C.Ryenne Thoughts

Day One

This morning we took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was absolutely breathtaking, and to think of how much of Jesus’ ministry was done around it/on it.

It sadly was not what I was expecting. I was expecting a time of peace and reflection. Instead, it was loud music, dancing, and other loud boats passing by.

Peyton read a passage of scripture for everyone, but we did not talk about where all Jesus’ ministry took place on the sea. I am so happy people were having fun and laughing together, I just wish we could have spent more time focusing on Jesus as well. It was beautiful; I just wish we had more time.

Next, we went to the Mount of Beatitudes. It was gorgeous.

It is hard to wrap my head around the fact that I stood where Jesus preached the greatest sermon ever. We also did not have a ton of time to reflect, but we asked David to read the entire Sermon on the Mount to us. As he read, I realized how many of those verses had been circulating in my head over the past few weeks.

From there, we went to Tabgha. This is where Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew to be disciples. Right next door is where Jesus fed the multitudes.

There are churches built over each of the rocks where it is believed that Jesus did these things.

Because of our guide Sami, I have learned about so many symbolic things in the Bible. One being the direction the net was thrown on Peter’s boat. When he failed, it was directed toward the towns of the Jews. When he cast it to the other side, it was toward the Gentiles. Signifying that he would be preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Also, there were 135 species of fish caught that day. 135 was also the number of Roman countries at that time! It is amazing how intentional God is.

Then, we went to Capernaum. This is where Peter’s mother-in-law’s house is and where the paralyzed man was lowered down through the roof. It was so surprising how close everyone lived to each other.

Next, we went to the Jordan river for people to get baptized. I decided not to. As significant as that spot is, it just felt way to commercialized. I also did not have time to process it, so I would have just done it because the rest of the group was doing it. Although, it was beautiful to witness others getting baptized.

After that, we went to a swim spot on the Sea of Galilee and headed to dinner. My group ended the night by going out to eat in Tiberias. I tried falafel, and it was good…but I think it made me sick…it was an experience though!

Day Two

Today we got up and went to a chapel in Nazareth that was built to look like one that Jesus would have preached in. Dr. Jay (president of SLU) talked to us, and it was such a beautiful moment.

Then we went to Mount Precipice which overlooks the Valley of Armageddon. It holds the cliff that the Jews tried to throw Jesus off of. Dr. Jay read from Luke and talked about Jesus being rejected from His own people.

From there, we went to Megiddo and looked over the ruins. It was very interesting. Sadly, I missed the tunnel the Canaanites built for a water system because I did not feel very well.

Next, we went to lunch and to Mount Carmel. This is probably my favorite sight we have been to so far. I love the story of Elijah and his showdown with the followers of Baal.

Caesarea Maritima was next. Paul stood there to plead his case for Jesus. It was amazing and I cannot believe how well it was structured. The theatre is still in use, they were actually doing a soundcheck for a concert while we were there. They also keep finding more ruins!

We got to go to the aqueducts too to take pictures and look for sea glass. Then, we had a session on the 2-hour bus ride back and we got to go to bed early!

Day Three

Today we woke up and went to Masada!

The weather was perfect, and our tour guide Sami said that it is very rare to get that weather in summer. It was overcast and not too hot at all.

The fortress on Masada is incredibly interesting. I would have hated to be the army going against them. In all honesty, I still have not been able to put it into Biblical context yet, but I am planning to research when I have more time to process.

Next, we headed to Qumran. This is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Did you know that they were found because a couple of men were looking for their animals? They did this by throwing a rock into a cave and if they heard a noise then their animal was in there. This time they threw the rock and heard the noise of pottery breaking.

Brent Crowe (VP of SLU and an amazing author) mentioned how the scrolls could only exist for as long as they did in the perfect conditions. Again, God is so intentional!

While we were in Qumran, it began to rain in the desert. It was amazing.

We got to visit the ruins of Jerico. I am amazed that I got to stand in the oldest city to date. So far, they have only found a tower through excavating, I cannot wait to see what they find next!

Then we went to Wadi Qelt and saw the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I have no questions about why they call it that now.

Definitely an awe filled day!

Day Four

Today…today has been my favorite day so far.

We went to the Mount of Olives first. This is where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We had a view of the East Gate, which Jesus is prophesied to come through when He returns.

Then we walked the Palm Sunday Path and took pictures of/with the city.

We walked to a private area of the Garden of Gethsemane. So much beauty and emotion. Olive trees were everywhere and gorgeous flowers.

Here we had a session with Brent. He gave us three reflection questions and we were given time to go find a spot and sit in prayer.

The questions were:

• In what areas in your life are there weaknesses?
• What does obedience look like in your life? What should you be obedient to that you are resisting?
• In what state do you want your life to end?

