Following in Jesus' Footsteps
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Designed specifically for Terry & Melissa's micro group.
You need to be invited by them to register for this group. Features include:
1. Following Jesus' footsteps and ministry we will start in Jerusalem (4 nights), then go into the Desert Wilderness where Jesus' ministry began (2 nights in Dead Sea Region) then go up to the Galilee (3 nights). 2. Spiritual formation exercises and team meetings to build relationship with each other and friendship with Jesus. 3. Trying several different levels of accommodations. 4. There are times when you get to direct your own experience through choices in the itinerary. 5. We build in some free time so you can interact with people of Israel or sit and contemplate what it all means. Or take a nap and rest your eyes and feet. Accommodation
We will try several different levels of accommodation, from a hotel house (3 bedroom) and AirBnB to Resort and Spa-level, so you can experience the wide variety that is Israel. Please pack your own pillow if you're a finicky sleeper. Learning
There is a ton to learn and catch up on, even if you know your Biblical history. This will be like a college level course, so we require some pre-req. reading or video-course watching so we all have an equal grid of understanding when arriving in Israel. Unplugged It is not required, but we highly suggest going unplugged at least during the day while you are on tour so you can fully engage in where you are. Share with friends at home & on social media at night or when you return. If your phone is your only camera, decide to use it only for taking photos or ask around and see if you can borrow a camera for the trip. Insurance If you want to purchase trip insurance to ensure your travel, trip interruption, or emergency medical evacuation insurance you'll need to contact your personal insurance specialist. Or try www.travelinsurance.com (we don't get a commission or anything and you can choose your level of coverage) Packing Check out our packing suggestions here! We are limited to only what you can carry in one-go. :) Usually one checked bag and one carry-on sized bag. We suggest a backpack that rolls for ease of transiting long international terminals. Also our Airbnb will have a washer and dryer. Food/Snacks/Coffee Lunch and snacks are on your own. We suggest bringing a box or two of protein bars in case lunch is delayed by our adventures. We don't want anyone to get hangry! |
Day 9 (Friday April 23) Western Galilee and Mediterranean
Check out of our house hotel and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in town. We then head west over the mountains. Stop at the Carmelite Monastery where Elijah and God bested the prophets of Ba'al and take in a rooftop a view of the Valley of Armageddon. then continue west to explore Caesarea, an ancient port city and see a short on-site film about King Herod the Great's crazed building frenzy. We'll make a short stop to see the still-standing ruins of the ancient Roman Aqueduct at the Mediterranean shore. Then find a nice place for our finale dinner and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea. We will check into a little hotel in Tel Aviv or a smaller coastal town for one night. Day 10 (Saturday Apr 24) Final Day Up early for your last morning in Israel. We will eat breakfast, check out, and head for the airport around 7:15. By 8:50 AM you'll be dropped off at Ben Gurion International Airport for a security check before boarding your 11:50 AM Flight home to NYC to ATL to BHM at 10:32 PM Don't forget those stretch breaks! About 3-4 weeks later... After returning home, I offer you a final team meeting where we can debrief about our time together in the Land. can be at a restaurant or on line, or in someone's home. Stuff you should know before you goOur Jerusalem days are walking tours, so there is no transportation provided except our feet. This helps us connect with the people and land the way Jesus did. You may hire a taxi on your own, back to the AirBnB if needed, but we suggest that you start training your body as you train your heart for this trip so you will be able to fully participate in it with your teammates.
Trips include accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, entrance to sites and all the spiritual side of things. However, lunches, tips, insurance, and souvenirs are on your own. Flights are priced separately and cost is set by the airline. This trip is personalized and limited to 4 people. Our small size allows great access. Included is some discipleship and personal spiritual development through prayer activations, spiritual formation exercises, and "Friendship with Jesus" imaginative prayer which strengthens and deepens the spirit. These exercises accompany each Ruth Israel Initiative Journey of Understanding Trip at about half of our stops in the Land, and the Lord usually shakes some things up in our hearts in a beautiful way. The volume of information available to you while you are in Israel won't sink in unless you have a proper grid of understanding already formed with which to process all that we will experience, so the book Unbroken Cord by D.H. Withers is a prerequisite for preparation. And Sandra Teplinsky's book Why Still Care About Israel? will really fill out your foundation so that you can get the most out of your time in Israel. See the Resources Page for even further study. If you are not accustomed to journaling or "listening prayer" Seth Barnes book Listening Prayer is another book you'll want to pick up to prepare your heart and skills for listening for God's voice as you interact together in the Holy Land. It is great to hone listening skills in a daily devotional. Ruth Israel offers several team meetings, 1 or 2 even before we leave home (number depends on team need), to build friendships and get a little bit of cultural preparation, and share what God is doing in our hearts. In the Land, the meetings will help you process all you are experiencing, but you will also have some evenings free to rest or explore the city on your own. One of our team meetings will take place on the shores of the Sea of Galilee as we listen to the lapping water at night! |