Israel 2011 - Final Reflections On An Incredible Journey

Well, this is it - regrettably, this is our final entry for our 2011 Israel Experience! We have been back "State-side" now for one month and it seems like it has been so long since we were there. The memories are as strong as if it were yesterday. As a wrap up, we asked those who went to share some of their thoughts and impressions of the journey, now that they have had some time to process them. Here is what some of them had to say.

Sharon:

I had been told by a number of people that going to Israel would be a life changing experience. I wanted to see first-hand the places that JESUS walked, taught, healed and lived with HIS disciples. Many things that I learned and saw about this Land are beyond written or spoken words of explanation. Some words that do come to mind are "Awesome, Amazing, Fabulous and Fantastic!"

I remember when we finally got a glimpse of Tel Aviv from the plane, that we all knew we were finally HOME. When we reached our hotel I thanked the LORD for a safe arrival and asked HIM to show me everything that HE had in store for me. HE did not disappoint me! In some ways my opinions of Israel have changed. I have always known that we should were to be praying for Israel, but I did not realize to what extent that they needed our prayers.

Thank you so much for taking such good care of me on this trip. Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for all that you did for me. I am ready to go back to Israel again! If anyone ever has the opportunity to go, they should. It is definitely a life changing experience!

Bob:

This was a trip that I had wanted to experience for as long as I can remember!!! I wanted to walk where JESUS did and see the events of the Bible unfold. My expectations were exceeded as the trip unfolded. The icing on the cake was both our guide Abi and driver Sami.

When we arrived in Tel Aviv I was overwhelmed at finally being in Israel. As the week went on it was almost surreal - at times it was hard to believe I was here. I had numerous encounters with GOD while in Israel. The day we went out on the Sea of Galilee the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT was so strong, also at the entrance of Jerusalem, in the Old City.

This trip to Israel has changed me forever. How could it NOT change you when you walk where JESUS walked? My opinion of Israel has changed for the good as I have now seen Israel up close.

After coming home, at times I am just overwhelmed when thinking about the trip. I would like to go again!!!

Greg:

This was my second journey to Israel and as before I had high expectations. And as HE did the first time, YHVH simply blew away those expectations. I was in such awe of everything during my first journey, but this time I wanted to be even more focused so I could absorb and experience this encounter even more.

However, there were two or three people in our group who weren't as mobile as the rest of the team, so I refocused my desire to ensure they were able to take part and enjoy this journey as much as all. It was truly a blessing to hear them share how incredible everything was as they were experiencing the feelings I had experienced during my first journey to Israel. Then GOD spoke to me and said, “This is why I gave you such a passion and desire for MY Land and MY people. I want you to instill in others the desire to come and I want you to help them experience MY Land in a way that will change them.” From that moment on it stopped being about what I was experiencing, or not experiencing, and more about how I could help others experience this journey to the fullest.

We saw many places we didn’t see during my first journey and I was awed at every turn. And the places we did revisit I was experiencing much differently, because, now I was seeing it through new eyes and from a new perspective. We planted trees to expand the forest that Shofar began last year - different location, yet in the same forestry. We blew our shofars over Jerusalem from Mt Scopus in the rain. Our people had such a great time in the planting and in the rain and in the Jordan.  Our guide, Abi, was absolutely amazing, as was our driver, Sami. They went above and beyond on everything we could have asked just so they could make this an incredible journey for us. Rabbi Matthew’s teaching coupled with Abi’s knowledge ignited within us a desire to know and learn more. And our enthusiasm drove Abi and Sammy to want to give even more.

Now that I know why YHVH embedded this passion and desire for Israel and the Jewish people deep within me, I can now better prepare myself for my next return "HOME." I just can’t wait!


I want to thank everyone who faithfully followed us on this journey and kept us in your prayers. Only Heaven knows to what depth your prayer covering and faithful participation meant to each and everyone of us to ensure the success of  this journey. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!


Much Shalom and blessings from all!

Day 10 - We're Back

Sunday morning we had to leave the hotel at 1:30 AM (Israel time) in order to be at Ben Gurion Airport at 2:30 AM for our 5:30 AM flight. After getting everything packed, and trying to make sure our suitcases were not over weight, some were able to get about an hour of sleep while others didn’t sleep at all. Yes, it did rain on us as we headed to Tel Aviv.

