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"The Exodus"
Egypt, Jordan & Israel 15 Day Inspirational Tour
February 7-21, 2008
Just a note about our recent trip to Egypt, Jordan and Israel. The entire tour was unforgettable, indescribable and beyond expectations and our expectations were high! Our tour group leaders were first rate, knowledgeable about history, background, and the Biblical connections. Our accommodations, meals, busses, etc. were excellent. We never had occasion to feel unsafe or threatened. On the contrary we felt secure and welcomed in all the countries we visited. Magnify the Nile. the temples at Luxor, the valley of the kings, the pyramids, the museum at Cairo and the trip to the community where Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus were all special highlights of our time in Egypt along with the realization that Abraham would have seen the pyramids and Moses would have received his education in the columned meeting hall of the temple at Luxor. We followed the Exodus route across the wilderness with stops at Mara, the oasis of the 70 date palms, and the highlight of Mt Sinai. Climbing the mountain in the early morning hours by camel and on foot gave time to reflect upon Moses' journey to meet with the Lord. We reached the peak in time to see the sun rise over the Sinai range. In Jordan we walked through Petra, the city carved from stone, and stood where Moses stood on Mt Nebo surveying the Promised Land. We arrived in Jerusalem from Jericho and as the city broke into view, the mount of Olives, to the stirring music of "The Holy City", our whole bus was moved beyond words. We traveled from Tel Aviv to Mt Carmel, Meggido, Tell Dan, where we could see the Lebanon border without a hint of the recent conflict. From a baptismal in the Jordan where Apostles baptized in area and to Calvary where we had communion near the garden tomb the trip was a constant reminder of the "little lanes where Jesus walked" and taught. From our experience the trip was spiritual, emotional, educational, most enjoyable and safe. The Bible says…
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy: at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more.” Psalms 16:11
 | Cairo, Egypt the seven wonders of the world - pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, People naturally associate Egypt with pyramids and the Great Pyramid at Giza outshone them all. Built during the Early Kingdom, these massive structures have endured the test of time.
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 | The Sphinx and tour Egyptian Museum and We said ILY to Sue King cuz she just arrive here from pick up missed Baggage at airplane!
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 | On the west side of Cairo, the pyramids keep a silent watch over the city.
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 | We visit KFC run by Egyptian Deafie Manager and Deafies workers
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 | Today we travel back to ancient Egypt with a full day of touring to the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. We spend time at one of the seven wonders of the world- the pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today, we saw also see the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen's treasures and ancient remains.
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 | we lift up pyramid, Cheops
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 | at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb), we rode a camel part way, stop at one of the stations to take in scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps) for a sunrise to remember. Once at the top, enjoy a time of praise
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 | Chuck Snyder and His wife Nancy interperter for deaf group
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 | This morning we turn north toward the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites - the descendents of Esau. Begin the tour with a walk through the "Siq," an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved and built structures.
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 | In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. After viewing the ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating Kibbutz, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee.
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 | This evening we will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food.
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 | Jordan River Baptism where John Baptist and other Jesus' Disciples use baptism
The Jordan is a small river and, thanks to the diversion of its waters to irrigation needs, it gets still smaller as it winds its way southward.
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 | Mount of Olives
A group of pilgrims make their way down the Mount of Olives, following the same route Jesus would have taken during His Triumphant Entry.
and Where Jesus went to heaven
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 | Jerusalem: An Overview of the City
These photos were taken of the giant model of Jerusalem in the Israel Museum. It depicts the city as it would have looked in A.D. 66, just prior to its destruction. The Temple Mount
The first thing that would attract the eye of a visitor to the city was the great Temple Mount. Herod the Great had expanded the mountain on all sides, giving it the appearance of a great white gem that had fallen from heaven.
View from the Southwest
The temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Roman general Titus. The only portions remaining today are parts of the southern and western retaining wall below the foundations of the original temple.
David's City
The oldest part of the city was David's City, located to the south of the Temple Mount. Straddling the narrow ridge between the Kidron and Tyropeon Valleys, this section of the city dated back to the Canaanite days.
The Lower City
On the western side of the Tyropean Valley stood the lower city. This was the poorer section of town.
The Upper City
As one moved northwest from the Lower City, there came the Upper City. This section of the city was higher even than the Temple Mount. It is here that the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, is thought to have been located. This was also the location of the Hasmonean Palace and was ringed on the northern section by three great towers.
