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Stephen McGarvey Christian Blog and Commentary

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Stephen McGarvey

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Israel Trip Day 1: Mediterranean Sea

  • 2009Mar 18

As it happened, we arrived at our hotel on the Mediterranean Sea as the sun was setting. I was able to grab a few shots as the sun went down over the water…







Tel Aviv at night from our hotel:






Israel Trip Day 1: Tel Aviv

  • 2009Mar 18


I'm sorry for the delay in getting started with my trip blog. The intensity of this trip was a bit more that I expected. I spend most of my "down time" trying to recover from the jet lag. The Ministry of Tourism has packed a lot into these few days so I'll be rolling out these posts a bit slower than I originally planned.





This is the ELAL 747 that brought us safely across the Atlantic and Europe to Tel Aviv, Israel. I can't remember the last time I had an actual meal on a plane flying economy. Of course, I've never been on a 10-hour-flight before either.





The Ben Gurion International Airport, very sleek and modern. Lots of cool architecture to check out but I didn't have much time to meander. Perhaps on the way out of the country.



Our knowledgeable and hilarious guide Zion (pronounced "zee OWN") Ben-David. As an introduction to the week ahead he tells us, "I'm going to make you run where Jesus walked." With all that we are cramming into our time here, I don't think anyone doubts him.





Famous Tev Aviv skyscapers that sit on top of the city's largest shopping mall The Azrieli Center.




Rush hour in Tel Aviv on the way to the hotel.


Headed to Canaan’s Land

  • 2009Mar 15
Do you remember that song?  

I’m going where the grapes are growin’
I’m going where the rivers are flowin’
I’m going, yes I’m going to Canaan’s land
It’s really grand....

If you grew up in the 80’s in the Christian sub-culture, your parents might have had that album too. I don’t remember who was singing it or even what the album cover looked like. I just remember it was sung earnestly by a small child. At the time I assumed they were talking about Israel or the Holy Land but now I wonder if the song refers not to the Israelites escaping Egypt into the land of milk and honey, but to heaven.  (Anyone with a better memory of the song than mine, please feel free to post below.)

But now for the first time in my life I am headed to Israel. Thanks to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, I am joining about 15 other American journalists who write for Christian publications and websites for a tour of the Holy Land. Of course, exploring the land where my faith was born is an exciting venture. Before now I’ve never had the opportunity.  

So over the days that follow I will be posting reports on my travels around Israel. Tel Aviv, Tiberius, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea… it seems like a lot of ground to cover in 7 days. Stay tuned for more reports and photos (if this tech-challenged writer can actually work the camera and get the pics posted).

For more information about touring Israel click the link below:
GoIsrael.com