I must begin with a report about yesterday.  We left in a van with our driver to go to the Sea of Galilee.  Our tour guide was Palestinian, so we had to drop him off at the check point so he could walk through.  He had his permission papers to leave Bethlehem and guide our tour, but the soldiers would not let him go.  So we drove back into Bethlehem, picked him up and discussed what to do next.  It was decided that we would try another check point and this time pray before we arrived there.  Our guide told us that there really was very little hope of him getting out of Bethlehem as he had already called the Israeli officials who had given him the permission papers.  They told him he could not get out today as they were expecting demonstrations in Jerusalem.  We drove some distance to the other check point, asking God to allow us through with him.  As we stopped, the soldier looked in the van and talked to our driver.  He let us through without even checking our papers!  Then our driver told us that he recognized this soldier and that he was a Christian.  We again prayed and thanked God for opening the way for us.  (Mexico or the West Bank, God is still in control at the check points and interested in our “little needs”)

We drove to Akko, a former fortress of the Crusaders.  The buildings were amazing and it was fun to walk along the Mediteranean Sea.  From there we went to Tiberius and the Mount of the Beatitudes.  This has got to be my favorite place.  It is so peaceful and to sit and reflect on our Lord’s words there is amazing.  We walked the shore of the Sea of Galilee and Bev was so excited to take off her socks and walk in the water.  She had been patiently waiting all week for this!  The sun was setting, so we got some great pictures.

Today was a “day off” —well for some of us—John is still working on the sky lights—so we walked to Manger Square.  This is what I love about travelling!  The streets were filled with people, cars, cages of animals, old women selling vegetables and herbs and everything you can imagine.  People are yelling, horns are honking….it just isn’t the same as going to Logli’s (our local supermarket) at home!    We drank Turkish coffee - now that will stand you up straight! and ate bread hot out of the oven.  We walked around Manger Square and ended our time at the meat market.  Edie wanted us to buy some beef, carrots, potatoes and garlic for “Sunday dinner” tomorrow.  We came back to BBC for a “tea party” with our fresh mint, baklava and the best strawberries!  (did I mention that we are putting Nutella chocolate on our berries?)

Tonight we will go to dinner with Bishara and his wife.  They are hosting a little “party” as a thank you for the work we did on their house.  Tomorrow we will go to Church and Monday John and Keith will finish the sky lights.  Then we head for home—a 14 hour flight.

It has been a great trip.  We have learned many things, laughed, cried, worked, and enjoyed the company of many new friends.

Thank you for going on this journey with us.  I will post a full report when we get home.

Psalm 91