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Israel Study Tour - Rod VanSolkema
June 22 - July 4, 2014
Led by rod vansolkema
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Trip Blog Posts
Trip Wrap Up
posted on Sunday July 06 2014 at 12:34 am UTC
Now that we've returned from our study tour you'll hopefully be able to talk to one of us in person about what we saw, heard, learned, and experienced! Below is a wrap up video that serves as a nice summary of the trip and a reminder of all that we did. Leave us a comment below or head over and...
“The Final Ascent”
posted on Thursday July 03 2014 at 8:44 pm UTC
Today was a day of bitter-sweet lasts for our group. The last land-line we will probably hear ring for a while (our 6:30am wake-up call); last hard-boiled egg from the breakfast buffet; last fill-up of our 2-liter water bladders; and our last hours in the rich beauty of Jerusalem. It is amazing to...
Maranatha!
posted on Thursday July 03 2014 at 12:45 am UTC
”Come, Lord Jesus!” The story of today for our group was not in what was planned, but what was unplanned. We were emphatically reminded of Psalm 122, one of the psalms of ascent which Jews (like Jesus) making the journey to Jerusalem would sing as they ascended the hill: “Pray for the peace of...
Fit into a day
posted on Tuesday July 01 2014 at 11:40 pm UTC
From Galilee we make our Aliyah to Jerusalem Israel is now a nation in mourning, we heard that last night that they found the three boys who were murdered. Our hearts break for them and we mourn with those who mourn. As we left the sea of Galilee this morning, I am finding it bittersweet to leave...
Up to the Heights of Golan!
posted on Tuesday July 01 2014 at 12:56 am UTC
This morning was breakfast as usual at 7am, which was an awesome spread with a lot of humus! Yum! After hearing our rabbi story of the day from Libby and reciting Shema, we got on the bus to head to our first site, Gamla, located in the Golan Heights near the border of Syria. This time our hike started...
A view from the top
posted on Sunday June 29 2014 at 11:46 pm UTC
Our Shabat began on the Sea of Galilee aboard a wooden boat named “Hippos”. We set off onto a placid sea, at which time Susie shared a story of God’s acceptance of us despite our imperfections. Kyle led us in “Ten Thousand Reasons” and “How Great is Our God” then Rod taught from the...
Little did Herod know
posted on Saturday June 28 2014 at 11:38 pm UTC
From the desert to luxury. During the first four days, our team was learning by foot the testing and humbling of the people of Israel. But today took a turn for the world’s best. We visited Caesarea, not to be confused with Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea was the amazing city feat of human ingenuity brought...
Mayim Chaim
posted on Saturday June 28 2014 at 12:34 am UTC
Our fourth day of the Israel In-Depth Tour (a.k.a. Believers’ Boot Camp) began with a hike through Wadi David in the Ein Gedi. David came here to the Judea Mountains from the cave at Adullaml to hide from Saul. This is shepherd country – David knew it well. He was familiar with where every...
Timnah
posted on Thursday June 26 2014 at 11:39 pm UTC
This morning, like every morning, we started the day off as a group with devotions. Libby lead devotions and, in short, we were reminded that it is more important to obey God than worry or try to figure out the outcome. We are merely to be faithful in what He has called us to do. From there we set...
Masada
posted on Thursday June 26 2014 at 12:23 am UTC
A great castle built by a mad King. King Herod the great, the same king who murdered all the male children from birth to age 2, hoping to kill the Lord Jesus. As we climbed the steps of Masada, we showed that we are a community working together to serve and praise our Lord. We looked to the shepherd...
Chazaq – Grow Firm
posted on Tuesday June 24 2014 at 4:18 pm UTC
Day 2 in Israel was sunny and BREEZY…which we are told is VERY RARE for June…and of course, our group was thankful for the breeze…that’s for sure! We started out the day with a yummy breakfast and having our entire group finally together…Rod and Libby were happy about that! I think, without...
Travel / Gezer
posted on Monday June 23 2014 at 4:15 pm UTC
Finally. Months of preparation, prayer, and perspective have come to fruition. Our entire group has arrived but not all the luggage so please pray for that detail for many of the travelers. Starting the drive to our first hike, I leaned over to Mark and said, “Feel like reality yet?” His response...
Preparing for Israel
posted on Saturday June 21 2014 at 8:04 pm UTC
Our trip to Israel will be here before you know it! Once we’re on the ground in Israel, we’ll post updates, photos, and more about once a day. Check back often or get update notifications using the subscribe options on this page. Half the purpose of sharing our travel experiences through this...