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Join our "Light to Israel" tours

A tour to Israel with a difference - not only will you see the land but you will have an opportunity to do a service project. 

Middle East Ministries is providing a way for Christians, through practical hands-on service, to help those in need in Israel.  Those going will have to bring their "grubbys" because they may be doing some minor repairs on a widow's apartment and then finish up by giving the apartment a new paint job.  Others may be doing repairs on an old building leased by a group doing ministry in the land.  Others may even help a local ministry reach out to the poor of the Holy Land.

WHEN: Our next tour is scheduled for May 12 - 24, 2006  (deadline for registering and submitting initial deposit is Feb 14)            
(click here to see pictures of our most recent tour)

COST: $2,895

                  This price will include: 
                       • Round Trip Air from Chicago or New York
                       • 11 Nights Hotel, 5 Days Sightseeing
                       • 2 meals a day
                       • All Taxes & Services in Israel

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

CLICK HERE to download "PDF file" of the application form             Or call: 888-746-9583

"Light to Israel" Trip Itinerary

(Itinerary subject to change)

Day 1: Friday, May 12 - Departure from the US

This afternoon we embark on our journey to the Holy Lands, a life changing experience. Our night flight begins with dinner service and time to fellowship with friends new and old, meditate on the treasures ahead, and catch some shut-eye in route to Tel Aviv.

Day 2: Saturday, May 13 - Arrive in Israel

We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during the tour portion of our trip. We travel to Jerusalem where we will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next ten nights. We will enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Sunday, May 14 - Preparation for days ahead

To prepare for the physical labor of the next five days, we will spend this day to recuperate from travel, visiting some sites and being briefed for the ministry ahead. Possible sites to visit: Church of the Nativity and Rachel’s Tomb. We will also study a brief lesson on the historical overview of modern Israel, 1948 to the present.

Day 4 - 8: Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19 - Ministry

We will reflect the beauty and love of Jesus through practical hands-on service, to help those in need in Israel. These days we will be in our "grubbies" so that we can provide service such as

- Perform minor repairs on a widow's apartment and then finish up by giving the apartment a new paint job. 

- Make repairs on an old building leased by a group doing ministry in the land. 

- Serve at a local ministry packing items for distribution to the poor.

Day 9: Saturday, May 20 - Ancient City of Jerusalem

After breakfast, an interesting and educational day of touring awaits us today beginning at a scale model of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Our guide will walk us through an accurately detailed smaller version of Biblical times in Jerusalem as well as the architecture and décor of the Temple. Next we visit the house of Caiaphas and the "Upper Room" where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried; "my Lord & my God." From here we will see the ancient Roman Cardo, Herodian Mansion, Temple Institute and Western Wall. We will learn of very recent excavations revealing the market-area of the Temple. We then visit the Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. We will also fast-forward through history to the Holocaust museum of Yad Vashem. Later today our guide will escort those who wish to visit the marketplace in Old Jerusalem.

Day 10: Sunday, May 21- Around Jerusalem in Jesus' Steps

 Today we walk where Jesus walked. Begin the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment. To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. We enter the Old City through Stephen's Gate, and visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured a cripple. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering, view the Church of the Sepulcher before we arrive at the climax of our tour - the Garden Tomb. Your faith, that blessed hope and communion with Christ, will take on a tremendous new meaning today.

Day 11: May 22 - Day Trip to Hebron, Jericho, Massada Dead Sea

Our day begins with a visit to the oldest Biblical archaeological site of the Jewish people: Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs. Our next stop will be the oldest city in the world - Jericho. We then travel by cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Massada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. We will then head north along the Jordan to the Galilee, stopping at the Yardenit baptismal site for any members who desire to be immersed. Our final destination for this day will be overnight lodging in Tiberias for one night. (Subject to Availability and timing, we’ll take a dip in the Dead Sea & visit the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.)

Day 12: May 23 - Visiting Jesus’ stomping grounds in the Galilee

We will awake to the serenity of the Galilee region where Jesus spent the majority of his life and ministry.  The Sea of Galilee will welcome us to meditate upon the waters where Jesus walked, and we will visit some key teaching sites such as Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, and Taghba. We will then travel north to Biblical Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made his confession of Jesus as Messiah. To end the day, we travel back south toward Jerusalem and enjoy a farewell dinner at a Messianic moshav.

Day 13: May 24 - Depart for Home

A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight homeward will allow for arrival home by early afternoon.