Thursday 25 July 2013

Israel Houseparty part 3

Mount of Beatitudes
The next day was also incredibly busy - there are so many sights to see it is impossible to cover them all!

We began with a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes.  There is a lovely church on the spot with some beautiful gardens and the whole party were given chance to wander and reflect.

Ruins at Capernaum
From there it was a short bus journey to Capernaum, the site of some wonderfully preserved ruins of the village, a synagogue, and what possibly might have been 'Peter's House'.  After this we had lunch of 'St Peter's Fish' which was great fun.

Synagogue at Capernaum
After lunch we went on a boat on lake Galilee.  This was one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of the trip.  While out in the middle of the lake the boatmen demonstrated 1st century fishing techniques.  They also made us all stand and sing 'God save the Queen' while the Union Flag was raised.  Phil and Colin were honourary Brits for a short while - they were probably singing 'Oh Canada' in their hearts at the time!  A highlight of the boat journey was when the engine was turned off and we experienced the lake as the disciples would have - no hint of a storm though!  Annie read the opening of John 21 and we had more time to reflect.

St Peter's Fish
We then began the journey back to Jerusalem, calling in at Megiddo on the way.  This was another very impressive and very hot set of ruins and is where the name 'Armageddon' comes from.

Eventually we reached Christ Church in Jerusalem, had a lovely welcome and evening meal, and went to bed!




Casting the net

Annie reading on the boat


Cornelius on his chariot at Megiddo

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