Two Stones on the Sea of Galilee

by Michele Husfelt on March 6, 2023

Reading the account of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4 this morning brought back a special memory of my recent pilgrimage to Israel. After a good night’s rest in a beautiful hotel in Tiberias, we boarded the bus and headed up to Mt. Arbel. The views were astounding. From the peak, most of the region of Galilee was visible which included 95% of the area where Jesus’ ministry took place.

The Sea of Galilee sparkled in the sunlight that morning, and we were excited to descend the winding mountain road and make our way to the dock where we set sail on The Reuben, a small wooden boat that carried us across the sea. (Fittingly, our tour guide was also named Reuben!)

The water was calm, and the birds escorted us along our journey. The Israeli flag waved proudly from the starboard as we sang a few hymns of worship. It was then I mentally placed my first stone of remembrance. (A practice adapted from the Israelites who would use actual stones to mark a significant event where God showed His faithfulness and provision.)

As we sailed, I had the privilege of reading the familiar story of Jesus and His disciples to our group as we navigated the very same waters. Unlike our day, they encountered a raging storm and an opportunity arose for Jesus to teach His friends to truly trust Him. My heart overflowed with gratitude for this amazing moment. To be standing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee reading Scripture was truly a gift and a significant event, warranting the first of two stones of remembrance for the day.

That evening at dinner as we reflected on our day, my second stone of remembrance marked the moment. I had the privilege that night of dining with one of our international pastors I had not spent much time with.

As we shared our day, we had a conversation I will forever remember. He began telling me how emotional the boat ride across the Sea of Galilee was for him. He continued to recount another boat trip he embarked on when he was nineteen years old. He and his sister were fleeing their home country of Vietnam, escaping during the night on a boat bound for America. During the sailing, a harrowing storm began to brew. He was terrified at the thought of perishing in the turbulent seas. Literally lost at sea without his parents, and solely responsible for his sister, he promised God that if He was real and would save them, he would give his life to Him. In a very real and tangible way, God saved this young man and his sister.

Today, he pastors a Vietnamese congregation in the D.C. suburbs and joyfully serves the God who saved him on the raging sea so many years ago. His testimony led me to mark that day on the Sea of Galilee with another stone of remembrance.

In the same way the Israelite’s stones would forever mark God’s faithfulness in their lives, these stones of remembrance will forever remind me of God’s faithfulness in my life.

A side note: I hope you will consider joining us in 2024 for the Women’s Trip to Israel, where you can collect your own stones of remembrance. Pencil in January 24 – February 2 for a pilgrimage of a lifetime! Keep an eye out at the conference, in our Facebook groups, and on our website for more details soon.