February 25, 2007 Sunday Travel Day	Leave SC around 6:30 AM with Cynthia Coahran driving one van and Jim Ward driving a pick up truck we headed out to the San Jose airport – Check in Southwest  at 8:00  for  Flight 2087 – SJC – LAX Departs 9:10 AM Arrives 10:25 AM. Picked up bags and  went all the way to the other side of LAX on a bus to check into El Al – 3 hours before departure in the International Terminal Los Angeles (LAX). El Al Israel Airlines flight LY 006 Depart 1:45 PM for a Night on  the plane – it is 11:45 PM in Israel as we leave LA Flight time 13 hours 55 minutes  This plane was not very full so we each had a lot of extra space with no passenger in the center seat of the 3 for everyone in our group. This whole day is used for travel. The big surprise to us was the security. El Al security questioned us and the x-rayed every bag. If something was not right they open with you there to check it. Then we saw LAPD and El Al security cars follow our plane out on the runway to take off.
February 26, 2007 Monday Travel Day	Arrive Tel Aviv 2:25 PM Ben Gurion (Natbag) Airport is Located only 20 KM from Tel Aviv and 50 KM from Jerusalem Drive to hotel – got  there an hour or so before sunset which was at 5:30 PM . We were picked up at the airport by our guide, Ronnie Cohen from Sar El to drive to our hotel.     Dan Panorama Hotel 10 Kaufman Street | Charles Clore Park, Tel Aviv 68012, Israel Phone: 011-972-3-519-0190   We rest and take a walk around the area by the hotel and explore the Mediteranean Sea beach. Dinner is around 6:30 and then we head for early bed.  - it is 10 hours behinds in SC where it is 4 AM when we land  and close too noon when we finally get to bed.  - This is really still day one to all of us as we have been up close to 30 hours (minus a good nap on the plane).
February 27, 2007 Tuesday  Day 1 of Touring	From Tel Aviv to Caesarea (45 min) Acts 10 – Peter and Cornelius Acts 25:13-26:32 Paul before Agrippa Teaching by Keith Wills on how God prepares Cornelius through a vision to receive instruction from Peter, then God prepares Peter to give instruction to Cornelius, also through a vision. This was where Simon Peter converted the Roman, Cornelius, the first non-Jew to believe in Jesus. Here we learn that just being a good person is not enough. Caesarea was the place where Pontius Pilate governed during the time of Jesus. Paul was also imprisoned for two years in Caesarea.    Mount Carmel II Kings 2:25, 4:25, 19:20-34 Isaiah 33:39 Jeremiah 46:18, 50:19 Amos 1:2, 9:3 1 Kings 18 Teaching by Larry Elizondo On Mount Carmel transpired the miracles attending the competition between Baal and the Israelite God YHWH, after which the priests of Baal were put to death by the order of the prophet Elijah  Fantastic overview of the Valley of Armegeddon and the area where much of the history of Israel took place.  Lunch followed - great food and it was part of our tour price   Tel Megiddo Pastor Ruben covered some of the events that happened and will happen here. Look at Joshua 17:11, Judges 1:27, II Kings 9:27, 23:29-30, Zechariah 12:11, Esekiel 38 Revelation 16:12-16  Armegeddon    Nazareth Boyhood home of Jesus – Matthew 2:23, Luke 2:39-40, 2:44, John 1:45-50 Luke 4:16-30. We only stopped a short while in this town as we drove toward our first hotel in Tiberias.   Scotts Hotel – Tiberias for 3 nights 1 Gdud Barak St | P.O.Box 104, Tiberias 14100, Israel Phone: 011-972-4-671-0710 Location. Housed in a group of 19th century stone buildings, the Scots Hotel is set on the shores of the Sea of Galilee just north of Tiberias, overlooking the Golan Heights. Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) is 100 kilometres away. Originally a 19th-century hospital, the buildings of the Scots Hotel also served as a guesthouse for pilgrims before opening as a hotel in 1999. Guests can enjoy the public areas, which include lawns with views of the Sea of Galilee, ornate shrubbery, stone terraces, and a fish pond, roof terrace and herb garden.    The food here was GREAT. Fit for a king. Rooms were delightful and from our room we could see the sea and some great sunrises.
