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 Well we are home. It was an unforgettable trip. Finding out how Christianity came to be through the Jewish people has opened many windows for us all. I am confident that there will be further reading on the subject over the days and weeks to come. I am sure all will agree our faith has deepened both in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ but also in each other and in our fellowship here in St Giles and St George.
The last day began as we tried to find our way across the base of Lake Galilee and on to Nazareth and so to our final teaching place, Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea. The difficulty came because there was a bike ride around Galilee. Some 33 miles of road thronged with cyclists of every shape and size from small toddlers on parents' bike to grandparents I am sure.
 In Nazareth we talked about Mary and Joseph and the boy Jesus as he grew into manhood and studied at the feet of the learned men of the synagogue and the Temple. As ever Kishcush, our Guide, underlined the fact that this family were normal flesh and blood people but with an abnormal mission. Everything that we read about them in the New Testament echoes the experience and the history that is the Christian Old Testament and the Jewish Bible that Jesus would read daily in his youth in Nazareth.
Caesarea, on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, has the remains of Herod The Great's Palace and play ground and entertainment Centre he built for the Roman people who were occupying his country around the time Jesus was about. It was from here that Pontious Pilate came to Jerusalem and was part of the judgement of Jesus, from here St Paul sailed to bring the  Gospel to other parts of the known world. Maybe even a soldier who sat and watched gladiators fight in the place where we had our group photo taken, just maybe he travelled to Britain and was part of the garrison stationed up on Hadrians Wall. Well maybe not, but those are the sort of thoughts that were passing through my mind as we paddled in the warm waters of that sea that has lapped the beaches of this land since God first looked on the place he would lead His Chosen People to. Why have there been and continue to be so many difficulties for these people? What does the future hold here in Israel? How can I, after my journey here, make and difference? What difference will it make to me and to my mission?
There are many unanswered questions.
From Abraham's well to the modern City of Tel Aviv and a jumbo jet back to Ashtead and home. Praise God. Alelluia. Shalom.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Trishx
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