caesarea, megiddo, armageddon, and much more

Today we hit the ground running around 7 o'clock am.  On the agenda today was Caesarea by the sea (where Paul stood trial before Felix), Megiddo (a city overlooking Armageddon that has been rebuilt 25 times), Armageddon (that's right, we stood where the final battle is going to take place), Mt. Carmel (where Elijah battled the priests of Baal), and Nazareth.  

Our tour guide, Makhoul, is very knowledgable and offers a lot of information--he's a good one!  

Tonight we have moved from staying in Natanya (right on the Mediterranean Sea) to staying in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.  

We are all doing well and everyone sends their love back home--and of course, we're all having a great time!

safe and sound

The day our group has been waiting for has finally arrived--we are IN Israel!  Our plane landed at about 4:30 pm local time and we came straight to our hotel.  We ate together, a few took a walk by the Mediterranean Sea, and now everyone has pretty much crashed--it's been a long day!  Everyone is safe, happy, and full of good food (buffet dinner!) and ready for an exciting day tomorrow.  


Here's a glimpse of what our day's been like: 

Our ride for the week:

 

Tonight's accommodations ^


Keep checking back for updates--we will keep you as updated as the internet access will allow.

Counting Down!

Welcome to the Israel 2011 blog!  Our plane leaves this Friday and we are all very excited and counting down the days.  We will be updating the blog with thoughts and pictures as the internet is available to let you guys back home know what we're up to.  Please keep the group in your prayers as we embark on this great adventure.  

Here's the group:


Don Chasteen
Scarlet Chasteen
Kaleb Elliot
Claude Patterson
Thelma Patterson
Joanie Ross
Mike Ross
Marc Francis
Rae Francis
Ben Francis
Tera Francis
Donna Hess
Sammy Hess
Starr Wade
Elaine Williamson
Clay Eaton
Linda Eaton
Tom Buck
Joyce Buck
Jerry Greene
Rita Greene
Rod King
Robin King
Caitlin King
Paula Dugdale
Susan Thayer
Linda Travis
Luanna Spain
Sid Stone


Check back for updates!