Flying back to the U.S. is the hardest part of the journey. We didn’t want to leave in the first place, and add how tired we were with the 13 plus hours of flying was not too appealing. The flights were very smooth and the planes were much more comfortable than our previous trip. But by the time we reached Chicago my backside was pretty tired of sitting. We arrived back in Des Moines at about 4:15 PM on Sunday, November 20.

Final Thoughts

In the blogs I mentioned that we had rain almost every day. This was unusual for the November rain patterns in Israel. Typically, they may get rain for a couple hours but then sunshine. And it was cooler than normal. Israel gets on average about 30 inches of rainfall per year, so they are thrilled when they get so much rain, especially in the northern Galilee area. One third of the nation’s drinking water comes from the Sea of Galilee but due to seven years of drought conditions the water level had dropped considerably. So while we got rain, YHVH always stopped it when we had plans to be outside. Our boat ride on the Galilee was beautiful after waking to rain. That whole day was beautiful. The day we spent walking in Jerusalem was almost perfect after waking to rain. Abi was amazed at how that always worked out. And the fact that we did not allow the rain to dampen our spirits also amazed and impressed him. Such as when we walked out into a terribly muddy field to plant our trees. It had been raining just before we got there. The rain stopped while we planted and started back up after we finished cleaning our shoes. Rain when we arrived at Jerusalem did not stop us from blowing our shofars over the city from Mount Scopus. Abi videoed us so he could put it on his website (when/if he gets it set up).

One of our purposes for going to Israel is to bless the nation and the people we come into contact with. We want to leave a deposit in the land. We do that by planting the trees and by our actions and our words to those we come into contact with. This shows the people that Shofar is not a typical tour group and that often opens up doors to us that are not opened to other groups. We go to learn from our guide, to receive a deposit as well as leave one. We want to be different when we come back; we want our love and passion for Eretz Yisrael and her people to be even stronger. I believe this was accomplished on this journey, as well as the previous. As we continue to take more groups to Israel we will be developing contacts and relationships with people there which will open even more doors. This will allow Shofar to build bridges with the Jewish people, abroad and at home, so we can begin to mend the breaches that have been created.

Thank you to all who prayed for us and followed our blogs. We hope others will have a desire to go back with us in the future. As our hope and prayer we say, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

Shalom!

Day 9

Our last day in Israel, but we made the best of it. Once again it was drizzling in Jerusalem when we got up, but this day took us to the Judean Desert. Today’s agenda was Qumran, Masada and the Dead Sea. We had a new visitor with us today, our guide’s son, Gilad.

Our first stop was Qumran. Qumran is the site where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. In 1947 Bedouin shepherds found the first of the clay pots containing the ancient scrolls. A shepherd boy went off looking for a lost goat and threw a rock into one of the many caves in the area, thinking he would scare it out if it had gone in. He heard something break and went in to investigate. He found several large clay pots which contained ancient scrolls. In 1951-1957 the area was searched and additional caves and scrolls were found, as well at the ruins of the community of the Essenes, a conservative Jewish movement which had separated itself from the main stream Jews due to corruption within the priesthood. John the Baptist was believed to have been a part of this movement for a time.

Nearly 900 scrolls, Biblical and non-Biblical, have been discovered in eleven different caves at Qumran. Fragments of every book in the Tenakh (Old Testament) have been found, except Esther. The greatest find was a complete copy of the book of Isaiah, which is at least 1000 years older than any other previously discovered copy. As the Biblical scrolls have been translated, it has been found that they match our modern Bible. This is more proof that the Bible is God-inspired, as He has kept the translations intact over the years.

On our last trip to Israel we were unable to make it to Masada due to the heavy rains at the higher elevations, which caused a flash flood in the desert and washed out part of the road. This time, however, the rains were not as heavy so the roads were intact and we were able to make to Masada. What a sight!

