The day began with a service on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. You can see Tiberius (where we are lodged) on the far shore in this photo.
The speaker was Angus Buchan a farmer from South Africa. Some of you may have read his story in his book, "Faith Like Potatoes." He spoke on Christ's words to Peter, "Feed my Sheep." Making the point that we must lead from the front...not herding from the back. We must work at our own lives as a model and lead by example.
It was an awesome way to start another beautiful day.
The speaker was Angus Buchan a farmer from South Africa. Some of you may have read his story in his book, "Faith Like Potatoes." He spoke on Christ's words to Peter, "Feed my Sheep." Making the point that we must lead from the front...not herding from the back. We must work at our own lives as a model and lead by example.
It was an awesome way to start another beautiful day.
Next, the Goln Heights. The Photo above is the view from the Golan Heights within sight of the Syrian border. Mount Hermon is on the left, difficult to make out in the haze.
This was a military defensive position that was used by the military in the '67 war but is now a tourist site. The Golan Heights used to be occupied by Syria, with the border within sight of the Sea of Galilee. Our tour guide pointed out that during that time, Syria would take pot shots at farmers in their fields and boats on the Sea of Galilee. So in light of that Israel appealed to the UN and negotiated a new border that was set further back in 1974 for the security of the Galilee area.
There was a lot of heightened interest in our tour group as it was on the day of our visit that the leaders of the world were considering their response to the chemical attacks which had occurred a few days before by Syria on their own people.
The Golan Heights are beautiful and full of amazing vistas. It is ideal hiking country.
This was a military defensive position that was used by the military in the '67 war but is now a tourist site. The Golan Heights used to be occupied by Syria, with the border within sight of the Sea of Galilee. Our tour guide pointed out that during that time, Syria would take pot shots at farmers in their fields and boats on the Sea of Galilee. So in light of that Israel appealed to the UN and negotiated a new border that was set further back in 1974 for the security of the Galilee area.
There was a lot of heightened interest in our tour group as it was on the day of our visit that the leaders of the world were considering their response to the chemical attacks which had occurred a few days before by Syria on their own people.
The Golan Heights are beautiful and full of amazing vistas. It is ideal hiking country.
After Lunch Larry and guide from another bus used their operatic voices and belted out a very animated rendition of the song "If I Were a Rich Man" for the dinner guests. What a riot.
Another amazing event, was a baptism in the "Jordan River". Our bus had 18 folk who registered to be baptised. A couple we had come to know were also baptized and came back quite excited for since there had been two pastors who where doing the baptizing, they had, as husband and wife gone to the separate baptizers and had been then baptized at the same time. In unison! And in the Jordan River yet! Very special for them!
Of course, everyone had to "touch" the Jorden River. But it was not that simple for there were fish, ready to nibble on your feet the instant you were in the water. That made a lote of folk hesitate, and end up just dipping their fee or hands into the water. Others had stepped in, many with a lot of trepidation and let the fishes nibble on their feet! A natural "pedicure" even!
Of course, everyone had to "touch" the Jorden River. But it was not that simple for there were fish, ready to nibble on your feet the instant you were in the water. That made a lote of folk hesitate, and end up just dipping their fee or hands into the water. Others had stepped in, many with a lot of trepidation and let the fishes nibble on their feet! A natural "pedicure" even!
I had never seen a Fig Tree before so was looking forward to taking a photo or two. When I saw one I took these photos, of the leaf and the whole tree.
It had been a full day and were looking forward to getting back to the hotel. This would be our last night in Tiberius so we had to pack up our luggage and be ready to ship out the next morning. We were off to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem tomorrow!