If you missed my other trip posts, read the Day #1 recap, the Day #2 recap, the Day #3 recap, the Day #4 recap, the Day #5 recap, the Day #6 recap, and the Day #7 recap.
Day #8 of our Epic Trip to Italy and Israel with the Museum of the Bible was a very exciting day. We took a 2-hour helicopter ride over Israel. It was SO cool to see so many things from the air that we had seen up close and in person over the past few days.
Plus, it was so helpful to get a bird’s eye view of the lay of the land. Well, and it was also just plain cool to take a helicopter ride! The only other time I’d been on a helicopter was when I was a little girl.
I’m somewhat prone to motion sickness so I was a little worried that it was going to be a miserable ride. But I sat where I could see out of the front, drank water, ate some bars, and rubbed on some essential oils and was able to really enjoy the experience.
Flying over the Dead Sea was especially a unique experience because it’s the only place where you can fly BELOW sea level!
It was also fun to see Masada from the air — since we’d spent a lot of time there the day before.
I loved getting to meet Jeff on the trip. He’s an amazing writer who has written for some of my very favorite publications.
He also has such a beautiful heart and, even though he and I have very differing beliefs in some areas, I was so inspired and challenged by meeting him and will likely be impacted by our conversations for the rest of my life. (You can read all of his posts on the trip experience linked at the top of this post here.)
After we landed in the helicopters, we took jeeps to a nearby kibbutz and then to the Syrian border.
It was surreal to be so close to a war-torn area, to see the army encampments, to see the destruction, to meet the locals and hear their stories, to see all the land mine warning signs, and to feel such tension in the air.
And yet in the middle of the conflict and unrest, there was hope — the people from the local kibbutz have beautiful orchards right near the border and there are wildflowers growing in the land mine fields.
My heart left feeling heavy, but also somewhat hopeful. There are no easy fixes, but there is hope springing up — even in the middle of what might feel like hopeless situations.
I loved how Jeff described the experience:
On the last full day of our pilgrimage, I was sitting in the back of a Jeep, bouncing along rutted dirt roads in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This is disputed territory. Everywhere you look, there are reminders of war— bunkers, barbed wire, and, in the distance, the abandoned remains of the Syrian city of Quneitra. At one point, our driver suddenly stopped. To our left, behind a sign that said “CAUTION: LANDMINES,” a meadow was ablaze with dozens of crimson anemones. “Beautiful flowers,” he said. “Beautiful flowers in the minefield.”
Those spring flowers remind me that, while heartbreak and hatred may seem so powerful in our world, beautiful things are more resilient than we can understand.
We ate lunch at the kibbutz and it was an amazing spread made by a local woman — many of the items were grown right there in the kibbutz.
Even though we were so close to the Syrian border, there was such a feeling of peace and quiet there. I fell in love with the people and the area. In fact, it was the first day that I felt like, “I think I’d like to buy a house here in Israel and come visit regularly!”
We then drove to Capernaum and visited the remains of a 4th-century synagogue. It is believed that Jesus preached at this synagogue.
The sun shining in on the synagogue was utterly gorgeous… this picture doesn’t do it justice!
I took my shoes off and stood on the ground. It was weird to think that Jesus could have walked right here.
Then, we went to the Church of the Beatitudes, the location where it is believed that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount.
It was absolutely gorgeous weather there. Just beautiful!
And then we got on a boat on the Sea of Galilee and went to Tiberius. {It feels so weird to even write that after reading about both places in the Bible for so many years!}
It was SO gorgeous and peaceful and beautiful… the perfect end to a very full day!
I took this picture on the boat with many, many thoughts swirling in my head. Here’s what I wrote:
Believe it or not, I didn’t want to go on this trip… I tried to talk Jesse out of having me go four different times. It was scary and so far outside my comfort zone to be gone for 10 days from my family with a big group of people — almost all whom I’ve never met and who have done great and big and monumental things with their life.
I’m an introvert. I don’t like new situations with people I don’t know. And I have a serious fear of the unknown.
But I went, because I knew I was supposed to go. And making myself LEAP outside my comfort zone like this without any sort of parachute has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
And I’m coming home forever changed. Humbled. Inspired. Infused with new courage. Ready to embrace life — and all that God has called me to — with more fervor and passion and abandon.
As the sun begins setting on this journey, I feel like something big is stirring in my heart… And the real journey is just beginning. This trip taught me much and, most of all, I learned anew that there is so much blessing that comes when I stop letting fear and unknowns hold me back from jumping out into the deep.