The fortress of Masada is a plateau which stands approximately 1300 feet high and is 1800 feet long and 900 feet wide. It was originally built as a Roman fortress/outpost which King Herod refurbished into a palace retreat (in case he needed to flee his many enemies and family members seeking to kill him). When the Jews revolted against their Roman oppressors in 66 CE many (approximately 960) fled here when they were expelled from Jerusalem. In 72 CE the Roman army laid siege the Masada, in an attempt to destroy the last of the rebels. The siege lasted several months during which time the Romans built a siege ramp in order to use their battering rams. In 73 CE, the army succeeded in breaching the gates for the fortress. They chose to return to their camp until the previous morning, at which time they planned to enter the fortress and kill or take captive the Jewish rebels.

However, during the night the inhabitants of Masada voted to take their own lives instead of risking being taken prisoner. Each man killed his own family. Then ten men were chosen by lots to kill the other. One of those ten was then chosen to kill the remaining nine and the he would fall on his own sword. When the Romans entered the fortress the next morning they found all 960 inhabitants dead, except for two elderly woman and five young children. The Roman general was so impressed that the inhabitants were more willing to take their own lives than become slaves that he let the seven survivors go free. Josephus Flavius, a Jewish general who had surrendered to the Romans earlier during the wars, had offered his assistants in giving information and was on hand during the siege of Masada. His account of the siege is recorded in his works.

After a morning of touring ruins, it was off to a resort along the Dead Sea for lunch and relaxing in the Dead Sea. What an incredible sensation it is to float in the water of the Dead Sea. The high salt and mineral content of the Dead Sea has unique healing properties that for centuries have brought people from all over the world to soak in its water. Today, some European health insurance companies will even pay part of the cost of a visit to a Dead Sea spa as part of medical treatment for their patients. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth at approximately 1330 feet below sea level.

As soon as we entered the water we could feel the difference from fresh water lakes, or even the ocean. Instead of sand on the bottom it is salt crystals. Tamar was the first in the water and was immediately floating effortlessly. In fact, it was more of an effort to NOT float than to float. When Miss Ingrid heard of the healing qualities of the Dead Sea water we couldn’t keep her out. She was soon floating and doing “Dead See Aerobics” with the rest of us, led by Linda Ross. It took more coaxing to get Rabbi Matthew and Abir to lay back and float. The air at the Dead Sea is also filled with various minerals which help one to relax. After about an hour in the sea we headed inside the spa to the very warm pool of Dead Sea water for more relaxation. That was so nice we almost fell asleep just stepping into the warm water. Our guide, Abi, said it is so relaxing that the drivers aren’t allowed to get in the water because they may fall asleep. Most of us did fall asleep on the way back to Jerusalem. What a wonderfully relaxing way to end a wonderful journey.

When we got back to the hotel, we had a few minutes to put our things in our room, and then gather together with Abi to share our thoughts about our journey. Everyone agreed that he and our driver, Sammy, went way above and beyond to accommodate us and to make us feel special. He shared that we were the first bus tour he had done in 20 years (he had been doing only private tours) and was so glad he agreed to take our tour. He said that our spirit and enthusiasm and willingness to do things made it real easy for him and Sammy to do whatever they could to make this a great trip for us. In fact, he enjoyed us so much that he requested to lead our next tour group, too.

Day 8

Today was a much easier day in terms of walking. Our agenda was to visit the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem and do doing shopping at The Cardo in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Joining us for the better part of the day was an old friend: light rain. What a blessing rain is to Israel…and they have been blessed a lot since we are here. We think we brought it with us since one of our purposes for coming was to bless Israel.

The Israel Museum is a huge complex with several buildings. Since we had just over an hour we were not able to see a whole lot. Our visited started at the scale model of ancient Jerusalem from the time of Christ, or the Second Temple Period. What an incredible model this is. The detail is absolutely incredible. It was fascinating to see what many of the sites we view yesterday may have actually looked like. If it hadn’t been drizzling, and we had more time, it would have been nice to get a better description of how it was made, who made it and take more time to identify various present day sites. It would take several days to get through the entire museum, so we only looked at the model and the Shrine of the Book. This is where some fragments to the Dead Sea scrolls are on display. It is incredible to thing that all of those scrolls were preserved for so long…and in relatively good condition, considering they were there over two thousand years.