This was the first moment of pure, alone downtime, as well as Jesus-time, that I have had for a week. I felt at home and overcome with emotion.

After our group met back up, we went to the public part of the Garden of Gethsemane. I am so glad we got a private moment beforehand, because although you can walk around the garden, it is extremely busy. We also went inside the church that was built over the rock that people believe Jesus knelt on during His prayers.

From there, we went to lunch and to some kind of spot. This spot was a surprise. It was where Solomon anointed David. Dr. Jay anointed each of us individually. It was a very special moment…I definitely teared up.

We then went into Bethlehem to the Church of the Nativity. We got to enter the cave Jesus was born in. Yes, it was a cave! I got to touch the rock that was the manger Jesus laid in.

Next, we went to an SLU Alumni’s shop, and I think almost everyone bought something. Also, in Bethlehem they do not have Starbucks. However, they do have Square Buks, I sadly did not get to try it.

Then we went to the Valley of Elah. This is where David defeated Goliath. We listened to Brent give a short session, and then we got to pick up rocks. These rocks are similar to what David would have had to use in his slingshot. They serve as a reminder of God’s intentionality and provision.

Then we had dinner and a night session. That night’s session was so good. I think Brent is one of my favorite speakers I have listened to. I do not want to insert all my notes in here, but if you are interested, let me know!

Day Five

This day felt like a blur.

We went to the Old City in Jerusalem, and it was beautiful and lively. Mostly tourist groups and shops/business owners.

First, we went to the Temple Mount. They take modesty very serious here, even though all of the women in our group had their shoulders covered, they stopped and gave us cover-ups for our arms. Yet, some groups were not stopped and were less modest than us. So, I am not sure how that works.

The Temple Mount is where Solomon’s temple and Herod’s temple would have stood. Now there is the Dome of the Rock, the Golden-domed Mosque, that signifies where Muhammad was said to have descended into heaven.

Then we took the walk up Via Dolorosa. This is where Jesus walked with His cross on His way to be crucified. This leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This church is built on one possible location that Jesus was crucified at and put in the tomb.

I had expected peace in a place like that…there was none.

It was so busy; we could not even get to any spots of significance. Everyone is talking, some are praying by rocks where significant things were said to take place. (I am amazed they had the focus to pray in there)

We had 30 minutes and only were able to see the rock that is said to be stained with Jesus’ blood.

I still don’t know how to feel about the place as a whole.

We also went to Pilate’s judgement hall. The place Jesus would have been tortured and beaten. His blood fell where my feet have walked: where my hands have touched. We were able to take a moment to pray, read scripture, and sing a bit of Amazing Grace.

After, we went to the Southern Steps. I sat where Jesus taught. I don’t think I can fully wrap my head around that right now; I am not sure if ever will.

Day Six

Today, we went to the house of Caiaphas. This is where Peter denied Jesus three times. We got to stand in a pit that prisoners would have been put in. This pit would have been so dark, uncomfortable, and lonely. It is a room full of stone with one hole in the ceiling. Here, Carson read one of the Psalms where David talked about being in a pit. It put a lot into perspective.

We also saw the garden where Peter denied Jesus. This is what I wrote afterward:

As I processed on the bus, we were headed to the Pools of Bethesda. We sang in the church there (Saint Anne’s church I believe). Every group sang a song, and it was beautiful to hear worship in other languages. We also sang and the acoustics were incredible.

We ate lunch next and made a mandatory stop for iced coffee and chocolate.

From there, we went to the Holocaust Museum. I have been to the one in DC and that one is heavy. This one is even more so.

It is just so unbelievable that it happened and that it got as far as it did without worldly interference. Absolutely sickening.

Especially the room where they are reading the children’s names and how old they were when they were killed. I could not stop crying.

Next, we went to the Garden Tomb. The second spot that Jesus’ crucifixion and burial could have taken place.

We had time to go into the Graden Tomb, it is not like I imagined it to be. It is a lot smaller than what I always had pictured.

We took time to have communion together and we headed back to the hotel. We quickly showered, packed, and ate dinner. Then we were off to the airport.

The Tel Aviv airport did not go as I thought it would. I could not find my airline’s check-in desk, and then I was put in the security line that detects for ion particles by going through your bags by hand. I finally made it to the gate so that I could say goodbye to the SLU group. I said goodbye and was sad to leave those in my church family and new friends.

So, that was Israel.

So much to unpack and reflect on. I am afraid I won’t have time to fully do so until I get back.

I will say that I now feel like I need to read the whole Bible, even passages I have read, just so I can put everything into place.

I am so grateful to have been able to go, especially as a 22-year-old. Thank you to everyone who supported me and prayed for me during this trip.

Now I am off to the next destination!

-C. Ryenne

(These are my typed-up journal entries that I have taken each day, so they are not in real time.)