February 27, 2017

Greetings,
For Newsletter with music and pictures click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-27-2017.html

    After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Matthew 17:1-3

          Monday February 20 th ~

     Started this week in the small town of Arad, Israel. Drove east to the "Dead Sea", then south along the border with Jordan to Eilat. The southern most city in Israel on the shores of the "Red Sea". Blue Blue Water!

     A little over 200 kilometers today.

          Tuesday February 21 st ~

     Drove north through the Negev (rocky, mountainous desert) to Be'er Sheva. Known as the "Capital of the Negev". Fourth largest city in Israel.

     Another couple hundred kilometers.

          Wednesday February 22 nd ~

     Another couple hundred kilometers to Nazareth. Took half the day. Encountered stop and go traffic several times near Tel Aviv. This is a very small country. Heavily populated in many areas. Obviously not so much in the desert regions.

     The room I booked in Nazareth online for two nights is one of the cheapest in town at $80 a night. My fourth floor room has an awesome view of part of the city. As I'm writing this, the Muslim call to prayer (which occurs several times a day) is blaring across the city by loud speakers. So, I brought the guitar in and spent time singing praises to the Lord.

          Thursday February 23 rd ~

     Drove around the heavily congested old city area of Nazareth. Then several kilometers to Mount Tabor. This is a big mountain. It would be quite a chore climbing it on foot.
     I drove to the top, walked around a bit, and as I stood looking over the surrounding countryside, thinking about Jesus being transfigured with Moses and Elijah, I got a little emotional.

          Friday February 24 th ~

     Finally got to minister for some folks. While in Nazareth I googled nearby nursing homes and only one showed up. In a small kibbutz (Kfar HaHoresh) not too far away. The English name for the little home is "The Old House". A few of the staff spoke some English and very graciously brought the residents (eight) out onto a courtyard patio on this sunny, mild day.
     Three staff members and several local neighbors living next door, stopped by as well. Pretty neat.

     Spent some time visiting with a fella who'd been wounded in the war fought here back in the seventy's. Told me he'd married a girl from New Jersey, had six kids, five living here and one in Finland.

          Saturday February 25 th ~

     Yesterday afternoon I arrived at the "Panorama Hotel" on the south side of Tiberias which I'd booked online. A relatively cheap ($64) hotel/hostel. For some reason they gave me one of only two rooms available with private balconies overlooking the "Sea of Galilee". Spent evenings sitting out there, soak'n it up.

     This morning I paid for another night, then drove north along the shore to the "Mount of Beatitudes". Wondered around the grounds among other tourist and even bought a T-Shirt. Someone had brought a Drone and was filming from above.

     Continued north to Capernaum. An area of archeological ruins with sections for tourist to roam. Saw many different tour groups with guides speaking in native tongues. Groups from India, Asia, Italy, America and others.

     Drove on around the circumference of the Sea, back to Tiberias. About an hours total driving time, not including the stops.

          Sunday February 26 th ~

     Drove down to the "Yardenit Baptismal Site" on the Jordan River. Watched a bunch of folks (Tour Groups) getting Baptized. Took a hike along a nature trail leading in the other direction and stumbled onto a secluded amphitheater by the river with no one around. To the car to get the guitar and back to that quiet place and started singing, with doves cooing.

     After a little bit a lady with her three children came and sat down. She spoke fair English and had the kids clapping and even requested the one song they were familiar with, "Swing low Sweet Chariot". They took some video with the smart phone and asked if they could Instagram them. I said, "Sure". Pretty neat!

     Drove a bit north to the site where it's believed Jesus did the loaves and fishes thing. and nearby where he appeared to Peter after his Resurrection. And did the "Upon this rock, thing".  

     

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!