…To be continued tomorrow…
Stacey Karel says
Crystal, thanks so much for posting about this. I went to Israel after high school, and it was so fun to see your pictures and remember. Loved the picture of Masada from the air…a viewpoint I did not get to see. Are you familiar with Ray VanderLaan? He was my high school teacher, and I was so blessed by this. I went to Israel on one of his trips with “That the World May Know Ministries.” He also has a video series made with Focus on the Family. If you ever have a chance to watch them or hear him speak in person, do so. It will take you right back to Israel. Also, can’t I just say that I am a bit jealous you got to go with such great people? Recognized a few faces. Thanks again for sharing!
Lisa says
Crystal, if you do buy a house in Israel, I know just the person to take care of it when you’re not there. My sister, also from Franklin, fell in love with the people there while on a visit and is now living there and ministering to those touched by trauma.
JoDi says
I’ve been enjoying the recap of your trip experiences so far. I have friends who visited Israel and found it to be a profound experience as well.
A minor point of clarification about the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum. It is not believed to be the synagogue Jesus preached in, having been built several hundred years after his death. Beneath the foundation of the ruins you saw is an earlier foundation that may be from the synagogue that existed in Jesus’ time.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for mentioning that. I must have misunderstood… sometimes it was hard to understand with the language barriers and thick accents of our various local guides!
Krystal @ Little Light on a Hill says
Wow!! I am loving reading all of these updates. I’ve been an avid MSM reader for years now but this series, just wow! Thanks so much for putting your thoughts out there. What an incredible journey you have been on!!?
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO glad that you’re enjoying the series! I’m loving sharing it!
Stephanie says
Sea of Galilee…exactly where Peter stepped out of his comfort zone to walk out to Jesus. Scary but empowering. I personally don’t want to stay behind in the boat anymore either. Thanks for a great post!
Crystal Paine says
YES! Such a good word!
Tori M says
I love reading all about your trip and applaud you for taking hat giant leap outside your comfort zone! After reading this entry my question seems slightly silly, but… I love that shirt- where is it from??
Crystal Paine says
I got it from Amazon! They have a bunch of different colors.
Tori M says
Do you have a link?
Crystal Paine says
Here you go: http://amzn.to/1SsgadA
Julia Moore says
What beautiful pictures. Love getting a glimpse into your trip and all the amazing experiences you had. What an honor for you to see and touch the history of our Lord.
Ita says
Crystal, I am loving your pictures and reading your experiences on your trip.. I am an American Jewish person living in Israel for the past twelve years and am a huge fan of yours.. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO glad you’re enjoying my trip recaps!
Ita says
Thanks so much! I read your blog every day.. 🙂
Alicia says
Wow, Crystal. Just. Wow. I can only begin to imagine the emotions, thoughts, feelings, everything that a trip like this would bring about. I’ve loved reading and following along.
Rosanna says
I love your comment on not wanting to step out your comfort zone, but going anyway. I have never traveled far at all and definitely not without family or close friends, but I have always desired to see the world. I really hope that one day I can and that when I can, I won’t be too afraid to do it.
Stephanie K says
I love reading about your trip. While I’m not one that wants to travel oversees the thought of walking where Jesus walked and seeing what he saw is an amazing thing. Hearing you say that make me want to have that experience too. How incredible it must be to read about these places in the Bible and be able to picture them. Good for you for being courageous enough to go!
Crystal Paine says
YES!
Kelly S says
Really enjoying these updates!
A couple questions:
– What is the city with the skyscrapers and lots of buildings in the photos from your helicopter tour? I was surprised (foolishly) to see such a modern looking city – looks like Los Angeles or San Diego, on the coast like that?
– Are you going to be sharing more about Museum of the Bile specifically? I am interested in hearing more about the new museum, and how it relates to your trip. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
That’s Tel Aviv and it’s very, very impressive and modern.
You are more than welcome to ask any questions about the museum and I’ll be more than happy to answer them as best I know how. The museum opens in 2017 and I can’t WAIT to take our family there! It sounds like it’s going to be SO, SO amazing!
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
Just reading this post brought out such a wide range of emotion for me! I went from wondering if I’d ever have the courage to visit such an unstable area, to wondering how I could not want to walk (or boat) the same path that Jesus Himself took. What an amazing journey you had.
I’m amazed by your trip and can’t wait to read more!
Crystal Paine says
It took me awhile to write because I felt so many emotions in sharing it, too!
joely says
Thank you Crystal for your courage, your wisdom, your grace and your inspiration.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Amanda says
What an amazing life changing experience!
Crystal Paine says
Yes, indeed!
Ramona says
Wow! Thank you for sharing these pictures! Good for you for stepping outside your comfort zone and going on this trip!
Crystal Paine says
You’re so welcome! I’m having so much fun blogging about my trip!