On the Road Again... Just can't wait to get on the road again...  

The troubadour Willie Nelson says it well.  The consensus is that we are continually excited to be enthralled or challenged by the next experience.

First Stop after leaving Jericho (not counting the time at the border crossing) was Nazareth and the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation that commemorates the announcement to Mary by the Angel that she would have a child.  Part of this church dates back to the crusader period.  The attention to detail and the deep desire to create a sacred space is incredible even if the architecture and style is quite different from whatever we normally experience.

Second Stop:  The market in Old Nazareth -

 lots of fun buys and fruit and vegetables galore

Third stop was Nazareth Village - a representation of 1st Century Nazareth complete with "period actors" and working displays.  If you ever get here make sure your tour goes to this place: www.nazarethvillage.com

        

A replica of threshing, a lady making yarn (sorry don't know how to orient the picture properly) and an oil press which is actually used to harvest their olive oil crop which happens in the late fall.

The last visit of the day is one without any pictures but one with deep impact.   We had the honour of meeting with some 8 - 10 Israeli Arab Christian leaders.  They have a vibrant and active faith and they are involved in some wonderful ministries.  We met at the Israeli Arab Bible Society office which had just opened within the last month.  Dina Katanacho is one of three Directors in Israel/Palestine (the only woman in that position) and is shaping the work of the Society to focus on women and children.  Others we met work with churches, children,secondary and post-secondary schools and also those focused on ministry to youth and young adults.  We had an hour to engage in some one-on-one conversation with these new friends.  Who knows what could happen next!