By the Beautiful Sea

Two beautiful bodies of water today.  First, the deep blue Med.  Surely no other body of water is that deep blue.  We began today at Caesarea Maritima---an incredible ancient city on the Mediterranean Sea--a beautiful amphitheater, hippodrome, and ancient harbor used during the reign of Herod and beyond.  Almost everyone wnted to dip a toe in the Med.  The warm sun and cool breeze were amazing.  In contrast, we then drove to Megiddo (Valley of Megiddo or Har Megiddo or Armagedon).  Revelation tells us that the final battle will be fought in the Jezreel Valley near this site.
After lunch near Nazareth, we had a very brief visit to Sephoris (Zippori).  Though not mentioned in the Bible, this city is only 3 miles from Nazareth. It is very likely that Joseph and Jesus worked as stonemasons in this city.  There is a beautiful mosaic floor here that contains the "Mona Lisa" of Galilee. 
Our final destination of the day was The Church of the Anunciation in Nazareth--celebrating the site where Mary was visited by an angel who informed her that she would bear a son.  The church was built in 1968 and bears incredible mosaic artworks from countries around the world.  Most depict Madonna and child in the style and ethnicity of their native land.  During our time there, a mass was being celebrated and there was beautiful and worshipful music.  What a way to end a busy day!

All participants on the trip are well and enjoying our adventure.  Tonight and tomorrow evenings, we are staying in a kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Gallilee.  Tomorrow, we will tour around the Sea of Galilee. 

Please keep us in your prayers -------- and ROLL TIDE ROLL!