In November of 2022, six of us have journeyed together to be in Israel. Four are a part of our internship program - ChristyAnn Dyck, Alysia Wielinga, Jacob Bendel and Cassidy Janzen. We are also joined by Joe Siebel who lived in Israel for a school year while in a Masters program. I feel blessed to be able to take this group to Israel, our second trip based out of the Youth Farm Bible Camp and my fourth journey to the Holy Land. It was also nice to come to a land with Palm Trees.
We started by going to one of my favourite spots, Magdala. This is only a 5 minute drive from the house we are staying at and has a recently discovered first century Jewish Synagogue. A large retreat and conference centre has also been developed on the site. My favourite building is the Doc Altum. It is a piece of architectural beauty with many small chapels where individuals or small groups can gather for prayer, reflection or sharing. The building is dedicated to women in the life of Jesus, both biblical figures and todays women who are disciples of Christ. In the basement is a beautiful painting depicting the moment a women reached to touch the cloak of Jesus.
As we were sitting and reflecting on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, two men came by with paddle-boards. I recognized one as Father Kelly, who led a tour for in February, 2022 when Candace, Cassidy and I were in Magdala. We watched as he was taught how to paddle board and then he gave us a tour of the building, praying with us, and preaching the gospel of Christ. It was beautiful. He shared that Migdal has been a place where many denominations can come together and learn from one another, it is a great blessing.
We then went to Tabgha, the site where we believe that Jesus fed the 5000. Jesus took the time out of a busy day for the people of the Galilee region. He had just heard that his cousin, John the Baptist was killed. Then the disciples wanted Jesus to spend time as there shared tales from the ministry trip they had just gone on. Thousands started gathering all around and the disciples wanted to send the people away. But Jesus wanted to share a meal with the crowd. Five thousand received bread and fish that day in a miraculous meal. I am reminded by this to show compassion to others, even when they seem annoying.
Close to this site is the spot where Jesus fed the disciples breakfast in John 21. Jesus also commissioned Peter for ministry by asking him three times "do you love me". A special spot where the resurrected Christ spent time with his disciples. While there, someone went into the water of the Galilee and started reading the passage to a group of people. We joined in and heard the scripture and some teaching on the passage. His name was Adam Brown and he is a seminary professor from Gulf Theological Seminary in Dubai, and a Canadian. It was great to connect and meet Canadians (we also met some in the morning at Magdala.
It was our first day in Israel and it was good.
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