The Jordan Valley

3/20/2011



Gabriel presents a new stole to Pastor
Duane



“Welcome to the land where our faith began,” greeted Gabriele, the 80 year old patriarch of the local Palestinian Christian tour company that partnered with Lori Moline of Crossing Borders to organize our trip. We were standing under grape vines, munching on home grown bananas and oranges in his Jericho home as he discussed his 50-year passion for bringing Christians to the Holy Land. He explained that Christians need an increased presence here in the Holy Land: our message of love and forgiveness is a moderating voice between the other peoples of this land. Indeed, Ellias, the headmaster of the Mars Ellias School of Education, a Christian school we visited yesterday, indicated that as Christians we needed both vision and action. “Vision without action is just a daydream,” he proclaimed. “Action without vision is just a nightmare.” This morning, during sunrise worship on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, we read the parable of the Good Samaritan. Of course, we all want to be the Good Samaritan in that story…but Pastor Duane asked us to consider whether, in reality, we are the traveler in need of help along the roadside. Who on this trip has helped us: people like Gabriele and Ellias have certainly helped us as has our guides, Giovanni and Ayman, understand the delicate and complex nature of the relationships in this land where our faith began. We have been having all sorts of fun and fellowship: floating in the Dead Sea this afternoon, now savoring the warm sea breeze and cold Goldstar as we talk and laugh in the evening. Tomorrow we are on our way to Jerusalem with stops at Masada and Qumran (Dead Sea scrolls) on the way. Lot’s more to come. Randy

Jenna, Eli, Samantha, Sawyer, Michael & Gabrielle, we love you! Seeing a lot of ruins & water & having fun. Hi Agnes from the whole SOTV gang. Marla and Dan Larson.

Shalom from Israel!

We are having a most incredible time. We’ve visited so many special places, walking where Jesus walked, making the Bible come alive before our eyes. Last night we had songs and devotions on the Sea of Galilee; tomorrow we begin four nights in Jeruselum.The land is incredible, the food bounteous and beautiful, and walking with the Master simply cannot be put into words. We hope you are all well. See you soon. Blessings, Mom and Dad / Jane and Gary Matson.

Blessings to my family and friends. Five wonderful days in the Holy Land-breathtaking! Filled with joy and the wonder of Christ’s love for us all. My prayers are with you throughout every day and at every site. I love you all! There is so much to share! I am sitting on the hotel lounge balcony overlooking the Dead Sea. Tomorrow we are off to Jerusalem. Mom, Nanna and Janet.

Holy Land greetings to my family and friends. Last night I watched a big orange full moon over Sea of Galilee, with the light shimmering over the water! Today, you also would have enjoyed floating on the Dead Sea. After about five days of being very busy following in Jesus footsteps we are half way through our pilgrimage. The geography of the places we visit really shows why the location was very important. Sent with love, Cathie Walstad.





The start of the Jordan River Valley



The trip from the Galilee is a journey of contrast. The Galilee is vibrant with colors, water and orchards. Within a short time of traveling south from the Galilee, the landscape begins to change to one of golden browns, grey and very little greenery at all. We are traveling south along the Jordanian border with Israel. From the road the Jordanian hills rise grandly from a fertile valley fed by the Jordan River. It seems so peaceful until the abandoned pill boxes, bunkers, land mine signs and military posts become visible. Yet even with this reality check, is the thought that this is a beautiful place with its contrasts. I have said before that photos cannot show the beauty of the Jordan River Valley.

Albeit void of water in most areas, the mountains and striations of the rocks contribute to the wonder of the place. Mark