Today was Magnificant!

We drove to the city of Nazerath and what a city it is. It is huge. I always imagined the city where Jesus lived to be small and remote. Maybe it once was but not now. It has such a beautiful mountain view and a lot of shopping malls. I told Bruce I wonder about the Gospel witness there. It is a shame that in such a place there is so little of the original Apostolic message being preached. The enemy really has a strong hold there. Next we drove to the Mediteranian border to the city of Caesarea. We toured the ruins of the ancient sea port built by King Herod as a tribute to Augustus Caesar. Many years and wars have ruined the ancient site but the area has been built back up to be a nice residential and resort community. It was really worth the drive.
We had ice cream on the walk by the Sea not far from the place the Apostle Paul had to pled his case before the Governor before being sent to Rome. What a place of history this was. We then drove to Tel Aviv and rode around a bit before heading to the airport where I am typing this tonight. We have a lot to write about and tell our children when we see them. Jesus bless you
and have a great Feast of Tabernacles.
In Jesus,
Dana Klein

Walking where Jesus really Walked!

Hello Friends,

We were very excited yesterday walking in the exact synagogue where Jesus walked! Walking through the exact door Jesus walked through. Standing in front of the exact ark where Jesus and Paul would have stood to minister.

Yes, we were off the beaten tourist path. It wasn't even listed in the book on ancient synagogues.

Today, we plan on going to another synagogue where Jesus walked! Etc.

Ruins, here we come!!!!

In Jesus,
Bruce

Sorry

Hello Friends,

We are very busy!

If you are getting impatient waiting for the hundreds of pictures we take each day to be posted, you may try watching these videos.

Click HERE

In Jesus,
Bruce

Day Five Day Six Massada Dead Sea Engedi Qumran

We had a glorious time at the Massada site. We stayed at the Hostel at the foot of the Mountain.
We certainly had to overcome our fear of heights riding the cable car that took us to the top.
King Herod built a huge fortress there. It was so awesome to climb to the Northern Palace. We were not looking down on the way up for sure. The view was amazing. You could look out over the Dead Sea to Jordan. The view from the Northern Palace was so beautiful there are not words to describe it. I have to include a picture so everyone can see it. We stayed at a beautiful hostel that had a balcony overlooking the Dead Sea.






The water in the Dead Sea is an aqua which is my favorite color. We watched as people went to the beach there and floated on the water. It is very poisoneous and you are not to drink or get it in your eyes etc. People have died from it. So while it is beautiful it is deadly. The next place we ventured to was the beautiful oasis of Engedi.








We climbed up to the waterfalls to the one that is called David's Waterfall. There I sat while Bruce climbed a bit further. This was fresh water coming from a spring in the middle of the desert. It is hard to imagine until you see it how refreshing it is. In the Bible King David met up with Saul in a cave in Engedi. In the book of Song of Songs the Shulamite woman speaks of Engedi. We were there and I cannot tell you how it felt as there are not enough words and we do not have all day and night. To be in a land that is full of Bible history just boggles my finite mind.








Next we went to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. I never thought while reading the books of the transcriptions that I would stand on that spot. It was completely the desert and you could look at the caves they were found in. There on that spot the Essenes built their worship areas. There were Seven Ritual Baths there. Imagine bathing in white cloth seven times for purification! Once is enough for me daily maybe twice if its been a hard day but seven times? The caves they lived in were so small. It was hard for me to imagine their lives to be anything but harsh yet they lived to try to please God. We are so blessed to live in the U.S.A but I wonder how blessed we really are. Things take us farther from Jesus.

