Back in Jerusalem

We arrived back in Jerusalem this afternoon about 3:30. We had a wonderful trip to Galilee which I'll write about in more detail later. For now, I just have time for a partial list of places we visited and things we did: Nazareth, Mt. Hermon, Banias, Mt. Tabor, Capernaum, Tiberias, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, a look at an ancient boat found on the shore and preserved painstakingly over 14 years until it went on display 6 years ago, Tabgha, much of the Occupied Territory, the Judean Desert, Jericho, the Golan Heights, land that was once part of Lebanon and Syria, and views of present-day Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. We saw many of the Settlements and learned much more about the Israeli/Palestinian issues. Our days have been filled with both the very old and the current factors governing daily life for the inhabitants of this land. It was an amazing trip in many ways, and we all feel as if we have come back "home" to Jerusalem with new understanding and insight. But there is much, much more to learn. Tomorrow most of us will take an optional trip to Masada, the Dead Sea, and to see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. More later from me and hopefully from others as well. . .