We went from the Israel Museum to Yad Vashem, Israel’s holocaust museum and memorial. What a moving place. The main hall has the history of the holocaust, beginning with Hitler’s rise to power. It continues through the placing of Jews into ghettos and eventually to concentration and death camps. As you go through, reading the information cards and watching some of the videos, it is easy to get a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. There are displays of personal items that were removed from the pockets of Jews who were murdered and the Nazis hurriedly tried to burn them but were unable accomplish the task. Other displays showed items that were removed from synagogues after all the Jews were deported, hundreds of shoes and other clothing items that were removed from prisoners just before they were herded like cattle into the gas chambers. That is just the first building, which could take at least two hours to go through if you were to look at most of it.

Then there is the Children’s Memorial which was built in memory of the 1.5 million children murdered in the holocaust. The memorial is a small building that has no lighting except for five candles that reflect in the mirrored walls making appear there are innumerable lights, as YHVH promised Avraham that his descendants would be more than the stars in the heavens. As you walk through this dark room (holding a handrail to guide you) you hear the name, age and nation of each child as it is read. It is not intended to be gone through quickly, one needs to take some time to walk around and listen to the names. There are a few other buildings and many outdoor memorials we did not have time to get to.  This museum could easily fill up an entire day.

Since Thursday’s tour of the Old City was so full we did not have time to go to The Cardo, which is a shopping area in the Jewish Quarter. It is made from the old Roman shopping area. Cardo means heart and was so named because it originally rain through the heart of the city. Several tallis were purchased, as well as bags, shirts and other items. Our guide, Abi, promised us at the beginning of the trip that we would not go home with any money but several people still have some left, with only one more day to go.

Saturday, our last day of touring we will be going to visit the Dead Sea. There we will see Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and we will visit Masada, the site of a former Herodian palace/fortress where the last remaining Jewish soldiers held out against the Roman army. After Masada we will relax at a Dead Sea spa. We will be able to float in the sea, cover ourselves with mud and just relax a bit.

(Due to having to be at the airport at 2:30 AM, there will not be a blog post Saturday night. We will try to post Sunday evening or Monday.)

Day 7

Thursday, our first full day in the Holy City, Jerusalem. Everyone was excited to get the day started. Yes, there was some rain early on but it stopped before we got headed out.

Our first stop was the Garden of Gethsemane, where Yeshua prayed the night He was arrested. From that vantage point we had a great view of the eastern and southern walls of the Temple Mount. This is a view that Yeshua was probably familiar with since He prayed in Gethsemane more than just the night He was arrested. It may have been somewhere around there that He wept for the city. We then walked down to the Mount of Olives, where Yeshua may have stayed during Pesach and Succot. Again, another great view of the eastern wall of the Temple Mount.

From there the bus took us to the southern side of the walls of the Old City. We entered through the Dung Gate and went to the southern steps excavation site. It was incredible to see some of the equipment that may have been used in the building of the Temple. Abi told how, when the Romans sacked the city, the Roman emperor ordered the Temple be destroyed because he viewed himself as a god and he would not stand for a Temple dedicated to an unseen god. The top stones were knocked down first so they were at the bottom of the piles of stones. Many of those stones were later recycled and used to build the mansions, mosques and churches of the Muslim, Christian and Ottoman. We were able to walk up the southern steps and walk up to the very stones that were there when Yeshua was. There were so many mikvahs found in that excavation area. It is obvious that there would have been no other place where the Talmidim could have baptized 3000 people on the day of Pentecost.

The Western Wall was our next stop. How incredible it is to get up to the Wall, touch it, kiss it and put prayer requests into the cracks. That is the original retaining wall around the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. It was around in Yeshua’s time. It is the most holy site in all of Judaism. After spending time in prayer at the Wall we toured the tunnels that have been excavated under the current streets. Another street was found but there is even more underneath it. So much has been excavated and so much is still to be found. The more the excavate the more we learn of the past.

 

After lunch we headed for the Pool of Bethsaida, the sight where a crippled man was healed by Yeshua. The people brought their sick and lame here because it was said that whoever was first into the pool when they were stirred by an angel would be healed. From there it was on to the Garden Tomb to partake in a covenant meal. It was near closing time when we arrived so we didn’t get much time to see the empty tomb before we partook. But it was really meaningful.

