This Is Our Catch Up Blog

Pastor Rick with the En Gedi Falls in background

Marker for Corrie Ten Boom in the Garden of the Righteous at the Holocaust Museum

Orientation of the Eastern Gate from the Temple Mount

Orientation at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

Viewing the ruins of Masada

Sunrise on the Dead Sea 

OK, we're back on track with the blog. Now we have some catching up to do. Stacey Peyakov will tell you a little of what has happened in the last couple of days.

I started out my morning with a swim in the heated pool containing water from the Dead Sea.  To float in the Dead Sea water is an experience you would never forget.  Experiencing it with my father even better!  Leaving there we went to Masada.  This place is incredible!  A fortress on the hill.  The remains of this place and its location is fascinating.  Even more incredible is to hear the history of Ein Gedi.  This is where David hid from Saul.  We know this to be the correct site because it is the only location in the wild desert with a running spring and oasis of palm trees.  Although we couldn't hike it, it still hit you with the thoughts and feelings David had.  Also,  David left there, he went to Masada (the Hebrew word for fortress.)  To walk and feel where all these people of Bible history were is the most fabulous experience and brings the Bible to life even more.  I have heard Bible stories since I was a little girl, then as a young adult studied these places and people, now as an adult to be right here, brings all the pieces together and draws you into Christ even more.  In studying the Great Woman of the Bible, I have already walked where 6 of these woman lived.  This in itself brings my character to develop deeper meaning of what I learn.  

     From there we headed to Jerusalem.  We have spent two days here.  Several people have gotten sick with the flu, but do not want to miss anything knowing they may never walk these streets again.  The hardest thing for me in this city is to draw the same experience and feelings from the previous days.  Here, is Muslim occupied, Jews don't believe in the Messiah, so much of the areas are lost to non-believers.  Makes you pray deeply for the lost in this city.  With that in mind, it is still quite powerful to be at the city gates, the ruins, and walk the busy roads that Jesus would have walked. 

     For anyone who hasn't been, you have to do it!  It has been safe, not scary by any means, and will change your life forever.  (Stacey Peyakov)