Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 — Monday, July 16th 2012
Upon your arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport you will be met by our friendly staff (look for the Engage:Israel sign) who will take you to the Nachlat Yehuda Youth Village, where you’ll check-in and meet your travel companions before going the short distance to Ashdod for our opening meeting. Once there, we’ll enjoy an Israeli style BBQ and worship with a local band at a time of fellowship with local young messianic Israelis.
Day 2 — Tuesday, July 17th 2012
We start the day with a trip to the Diaspora Museum, Tel Aviv, for an overview of the history of the Jewish People in the Diaspora and how God has been gathering them back to their land. Then driving southbound to a viewpoint overlooking the Gaza strip we will start to understand Israel’s current security issues on that border. There will be a short teaching time about God’s plan with the Palestinians and Arabs in Israel based on the prophetic scriptures, followed by a visit to the city of Sderot that was bombed for over eight years by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. Here we will meet with young victims of this terror and encourage them with a time of fellowship. We then travel to the middle of the Negev desert, staying overnight at a special Bedouin desert camp.
Day 3 — Wednesday, July 18th 2012
Enjoy a delicious Bedouin style breakfast overlooking the desert, then in the morning we’ll see the striking sculptures created by artist Rick Wienecke called Fountain of Tears: The Jewish Messiah in the Holocaust. In the afternoon we will bless the Israeli community in Arad through a volunteer project. Before dinner we will stop at a beautiful desert site to take some time to reflect. We’ll then relax with a Bedouin dinner followed by a worship time at the desert camp.
Day 4 — Thursday, July 19th 2012
After breakfast we’ll have a fun start to the day with camel rides and then driving north we’ll pass through the Valley of Elah, the place where David fought against Goliath. On the way to Haifa we will stop to enjoy Tel Aviv’s world known Gordon Beach for swimming and sunshine! In the evening, we arrive in Haifa for a special worship and teaching weekend with the famous Carmel Messianic Assembly.
Day 5 — Friday, July 20th 2012
A day of worship and excellent teaching at the Carmel Messianic Assembly. In the evening we will celebrate the beginning of Shabbat with the Kiddush Prayer and participate in a special multi-ethnical worship event, alongside Israeli and Arab local believers. Our worship band will also play, bringing together an exciting mix of songs from across the nations.
Day 6 — Saturday, July 21st 2012
On Shabbat morning we attend the messianic congregation ‘Kehilat ha Carmel”. After lunch we head to the top of Mount Carmel, the place where the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal for more exceptional teaching. From the heights of Mount Carmel, we’ll overlook the Jezreel valley and the site of the final battle: Armageddon. In the evening, enjoy some free time to explore the lively city of Haifa.
Day 7 — Sunday, July 22nd 2012
Today we travel to the Lebanese border where we’ll see the strategic bases used by the Hezbollah terror organization to bomb northern Israel. We will spend time meeting and encouraging Israeli soldiers who are protecting Israel’s northern and most dangerous border. Afterwards we will tour the beautiful Golan Heights and pray on Mount Bental for the security of Israel and the well being of the Syrian people. We’ll then leave the Golan Heights and travel back down to the spectacular Sea of Galilee.
Day 8 — Monday, July 23rd 2012
Getting up in the early morning, we’ll have a fantastic hike through a breathtaking canyon with ‘Kodak moments’ every other minute! After this intensive adventure we’ll reward ourselves with a relaxing time at a beautiful park with natural water pools.
Day 9 — Tuesday, July 24th 2012
The day begins with inspirational teaching at the very spring where biblical Gideon chose his soldiers. After lunch we will visit some of the famous sites where Jesus taught his disciples: Capernaum, Tabgha and more. To end our day of fantastic teaching we will enjoy an incredible boat ride on the Sea of Galilee overlooking the area.
Day 10 — Wednesday, July 25th 2012
Today we drive through the Jordan Valley to the Palestinian city of Jericho. After going through the check point we will meet a former sniper who was in Arafat’s terror organization. He will share his wonderful story with us of how he became a Christian and tell us about how he now leads a ministry to the Arabs as well as having various social projects such as a Christian kindergarten. With a special service project we will bless the Palestinian Christian community in the city. After a delicious lunch we leave Jericho for the Dead Sea area, visiting the world famous Ahava beauty product factory where we will have time to shop for good souvenirs and of course, you cant miss the swimming (or rather floating!) time at the Dead Sea. We will then make our way to the beautiful city of Jerusalem, where our adventure continues!
Day 11 — Thursday, July 26th 2012
We start our time in this special city with a prayer walk on the ancient city walls. This will be followed by a tour of the City of David, site of biblical Jerusalem, where the story of Jerusalem began. From here, we will wade through Hezekiah’s ancient water tunnel which lies deep underneath the heart of the city. We will carry on exploring the ancient areas of Jerusalem with a trip to the Davidson Center, giving a fascinating insight to what Jewish life was like during the time of Jesus. Here we will pose for a group picture on the original stairs where the people of Israel walked up the Temple Mount.
Day 12 — Friday, July 27th 2012
Learn from history! Today we remember the horrors of the Holocaust as we visit the historical museum at Yad Vashem. We will listen to the testimony of a survivor and process everything we’ve seen and heard during some time together in groups. Enjoy a few hours of free time back at the hotel. Before the Shabbat dinner we will spend an unforgettable time at the Western Wall experiencing some traditional Shabbat celebrations.
Day 13 — Saturday, July 28th 2012
Begin the morning with an early prayer time in the beautiful garden of Gethsemane. Walking up to the summit of the Mount of Olives we’ll have a great view over the Old City of Jerusalem. Together we will explore the world famous Old City of Jerusalem. There will be some time for individual souvenir shopping before we have a memorable visit to the Garden Tomb. After the end of the Shabbat (around 8 PM) we’ll enjoy some free time at Ben Yehuda, experiencing Israel’s coffee culture.
Day 14 — Sunday, July 29th 2012
On our last day in Israel we will have a fascinating Torah lecture by a rabbi in a synagogue in the bustling settlement of Efrat near Bethlehem. Take in the sights of the security fence and understand its significance. In the evening, we will visit the King of Kings congregation for farewell worship and then gather on the Haas Promenade, which provides some of the best views of the city, for a farewell BBQ!
Day 15 — Monday, July 30th 2012
Departure to the airport.
$1490.00 USD *
includes full board & good quality hotel accommodation **
* Not including flights.
** Except for two nights in a Bedouin style camp.