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Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/13/2008 3:50:29 PM
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hillarykaell
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Joined: 9/13/2008
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Hi everyone! I just joined the community because I am looking for people who have been on an organized trip to the Holy Land. I hope this is the right place for me to post...I wasn't sure. I am a PhD student and am writing about the history of Christian travel but I am also going on my own trip to the Holy Land in February. So this is both something academic and something personal in my own faith life. If anyone has been to the Holy Land, recently or in the past (no matter how long ago! :) , would you mind posting? Why did you go? Did you feel like the trip changed your faith/ministry/family life? Do you know other people (parents, friends) who went too? Or did you go alone on a group trip? (which is what I am thinking of doing).
Looking forward to hearing more...
Hillary
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/13/2008 4:02:32 PM
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rabstark
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I went in the spring of 1992 as part of a study tour from the Bible institute I was attending. I wouldn't say it changed my "faith/ministry/family life", but it did alter the way I understand a lot of things in the Bible. So much of both Testaments is visually descriptive that being able to actually visualize what's being talked about, described, or used as an example changed the way I interpret a lot of things.
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Romans 10:1-2
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/13/2008 4:22:40 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 714
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From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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In 1992, during an era of unusual openness to the gospel in the former soviet bloc, I spent two weeks in Ukraine, and wrote up my adventures as a three-part series for the county newspaper. My "bottom line" was:
quote:
If you are considering a trip to Israel, consider Ukraine instead. Your faith will be welcomed in Ukraine, as well as your money. People want to hear a word of eternal hope, and gather eagerly where that word is proclaimed. By contrast, Israel is formally hostile to Christianity, and forbids evangelism. Any money you spend in Ukraine will literally save families from starvation, as it circulates through a ravaged economy.
For approximately the same amount of cash, you can go see where Jesus walked nearly 2,000 years ago. Or, you can go where the eye of faith sees Him walking today.
These "windows of opportunity" can close as quickly as they open, so I'm glad I went. Only regret is the day I turned down the opportunity to visit the Chernobyl plant and toured a town museum instead.
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The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/13/2008 5:51:31 PM
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rcjames
Posts: 5657
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From: Oklahoma
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Yes.
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/13/2008 9:29:22 PM
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LCannon
Posts: 1251
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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Nope.
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/14/2008 6:33:48 AM
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ames01
Posts: 131
Joined: 5/11/2007
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I went this past winter, and it was an amazing experience. I have to leave for work in a few minutes so I don't have time to answer your questions in detail now, but I will check back this evening when I get home.
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/14/2008 12:13:07 PM
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makarizo
Posts: 3001
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in 1983 I went to a different kind of holy land, I returned & it definitely changed my life.
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/14/2008 1:44:26 PM
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rabstark
Posts: 160
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quote:
ORIGINAL: RJR_fan
If you are considering a trip to Israel, consider Ukraine instead. Your faith will be welcomed in Ukraine, as well as your money. People want to hear a word of eternal hope, and gather eagerly where that word is proclaimed. By contrast, Israel is formally hostile to Christianity, and forbids evangelism.
While Ukraine and its people are great, what does this have to do with travelling to Israel, other than giving you a chance to make an unprovoked attack on Israel? Almost everything you wrote re. Israel is either incorrect or misleading.
_____________________________
Romans 10:1-2
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/14/2008 2:59:02 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1258
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Hi Hillary,
I went somewhere around 1992 and LOVED it. But I suggest you avoid the tours. They only allow you to spend 15 minutes here or there. I wanted to spend the day at the Mediterranean sea, but was only allowed 15 min. The Dead Sea was really cool as well as the Sea of Galilee. But I just loved the Archeological sites, amazing. If you get a chance to go, then GO!!
I went b/c I wanted to and I went with a church group, not my church though. I feel that it changed my faith b/c I saw where it all happened. I felt that my faith grew. It was cool. But I do suggest you go with a group, it can be a bit dangereous going alone.
quote:
ORIGINAL: hillarykaell
Hi everyone! I just joined the community because I am looking for people who have been on an organized trip to the Holy Land. I hope this is the right place for me to post...I wasn't sure. I am a PhD student and am writing about the history of Christian travel but I am also going on my own trip to the Holy Land in February. So this is both something academic and something personal in my own faith life. If anyone has been to the Holy Land, recently or in the past (no matter how long ago! :) , would you mind posting? Why did you go? Did you feel like the trip changed your faith/ministry/family life? Do you know other people (parents, friends) who went too? Or did you go alone on a group trip? (which is what I am thinking of doing).
Looking forward to hearing more...
Hillary
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/15/2008 6:16:59 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 714
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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quote:
I've been to Ohio a couple times. Does that count?
