October 16, Saturday
This morning we will meet with Pastor Meno Kalisher, he is the Pastor of
the church Jimmy helped establish in Jerusalem. Meno will talk to our group
about the believer's life and the challenges of evangelism in Israel. We'll then
depart for a trip up the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea built by
Herod the Great. It is the site where the Gentiles were first converted to
Christianity. This is also where Paul was imprisoned for two years. From
Caesarea we travel up to Mt. Carmel, the site of the contest between the
prophet of God, Elijah, and the prophets of Baal. At this high spot we see the
beginning of the Jezreel Valley. As we pass through Nazareth we’ll
visit a replica of the village of Nazareth at the time of Jesus and if
time allows we will stop by Cana of Galilee. Cana is the site where Jesus
performed His first miracle. We will stay overnight on the shores of the Sea
of Galilee.
October 17, Sunday
Our Lord spent almost 30 years of His life in the Galilee region and we
plan to spend our day in this region tracing His footsteps. Among the sites will
be the city of Capernaum, headquarters for the ministry of Jesus Christ.
We’ll visit Caesarea Philippi in the area where the transfiguration
took place. As we travel through the Golan Heights we’ll understand
better the discussion between the Syrians and the Israelis about who should
control this area. We’ll have lunch by the Sea of Galilee; the menu will
include St. Peter’s fish. As we travel across the Sea of Galilee
to Beth Saida on the "Jesus Boat" we’ll study together
the story of the feeding of the 5,000. While on the Jesus boat we will see the Mount
of Beatitudes, ending up our day at the museum at Nof Ginnosar where
the 2000-year-old Jesus boat is displayed.
October 18, Monday
We start the day traveling through the Jezreel Valley on our way to Megiddo.
With Bible in hand, we’ll visualize the Battle of Armageddon. On the
way we’ll visit Beth She’an, one of the most interesting
archeological digs in Israel. Further down the Jordan Valley we will come to Gilgal,
the site where Joshua and the children of Israel first camped as they
entered into the Promised Land. On our way to Jerusalem will have
a breathtaking view of the Judean Desert! We will then go directly to the
Biblical Gardens for dinner, which will be a "Passover
Seder" almost exactly like the one Jesus had with His disciples.
October 19, Tuesday
As we make our way to the Dead Sea, our first stop is Qumran, the
location of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This also is the area where
John the Baptist was raised and conducted his ministry. We will take a quick
hike up to the waterfalls of En Gedi where David hid from King Saul and
we’ll possibly be able to take a dip in the spring. A highlight of our trip
will include a visit to Masada. The history of this magnificent fortress
and the breathtaking view of the Dead Sea region will move you. Make sure you
have your bathing suit with you today because you will have an opportunity to
swim in the Dead Sea, or maybe I should say "float in the Dead
Sea" before returning to Jerusalem.
October 20, Wednesday
Early this morning we’ll start on the Mount of Olives and make our way
to the Temple Mount, walking the same route that Jesus would have taken on His
"Triumphal Entry". Jimmy will give us a 3rd Temple Seminar on the Temple
Mount, the site of the First and Second Temples. We’ll visit a
special section of the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) where Jewish men are
studying in preparation to be Priests in the next temple. Then on to the Temple
Institute where the priestly garments have been prepared for those priests
as well as the implements for the services at the Third Temple. In the afternoon
we will go to the Garden of Gethsemane, stop at Pilate’s Judgement
Hall, and then walk the Via Dolorosa and end our journey with communion
at the Garden Tomb. This will be a very special time for our group.
October 21, Thursday
Today you can sleep late and then get up to a day of "light touring".
In the evening we'll meet for a Farewell Banquet (for those returning home) this
will be a gourmet’s delight.
Jordan Tour
October 22, Friday
As we awake this morning there will be an excitement in the air as we board
our bus to cross the border into Jordan. This afternoon we will go into Amman,
the capital of modern day Jordan. Then we will travel the Desert Highway
into Petra where we stay overnight.
October 23, Saturday
What a thrilling day we will have as we make our way thru the "Ciq"
- which is a narrow gorge - into the majestic city of Petra. Many
Bible scholars believe this is the city that God has prepared to house the
Jewish people during the coming "tribulation period". This will
be one of the most exciting days on our trip.
October 24, Sunday
Our trip will take us today to Mt Nebo where God allowed Moses to
view the "Promise Land". It was somewhere in this area that
Moses died, and Joshua took charge of the Israelite’s. We will see the
location where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and
where Elijah was caught up in a chariot of fire and ascended to heaven.
Then we will visit the site on the Jordan River where John the Baptist
baptized Jesus. We will stay overnight at the Dead Sea.
October 25, Monday
After a leisurely morning on the shores of the Dead Sea, we will depart from
Jordan, crossing the Allenby Bridge back into Jerusalem for an
afternoon of "last minute" sightseeing and shopping. After we enjoy a
nice meal and time of fellowship - then it’s off to the airport for our return
trip back to the United States.
October 26, Tuesday
We will arrive early so that we can make our connections back home.
It will be a trip you will never forget.
Shalom! Shalom!
