"Welcome to the Holy Land!" The sun shouted to everyone this morning! We had an early start today because there was a lot ahead of us to do. Breakfast was humming with the excitement of our first morning in Israel and our first change to look around in the daytime. Wow! Beautiful! Lumi and I were not kidding when we told you about the hotel being just a few steps away from the Sea of Galilee.

Here is the sunrise as everyone got to see it today.

The kittens even came out to watch God's show of wonderment!

Our first stop today was a short walk behind our hotel to get on a wooden boat and cross the lake. The boat was a replica of the boats made right here at the time of Jesus. (just a larger version) After we got about ½ way they cut the motor and we drifted while Pete Sumrall welcomed us, Pastor Al said a few words about trusting God and Eli the tour guide told us about the lake and area in general. We sang some songs, took a lot of pictures and sat in awe. We are on the Sea of Galilee and we just opened our eyes to the light of day on day about 2 hours ago. What a great way to start a Holy Land tour!

Our lunch time stop was fun! St. Peters Fish is on the menu! Most everyone got the fish while the others chose soup, pasta, pizza or french fries. I think Peggy and Shirley got the fish just so they could take a picture of it!

Andrew's fish!

Lots of pictures were taken before the first bite. Personally I don't eat anything that looks back at me so I watched the fun over my cheese pizza.

After lunch it was off to work we go. The LeSEA Broadcasting staff were off working on future programs while the group headed to visit the Galilee area (Capernaum and Tabgha)

We ended the day at the baptism site. Our Israeli staff was amazed by how many people out of 104 people got baptized today... I think she said 89 people! It was beautiful and moving experience to watch.

Angela Sumrall reflecting on the waters of the Jordan River before everyone arrived.

Now because of technology we were able to use Skype and air the baptism live on the Harvest Show which was going on at that same moment in our headquarters in South Bend Indiana and on all the LeSEA Broadcasting stations!

What a day! So much happened today, our first day it was a little overwhelming! Time to process the day with our eyes shut. The adventure continues tomorrow with the 6:30am wake up call!

Have I mentioned our next tour is in February? Check out the website for more information!

See you tomorrow! Kim

So many thoughts are going through my head right now, so many things I'd like to tell you already I really don't know where to begin. And yet, here I am with my fingers on the key board motionless. Some things are just hard to put into words...

I greeted the group as they arrived to the hotel. It was fun to match the faces to the names and voices with those who Lumi and I have been talking to and preparing with for months. They were tired from their long journey but still smiling and in high spirits to have finally reached the place that they have anticipated for so long. Israel! As I helped pass out room keys and answer questions I told as many people as I could, "Don't miss the sunrise tomorrow!" You see 104 people arrived to Israel after sundown, drove for 2 hours to Tiberius but have not really seen Israel yet. The landscape is still a mystery to them. They really don't know what to expect! I'm so excited for them! As I sit here, trying to asleep tonight I'm thinking of them, knowing that in the morning their first view of the Holy Land will be the beautiful sun rising over the Sea of Galilee from their balcony or from the boardwalk surrounding the hotel. What a way to start the trip! Stay tuned for those pictures!

More tomorrow from our first day!

Kim

How many times this week have you caught yourself eating a meal standing up, going thru a drive thru or rushing through a conversation that you knew deep down that shouldn't have been rushed. I caught myself eating lunch standing up in the kitchen yesterday in the rush and hurriedness of my day. I had to ask myself, is this what God really wants me to be doing? Rushing through my day? How many times during my day do I take the time just to be still?

I'm thankful for my Pastor's Sunday message to remind me that God wants us to be still. He actually tells us to be still. Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

Being still is not easy for me! But it is my hope for me and the others joining me that the upcoming days will be filled with moments of stillness. To be still in the presence of God, in the Holiest place on earth...the place where He chose for His home.

In that stillness is the only place that we can truly hear from Him.

I challenge you today to take some time out for God, to be still in His presence. I really believe that the 110 people coming to Israel with us next week took time out to be still. Actually, I'm sure of it! That's when they heard from God, felt God's leading and guidance to come to Israel. Many of you feel it too. That pull, draw and urging to come to Israel and experience the life changing journey that God has in store for you. It only comes from God, I can tell you that much. Not everyone will receive this gift from Him. Embrace the gift, listen and come to Israel... I promise you will never be the same.

I promise!

Kim

...and when you get back drop us a note / picture for our bulletin board!