How about Holy Land USA in Bedford County, Virginia?
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/15/2008 9:29:02 PM
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HisSanctuary
Posts: 18
Joined: 3/14/2008
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Dear Hillary,
Yes, I have been to the Holy Land and it was the most incredible, life changing travel I have every had! You are in for SUCH A Blessing!
Everywhere you look is filled with history, from the OT and NT. Old Jerusalem was my favorite, next was the Dead Sea, then Qaram (where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls). I loved the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Multiplication (Fishes and Loaves) the Garden Tomb, the Road to Aremeis, the Wailing Wall, The Jordan River, The Upper Room, Tomb of Rachel, Bethlehem (if you can)... Garden of Gethsemane, Via Del Rosa, Entry to Jerusalem... oh I could go on and on. I would go back in a heartbeat! DO use a guide because you will not know how to get around and go with a group. I went to Elait, Tel Aviv (you will fly in there), Galilee, Tiberias and many surrounding cities. Be sure to read up on the sites so you will be able to see more of this AWESOME place. There is NO place like it on Earth! Shalom!
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/16/2008 1:28:21 AM
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wshepherd
Posts: 304
Joined: 8/2/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: hillarykaell
If anyone has been to the Holy Land, recently or in the past (no matter how long ago! :) , would you mind posting?
Looking forward to hearing more...
Hillary
quote:
Why did you go?
To date, I've been to Israel three times, and am hopeful that there will be more trips. In fact, I would love to live there! I went because God put it in my heart to go, and that desire just kept getting stronger and stronger. It was about five years from the time I started wanting to go until I actually went, and I considered a lot of different groups to go with until I finally found the right one.
I keep going back because I love the land and the people, both Jews and Arabs, and I pray for God's plans for her.
And I've also gone to a School of Ministry there, and a conference. These helped give me a perspective from believers in the Land that you will not get anywhere else.
quote:
Did you feel like the trip changed your faith/ministry/family life?
Yes. It connected me more solidly with the land and the people of Israel, as well as God's plans and purposes which have yet to be fulfilled. When I read the Bible, I still see in my mind's eye, the places it mentions that I have been to. I encourage people to go there. I have given presentations and talks about Israel.
quote:
Do you know other people (parents, friends) who went too? Or did you go alone on a group trip? (which is what I am thinking of doing).
The first time I went, I took a friend with me. We flew down from Alberta, and joined a group that left from Minneapolis/St. Paul. We didn't know anyone else on the tour personally, but that was just a matter of time. We got to know everyone and became one big family!
The second time I attended a School of Ministry, and again, made friends and became like a big family.
The last time I went to a conference and then took a tour, but since there were some places I didn't want to go to again, a friend and I opted to do our own thing on a few of the tour days. We hung out in the Old City of Jerusalem and had some awesome adventures, going where we wanted to, and doing what we wanted to do. Sure, we got lost a time or two, but that was part of the fun!
Tours are good in that they are probably the cheapest way to go, both hotel-wise and sight-seeing wise. And they will probably take you to more places than you would go alone, but like others have mentioned, they are also limited in that there is a schedule to follow, so times at the sites will be limited.
If you are going to go alone, get a good guidebook and plan your trip. I would recommend Jerusalem & The Holy Land, a DK Eyewitness Travel guide. And I would not recommend visiting Gaza or the West Bank.
If there are any other questions you have, I'll be glad to answer them.
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Wanda Shepherd
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/16/2008 6:57:30 AM
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Thessa
Posts: 811
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I would loveeee to go there. It would be absolutely amazing. But im afraid to fly...lol
I have an uncle that has a good friend that lives in Israel. He writes emails about going to certain places alot and it just seems so surreal that someone would be able to be there in the very place Jesus walked. It would be so much of a blessing.
Great thread idea! I too would love to hear stories from people that have gotten the opportunity to go.
_____________________________
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/16/2008 12:43:51 PM
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wearhisname
Posts: 24
Joined: 8/28/2008
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I too would like to visit the holy land. I have no fear of flying but I am hoping and praying for a more stabile environment in the Middle East before I embark on my trip.
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Christian Sweatshirts | Christian Hoodies
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RE: Have you been to the Holy Land? - 9/16/2008 1:03:48 PM
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wshepherd
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Joined: 8/2/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: wearhisname
I too would like to visit the holy land. I have no fear of flying but I am hoping and praying for a more stabile environment in the Middle East before I embark on my trip.
If you stay out of the hot spots like Gaza and the West Bank, you should have no problems. If you are with a tour group, the guides are on the phones A LOT, getting updates on places, and they WILL NOT take you anywhere that is unsafe. I have NEVER had any problems, and always felt safe. Please don't let fear stop you from going.
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Wanda Shepherd
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