Fortress Antonia
Herod the Great constructed a great fortress on the northwestern side of the temple mount and named it for his benefactor, Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony). Nearby was the Pool of Bethesda (in the foreground) where Jesus healed the lame man in John 5.
The Southern Wall of the Temple Mount
The main entrance to the Temple Mount was from the south. These steps led to the Hulda Gates in the wall through which visitors to the Temple accessed more stairs, culminating finally in the Court of the Gentiles.
The Temple Mount
As one left the stairs of the Hulda Gates, it was to emerge in the Court of the Gentiles. This court was separated from the inner courts of the temple by a low wall at which were posted warnings for non-Jews to avoid upon pain of death.
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 | then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal.
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 | Most of the ministry of Jesus was centered in the area of Galilee. The name "Galilee" (literally, HaGalilee) means "the circle." The name probably reflects the circular shape of the lake. There was a saying among the Jews that went, "If you want to be spiritual, go to Jerusalem; if you want to be rich, go to Galilee." This is because Galilee enjoyed a booming economy. Fishermen plied its lake. Farms lay scattered across its rolling hills and upon the fields of Jezreel. It was to this area that Jesus came to begin his ministry. Matthew, Mark, and John all refer to the "Sea of Galilee." By contrast, Luke refers to this body of water as a lake. It is only 14 miles at its longest (from north to south).
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 | The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb,
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 | Pastor serve Lord's Supper and message in 1 Corinthian 11 and thanks what Jesus did for us
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 | where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.
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 | 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.
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 | Pastor shared Word of God and encourged their spiritual life
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 | Our morning tour begins in the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy land.
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 | Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship and Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s Confession.
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 | Qumran Cave
Located a mere stone's throw away from the ruins that have commonly been attributed to the Essene Community, this cave was the location of some of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
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 | Largest Stone
An especially large course of stones is visible on the southern and western walls today. On the west the "Master Course" consists of four stones, the largest of which weighs 570 tons and is 44 feet long, 10 feet high and 12-16 feet deep. The next largest stone in the wall is a mere 40 feet long. The largest stone in the Great Pyramid weighs 11 tons.
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 | The Western Wall
Jesus predicted that the Temple would be destroyed so utterly that not one stone would be left upon another. This prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Roman General Titus destroyed the Temple. Its destruction was so complete that archaeologists argue today as to exactly where the Temple was located. What does remain are portions of the outer retaining wall of the Temple Mount. The Western Wall
Only a small portion of the Western Wall is visible today. The original wall went much deeper into the Tyropean Valley and it also was elevated higher up on the Temple Mount.
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 | The men's prayer area continues from the outdoor section through a passageway to the north. Within this area is a massive arch originally constructed by Herod and now known after a British explorer in the 1860s.
Though only 25 feet high now, the arch originally was 75 feet high when the Central Valley was much deeper.
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 | The most holy place in the world accessible to Jewish people, prayers are offered up at this wall built by King Herod in the first century B.C.
Place of Prayer
The Western Wall continues today to be a place of prayer.
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Prayers
The most holy place in the world accessible to Jewish people, prayers are offered up at this wall built by King Herod in the first century B.C.
Three times a day the Jewish people pray (morning, afternoon, evening) and they do so with phylacteries tied around their forehead and wrist and with the white and blue prayer shawls.
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 | For the privilege of being sent on the Holy Land Tour. It was a life changing experience. My perception of the Bible Lands had been limited to reading, Bible classes, and pictures placed in my mind as a child reading the Bible stories, but that has been totally changed. Until a person actually visits the Holy Land they cannot fully understand the significance of all that is being said in the Scriptures. As we walked where Moses and the children of Israel journeyed, or traced the steps of Jesus, everything came into sharper focus of how significant the topography and geography of the land impacted these Bible characters. Seeing the climate, people, and economy of the Holy Land changed the backdrop of all those wonderful Bible accounts from black and white to full color.
The travel was very enjoyable, being able to fellowship and experience these sites with people with a heart for God made each experience much more significant. We always felt safe in each of the countries of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. The accommodations and food were beyond what I could have ever expected. The tour guides were excellent. They not only were extremely knowledgeable, but passionate about God’s Word and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
I believe that God will use this in my ministry of His Word. I pray that it will be a blessing to many. This is a “must” for any pastor!
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