In Jesus,
Dana

Israel Day Four

we had a great time today! We finally found the house of Simon the Tanner by the Seaside in Old Yafo. We then walked all over the place going to the Antique Flea Market in Old Yafo and then to the Carmel Market. I don't know how many miles we put on our shoes but it has to be many.lol. We had so much fun in the Market. Bruce found some great buys on Kippas and even a Channukah Menorah. We bought a Kiddish Cup and Saucer. We also bought gifts for our children and a Shofar for a friend. I love the scarves these ladies wear and after today I will be sporting one. We went back to take pictures of the most beautiful Synagogue we have ever been in. Yesterday was Sabbath so we could not take pictures but today we were able to. The paint on the outside of the Temple even had gold flecks in it. It was totally beautiful. I told Bruce you can tell when a group of people love and respect the House of their God. It showed there. We bought some great fruit and cheese and fresh baked bread at the Market. For lunch we had huge sandwiches of Lamb and onions with Hummus and a spicy pepper sauce. It was great! I hope we get the same lunch tommorrow.lol. The only thing is we may not be able to be on the internet. We are driving down to Massada and The Dead Sea/Engedi experience. Engedi is mentioned in the scriptures. This is going to be a blast. I told Bruce I look forward to the good time we are going to have there. People float in the Dead Sea but the most famous story is the one of Lot's wife turning to a Pillar of Salt which they say is viewable still. I don't know if its the same Pillar of Salt but I am not wanting to know which one. I only know it really happened. To all our friends I say Shalom and have a great day! For us it is eight thirty pm and I am tuckered out. We are Seven hours ahead of the U.S. in time. This am was daylight savings time. We found out when we showed up for breakfast one hour too early.....go figure...I am for once on time and find out I have to wait. Oh the joys of being American!!!! Oh yes and we bought more Coca Cola!!! Every one loves it here!!!
In Jesus,
Bruce and Dana Klein

Day Three

We were excited to finally find the Great Synagogue. We had walked right by it and missed it somehow. In doing so, we were directed to the most beautiful Synagogue we have ever seen.

The Rabbi was very hospitable and had been to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and even Jackson, Ms. There was a huge ornate depiciation of the Tree of Life and inside the Great Hall was

a huge gold depiciation of the Temple. The prayer benches were beautifully carved. Hopefully we will be able to go back today and take pictures as we were not allowed to do so on Shabbat.

We walked about but being Shabbat the streets were not busy. However, when the evening came and Shabbat was over people were everywhere shopping and dining out. We purchased dinner from a stand that made pizzas and bagels etc. Then we stopped at another stall and bought mango juice. We found a bench where we could dine and take in the atmosphere. There was a traffic circle that Bruce was sure he would never like to attempt. It was so full of cars. I am attaching a picture to give you an idea. What a place this is. Tommorrow, we go out to the Carmel Market, and this time hope to find it full of goods.

In Jesus,

Bruce and Dana

Day Two

We are having such a great time. We drove to Jaffa today and are staying at Beit Emmanuel Hostel. We parked the car and walked out into Old Yaffo. The sights and smells and sounds are incredible. The McDonalds called the hamburgers McRoyals.lol..Yes we found McDonalds again but still no cheese on the burgers. Ah the joys of being in Israel. We walked out into the area near the Mediteranian Sea. It was the best view ever. We walked the harbor and stood on the Wishing Bridge. No I didn't wish. It was way too wierd to think that people stand there and touch their horiscope signs and make a wish looking out into the Sea. People from all parts of the Middle East were there on Holiday as its Rosh Hashanna here which is the New Year. I am very thankful to be with Bruce who knows his way around fairly well. We saw people baking bread and pizza like bread in brick ovens in the walls. It smelled fantastic but unfortunately I ate at McDonalds. Cokes are super expensive here but I like coke so its out with the shekels anyway.
Tomorrow we are going to Simon the Tanner's house and the Great Synagogue. We are so excited to be alive and well and in Israel.
Jesus bless you!
Dana Klein

In the Holy Lands

Hello Friends, Day ONE

Israel is a great country!

We are staying at a kubbutz in Merchavia. Today we saw the Sea of Galilee! We took pictures.

Driving a rental car and taking pictures. Our rental car is white with Budget written on both sides and on the back. As the last time I was in Israel, I feel like the signs mean Americans shoot HERE!

McDonald's is great, but they won't put cheese on our hamburgers.

The Orthodox Synagogue service was three and a half hours long! All in Hebrew! Dana sat in the backroom with the other women. Yes, the women know their place. Just kidding, Dana! You know I was just kidding, really!

The shofar blowing was fantastic!!!!!

The weather is cooler than Louisiana's, but it is not cooler by much.

A lot of people here don't speak any English. It is a good thing we were brushing-up on our Hebrew before leaving the States.

To view pictures of Israel: www.evangelists.webs.com

In Jesus,
Bruce