Wow! What a Trip!

I kept telling people, “Go to Israel. The Bible will come alive - you’ll never read it the same again.”

To be honest, the Bible has always been alive to me, but after our Best of Israel Tour in January, even scholarship about the Bible (history, geography, culture, etc.) is alive! My morning Bible readings have become a series of panoramic videos seeing Jesus with people on the seashore, on the hills or in the synagogue.

The Lord prepared a banquet table of experiences for us as a group. Having these moments together enriched the spiritual impact on each of the nearly 40 of us. Nancy and I reconnected with long-time friends and made new ones. Each of us grew in our understanding and faith. I think I can speak for everyone on the tour that we came home with a renewed commitment to see Jesus’ kingdom come, each doing our part obeying the great commission to make disciples of all nations.

From Kathi, Firefall International Board Member

“When the opportunity to travel to Israel with Jim and Nancy Pennington came about, I quickly jumped at the chance. There was a longing in my heart to see the places Jesus preached and walk in the places Jesus walked. I was immediately struck by the stark, yet beautiful landscape of Israel and the relatively small area in which our Lord resided.

January is typically a rainy month in Israel and the rain is seen as a blessing. I am thinking of the imagery of the living water and what Jesus brings to our lives, John 7:37-38.

There were so many high points for me, but attending worship at Christ Church in Jerusalem with my brothers and sisters in Christ, taking Communion, hearing songs of praise in both English and Hebrew moved my heart. And then again when we took communion, prayed, and sang songs of praise at the Garden Tomb, I could feel the Spirit moving among us. We could hear other groups singing and praying around us in different tongues and different styles. I had a friend say that maybe that’s the way heaven will sound. I hope so. It will take time for me to process all that I learned and saw, but the experience has strengthened my faith and pushed me to stretch. If the opportunity presents itself in your lifetime, I urge you to travel to the Holy Land. You’ll never be the same.”

And from Other Pilgrims:

“Thank you Nancy and Jim so much for planning this wonderful trip of a lifetime. I really don’t think it would have been the same if we had not gone with this group or had Mickey as our guide. We will have memories forever. As I was headed home from the grocery store this morning, I heard “The River” by Jordan Felize. I think I will always remember someone playing that song as we got back on the bus after visiting the Jordan River on that rainy day. What wonderful memories I will hold in my heart.”

“I will never forget you and this wonderful trip! As I read the Bible, I see it in vivid color whereas before I read it in flat black and white. Thank you more than words can say for this trip that has enriched my soul and knowledge and love for our Lord.”

What Now

There are times for each of us when the Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see and ears to hear what He is saying. For those on the Tour of Israel there were many of these moments.

For all of us we should ask the question, “Where do we go from here?” May the Lord lead us to pray and listen, to obey Him, to live in His purpose for our lives, and bring Him glory!

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.