We have been in the Galilee since Monday, and explored the towns, cities, and ancient sites that surround the water. The Sea of Galilee is also known as Knerret or Lake Genessaret, and is the largest body of fresh water in Israel, 13 miles long and 6 miles wide.
We are staying at a hotel right on the water, and have swum in it to refresh ourselves after hot day exploring places like Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Nazareth, a newly excavated city called Sepphoris, and today finishing at the Church of the Loaves and Fishes at Taghba, from a Greek word meaning "Seven Springs." It is the site commemorating Jesus' feeding the Multitudes, and we were fortunate to have access to an outdoor chapel at the site where our Tantur group held a prayer service overlooking the water. Right after that, we returned to our hotel via a lovely boat ride right to a landing.
We have two more days to see more sites. Tomorrow part of our plan included a trip to the Golan Heights, which is a major source of the Jordan River and a centrally located site in the Middle East. In the 1948 War of Independence, Israel secured this land bordering the Sea of Galilee from Syria and is has been a place of conflict ever since. With the recent violence there, we may have to avoid it or only see a section that is safe for tourists.
It is an interesting experience to be on a pilgrimage and discovering the rich geography and culture around the places that have deep meaning for Christians, all the while knowing that those who live here are in the midst of deep division between Arabs and Israelis.
The house matron at Tantur, when I asked her how she thought the conflict could end, said, "only when one side says to other, 'I forgive you.'" That seems to be a wise statement, and one that is very difficult to imagine.
We are enjoying our ecumenical experience of unity among Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Two of us who are Lutheran, and two who are Mennonite.
Know that you are all held in our prayers, and that we are grateful for yours.
Gabriel, Bethany, and Kim have safely arrived in Minnesota, and are enjoying being with their cousins.
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