February 28, 2007 Wednesday Day 2 touring	Mount of Beatitudes Matthew 5 – 7 Luke 6:20-49 Teaching by Rubin Cortez. The Mount of Beatitudes refers to the hill in northern Israel where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. The traditional location for the Mount of Beatitudes is on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret (Ginosar). The actual location of the Sermon on the Mount is not certain, but the present site (also known as Mount Eremos) has been commemorated for more than 1600 years. The site is very near Tabgha. We sang and looked over scriptures and enjoyed the view of the sea from this hill top location.   Capernaum Mark 1:16-34, 2:1-13, 5:21-42 Luke 7:1-10, 8:40-56, 9:46-50 John 4:46-54, 6:48-59 Matthew 4:13-25; Matthew 8:5-23 Matthew 11:20-24 Teaching by Keith Wills. According to the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus selected this town as the center of his public ministry in Galilee after he left the small mountainous hamlet of Nazareth (Matthew 1:12-17). Capernaum has no obvious advantages over any other city in the area, so he probably chose it because it was the home of his first disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew. We looked at a location that was probably Peter's house next to a synagogue that was probably not built until the 2nd Century but was in the same location as the one during Jesus' time.    Sea of Galilee Wooden boat ride across sea Mark 6:45-52 Jesus walks on water Teaching: Ruben Cortez at the beach area where Jesus saw Peter and asked Him if he loved him three times. The sea was calm and beautiful. Although the water is some 50' lower than it was when Jesus was here it is easy to see Him here. Beautiful and quiet and far away from the pace of the city it was not hard to worhip Him here.   Gadera The Gospel accounts record that Jesus, along with His disciples, stepped upon the shore and “immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man” possessed by demons named Legion (Mark 5:2). Jesus then spoke to the demons and demanded them to depart, sending them into a nearby “herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain” (Luke 8:32). The possessed pigs, “ran violently down the steep place into the sea” and “those who kept them fled and went away into the city” (Matt. 8:32-33). Matthew 8:28-34 & Mark 5:1-20 & Luke 8:26-39 Teaching: Larry Elizondo  Kibbutz EnGev and St Peter's Fish lunch - good but watch out for bones   Baptism in Jordan at south end of Sea of Gallilee Galilee Experience - Movie
March 1, 2007 Thursday Day 3 Touring	Tel Dan Headwaters of the Jordan I Kings 12 – Jeroboam’s idolatry Teaching  by Ruben Cortez. Located at the foot of Mt Hermon and the Golan Heights, in the northeastern corner of the Huleh Valley Idolatrous worship practices were established in Dan during the priesthood of Moses’ grandson, Jonathan, and were continued by his descendants (Judg 18:30). The city finally became a national center of idolatry under Jeroboam I (1 Kgs 12:29-33  This site had a beautiful walk through the forest to come to the altar built there to sacrifice animals and perhaps humans. Just a short walk away is a Cannanite gate where Abraham probably first entered this land.    Caesarea Philippi Matthew 16 – Peter’s Confession Mark 8:27, 9:1-8 Teaching: Keith Wills Caesarea Philippi (originally Panias) was located two miles east of the site of Dan, twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee and forty miles southwest of the ancient city of Damascus. The site is 1,150 feet above sea level and ten miles south of the 9,200-foot Mount Hermon was once a center for Greek idol worship. Now a nature preserve we viewed the place where Jesus asked His disciples "Who do you say I am?"   Mount Hermon (on the bus) Matthew 17 – Transfiguration Teaching: Ruben Cortez Mount Hermon was called Senir by the Amorites and Sirion by the Sidonians (Deuteronomy 3:9; Psalms 29:6; 1 Chronicles 5:23; Song of Solomon 4:8; Ezekiel 27:5). The mountain served as the northern boundary of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:8) and also was the northern limit of the Conquest (Joshua 11:17; 12:1; 13:5).    Golan Heights and Syrian overlook - Our guide told us about the battles that had taken place in this area with a perspective that comes only from a man that had actually served in this outlook while in the army.   Mount Bental
March 2, 2007 Friday Day 4 Touring	Check out of the Scotts and we now drive from Tiberias down south to the Dead Sea. Along the way we stop at:    Beit Shean It was on the walls of Beit Shean that the Philistines hanged the bodies of King Saul and his sons after the crushing defeat on Mt. Gilboa. I Samuel 31 and 26:21 Teaching: Ruben Cortez “All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.” This ruin was part of a large city where we observed the construction of the time along with viewing the destruction that comes with an earthquake in this area long ago.   Gideon’s Spring Judges 7 – Gideon and his men Teaching: Larry Elizondo before the group hikes up the trail to see the water fall.   Sachne – hot springs     Le Meridien – Dead Sea Hotel Mobile Post Ein Boqeq • Dead Sea 89680 • Israel Phone: 011-972-8-659-1234    The hotel is located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, framed by the Judean Hills and situated a short distance from 4,000 years of history
