GCVB is getting pumped and prepared for our trip to Israel in T-minus 10 days! After over ten months of discussing, planning for, and working to raise the money for this trip, it is so close we can taste it. Though there is certainly some travelling anxiety in the ranks, we've been extremely well prepared by our leaders.
I'll admit, I was slightly overwhelmed when we received the list of sites we will visit while in Israel, because many of the names were entirely new to me:
- Bethlehem
- Manger Square
- Church of the Nativity
- Birthplace of Jesus
- Shepherd's Fields
- Possibly Solomon's Pools
- Jerusalem
- Mount of Olives
- Garden of Gethsemane
- Via Dolorosa
- Hall of Flagellation
- Garden Tomb
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Temple Mount
- Western Wall
- Pools of Bathesda
- Nazareth
- Sea of Galilee
- Cana
- Capernaum
- Mount of Beatitudes
- Tel Aviv/Joffa
- Port of Joffa
- House of Simon the Tanner
- Jericho - old city ruins
- Dead Sea
With a full time summer job, I was concerned about having the time to do in depth research about each of these sites. However, Janine came up with a wonderful idea: Each of us has claimed one of the sites and will prepare a small presentation that will be given to the team on our way to the site. I selected Capernaum--I can't wait to hear what everyone digs up about their historically significant locations!
I am excited about all the site seeing in store for us, but even more excited to meet the wonderful people we've heard so much about via our skypes with Judy. I feel like I know the women's team already! They seem like they have such loving hearts, and I can't wait to help them with something we're all passionate about--playing a sport we love and connecting with youth through that sport.
In less than two weeks, you will be reading blogs from Israel!!!
Kol Tuv ("be well" in Hebrew)
Alix Underwood
