Remembering Israel: Day 9

For our last day in Israel, we had a communion service and visited the Garden Tomb. What an incredible week we had. What do you remember?

Morning Devotional
Our Suffering and the Exalted Savior
Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Remembering Israel: Day 8

This morning we went to the Church of Peter in Gallicantu which is built over the Caiphus house, had a very somber walk through Yad Vashem (the Holocost Memorial), and a trip back into the old city for lunch and shopping.

Gallicantu Devotional
A Psalm Of Despair, Granting Permission To Express Loss Of Hope
Psalm 88

Remembering Israel: Day 7

Today we visited the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized, climbed En Gedi where David hid from Saul, ascended Masada where Herod build a palace, saw Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, went to the Dead Sea where we floated, and toured the Western Temple Wall Tunnel.

Morning Devotional
Turning Our Deserts Into Gardens
Isaiah 35

Qumran Devotional
Acting On Hope and Preserving God’s Word For Our Time
Isaiah 40:1-8

En Gedi Devotional
Ten Years of Faithful Love Toward God and Others
1 Samuel 23:29; Micah 6:8

Remembering Israel: Day 6

Today we started at the Mount of Olives and worked our way down to the Garden of Gethsemane. Next we went back into the old city and saw the Pools of Bethseda and Saint Anne's church. After lunch we hiked down Hezekiah's water tunnel to the Pool of Shiloah. It was another great day in Jerusalem!

Morning Devotional
Restoration of the Kingdom
Micah 4:1-5

Mount of Olives Devotional
The "Earthiness" of the Second Coming
Acts 1:9-12

Jesus Wept Devotional
Jesus Weeping At Impending But Necessary Judgment
Luke 19:41-44

Garden of Gethsemane Devotional
Incarnate God Enters the Pain of Creation, Bearing the Horrible Judgment Due Humanity
Matthew 26:36-46

Pools of Bethesda Devotional
“Raised” To Life Through Messiah
John 5

Remembering Israel: Day 5

We went to the Temple Mount, stopped at the Western Wall, walked the Via Dolorosa, saw the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, went to the Upper Room, and viewed Oskar Schindler's grave (Shhh! Don't tell anybody!).

Morning Devotional
God's Gracious Heart
Psalm 145:8-13

Upper Room Devotional
After the “Last Supper”
Psalm 118

Remembering Israel: Day 4

This morning we went to Beit Shean, then to Jericho, and on to Jerusalem where we started with the model city and the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum. We got our first peek at the old city and Temple Mount before heading to the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

We could never grow tired of visiting these sites--literally layers upon layers of history. Beth Shan's mosaic-lined streets and Jerhico's 7,000 year-old tower.

Morning Devotional
The Humble Whom God Chooses For Service
Psalm 131

Jericho Devotional

The Humble Women In Jesus’ Genealogy; God Uses the Lowly For His Kingdom
Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2; Matthew 1

Promenade Devotional
A Song of Ascents
Psalm 122

Remembering Israel: Day 3

Today we headed to Tel Dan where we saw the head waters of the Jordan River, visited Ceasarea Philippi, drove to the top of the Golan Heights, and sailed across the Sea of Galilee.

Morning Devotional
Our Thirst, But God’s Supply
Isaiah 55

Dan Devotional
Quenching Our Thirst Through False Gods or Seeking the True Water of Life?
1 Kings 12:26-33; Jeremiah 2:9-13;8:16;8:19;14:13

Caesarea Philippi Devotional
A True Confession That Breaks Through the “Gates” to the Underworld of Death
Matthew 16:13-18

Remembering Israel: Day 2

Today we saw the "Jesus Boat" at the Nof Ginosor Kibbutz, heard from Chuck Swindoll at the Mount of Beatitudes, saw the Nazareth Village, and went to Capernaum, the town of Peter and Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. Many of us were baptized in the Galilee!

The weather has been spectacular; it's such an incredible blessing to experience this country and biblical history come to life. And our bus members are wonderful, too. This week is flying by already! 

Morning Devotional
Our Failures, But God’s Forgiveness
Psalm 103


Capernaum Devotional
Jesus Forgives Sin, Breaking the Gordian Knot Tying Sin and Illness
Mark 1:2-12; John 9:2-3

Nazareth Devotional
This Young Teenager Responded In Faith AND Acted On Her Faith
Luke 1:26-29

Remembering Israel: Day 1

It's hard to believe, but it's already been two weeks since we started touring Israel. So we thought it would  be good to recap each day and remember all of the things we saw and did throughout the next two weeks.

On the first day of touring, we left Tel Aviv and went north to Caesarea by the sea, on to Megiddo, then to Mount Carmel, and finally we arrived at the Gai Beach Hotel in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

We are in awe of the architectural wonders of these places; Herod's incredible palace and man-made port and Megiddo's abundant history and secret water supply.

Morning Devotional
Our Limitations, But God's Sufficiency
Lamentations 3:1-6; 3:18-26

Megiddo Devotional
Some Trust In Horses, But We Trust In the Lord
1 Kings 9:15; 10:26; Deuteronomy 17:16; Psalm 20

Mount Carmel Devotional
Yahweh, Not Baal, is King Over the Chaos of Life and Gives Us Peace
1 Kings 18; Psalm 29

Video: Wailing Wall at Night

Video: Western Wall Square at Night

Some Highlights From the Hilbers

It was really great to share life with you all for 13 days! Check out more of our pictures by clicking Read more below.

Thoughts From Bus 11

Here are a few things that some of you have shared since we have been back in the states about our experiences in Israel:

I just wanted to say that I'm glad to have met all of you. God has blessed us with new friends and understanding of his ways. I feel blessed to have spent 12 days with all of you. Stay safe and never forget his love for us. Stay in touch and be blessed saints. #27!!! -Wes

It was truly an amazing journey, and spending it with such a great group made our trip perfect! -Cynthia :)

It it truly was an amazing experience that no words can even describe! My love for Israel has grown so much and so strong and has a special place in my heart. To experience God in His holy land is such a blessing. He also blessed us with a great group of people to experience Him with. Hope to see you all again in our travels! Keep God first in all you do :) -Marissa

We can't thank you enough for giving us the most amazing experience of a lifetime. Words cannot express what it meant to us to travel the land and life of Christ with such a great family on bus 11!! Our lives have been changed forever, and we will be reading God's Word in a new light like never before!!! -Susan and Alex 

Be My Friend...For Peace

Check it out! This one is for Shmulik. Peres' Facebook ad... Be My Friend for Peace.

More Photos

 I uploaded all of Amanda's photos (better than mine) to our Israel album. Take a look and feel free to download any of them. Also, take a minute and watch the video I put together about our experience on Caramel Bus 11.

Photos: Israel 2012
Video: Israel 2012

Shalom!

Welcome to our site where we can share all of the great memories we had touring on Caramel Bus 11 with Insight for Living in Israel in 2012! Here anyone from our bus can share stories and photos from the trip. John might also share the devotionals he gave during the tour. Happy posting!