We were able to truly “experience” the Galilee area, so come along virtually and enjoy it as well!

Ein Gev is a kibbutz on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee.  Their “claim to fame”….St Peter’s fish!

Ein Gev is also a launch point for those who wish to set sail on the Sea of Galilee.  Here we are, loading up and casting away…sailing under the American and Israeli flags!

The Sea of Galilee is 13 miles long, 7.5 miles wide, up to 150 feet deep, and is 650 feet below sea level.  It is the lowest fresh water lake in the world.  The hills on either side of the lake lend themselves to a “tunnel effect,” so storms can blow up very quickly.  The weather was great the day we sailed, but such is not always the case.  Matthew, Mark, and John all record the account of Jesus falling asleep in the back of the disciples’ fishing boat while one such storm raged.  Fearful and thinking they were about to perish, the disciples awakened Him, questioning whether or not He cared for them!  Jesus calmed the sea with a simple “Hush,” then asked about their lack of faith!  (Read the account in Mark 4:35-41.) How often our faith is lacking, when Jesus is right here with us all along!

Now, based on the picture above, you may think that the boat Jesus was in was a sizable vessel.  Well, guess again!  In 1986, a boat was found sunken in the mud, and accessible due to a drought that caused the level of the Sea of Galilee to be lower than normal.  The story is fascinating, but a large portion of the boat was recovered and is now on display at Nof Ginosar, a kibbutz on the northwestern side of the lake.  It has been determined that the boat is from the 1st century and would most likely be the type of fishing boat used by Jesus’ disciples.  Here is that boat:

The Galilee area is beautiful, but its time to say goodbye and head south toward Jerusalem.  Thus, we leave our “home away from home” to move on.  Here are some shots of our hotel.

I wish I could take all of you to these places personally, but hopefully the pictures help “get you there!”

Blessings, friends!