Western Wall Visit

It was a perfect time to visit the “Wailing Wall” or “Western Wall” in Jerusalem. The parents were celebrating their sons “coming of age”. The mother’s (who are not allowed on the men’s side of the wall) chant and throw candy at the kids to celebrate this special day. Zach was given some prayers and we made sure to “stick them” into the wall. The wall is the last remaining part of the 2nd Temple and the Jews come here to pray.

Caiaphas’ House

After Jesus is betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane He was taken to Caiaphas’ house where Peter denies Jesus 3 times. While in the High Priests house Jesus is lowered into the dungeon and we read about this event in Psalms 88. Jesus did it all for us!

It’s Dinner Time!

You cannot go wrong with a Swarma plate. They give us a plate packed with chicken meat, fries, salad, humus, vegetables, and either pita bread or swarma bread. This plate is so big Zach and I had to share it, but Vunder ate one all by himself, Yummy!

Watermelon for Everyone

We went down to the “open market” and the worker let us buy half a watermelon and he cut it up for us. He has now done this for two days in a row. Watermelon is so cheap in Israel, half a melon only cost us 100 yen, or $1.00 dollar, amazing!

Senator Joe Lieberman

While walking back from a big day of sightseeing in the Old City, we were walking back to our hotel through the mall that leads to the Jaffa Gate, we passed by this man and Chuck said “hey, is that, is that”, and all of a sudden we realized that is Senator Lieberman. So we walked up to him and asked “Excuse me sir, are you Senator Lieberman”, he was very friendly and said “yes, I am”. So we asked for an autograph and she spend some time talking with us. He said was coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with Senator McCain. He stopped by Israel for a little vacation. We were all blow away, he asked us where we were from and we told him originally from the States but now living in Okinawa Japan. We told him about the Church and Bible College and he looked interested and asked more questions. It was an exciting encounter.

Mount of Olives

Located right next to the Catholic Church that boasts the stone that Jesus prayed 3 times on, is a small olive tree garden that we like to go and read Scripture and pray. It would be a place like this that Jesus would have brought His Disciples to come and pray and relax. It would be a place like this that Judas could have come and betrayed Jesus. It was a great time of reflection and pray to the Lord.

One Bulge Repaired

The bulge in the Temple Mount wall on the East side (B) has been repaired. They feared that these bulges that have appeared would maybe cause the Temple Mount to collapse. They are still working on the Southern side (A). /These are some major repairs.

The Golden Menorah

They have moved the Golden Menorah from the Cardo to now overlooking the way to the Western Wall. It is in a beautiful sight and a great place for pictures. They believe that this Menorah will be in the 3rd Temple when it is built, exciting to think about.

Last Semester at CCBC Israel

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Last semester was the first semester under the leadership of CCBC Murrieta. The students who attended in Israel stayed at the Hotel Imperial within the wall of the Old City. The place has so much history. In its heyday it hosted many famous guests and even now has a beautiful small theatre style dining hall. Joanna would have loved the style and the hotel. The owner is a nice man and he cannot wait until the new students arrive.

Falafel’s and Swarma’s

Time to eat dinner on Ben Yehuda Street, you can order a macho combo burrito called the “swarma” it is filled with either chicken or lamb. Or you can order a falafel which has fried chic peas and all the vegetables that you want. Both are yummy, we are talking delicous!

Early Morning Run

This morning the guys went for an early morning run around the Old City of Jerusalem. I pointed out places of interest that you normally would not be able to get a close up view. We start our full day of touring today, seeing the Old City close up. It should be a total blessing.

Old CCBC Jerusalem

I took the guys to see the old Bible College here in Jerusalem. It is no longer located here but is now in the Old City walls of Jerusalem. There are some good memories here. I had the opportunity to teach here one time and actually stayed at the guys D House up the street, some good memories.

Water Falls of En Gedi

David hid from Saul in the caves of En Gedi which is also an Oasis in the desert. Check out the video, we hope you like it.Pastor Tommy

White on White Magnum Bar

This is Pastor Rick’s favorite ice cream in Israel. White chocolate with vanilla ice cream. He emailed me to eat one in his name. It tastes pretty good, but I think I am like Tamiko, I like chocolate.

