Shalom Ladies,
We have customized a very special woman’s walk throughout Israel that will follow in the footsteps of Jesus and study the women of the Bible. We invite you to join us Feb. 2 -12th, 2012 for this once-in-a lifetime journey as we walk where Jesus walked and learn about these extraordinary women. This tour is perfect for your Women’s Bible study group, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends that can come join us on this pilgrimage to experience Israel together. Space is very limited. So save these dates, register early and don’t miss out on this opportunity to study, pray, worship and fellowship with other sisters in Christ.
You will never be the same again!
February 2: Depart USA
Today we embark on our journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight….Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
February 3: Welcome to Israel
We arrive early afternoon at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv. Once we have gone through passport control and secured our luggage we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay. We drive to Jerusalem. Upon arrival we stop at Mt. Scopus for a special Genesis Welcome (Gen. 14). Behold the wonderful site of Jerusalem! The time is right for a personal devotional overlooking this Holy City. Enjoy a personal time of prayer of thanks for the special blessings ahead. We transfer to our hotel, The Olive Tree, which will be our home for the next five nights in Jerusalem.
February 4: Bible Times, Birth of Christ in Bethlehem
Every day is a highlight in the land of the Bible. We begin our day with a visit to the Israeli Museum to see the model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple. Simply spectacular! It is here that you will get a complete view and understanding of the different locations we will be visiting over the next few days. Also, you see the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. The rest of the day will be spent surrounding the birth of Christ in Bethlehem where we drive past Rachel’s Tomb (Matt. 2:18), study the story of Ruth (Ruth 1:19), visit Shepherd’s Field (where angels sang) and The Church of the Nativity where Mary gave birth (Matt. 2:1). We will end our day visiting a local olive wood store where you can actually see one of the jars of the Dead Sea Scrolls and have time for shopping before returning to our hotel for dinner.
February 5: Women and the Mountains of Jerusalem
We start our day with a special Sunday worship service at the Garden Tomb. Afterwards we drive to Ein Karem (Springs of the Vineyard), where Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56), the birthplace of John the Baptist and walk through this picturesque old village. See Mary’s Springs and walk the grounds of the beautiful Sisters of Zion Gardens. In the afternoon we visit The City of David and those who want may take an adventurous walk through the water of Hezekiah’s tunnel (weather permitting) while others can opt to take the dry passage. We will conclude our day sitting on the steps of the Pools of Siloam and listen to the story of John 9.
February 6: Jesus Footsteps and the Last Days
Today we drive to the top of the Mount of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday path and take in the breathtaking view of the “Golden City”. As we walk down we pass the Church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city (Luke 19:41). We then proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane for a very special prayer service and quiet time. We enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate and view the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath Miracle and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne with its rich deep acoustics (birthplace of Mary’s parents). We continue to Mt. Zion to stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the last supper, an important event in Jesus’ life (Mark 14:12-26). View the site of the Tomb of David before ending our day at the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned and lowered into the dark pit (Matt. 26:57-65). Our day ends at the site of St. Peter Gallicantu, where Peter denied Christ three times.
February 7: Old City-Way of Suffering, the Women in the Passion of Christ
We start our day early with a visit to the Temple Mount, the location of the Dome of the Rock and where the Prophetess Anna (Luke 2:36-39) gave thanks over the infant Jesus. We stop to see the Western Wall and share our prayer intentions with other women from around the world. Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient temple. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City. See Antonio’s Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1-11) and stand on the tile floor where the Romans played games as they tortured Our Lord. We continue our walk on the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of Cross” stopping at key spots where Jesus mother met Him and wept, Victoria wiped His face and where He fell. Finally we will be standing in reverence of The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Calvary at Golgotha. Afterwards we enjoy some free time in the Old Market at The Fountain Square and Jaffa Gate.
February 8: From Jerusalem to the Dead Sea
After breakfast we depart Jerusalem traveling to Bethany visiting the home of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42. Visit Lazarus Tomb (John 11). We drive through the wilderness of the Judean Hills to Jericho, the world’s oldest ancient city to hear the story of Rahab (Joshua 2). See the Mount of Temptation (Luke 4:5) and view the tree where Zacheus climbed up to catch a glimpse of Jesus. After lunch in Jericho we travel to the Oasis of Ein Gedi. At the lookout point we will listen to the Song of Solomon, “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 1:12-14), see where David took refuge from King Saul (1 Samuel 24) and learn about Tamar, the beautiful daughter of King David. Ride a cable-car to the top of Masada, a mountain fortress built by King Herod where the Jews of the 1st century made their last stand against the Romans, truly a remarkable piece of history. Afterwards we arrive at our magnificent Dead Sea hotel, Le Meridian Resort. We will have free time this afternoon to enjoy floating in the Dead Sea, walk along the beach area or visit the resort’s spa and pool (optional massage and spa treatments can be arranged if booked in advance). You may just want to rest and relax taking in the tranquil atmosphere and peaceful beauty of the Dead Sea.
February 9: Women of the Sea of Galilee- Qumran,
Capernaum, Magdala
This morning we travel north back along the shore of the Dead Sea on the lowest road in the world. Before leaving this area we will look across the shore of the Dead Sea to reflect on the story of Sarah and Hagar. Our first stop today will be Qumran, the site where the Bedouin Shepherd boy found the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. Next, we drive along through the Jordan Valley as our guide points out to us the land of “milk and honey” and explains kibbutz life to us. We will visit Capernaum, the town of Jesus and Peter. The archeological site that remains will enable us to visualize how Jesus taught in the synagogue. We will also see Peter’s mother in law’s home, experience the place where the woman was healed just by touching Jesus’ robe (Matt 9:20-22), and the place Christ healed the demon-possessed Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3). We end our day driving past the town of Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. Arriving at our kibbutz on the Southern shore of the Sea of Galilee where we will spend the next two nights.
February 10: Jesus Footsteps along the Sea of Galilee
This morning we visit a museum to see an ancient boat from the time of Jesus, followed by a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. During our memorable boat ride the engine will be turned off for us to enjoy the silence, have a special time of devotion and prayer and remember how Jesus walked on the water. Next we stop at Caesarea Philippi to visit the Banais Springs, the headwaters of the Jordan River. Afterwards continue our drive through the beautiful Upper Golan Heights to see the life of Druze women and their community. We ascend down to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached (Matthew 5). Here we will take time to celebrate communion together. We continue the path of Jesus’ ministry and visit Tabgha, The Church of the Multiplication where Jesus fed the 5,000 with five fish and two loaves (Mark 6). We end our day by renewing our baptismal vows in the Jordan River at Yardenit. On our way back to the Kibbutz we will pass by the Valley of the Doves as the sun sets over the Sea of Galilee.
February 11: Coast to Coast: From the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea
After checking out of our Kibbutz we drive through Cana, where Mary asked Jesus to perform His first miracle. We travel to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus to visit Nazareth Village, a wonderful recreation of biblical times. Walk by Mary’s Well where the angel announced to Mary that she was with child. We go up to Mt. Carmel for a spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and visit Megiddo or Armageddon. After lunch we begin our drive along the Mediterranean coastline towards the old city port of Joppa by the sea. Joppa was the home to Dorcas (Tabitha) “who was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity” and see the place where Peter had his vision at the home of Simon the Tanner. We end our pilgrimage walking through Joppa’s Artist Quarters to a local Arab restaurant for a special farewell dinner that has been arranged for us before we depart for the airport.
February 12: Home
Our overnight flight arrives home in the USA. We transfer flights to Memphis arriving in the early afternoon to conclude our journey with memories that will last a life-time. Shalom!
