome to another perfect day in the land of Israel."  It has turned out to be perfect days here.  Now they are about to end.  Yet we will all be able to return to these days with memories and of course our thousands of pictures.

Last Sunday we were in Beit Shean, the Disneyland for photographers.  It is an entire Roman city that lays before you.  We walked through the Roman Bath House, walked down the main street of the City and checked out some of the shops.  We made a stop in the bathrooms and even sang a song in the Roman theater.  For those that had lots of energy, they went to the top of the Tel (climbing something like 100 stair steps) to see a wonderful view of the lower city as well as the remains of the guard tower dating to Solomon's era.  From the top of the mountain you can see Mt. Gilboa where Saul and Jonathon were killed in a battle, and it was on the walls of Beit Shean (pictured below) that their bodies were hung before the Israelites rescued them in a daring night raid. It still boggles my mind that I have walked in the places of the Bible.  Now when Pastor Max shares these stories in his sermons, I get a huge grin on my face as I remember bring up these pictures and memories.  There is nothing like it and I give thanks to all who have made it possible for these kids and parents to experience it together.

-Holly (the returnee)(written today, about one of last Sunday's adventures)





Using the ancient latrines in Beit Shean ;)



Emily taking a picture of Gina's feat on the mosaic tiles of the 2000 year old street.



A view of the main thoroughfare and with the tel rising in the background.

On Wednesday June 28th, we went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The area of the garden we went to was a private section, so there were no other people, making it a much more peaceful and relaxing experience. Pastor Max did a little mini sermon on the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. He spoke about the spiritual struggle Jesus had when he prayed to God three different times asking if there was any other way he could save us without having to suffer the death of the cross. I thought that that was so amazing because it showed his human side. Yes he was Jesus, Son of God, but he was also human too and just knowing that even Jesus of all people struggled gives me hope and makes me feel that it is okay to struggle with your faith sometimes. Jesus ended by surrendering himself to God and his will, and that is what we all should do I believe. After the sermon the group broke apart and walked around the garden. The thick and beautiful olive wood trees were all over, and quite possibly could be part of the same family of trees from Jesus's times. There were various benches and stairs where people sat down and prayed or reflected on what Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. After walking the stone path I sat down on an old stone bench and prayed and felt an immense wave of peace, like everything going on in the world was on pause and it's just you and God. It was truly an amazing and awesome experience, and if you ever get the chance to go you definitely should.

- Noah Nelson

On Tuesday the 27th, the Israel team got to travel in the beautiful Judea Desert to a place called Genesis Land! This land is lavished with mountains, shepherds, tea, apricots, dates, and camels! The team got to ride camels and "travel back in time" to Abraham's tent. Abraham's tent had a deep gray tint and was surrounded with fabrics detailed with brown and pastel stripes. The floor was a fabricated floor detailed with a variety of shapes and colors like light tans and sapphire blues. We met a man who portrayed Abraham. He greeted us with the wonderful stories of the Bible. Abraham told us the story of how he left everything behind: his home and his family...though, he had great faith in God. God always guided Abraham and gave him the necessities he needs to survive. Abraham had incredible faith. He trusted God to protect him and make him the father of many nations. While Abraham told us all these great stories, we drank coffee and tea. After many laughs and smiles, we sadly had to end our journey with Abraham, and travel back home. Luckily we got to ride the camels back home. The view was phenomenal. It was filled with the great blue sky, and a land drowning in numerous tan colored mountains. The sun was hot on our skins, though we survived by the shade the small shop provided us at the end of our journey. This was such a wonderful experience and we could all see the beauty God painted for his children.

- Abby Kohls

I will be writing about Day 7 (Dead Sea), Day 8 (Ahava- Dead Sea Products), and Day 9 (Mount of Olives).

Mount of Olives (Mount of Ascension)(Day 9 - today): On this mountain we could see across the Kidron Valley, which is east of Jerusalem. This site was where Jesus ascended to Heaven and will descend from Heaven when he returns as it says in Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 14:4. There are many stories told here for example... When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) and when Jesus retired after celebrating the Passover with his disciples (Matthew 26:30). This story to me is key because it is where our father will return. As I was checking out the view I pictured the day Jesus will return and walk triumphantly through the Golden Gates. I also pictured the Dome of the Rock smashing to pieces and in its place the temple The Lord is going to build. For me the biggest and most spectacular piece is the fact that scripture comes to life and I am able to picture what has happened and what is yet to come.




Ahava Products (Day 8 AKA Yesterday)

Ahava (Dead Sea Mineral Products): As we entered into the Ahava store I was just having fun trying all the lotions and creams, which smelled so good! The boys of course were shopping for their wonderful mothers except for Ben and Elias who decided to take a tester bottle into the back which was considered the "spa room" and give foot massages. I walked back there and it was a funny sight to see. After that I went back into the store and saw our bus driver Adi and before I got off our bus I asked him, "would you like me to buy you anything?" He said, "sure!" Well I found a tester bottle and put some cream on a stick to give to him, but right before I had the chance to I was stopped to be interviewed about the Ahava products for a commercial being showed on British T.V.
I really just "winged it" (my mom was the one buying the products) and plus I had never been to this store. I just said, "oh it makes your skin feel and look wonderful, bright, and shiny." So now me and Nate (he was interviewed as well) are T.V. stars! Who knew we would come to Israel and become T.V. stars.

The Dead Sea - Day 7: We had the pleasure to to spend one night at a hotel by the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth, It is 50 miles long and 10 miles wide. Our guide said it was also 37% salt. This sea is also a constant reminder of where Sodom and Gomorrah used to stand. It is the worst tasting water ever! Another fun fact is that seven million tons of water per day is evaporated. Now that is crazy! We all got to experience the weird sensation of just floating which was awesome. There is also salt everywhere on the sand and forms into things like glass shards. The most beautiful sunrise happened on the Dead Sea, which is shown above. Getting up at 5:20am has it's perks.



- Lindsey Kauffman

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Yesterday we walked through Hezekiah's Tunnel. Most of us walked the wet route, where the water got as high as mid thigh. We brought flashlights, and a line of about 9 of us all turned off our flashlights and walked in the darkness. It was so amazing to walk in the darkness, where you can't see your feet. just feel the water as you take step after step along 1600 feet of cave, where you can't see what was in front, on the side, or above you, there was only black. In 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20, we read that King Hezekiah of Judah dug the tunnel to protect the precious water source from the imminent Assyrian attack. The tunnel starts at the Gihon Springs, and flows to the pool of Siloam, where in John 9:1-12 Jesus heals the man born blind. The tunnel was a great sight to see, and I am excited to see more of Israel.

-Joshua Sperr

-6/28/2017