What happens on the Sea of Galilee

We begin the next morning with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The water is choppy and I am reminded of my first mission trip to Mexico. We went on a boat ride on the Gulf of Mexico and it was so rough that the entire group got sea sick. Much nausea and vomiting. This was not repeated here, but I was nervous. The stormy sea reminded of the story of Jesus stilling these same waters. The crew plays loud, obnoxious, worship music so I turn up the worship music on my iPod and have a beautiful time of worship especially to the song "Come Awake" by David Crowder.

"Are we left here in on our own?
Can you feel your last breath is gone?
Night is weighing heavy now.
Be quiet and wait for a voice that will say:
Came awake from sleep arise!
You were dead you've come alive.
Wake up, wake up...open your eyes.
Climb from your grave into the light.

Bring us back to life.

You are not the only one.
Who feels like the only one.
Night soon will be lifted friend.
Just be quiet and wait for a voice that will say:
Come awake from sleep arise!
You were dead you've come alive.
Wake up, wake up, open your eyes.
Climb from your grave into the light."

There were a few strong memories from this boat ride aside from this:
1. The crew plays the Star Spangled Banner and then raises the American Flag. I thought this was funny. We all stood and belted out singing. Fun and really weird.

2. There was a guy standing in the middle of the boat straddling as it rocked back and forth as if his legs were keeping the boat under control steadying the ship.

3. At one point some in the group began a circle of Jewish dance. I imagined the likely possibility of someone tripping and hurdling across the ship. Sadly, this did not seem like a happening that would make me feel bad. (Is this too honest?)

4. Mrs. Wechsler pulled Dr. Wechsler to get up and dance with him. He seemed embarrassed but he eventually went along. His response was to grab the mic and declare "What happens on the Sea of Galilee stays on the Sea of Galilee."

Dr. W points out that as Moses delivers the people from the Red Sea it provides a strong reality for the Jewish people. God controls the Sea. Jesus controls the Sea. He has the power of God. He is God.

On shore we visit a museum that contains the remains of a 2000 year old fishing boat that has been discovered in the past 20 years. I watched a documentary that explained how they pulled the boat from the mud at the bottom of the sea and carefully moved it by keeping it wet so that it would not dry out and disintegrate. They also needed to fill the boat with foam in order to stabilize it for the move. On a bad note...this site began an annoying succession of sites that charged one shekel to use the bathroom. If you're going to pay a shekel for it you might as well call it the WC. The most emotional moment on our trip came at the Mt. of the Beatitudes. Here Dr. V shared from Matthew 6:25-34 regarding God's caring provision for his people. He spoke from his life. When he pursued his doctorate he quit his job and moved his family into a trailer. He worked as a security guard and never made more than the poverty line, but God provided. As I heard this I thought of our third baby. I teared up. God would care for me and for them. He always does and has. The sermon on the mount exhibits Jesus' prophetic authority. His theme of Matthew 6 is that God wants to remove all worries of our life so that our concern can be following Him.

The church at this site was beautiful. It was light and cheery...except for the cranky nuns. It had gardens and was built on a green hillside. The church is crowned with windows of stained glass that state the beatitudes in Latin.