Today, Shabat (Saturday, May 19) Bob and I were asked to visit the LDS Branch in Tiberius (also known as the Galilee area). We left this morning at 7:30 AM, armed with a map and directions of how to pick up members along the way. The drive was very pretty - taking us west and close to the Mediterranean Sea, thru farmlands and small towns. Tall trees covered in purple flowers and large plants along the highway full of deep pink flowers were a welcome sight after seeing mostly stone buildings and curving, narrow roads in Jerusalem. The 3 people we picked up all spoke Russian and very little English, but they knew the way to church. At one turnoff the roads were blocked everywhere because of a cycling event taking place. All the cars were stopped as we waited for an hour before they opened the roads again. I called ahead to let the members in Tiberius know we would be late and they decided to start with Sunday School until we arrived.
The Branch has existed for sometime but had not had a building to meet in until last March, when Elder Holland dedicated it for their use. It actually was an old, run-down, 12-room villa the church bought and beautifully renovated, with a nice apartment for a service couple to live in. The meeting area feels more like a large living room, and has a balcony that looks right out onto the beautiful, blue Sea of Galilee. It is a gorgeous setting!!
Because of our callings, Bob and I were the speakers, and also played a musical number in their Sacrament meeting. As the talks are given, other members are quietly translating your talk into other languages for members who are Russian, Hebrew or Spanish. Afterwards there was a potluck downstairs for everyone.
After arriving home about 5:00 PM, we grabbed dinner and went to a Fireside in the Center, to hear Blair Van Dyke speak of early "pioneer" stories of converts as they learned of the gospel in this area long ago and helped it to flourish. It was very interesting.
That's all for now. If you read this, please write a comment - we'd love to hear what you are doing! -Janet & Bob
