Thursday, July 17, 2008

Next Stop - Israel

One Star Tour
Itinerary
September 14-25, 2008


Day 1: Departure for Israel, overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrival in Tel Aviv. Travel to Caesarea-by-the-Sea with overnight in Haifa.

Day 3: Travel to Galilee with visits to Mt Carmel, Meggido, Zippori, and the Mt. of Beatitudes. Overnight beside the Sea of Galilee at Ein Gev Kibbutz.

Day 4: Tour Capernaum, Korzin, Dan Nature Reserve, Caesarea Phillipi, Nimrod's Castle, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight at Ein Gev Kibbutz.

Day 5: Leave Galilee for Jerusalem. Enroute tour Jordan River, Herod's spring, Beit Shean, ascent to Jerusalem on the Jericho Road (Wadi Quelt). Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6: Tour of Jerusalem's Old City, which includes Mt Olives, Gethsemane, Pools of Bethsaida, Herodian Quarter Museum, Ecco Homa Arch, Antonio's Fortress, Praetorium, and the Southern Steps. Overnight at Jerusalem.

Day 7: Garden Tomb, Solomon's Quarries, with time to shop, and explore. Overnight at Jerusalem.

Day 8: Jerusalem's Temple Mount, Western Wall, Rabbi's Tunnel, Upper Room, Caiphas' House and King David's Tomb. Overnight at Jerusalem.

Day 9: Jerusalem New City, Shrine of the Book, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, survey of Model City. Overnight at Yad Hashmona Moshav in the Judean hills.

Day 10: Travel to the Dead Sea to explore Masada, Ein Gedi Waterfall, and the Qumran Caves. Return to Jad Hashmona for overnight.

Day 11: Tour the Shephelah Valley and visit Old Testament sites of Beth Shemash, Lachish, caves of Beit Guvin among others.

Day 12: Departure for airport. Farewells.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

End of a Hard Day


A Special Dinner Treat - Pablo's Tacos


The "Up Top" Crew


Day 2 - Good Progress


New Life Experience #17 for 2008

Driving a 34 passenger bus in rural Mexico at night.

Back at Camp Mike Conducts a Fooseball Clinic


SCORRRRRRRRRRRRRE


Power Tools - Good


Taking Shape


First Wall Goes up - Day 1


Back in the USA

We did it! 56 St. Luke's missionaries - four days - four houses. What a trip. Admitttedly, the houses are small and simple, but are certainly comfortable and from the reaction of the the familes - very much appreciated. YUGO is a very well run organization and are quite effecient at this house building effort. In addition to our four homes five other homes were built this past week by volunteers out of the Ensenada Outreach Center. The foundations had been prepared, the materials were on site and their national construction foreman was very experienced.

I wasn't able to update the blog during the week, partly because of limited internet access, but mainly due to lack of time. The days were quite full from beginning to end and sleep usually won out as a priority.

I am rambling as I am riding through sunny CA. I will post some pictures.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

AND WE'RRRRRE OFF


We are on the road. I needed to take the first driving leg since I was so anxious about all the little details, but it went fine and I am now comforatably settled in as co-pilot while the passengers are watching a movie. It took about an hour to get comfortable driving the rig pulling a fully loaded trailer and - always concerned about blow outs, especially with a single axle trailer - I thought it was all over when my potato chip bag burst near the top of Loveland pass.

Our send off was really special with all the family members there. Hold us in your thoughts and prayers this week.