It struck me today. IBEX is luxury. I will never again have several months where everything is done for me. I wake up to breakfast already made, I climb onto a tour bus, I see the best sites without planning a thing, receive the best teaching, and there's always a bed for me to crash in. And then I repeat. My lodging, transportation, food, lessons, and days are all planned for me. I am so thankful for the staff here who have sacrificed much to give us a superior semester.
This is going to make next semester seem like an onslaught of responsibility.
For your personal enrichment :: More info facts about the sites we visited today
1. cave of the sower // one word: acoustics. Benj went and stood by the water while we climbed a hill 300-400 yards away. He read Mark 4 and I was shocked at how clearly we could hear his voice from so far away. This is how the crowd of thousands could hear Jesus when he preached from a boat.
2. capernaum // Christ moved his hometown from Nazareth to Capernaum and then started His public ministry around the sea. He performed many miracles here and they have located Peter's house near the synagogue...yep I saw it!
3. seven springs // traditional site where Jesus called His disciples. the Church of Peter's Primacy was built nearby because of John 21, where Christ restores Peter to Himself. "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
4. mount of beatitudes // gorgeous garden & church. it was a blessing to hear Matthew 5-7 recited from memory by all of the IBEX guys.
5. korazim, chorazin // not mentioned in the New Testament, but Christ performed many miracles here. He condemns this city for its unbelief in Matthew 11:20-21...they saw so much of our Savior and yet in the hardness of their hearts they would not repent
6. boat ride over to ginnosaur // saw the coolest artifact ever, a 1st century boat from the time of Christ that was preserved underwater. it took 10 years to make it ready it to be displayed.