The day involved a lot of walking but it was so meaningful to everyone. Maggie made it up all the stairs and the steep narrow streets all day. Ingrid seemed to get more invigorated as the day went on. In fact, as we were climbing the final four flights of stairs on the way to meet our bus, she started humming the theme from “Rocky” and when she made it to the top of those last stairs she threw up her arms and did the Mohammed Ali shuffle.

Tomorrow will be less strenuous but in will be more emotional as we will be touring the Israel Museum, where they have a great model for what Jerusalem may have looked like in Yeshua’s time. It will get emotional when we go to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial. But we will end the day on a light note: shopping at the Cardo.

Shalom!

 

Day Six

Rain greeted again this morning. While we can see the rain as an inconvenience or a hinderance to our planned schedule, the people of Israel see it as a blessing. The rains of blessing come in the fall and winter to water their crops for the spring harvest. This nation had been in a drought for seven years but is finally out of it. The rains not only water their crops but it replenishes their drinking water supply the the Sea of Galilee and the undergroud aquafers.

So we planted trees in a muddy field with a light drizzle. It really was fun. Everyone really enjoyed getting out there and planting the trees themselves. We were offered to have the Jewish National Fund personnel plant for us but we would have none of that. We got our sapplings, our trowel and shloshed our way to the pre-dug holes assigned to us. We each gained about five pounds of mud on our shoes by the time we finished but Sammy, our driver, was waiting at the bus door with plastic bags for us to put our shoes in (so we would mess up his bus). Then they took us to the warden's station so we could wash them off. On Shofar people would have the passion for the land to go out in the rain and a muddy field to plant trees in Israel. WE LOVE ISRAEL!

Once we were somewhat cleaned up, it was time to head up to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is south of Galilee but it is almost 4000 feet above sea level, so it is always said that one goes "up" to Jerusalem. Our first stop once were arrived in the Holy City was to be Mt Scopus, which overlooks the city. We were to partake in a covenant meal and then had planned to blow the new shofars over the city. When wer arrived it was raining so we had the covenant meal on the bus. Abi, our guide, suggested that we try to come back later if we had time, after the rain stopped. We would not have it. Six determined shofar blowers and a few others braved the rain to go out and blow over the city. Abi and Sammy couldn't believe we were doing this. Abi came out with us and asked to video us so he could put in on his new website. We blew and blew. What a joy to break in the new shofars blowing over Jerusalem.

We took time after dinner tonight to get together and share some thoughts. Below are some of those thoughts.

Ingrid:

Beyond my expectations! I am so thankful for all the help everyone has given me in helping me get around. The most unusual thing I have experienced so far is when we had our fish lunch. I went into the bathroom and there was a lady there cleaning up as soon as someone left. When I went to wash my hands she was right there to wash them for me. So far the most amazing thing is the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. As we were on the water, I began to think of all things we have learned from Rabbi and in Torah Club. I had to repent and ask God to forgive me for taking so much for granted. God is so good. I can’t express my feelings. If I could have I would have stayed right there on that boat ride. I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me by bringing me here.

Barak:

I never thought the first time I would get to blow my shofar (which was bought at the Kol Shofar shofar factory) would be from Mt Scopus over the Temple Mount. It was such a  blessing to be able pray the Aaronic Blessing over Rabbi when he being baptized, because so many other people were watching. I was praying it for them, too.

Paula:

At the baptismal site, I noticed how many other groups were watching our group and taking pictures. We often take for granted what we have until we see other people responding to what we do. I have asked God, “What am I supposed to see?” He responded and said, “You are not here to see but to be seen.”

Jackie:
The best thing for me, besides the obvious, has been getting to know Ingrid. I know her but I haven’t known her very well. It has been such a blessing to get to know her better and share our testimonies.

Sharon:

I really enjoyed being in Capernaum, where Jesus taught and so many miracles happened. I wanted to stay longer.

Anita:

It has been such a blessing to be with each of you. The first group we brought had their purpose, but this group is different. It has been such a joy to watch you and get to know you. Some of you I know but some I don’t know very well. So many of you are doing things that you would not have done before this trip. You are changing and growing; a shifting is taking place.

Ryan:

At the dance at Viktor’s church there was a lady who had to be in her 80’s video taping the dancing on her cell phone. She really enjoyed it.