March 3, 2007 Saturday Day 5 Touring	Masada Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Read in Synagogue) Teaching Ruben Cortez Masada today is one of the Jewish people's greatest symbols. Israeli soldiers take an oath there: "Masada shall not fall again." Next to Jerusalem, it is the most popular destination of Jewish tourists visiting Israel Dead Sea    Ein Gedi 1 Samuel 23 Teaching: Larry Elizondo It is known for its caves, springs, and its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Ein Gedi is mentioned several times in biblical writings, for example, in the Song of Songs; "My beloved is unto me as a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of Ein Gedi" (1:14). According to Jewish tradition, David hid from Saul in the caves here; "And David went up from thence, and dwelt in the strongholds of Ein Gedi" (Samuel 1 23:29)    Qumran  (Hebrew:חירבת קומראן Khirbet Qumran) is located on a dry plateau about a mile inland from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea in Israel.  This is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.    Ramat Rachel for remainder of trip – 4 nights Located 820 meters above sea level where the rolling hills of the Jerusalem pine forest meet the golden Judaean desert, is the sprawling Ramat Rachel Hotel, Congress, and Spa complex. This four-star deluxe property is a winning combination of luxurious accommodations, outstanding views of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the Judaean hills and extensive facilities. A short drive from the Old City and the heart of Jerusalem, the hotel serves as a convenient and comfortable base for touring the Holy City and the surrounding sites. The hotel has its roots as a youth hostel built in 1969 by the members of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel to serve groups of Israelis and tourists visiting Israel's capital city. Ramat Rachel Hotel Kibbutz Ramat Rachel D.N Tzfon Yehuda 90900 Tel: 011-972-2-670-2555
March 4, 2007 Sunday Day 6 Touring	Mount of Olive, Palm Sunday Path Matthew 24 Teaching: Ruben Cortez Garden of Gethsemane Luke 22 Teaching: Larry Elizondo According to Luke 22:43–44, Jesus' anguish in Gethsemane was so deep that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Gethsemane was also where Christ was betrayed by the disciple Judas Iscariot.    City of David, Mt Zion “There are many places in Israel where one can read the Bible and stand in the place where the action happened, but none are like the City of David. Most of the biblical events that took place in Jerusalem happened there - at the time the City of David was Jerusalem.” Jerusalem Post  Hezikiah's Tunnel   King David's Tomb, Zion Gate   Jewish Quarter Jerusalem Burnt house at 2:20 in the afternoon
March 5, 2007 Monday Day 7 Touring	Free Day to Explore Jerusalem – This is day of celebration of Purim (Shushan Purim) (Feast of Lots) Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of ancient Persia from a plot to destroy them as related in the Book of Esther, which is read at this time. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor and socializing. Preceded by the Fast of Esther, Purim is a day of feasting. The Megillah (Esther 9:20-22) says that the Jews prevailed over their enemies on the 13th of Adar, and on the 14th they feasted to celebrate the victory. But in Shushan the capital, the battle lasted another day and the holiday was not celebrated until the 15th. Shabbat Day: On the 15th, which is the actual day of Shushan Purim, the paragraph of "Al Hanisim" is added to the prayer service and to the Grace After Meals. Also, a second Torah scroll is included in the morning Torah reading. The story of the attack of Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16), which is the Torah reading for Purim, is read in addition to the regular weekly parsha. The Haftorah is the same as for Parshat Zachor.
March 6, 2007 Tuesday Day 8  Touring	Elah Valley The Valley of Elah is best known as the scene of the Biblical battle between David and Goliath (Elah means terebinth, a tree commonly found in this area). I Samuel 17 Teaching Larry Elizondo    Beth Shemesh After the conquest of the land of Israel in about 1200 BCE this area was allocated to the Israelite tribe of Dan, one of whose most famous members was Samson. If you flip backwards a bit in your Bible to Judges 13-16 you can review the stories of Samson’s trials and tribulations with the Philistines. Judges 13 – 17 Teaching Ruben Cortez The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and there it stopped beside a large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. On that day the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord" [1 Samuel 6:12-15] Yad VaShem    Israel Museum and 2nd Temple Model   Western Wall Tunnel at 6:20 PM
March 7, 2007 Wednesday Day 9 Touring Last Day	Southern Steps of Temple John 7:37-39 Teaching Ruben Cortez Temple Mount    Antonia’s Fortress Way of the Cross   Pools of Bethseda John 5 Teaching Larry Elizondo - we also step into the church near by and sing to the Lord - what an echo. In this area a pair of Norwegian woman working on an End Times documentary gets us to do a spot for their video. We read from Ezekiel and then run on to our last stop before it gets dark.    The Garden Tomb at 4:00 for Bible Study and Communion
March 8, 2007 Thursday Travel Day	This day actually was a continuation of Wednesday as we left Jerusalem after the Garden Tomb and drove toward the airport. Had dinner and arrived at the airport at around 8:30. The actual time of departure was the next day (Thursday)Tel Aviv El Al Israel Airlines flight LY 005 Depart 12:40 AM Arrive LAX at 6:25 AM - Thursday Night on plane – suggestion to sleep on this trip – it will be dark the entire trip. Flight time 15 hours 15 minutes – Boing 777 has three rows of 3 seats each – 9 across  Arrive LAX – Customs then go to SouthWest Air terminal for check in at 8:45 Southwest Air Flight 229 Departs LAX 9:45 AM arrive SJC at 10:50 AM – probably home by 12:30 PM     On paper this was a day that left Israel at 1 AM and ended 12 hours later at home in Santa Cruz but the missing part was the 10 hour difference in time for a total trip time of 22 hours.