Changes

Changes

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
(Psalms 42:5 NKJV)

As we all know, the one constant in life is change. It is with great sadness, but also great hope, that we announce that Pastor Scott Gallatin went on to eternity with the Lord on April 16, 2024.

Pastor Scott, in years past, had used this blog to reach out to those who had questions about God and to share his joy in serving his Lord. Unfortunately, that time has drawn to a close and we will be closing down this blog in the near future.

As always, we covet your prayers for Pastor Scott’s immediate family as well as the church body here at Calvary Chapel of the Finger Lakes. As you can imagine, this is a time wherein we all need to draw closer in our relationship with Jesus and show His light to everyone around us.

May God bless you all in your daily walk with God!

The Golan Heights

The Golan Heights

Today we took them to the Golan Heights. We pointed out Hazor in the upper Galilee, as we’ve recently covered this in Joshua’s northern conquest. They had a study at Tel Dan, where Jeroboam built one of the two golden calves. We covered Matthew 16 at Caesarea Philippi, then we took them to Bental overlooking Syria and did a brief overview of Ezekiel 38. On the at back to our hotel, we stopped by an old tank for a photo and Olea Essence olive product company.

Visiting Bible sites

Visiting Bible sites

The 1st 2 days of Bible sites were as follows: Caesarea – where Paul was imprisoned and gave his testimony in Acts 26. Carmel, where Elijah called down fire. Megiddo, at Solomons palace, where Josiah ended poorly & where The Antichrists armies will gather in the Valley of Megiddo. Then on the Galilee, where Jesus walked. Beatitudes (the Holy Spirit pressed upon us to finish with a prayer meeting), Tabgbah, Peter do you love me more than these? Capernaum, where so much occurred, and the Arbel possibly one of the mounts that Jesus climbed.

Temple Sifting Project

Temple Sifting Project

On Thanksgiving the team sifted through Temple Mount debris. It was fascinating! Our archeologist was very informative. He told the team they exceeded expectations. It was a good day, we found many items, some over 2500 years old. One of our team members actually found a bead. Another found an item with gold.

Leket Distro – Part 4

Leket Distro – Part 4

In the end we processed 15k lbs, 1200 crates which would feed 7000 families! One of the managers asked for my name and make a statement for why we are doing this. She then said she was so impressed with the teams energy and enthusiasm! She’s never seen a team work like our SOM team! We give glory to the Lord, they left a great witness!

Leket Distro – Part 3

Leket Distro – Part 3

Our foreman, my new friend Nibal. He’s a hard worker known for his long term commitment. He’s been here for 12 years. He told me in his broken English that he “loves it” as he pointed to his heart. Once we would fill the order he would move the order with a hand fork lift to the refrigerator.

Leket Distro – Part 2

Leket Distro – Part 2

Our team was assigned to a foreman would have us fill out an order. That would consist of various fruits/vegetables that would go to a non profit. It could be 15 crates of eggplant, 10 crates of lemons, 13 crates of sweet potatoes etc. The red crate layers would be staggered and interlock.

Leket Distro – Part 1

Leket Distro – Part 1

Today we served at the Leket distribution center. Over 600 farmers contribute unused produce to Leket here. They also have an operation that collects unused food from hotels as well. They serve 273,000 people every week. Volunteers come and help to organize and get the food out to the non profit orgs throughout the year. At least 22,000 volunteers have come so far in 2022. There is no money involved, only donations from donors pay for it and the employees.

The produce is delivered by the farmers in these huge containers.

We were separated into 2 teams. This team is acting as quality assurance, placing the good clementines into the smaller red crates. The bad are tossed into another bin for disposal.

Joppa

Joppa

After we finished at Leket. We took the team to Joppa. That’s where Jonah caught a one way ticket to Nineveh. I mean, he didn’t think he was going there, but God changed the itinerary on him. Also my favorite, the story of Dorcas being raised from the dead. Of course, it’s where Simon the tanners house is. That’s where the Lord arranged for Peter to meet Cornelius the centurion, and for Cornelius to be saved. It’s the beginning of the gospel going to the Gentiles. It’s ground zero for us gentiles. Pastor Tony taught a great Bible study in Acts 10. Then they had a great lunch.

At Jaffa, or Joppa.
Trying their first Jihad Java. I can’t remember if they were smiling after they drank it.