Revkah:

I have been undone. He has been meeting me in unexpected ways. There has been restoration going on. We are in the land that He chose and His presence is here. Being in the Land there is a closeness to God that is just unexpected. I am undone.

Bob:

I am overwhelmed. Every time we do something I think “How can there me anything else?” But then then next thing happens and it is overwhelming.to see?” He responded and said, “You are not here to see but to be seen.”

Maggie:

You all have done so much for me to help me make this a really meaningful experience. I feel like I have been adopted by this group. When we came into Jerusalem my eyes teared up because I am so happy to be here. I have wanted to come here and now I am here. I wanted to go back on the boat, I enjoyed that so much. When I was baptized I wanted to run but I couldn’t.

Day 5

Once again we awoke to rain. But as yesterday, the rain ended before breakfast and the sun was shining as we left the hotel for our first day around the Galilee. The clouds made for a beautiful sunrise.

First on our agenda was a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Several people mentioned when they first saw the Sea that it seemed smaller than they had imagined from reading in scripture. However, after getting out on the water in a boat it became much bigger than they first thought. The view of the western shore was beautiful at 8 AM and the waters were smooth. Half way through the ride we stopped the boat and Rabbi Matthew taught then served a covenant meal (bread and grape juice). It was a very spiritually meaningful time of worship, prayer and reflection.

Our boat ride ended at the Galilee Museum, the home of the Ancient Boat, a first century fishing boat. The boat was found buried in the mud along the shore of the Sea of Galilee in the mid 1980’s. After a painstaking process of removing the boat from the mud it was moved to a facility where it was restored to the condition in which it was found. The boat, nicknamed the Jesus Boat, is the centerpiece of the museum. (They do not claim that Yeshua actually used the boat but it is from the same time period.)

From there we ascended the Mount of Beatitudes, the mount where Yeshua gave His “sermon on the mount” which included the Beatitudes. The way the mountains and hillside is formed, it makes an almost perfect amphitheater which allows for great acoustics. Speaking from high on the hillside, Yeshua could have easily spoke to a multitude of people and they would not have had trouble hearing him.  This gave a fantastic view overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

It was then off to Capernaum, the city where Yeshua made his home during His Galilean ministry years. He stayed in the home of Shimon Kefa (Simon Peter). (It was actually his mother-in-laws home.) Ancient churches have been built on the site where that home stood. Yeshua spent a lot of time in the area and lived at this house. Not more than a stone’s throw away is the synagogue that Yeshua would have attended and taught in. Rabbi Matthew took time to walk in the footsteps of the Master by teaching in the same synagogue.

Finally it was time for lunch at Kibbutz En Gev, on the eastern shore of Galilee. Saint Peter’s fish was the meal of choice. This was as WHOLE fish, of the type that is native to the Galilee. (By WHOLE I mean: head, tail, fins, eyes…but no innerds.) Most of the group went with this choice, but two or three chose something “safer.”

Our last stop of the day was the Kol Shofar shofar factory. Here we heard the owner and master shofar maker about the process of making a shofar. This seemed a natural place to visit. After all, we are Ministry of SHOFAR. While explaining the process, Shimon also pulled out a few examples of various shofars causing a three or four of us to drool. After he opened his little store, several shofars were bought, so Shofar services will be filled with the sound of MANY shofars!

A wonderful day in which we, once again, saw the Hand of YHVH at work in pushing away the rain and allowing the sun to shine on us. It truly is humbling to think that the God of ALL creation cares enough about this small group of people that He WANTS to bless us with great weather so we can experience all He has in store for us. Everywhere we go we have the opportunity to show our love for YHVH, His people, His land and our Messiah.

 It has always been our goal not to be just another tour group. We come to Israel to experience the Land of the Bible, that is true. But while doing so we seek to deposit something of ourselves in Eretz Yisrael and the people. We also pray we will receive a deposit from YHVH that we can take back home and share with those we come in contact with.

Tomorrow we get to plant our trees (one way we make a deposit into the Land), then it is off to JERUSALEM! ! ! We are all anxiously awaiting the moment when the bus comes around the bend and we see Jerusalem for the first time. Jerusalem – the Holy City, the Eternal Capital of Israel, the City of David, the Heart of the Jewish people and the Nation of Israel.

