For the past three days, we’ve been in Haifa, Israel, as well as in Tiberias, which is in the Galilee region where Jesus’ ministry began and was centered.  After making many trips to Israel and spending many nights in Galilee, I’m still amazed at the fact that we are actually walking the land where Jesus walked and ministered 2000 years ago.  It should be an encouragement to all Christians that what we consider ancient history, in the eyes of the people of Israel, 2000 years is, in fact, recent history. 

While Israel itself has been quite calm, reports like the earlier ones I’ve mentioned from the Gaza Strip continue to pour in.  Christians are being harassed and religious toleration no longer exists.  Islamic law is becoming the primary focus of the Hamas activity, and I have no doubt that they will try to do the same maneuver in the West Bank.  Tensions are high along the border areas between Gaza and Israel, as well as between the border areas of Gaza and Egypt.

Egypt announced that they are calling for a special meeting between Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian authority personnel to stop the spread of Hamas.  Radical Islamic organizations like Hamas are a threat to more moderate governments like Egypt and Jordan.  While in Elat, I had an opportunity to spend one day in Jordan and the next in Egypt.  They are as concerned as we are about the growth of terrorism.  The citizens of Jordan want peace and have established a lasting peace with Israel.  Much is the same for Egypt where President Hosni Mubarak wants a dismantling of the terrorist organizations immediately.

Later in the week, as we move towards Jerusalem, I will provide an updated report.  We will be attending events on the northern border of Lebanon with Israeli Defense Forces, which promises to be an informative session of important military maneuvers.  We are also privileged to have former Attorney General of the United States, John Ashcroft, speak to our group on Saturday.  I hope to post photos of that event within the next few days.

Keep coming back to the website at www.aclj.org for updated information.