Visit to the Outdoor Markets

Fruits and vegetables are so inexpensive in the outdoor markets, as you can see the prices are almost unbelievable. We are all stocked up and ready to eat. Yummy good!

Traveling in Israel 1

Some live video of us on the trip, we hope you like it, just click on the video above.

Beer Sheva

It was here that Abraham dug wells, and also his son Issac re-dug those wells. It was here that God first spoke to Isaac not to be afraid and to trust in the Lord. We had hard hats on because we actually went down into the well and the cistern, “watch out, don’t hit your head”.

David Ben Gurion’s Burial Sight

In the heart of the Negev lies the bodied of Mr. and Mrs. David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel. This guy was a genius, he spoke 9 different languages and was instrumental in the developing of Israel as a nation. The secret of Mr. Gurion’ genius is that you stand on your head for 20 minutes every day, serious! That is what he did every day! Visiting his burial sight is like visiting the grave sight of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln in the States, a real honor to be there.

The reason that he is buried in the Negev (heart of the desert) is because he believed that Israel’s future lies in the Desert and not in the coastland. So when he retired he set up his home in the desert and started his new work. I have been here before, but I could not recognize the place, so much growth, so many houses and there is even a University there; Ben Gurion Institute. Amazing stuff!

Tank Stop

While taking our long trip up to Jerusalem, we saw this Military Tank on the side of the road, so we stopped for some pictures and a quick TRX Workout. The guys had fun on this Israeli Tank, and as you can see, so did Zach.

Night Fell and the Lights Came Out

It drew dark on the beach of Eliat, when it did you could see the light come on in two neighboring countries. It was awesome as an Israeli gal who used to live in Central California pointed this out to us. We were amazed.

Also, the hostel that we stayed at in Eliat was recommended to us by Pastor John Bonner from Peru. (Michelle’s Dad) The workers there were cool, just like the guys in the Cafe in Okinawa. They were layed back, and college students just went there to “crash out”. When we came some were sleeping outside in the dry heat of Eliat. It was quite comfortable at night, but blazing hot in the day. Not like Okinawa, but like Las Vegas, a dry heat. So the Hostel did not have A/C but they used swamp coolers, it was a little warm at night when we first went to bed, but then it got nice and cool in the middle of the night.

There was this college guy (kind of like Jesse Spencer) he took us down the street to eat some falafel’s and swarma’s, we were just like locals in Eliat. The next morning we began our long trip up to Jerusalem.

Swimming in the Red Sea

We began our water adventure at the Mediterranean Sea, then we swam in the Sea of Galilee, then the Jordan, after that the Dead Sea, and now finally the Red Sea. I don’t know anyone who has touched all 5 bodies of water in a trip to the Holy Land. The water was freezing cold at the Red Sea, it was so clear and awesome! As you can see from the sand it is Red, thus giving us its name.

Laundry in Eliat

  We traveled farthest south down towards the Red Sea in the City of Eliat. We packed light so we planned on washing our clothes in the middle of the trip. We found a laundry mat and God brought a Jewish man to teach us how to use the machines. A real blessing.

We took the Cable Car

Pastor Tom and Joe took the cable car up the mountain, but the boyz started up the “Snake Path”, did they make it? It was a huge climb on the cable car.

The Boyz will Hike up Masada

But the question is “Will they make it?”. Right before they started the massive assent using the “snake path”, one of the Israeli’s stopped them and told them that it was too hot. I encouraged the lady that they know what they are doing, but the temperture was aleady hitting 100 degrees and it was barely 9am. So my question to you “Did they make it?” comment below and tell us what you think.

The Sun is going down on Masada

Tomorrow is the big day; We will hike up Masada early in the morning before the sun begins to rise. The temperature will soar into the hundreds tomorrow so we need to get an early start. 5 in the morning comes fast, the mountain is waiting.

Floating in the Dead Sea

This is a place like no other on the face of the earth. The mineral content is so high that you cannot sink in the Dead Sea, you just float! After floating in the Dead Sea they say that you skin feels 10 years younger. Some of the guys rubbed the black mud on their bodies, it is supposed to be “super good” for you. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on the face of the earth.