 

Day 4

Monday morning brought the “former rain” to Haifa. A nice thunder storm came through early in the morning, putting on an impressive light and sound display.

Several of us awoke and joined in beginning to read the Psalms of Ascent, Psalms 120 – 135. We read Psalm 120 – 123 and discussed how the enemy bombards us with lies and deceit to get us to take our eyes off YHVH. But the psalmist reminds us that our help comes from the Lord, not from ourselves or anyone or anything. What a great way to start the day…with storms threatening to rain out our day.

First stop of the morning was Mount Carmel, where the Prophet Elijah challenged 400 prophets of false god, Ba’al. He proposed they each build an alter and offer a sacrifice. Then each would call upon their god to consume the sacrifice. Whichever god answered would be the true god. After allowing the Ba’al prophets to go first, with no success, Elijah drenched his offering, and the ground around it, and called out to YHVH. No sooner had he prayed when YVHV rained down fire from Heaven, consuming the offering, the stone alter, the water and scorching the earth. All the people witnessed from the Jezreel Valley and cried out that YHVH was God. Elijah then commanded the people to kill the false prophets.

Rain put a damper on our visit to Mount Carmel, but before we reached Megiddo, the rain had cleared and the sun was out. We enjoyed a tour of the ancient fortress, learning that the city had been destroyed and rebuilt 25 times over the centuries. This was due to its strategic location at a major crossroads. Kings Solomon and Ahab both used this fortress to house their charioteers and their horses.

From there it was to Nazareth, the hometown of Yeshua, for lunch and a visit to the Synagogue Church. This is an ancient church built on the site where the Nazareth synagogue from Jesus’ was to have stood. Yeshua Himself would have read from Torah on that very sight.

As we left Nazareth and headed to Tiberias, the rains began again. It was a soothing sound and, along with the rocking of the bus, made for a prime opportunity to nap. At Tiberias we headed immediately to Yardenit Baptismal Site, the site where Christians from around the world come to be baptized in the Jordan River. Rabbi Matthew explained that we would be doing baptism the way John the Baptist would have done baptisms in his day. Baptism was considered a willing act by the person being baptized. And as such, John the Baptist did not physically dunk them. Instead he served as a witness as they would immerse themselves three times, making sure that no part of their clothing, or even their hair, floated on the surface. Nineteen people took part in this “mikvah” and not even the cold water kept us out. We thought we may have to do this in the rain, but by the time we left the dressing rooms the rain had stopped and sunshine was trying to break through. From where does our help come from? Or help comes from the Lord. YVHV is good…all the time.

Then it was into Tiberias and our hotel, the Caesar Premier. The hotel is right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a wonderful location with most rooms overlooking the Sea. After briefly checking out the surrounding area and dinner, it was time to relax and try to turn in a bit earlier in preparation for the next day’s activities. No rain is forecast and we are believing that the “rain of blessings” will come overnight tonight or hold off until tomorrow night as we sleep.

By the way, Israel has some interesting flora, too.

What a great journey this is.

Israel 2011: Day 3

Day Three – Caesarea & Haifa

Day three, our first morning in Israel, came early for some with an early walk and devotions on the beach. It was not as early for others (z-z-z-z-z-z). The sky was clear and the sun was shining. A beautiful first morning in Tel Aviv.

After a brief tour of Tel Aviv it was on to the ruins for the Herodian city of Caesarea. King Herod the Great built this city in honor of and named it for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. It was planned as a port city but since there was no natural port he had to build a man-made port. He did that by creating a way to use volcanic ash to create a form of concrete. His construction was a success and Caesarea became the Roman “capital” of Judea. The city was the site of Herod’s summer home, which included a swimming pool. There were also two theatres and a coliseum for gladiators and chariot races.

Over the centuries of wars, conquests and natural disasters, the city was finally destroyed. In the early 1900’s a “modern” Caesarea was built near the site of the original city. Eventually, the ruins were excavated and it has become a popular tourist attraction. Not far from the ruins are the remains of a 50-mile long aqueduct which Herod had constructed to bring fresh water to the city.

