Amazing Day One

This has been an amazing day here in Israel. We are staying in Tabgha, a village along the Sea of Galilee (which is really a lake, fresh water), just south of Capernaum (which is where Jesus did a good bit of his ministry).

We visited two churches today - the Church of the Heptapegon - Seven Springs - which is the traditional site of the Feeding of the 5000. I plan to go back there as soon as I can (we only had a short visit there today). There was a wonderful group of men, from Fiji, singing as song about "King Jesus." What harmony. And I thought -Here is the whole world, gathered to remember where Jesus walked, where Christians have lived since the time of Christ.

Then we visited the Church of the Primacy of Peter - tradional site for Jesus, post resurrection, appearance to the disciples, where Jesus asked Peter, three times, "Do you love me?" Here we saw rock hewn steps, going down into the water (except that the lake level is very low). When I looked closer to these large steps, I saw little pieces of lined papers - which contained prayers which people have folded and placed into the rocks (just like the Western Wall in Jerusalem).

We finished the morning traveling up to Arbel Cliff - which offered an amazing view of the entire valley. As roomie Ken B told me, "it gives a real perspective on disciples' words, when they told Jesus to "send the people into surrounding villages to get food for themselves." There are lots of small surrounding villages. The view was really breathtaking - Capernaum, Tabgha, Tiberas (city), other towns - plus the Lake, and the path that many would have taken, in the valley, on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover.

Great night sleep last night - and a long nap today - and food is great! And the group is just amazing. So - all is good.

You all at home - take good care.

Ken H.

The place were are staying is Pilgerhaus - a German retreat house - "Pilgrim House." Peaceful and pastoral, right on the water,