Israel-in-Depth with Rod VanSolkema
June 28 - July 10, 2019
Led by rod vansolkema
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Trip Blog Posts
Our Final Day
posted on Wednesday July 10 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
Wow what an amazing conclusion to a wonderful but challenging trip. No day encapsulated this more than our final day in the land. There are no words that can describe what our experience has been like over the last week and a half but there are words that can paint images that might just help us get...
Without God, there is no shalom
posted on Tuesday July 09 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
Day Nine began with a walk full of twists and turns through the Old City from our hotel in the Christian Quarter ending at the Temple Mount. Women were instructed to wear their modesty kit out of respect for this holy Muslim site. The theme for the day seemed to be “conflict”. We felt and...
Journey To Jerusalem
posted on Monday July 08 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
We made our way from the Kibbutz of Ein Gev which was home for the last three days on the sea of Galilee to the path that the Pilgrims would make every year to Jerusalem to make their sacrifice. Our first stop was at the River Jordan. In the Bible the Jordan is mentioned 200 times. To the Hebrews...
Who do these people say the Son of Man is?
posted on Saturday July 06 2019 at 6:30 pm UTC
On the bus ride to Gamla (word for camel), Nadav explained “Shabbat” as a time to halt, pause and reflect. We were challenged to ask ourselves if we take and set time aside to reflect on what God has done in our lives. At Gamla, we learned the fate of the 9,000 Zealots who lived there...
Another Day of Awe
posted on Saturday July 06 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
As we were on the bus ride to our first destination, we were remembering the first couple of days in the bus. We would see a high peak or mountain and think “surely we would never go there.” But now on day 6, we look for the highest point in view and say, “that is obviously where we...
Admiration, gratefulness and awe
posted on Friday July 05 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
1.Caesarea Our day was filled with history lessons, ones brought to life in a way that only sinking your hands into the sands of Israel could do. We made it to Harod the Greats elaborate palace, theatre, harbor and arena. Piece by piece he created this beautiful coastal paradise booming with business...
Living water
posted on Thursday July 04 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
We began our morning by the Dead Sea again. This was our last night here, and we are sad to go. Our first stop for the day was En Gedi, in the Judah wilderness. In the midst of the dry heat there is a lush green pathway hidden through the hills. As we weaved through the palm branches and little pools...
Yada-ing the Desert
posted on Wednesday July 03 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
Yada-ing the Desert (Yada- an experiential knowing) How does one respond to climbing a mountain in the Sinai desert where God came to his servant Moses and gave the Ten Commandments? Furthermore, how does one prepare to enter a place known as “yeshimon” which means you can’t live...
Desert
posted on Tuesday July 02 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
Day two in Israel could be summed up in one word, desert. Just as Israel’s identity is shaped by the desert, so is our very own. When we are led into a desert, we are reminded that our hearts are not inclined towards this uncomfortable thing called humility. Yesterday was the land of the farmer...
Our First Day
posted on Monday July 01 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
We, Jaylene and Ken, wrote this together. Sidebar- Stephanie make a sandwich for Isaac! It only makes sense to write this blog together because we’re experiencing Israel together- the learning, the wrestling with difficult texts and above all else, living out the stories of scripture. We love it! Here...
We Have Arrived!
posted on Sunday June 30 2019 at 12:00 am UTC
We are finally in Israel! All went very smoothly. Many of us started off from Crossroads and headed to Chicago. One of the biggest highlights on the bus ride was the fanfare over Exit 20 on 196. Bob and Marcia Volkers, who just traveled on a trip with Rod and Libby in March, made two huge signs that...
Preparing for Israel
posted on Monday March 18 2019 at 11:51 pm UTC
Our trip will be here before you know it! Once we're on the ground we'll post periodic updates and photos. Check back often or get update notifications using the subscribe options on this page. We'll be sharing our travel experiences online with you, our friends and family, to not only bring you...