After lunch it was on to the city of Haifa where we entered Elijah’s Cave, the cave where Elijah is said to have gone prior to his showdown with the prophets of Ba’al. It is considered a holy site to Judaism.

From there it was a quick stop at our hotel to freshen up and change, then off to minister with Viktor and Lena Dorjskin, our missionaries in Israel. Our dance team had the opportunity to minister in dance to the congregation. Viktor’s ministry is to Russian speaking Jews. Well over half of those there tonight were Holocaust survivors. As a result of his work with Holocaust survivors, Viktor has been invited to meet with Israel’s Prime Minister. A great opportunity. Please keep he and Lena in your prayers.

Our hotel sits high above the harbor in Haifa, the only natural harbor in Israel. It was to Haifa that the ship “Exodus” brought European Jewish refugees from detention camps on the island of Cyprus in 1948. Today, many immigrants from the former soviet countries come to Haifa. This beautiful city is the third largest city in Israel. One thing makes Haifa stand out in the world: Jews, Muslims, Christians and other religions live together, side by side peacefully. It is what the Middle East COULD look like.

 

Israel 2011: Days 1 & 2

We’re BAAACK!

An excited and anxious group of 20 people assembled at the Des Moines International Airport at 8 AM Friday, November 11 to begin a life changing journey to the land of the Bible, Eretz Israel. (Well, Ingrid was there at 6:45 AM…NOT Avigdor.)

We flew from Des Moines to Chicago, then an eight hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany. After a two and a half hour layover there, a three-plus hour flight to Tel Aviv, arriving around 3 PM Tel Aviv time. Exhausted after a long flight, we were miraculously revived when we caught the first glimpse of the Israeli coast and the beaches of Tel Aviv. Some admitted to being teary-eyed at being back “home” again.

After going through passport control, we were greeted by our tour host and collected our luggage. Then it was to the bus where we met our guide for the week, Abraham “Abi” Bresler. As we drove to our hotel he gave a brief history of the area, preparing our hearts, minds and spirits for the week to come.

Our hotel, the Tal Hotel, was a welcome sight as we were all anxious for a shower and to freshen up. A short walk on the beach and then it was our first meal in Israel. And what a meal it was: a variety of vegetables, meats and breads. There was no dairy (milk, cheese or butter) due to the kosher dietary restrictions. But it was wonderful.

Now it is time to turn in early (around 8:30 PM) in order to get a good night sleep (in a horizontal position) so we can rise in the morning and greet the day.

WE’RE GOING BACK!

At long last the time is upon us for our return to Eretz Israel, the Land of Israel!

On Friday, November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) at 11:11 AM a flight leaves Des Moines, IA to begin a long awaited Ministry of Shofar journey to Israel. Twenty people will be embarking on a life-altering journey that takes them to the land of the Bible. For some, this is a return visit; for others, it is their first trip “Home.” But for all there awaits adventure that will transform the way we see Israel, as a nation and as the Chosen People of YHVH, and our lives.

In 2010 we were all in such awe of what we saw and experienced in Israel. At every turn we were surprised at the beauty of Israel and we truly experienced His presence everywhere. I believe everyone in that group developed a deeper reverence for YHVH and a deeper love for His land and people. Our conduct also impacted the people we encountered in a way we never expected. Who knew that by planting trees a door would be opened for Rabbi Matthew to share with the Jewish owner of a diamond polishing facility? That three men blowing shofars in a shopping area would cause should awe in the local shop keepers? Or by witnessing a waterfall in the desert at Qumran was considered a blessing? Our respect for the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, the knowledge that we had gleaned from the teachings in Shofar and our desire to be blessing to the people of Israel demonstrated to those we came in contact with that we were not just another Christian tour group.

This time will be different, in that several of us have been to Israel so we will have a better understanding of what it is like. We will be more deliberate and have a more focused purpose in the places we visit. However, that awe for the beauty and holiness of Eretz Israel will never go away.

Political tension in the Middle East has been growing and the world continues to be bent on blaming Israel for all the problems there. We know, however, that Israel is the solution, not the cause. YHVH promised that He would bless those who bless Israel. It is our desire to be a blessing to Israel, not just so we will be blessed, but because that is what YHVH wants us to do. Pray for us as we seek to bless His people.

Shalom!

Avigdor