Israel, Sunday Mar 7

Today I spent the morning in Tiberius at the bus station, enjoying the sights and sounds as I waited for my bus to the Golan Heights. Two mini vans traveled from Karei Deshe to drop people off at the station but everyone else is going to Jerusalem. I remember now the prayer to travel on the paths less trod and know that God heard me! :-) At last it comes and I ask the pretty blonde girl sitting next to me if she speaks English. She does and says she will make sure I get off at the right stop as it is her stop, too. I am amazed as her manicured hands pick up her rifle, sling it over her shoulder and head for the bus! she is dressed as a civilian but she is armed! Many soldiers are here at the station, men, women, young and not so young. Somehow, the guns seem right. I pray for their safety, the country's safety...and mine, too. We travel around the north side of the Sea of Galilee and up the hills. It is almost an hour and a half whenI see Mt Hermon and I know I am close.

I am met by my South African friend, Susan. I first met Susan and her sister Laetitia in Budapest in 2001 when their trip to Ukraine was interrupted by Susan's fall at the airport which broke her shoulder. I was asked to "help" and these precious missionaries stayed with me for 6 weeks. Laetitia is now married and back in South Africa and Susan is on prayer assignment here in the north. Tomorrow, I will join Susan in a prayer walk. On Tuesday, we travel to Jerusalem for a few days. Susan has lived there and wants to show me the city. God is good and we are enjoying wonderful fellowship!