Today we started with a detour! Our guide Ami wanted us to see the 2000 year old fishing boat that was discovered by two men walking on the shore of Galilee in a bad drought time.

This boat is carbon dated to the time of Jesus and his disciples. They even found nails that were used in the boats construction. This boat was covered over and preserved by mud for two thousand years. What a great start to the day for a detour.

Next we drove to a site of the baptism of John the Baptist and where he baptized Jesus.

While it was a great site and we were blessed beyond measure to be at the Jordan River, it left us a little empty. We were looking forward to being baptized but because we are on a tour of just two we were not able to be baptized.

We talked about this in the car and Ami told us not to worry he would show us another baptismal site closer to where the Jordan empties into the dead sea, and overlooked by Mount Nebo where Moses looked on the Promised land. It seemed to us to be the ideal place for John to baptize, as the road to Jerusalem reached down into this part of country. We left this place blessed by the images in our minds of John and Jesus.

We drove toward the Dead Sea and past close by Jericho, but were unable to enter there because of time and restrictions. This was the town where Zaccheaus climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus; Also where Elisha healed the spring.

And in this region where Jesus faced his 40 days of temptation. It is a place where on one side of the road it is absolutely desolate, real wilderness! And on the other side lush green foliage of crops growing, and date palms, what a contrast!

We then took another detour to see the place where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. What an amazing place!

Then we headed to the dead sea for a swim or a bob in the water. This was a highlight of the day, being covered all over with black mineral mud and then washing in the dead sea. Being able to float like a cork in the dead sea was a funny but wonderful.

Now it was time to turn our faces toward Jerusalem, and so we started up the mountain to the holy city.

As we crested the top of the road we looked left to see the Dome of the rock and the ancient city. Ami took us to a viewing platform up near the university where he read these words:

Psalm 122 A song of ascents. Of David. 122 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the LORD— to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. ”
8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

And so we were welcomed to the Holy city! Tears filled our eyes, we are home!