meet me in galilee ...

iS tarted t H e tr IP a S a blank piece of paper. no expectations. the only plan was to have a great time. I have read the biblical stories, but nothing like seeing it in person could ever do it justice. you just have to go!! Originally I wanted to write about the dead Sea areas, but that involves a story that I hope one day turns out great. time will tell, and those who know me understand that I have given it to God (very reluctantly).

Just to let everyone know the hotels, bus, food throughout the trip were fantastic. andre, our tour guide, is much more than that, he is a special person. not only did he grow up in Jerusalem, he takes no sides, knows the history so well, and is a great man. andre is the storyteller of Israel, I felt like was experiencing life in Israel today, yesterday, and 2,000+ years ago. From culture to food from scripture to modern day life from conflict to passion Israel has it all and andre took us on a journey through it all. this left an impact on us all and brought us together.

Our hotel in Galilee was located on the water in tiberius. Bill and I were roommates for the trip. I could not have asked for a better person. I barely knew Bill before we arrived at the Holy Land. after we arrived from the Jordan river and settled into our room, I went down to the lobby to meet with others to talk about what we had experienced that day. there were four others who joined me as we sat outside and watched the sunset turn to darkness over the Sea of Galilee. When I started the trip, I barely knew any of my fellow travelers. during those two hours, I learned more about my traveling companions. We are all different, and all travelers; just like the people 2,000 years ago when Jesus was making his journey. after dinner we returned to the same spot, with more people joining us from dinner. this was the start of a fellowship which grew throughout the trip. each and every night before dinner, although not mandatory, everyone gathered to share the events of the day, or their thoughts and experiences. Some of our discussions were history lessons or just clarifications as to why things are the way things are. this was truly God showing us what fellow- ship truly is. each night after our first night in Galilee our group just got bigger and bigger, until it was everyone on the trip. It is said if you really want to know someone walk a mile in their shoes. I can say that in Israel we all walked in Jesus’s shoes and that He also walked with us.

On the third day in Galilee, we had a boat trip that was to simulate how the fishermen during the time of Jesus worked (Peter and andrew). at first it was a little hokey, but when we cast out a net to catch fish, something amazing happened -- we caught a fish! the tour guides were amazed because nobody had ever caught a fish before. I found this symbolic of the whole trip because Jesus told Peter to change his occupation from being a fisherman to being a fisher of man. this group of 29 people from very diverse backgrounds and beliefs came together loving each other and accepting God’s love for everyone. We are His family.

In looking back, three months later, the relationships that started in Galilee have grown and are still growing into some of my strongest friendships. those who think that Jesus is gone are wrong; He was there with us the entire trip and continues to be with us each and every day. I went to Israel as a blank sheet of paper and came back with great friends, great memories, and a full heart. ✝ bRad heRman "Why you Brad? Why you Brad? Because: God." Says Brad. Brad also portrayed as the angel Gabriel in PcJh christmas pageant.