Prayer Request from the World Travelers

I couldn't find one on Web Mt Hermon to Eliat

"Pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified." II Thess 3:1

Hey Gang, When folks learn that we are returning to Israel for our eleventh visit to the land where Jesus walked, many ask, “Are you not nervous about going over to that hot bed of danger?”  Our response is always the same, “Yes, we have to go through Chicago and New York (this time Newark) to get there.”  No, we are not nervous about going to Israel and even spending two weeks of our sojourn only four miles from Jordan - which appears to be high on ISIS list of places to conquer next. 

The stories of folks, who have been to Israel, all say the same thing: “When the wheels of the aircraft touch down at Ben Gurion Airport, there is a peace that settles over you that is beyond human understanding.”

But, it is also four miles from the fulfillment of a very special prophecy found in Isaiah 63:1: “Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, The One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength?” (Isaiah 63:1)

Warren Wiersbe in his commentary of the Old Testament wrote the following about Bozrah, which is why I would like to be standing on the Tel (Hill covering a previous civilization) at Tel Tamar when it is fulfilled: “The prophet looks ahead and sees Jesus Christ returning from the Battle of Armageddon that climaxes the day of the Lord (Rev. 19:11-21).  Edom, place of Bozrah, represents the nations that have oppressed Israel”.  Would it not be ‘out of sight’ to be there as Jesus returns from battle on His way to set His throne on Zion’s Mountain?        

Oh, I am itching to share some of the life changing experiences we enjoyed while in our previous trips, but I do believe, in the pit of my heart, He has a very special trip scheduled for us as we celebrate – a bit early -our sixtieth year of marital bliss in the ‘Land of the Lord’.  We celebrated our twentieth and fortieth in the same place here as well.

Pray that we have opportunity to be a witness of God’s tremendous salvation and love to all with whom we come in contact.  We will depart from Grand Rapids at 3:09 on Tuesday, October 25 arriving in Chicago at 310 to leave Chicago for Newark, arriving at 8:37 PM.  WE will then depart from Newark at 10:45 for Tel Aviv to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv at 4:20 October 26.

We will then check through customs, which is much less of a hassle than in the US, and be on our way to Tel Tamar, where we will be involved in various work details and do some local sightseeing in the Arabah and Negev.  You will find Tamar South of the Dead Sea on maps on your Bible Maps. (It is called Oboth in the time of Moses when the children of Israel did heir forty-year sojourn Num 21:1; Tamar in Kings 9; 1-17; It was Ir Ovot when we started in 1984 and today a large Archeological site, Tamar Biblical Park, the Jewel of the Desert. Seven layers of Culture, check it out on the web.)

We will be there until Wednesday, the ninth of November, when we will go to Ben Gurion Airport and connect with the rest of the tour group arriving on that day.  We will be transported to Jerusalem- about a half-hour, chow down and hit the sac in the Hyatt Regency.  Keep in mind the new arrivals will be dealing with “jet lag” for a day or so.

Travel with us and read in Scripture about these places where we will visit.

On day three of the tour (day one and two are travel days) we will visit the Mount of Olives, the Western Wall and The Old City.  While at the at the Western Wall, which is next to the Temple Mount, we will be at the most dangerous spot in the world today.  It would not take a very large match to light a major war.  We will also visit the Garden of Gethsemane, visit the archeological digs around the Temple Mount and Vad Vashem Museum, better known as the Holocaust Museum.

Day four, Friday the 11^th We will visit the Israel Museum where artifacts from Tamar Biblical Park are kept, David’s City, and have some free-time for some sightseeing on our own, as well as some shopping.  

Day five, Saturday, the 12^th we will visit the Garden Tomb for communion and celebrate Jesus resurrection.  I believe, having visited several other places that folks believe is the place, this one fits the  Bible description the closest.  We will then depart Jerusalem, visit Jericho, have lunch in Qumran, visit the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi  before returning to Tel Tamar.  We will have a Shabbat dinner -beginning f the Biblical Sabbath, a time of fellowship around a fire and be ready to shut the , down after very busy days. Remember, Biblical day begins and ends at sunset (Genesis 1:5).

Day Six, Sunday 13^th is another busy day beginning with a return to En Gedi, a visit to Masada, the Mountain Fortress built by Herod, sometime at the Dead Sea and a tour of Tel Tamar.  We will be part of a traveling church on this day.

Day Seven, Monday 14^th is ‘choice day’. The bus will go to Eilat, southern most point of Israel with options to visit the famous aquarium, do some snorkeling, shopping and just sit in the sun on the beach; the other choice is to remain for a leisure, restful and quiet day at Tamar Biblical Park, maybe even climb Prayer Mountain.

Day Eight, Tuesday 15^th is a day packed full of travel and visiting.  Beersheva is first of the list, where Abraham sunk his well, then on to S’harot, from there to Caesarea and Mt. Carmel and last, on the days agenda a visit to Tiberias. (Remember Israel is about the size of New Jersey!)

Day Nine, Wednesday, 16^th  A hearty breakfast and off to the Jordan River where those who wish can be baptized.  Then around the Sea of Galilee to the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum.  From there to the Golan Heights and a short visit to Kazrine. Then on to the place Jesus loved, Caesarea on the Galilee.  And a favorite of the tour groups- a trip across the Sea of Galilee in a Galilee boat. The final stop for this day is the Leonard Club Hotel in Tiberius for the night.

Day ten, Thursday, 17^th Our final day in Israel will begin with an early breakfast and on to Beit Shean, one of the most important cities in the central part of Israel.  As we work our way south and towards Ben Gurion Airport, the route will take us through some of the most beautiful parts of Israel.  The area where Jesus spent most of His ministry years, And- around the Galilee -one ofs my favorite area.  I have always felt a special peace when in this area.

Day eleven, Friday 18^th is the sad day of the tour, we head for the airport and process to leave.  We will leave Ben Gurion at 11:10 PM,  which is great.  Eleven hours is a long time in an aircraft,t but leaving at eleven gives us opportunity to sleep - at least part of the way- and cut the trip time mentally. Twelve hours later we will arrive in Grand Rapids.  

Well, my friends, I pray you will be faithful that these eighty-plus year old frames will treat us well as we sojourn where Jesus walked.  Our heart’s desire is to have a time, after returning, when we can share our experiences with all of you.  Call and come visit!

Blessings, Psalm 90:17 
PS we put an important message on this blog on Saturday, as well as on
grampswhatshappeningman. blogspot.com

Gramps and Grandma