Marili van der Walt - Zealous8:2 Assistant

Hi there, 

I was born and bred in South Africa, in the most beautiful area that is known as the Cape. After school I took a gap year, where I spent time in the USA doing a discipleship school with YWAM and then working at a Jewish summer camp. During that year I also made a stop in Israel, where I was on a tour for 2 weeks and then volunteered for 6 weeks with Bridges for Peace (BFP) at the food bank.

When it was time for me to head back home, I was heartbroken that I had to leave this beautiful country that had crawled into my heart. I thought to myself that it would be nice to come and volunteer here again, but I had no intention of it being so soon.

The love for the Jewish people and the chosen land of our Father continued to grow inside of me. I guess you can say that those 2 months that I had spent in Israel was when the seed was planted and it was now being watered.

In February of this year I felt that God’s plan for me was not to be studying at this point in time. I left the university that I had started with after just 2 weeks. I had no idea where I was supposed to be going, but God does and I think sometimes it’s good that we don’t know where He is leading us, because if we did know, we probably would not follow. After much searching and seeking from God, the only door that opened up for me was with Bridges for Peace. I accepted the offer and arrived in Israel during April 2010.

        Working here at International Headquarters with the Group and Guest Relations department and Zealous8:2, is definitely a lot different than working at the food bank. We are one organization, but two totally different worlds, is probably a way to put it. The multifaceted aspect of BFP is clearer to me now, as I’ve worked on both sides. Here, at Headquarters it’s a lot more of the business center and educational branch of BFP, whereas at the food bank it’s more informal, although a lot of hard work is done there.

So, I am excited for what the Lord has in store for me during my time here in Israel and the things I will be learning.

Lorene Vigus - My Time in Israel

My time in Israel…Where do I begin? I am not one to write about myself or my thoughts, so this is a new experience, one that I have been procrastinating over. In order to tell you how Israel impacted me, I first need to give you a bit of background information so that the “how” will make sense.

I am studying Auslan (sign language). I have been interested in the Deaf since I was young, but when a group of Deaf started coming to our church I was really excited. A man named Alec was the interpreter along with two other girls. Alec encouraged me to start signing some songs at church and he began to teach me. Not long after that I enrolled to study. Alec became a father figure to me and a great mentor. Why am I telling you all this? One week before we went to Israel, Alec was promoted to glory. He had cancer, and so the months before he died were very difficult. Before he died both the other interpreters left our church (one to live in Hong Kong and the other to have a break for a term) and so I was the only one left. I am a year and a half from becoming qualified to interpret. Despite my huge reservations about interpreting, Alec encouraged me to continue. I spent many times with him going over sermons and crying about feeling inadequate and having such big shoes to fill. Because of this, I was not excited about going to Israel. The first time I felt a hint of excitement was when we actually arrived.

Now to Israel…My heart was tender and needed refreshing, God took care of that while I was there. Our first day when we were overlooking the valley of Armageddon we saw the coneys. I hear you saying, “So what?” Well, it just so happens that a few weeks before we left, I was struggling over a passage that I had to interpret for church, it was Psalm 104 and I was complaining because I didn’t have a clue how to sign it and Alec was too sick to help. I said to Kevin what on earth is a coney anyway? That first coney we saw was like God saying. “You wanted to know, here it is.” I just thought that was so cool. I didn’t even know that coneys still existed!

Then we sat down in the garden and sang, well that was hard…we just happened to sing a song we had sang at church the day after Alec died. Marnus then gave a devotion that was just perfect. He talked about not being afraid and trusting in God to be your strength. I praise God for using Marnus to speak to me. This happened again at Nimrod’s fortress, where Marnus talked about running to God who is our fortress. Wow talk about saying exactly what I needed to hear. I am surprised that this impacted me more than anything else on the trip. Yes, I was impacted by other things but what I have described above spoke to me in my time of need more than anything else.

The rest of the trip… Highlights for me were Tel Dan – such a beautiful place in the midst of a troubled country. Caiaphas’ house was difficult emotionally, I wanted to skip to the end, to the joyfulness of the resurrection just like I want to skip to the end of feeling the loss of my great friend, but I know that God puts us through times of suffering to teach us, not only to trust in him to get us through each day, but to help others who may be going through similar circumstances. Sea of Galilee, that was just plain fun as was the Dead Sea!

I hated the Via Dolorosa, the spiritual oppression I felt as we walked through the Muslim quarters and then the Russian orthodox section with the incense and the worship of idols made me really sad, although it was good to experience it. We so need to pray for these people who are lost.

I was surprised how much I loved Israel and the people there. I so desperately want to go back and volunteer. I am praying that God will allow Kevin and I to go back one day with our three children and serve the people there. Our kids have made a money box specifically to help us save to go back.

I look back and know that my heart was refreshed. I am thankful to God for allowing us to go on this journey. When I read my bible now I can see the places in my head (yes even the coneys) and it is exciting that I have actually been there. God is so good.

Lorene Vigus, 

Zealous Tour 2010

Kiyoka Morita - My Experience In Israel

 I just want to say that the tour was an awesome one for me!  I appreciate Marnus, his wife, Tom, Emily and all zealous staffs for praying for our health and blessings.

      Before I came to Israel, I was so afraid for my safety, my health, and my poooooor English. Although I have wanted to come, I thought I would only come when I was much older and gained more knowledge of the Bible. It was surprising to know that the Zealous8:2 Tour was for my age of 21! I thought being 21 that I was to young to take a trip to Israel, but the Zealous8:2 tour was created for young people my age to go to Israel. It allowed other young adults and me to gain knowledge about the Bible, Jesus. Even better than that was experiencing Jesus close to us throughout the tour.

      My favorite place was the Bedouin Village. It was my favorite, because it was the first time I have stayed in a tent and in the dessert. Being able to walk around in the dessert, I could feel Jesus more. I was so moved realizing that I was walking in the same dessert he did 2000 years ago.

      I liked Tel Dan, too. It was a really lovely place. I have never seen a place like that before in Japan. There was lots of green, beautiful water color, stone heritages. Everything was new for me. In Japan, I think, there are no original places kept from the past, like Tel Dan. When I was walking through the forest, I wanted to sing “As the deer…”

      Of course, it was a really nice time to spend with my new friends on the tour.  Everyone was so kind and friendly.  I love them!  Though my English was poor, especially speaking, they always talked to me and made me feel a part of the close relationship!  I was so happy to spend time with them and to make new friends (brothers and sisters) in Christ around the world.

      I heard that zealous tour was so great and everybody participated in the tour felt God and changed their heart to God.  Now I agree in my heart!  God made me changed my heart to think more and feel more of him.  After the tour, God told me to spread this tour to Japanese youth.  So far, only 4 Japanese young adults, including myself, have been on the tour. It is so sad, isn’t it?  So I will take action and pray for the Japanese youth!  I thank the Lord that I could go to Israel and let my heart be changed. 

Kiyoka Morita – Japan

January 2010 Zealous8:2 Tour

Jaunary 2010 Zealous8:2 Tour - Aussie Reunion Night

Shalom Zealous!

Just thought you might like to see what we got up to on Saturday night (13 February)!

As well as planning a few things for our Israel/Zealous8:2 presentations at church in the upcoming weekends after the Zealous tour we went on this past January, we got together with a few Israeli flavours to create our very own...

...FALAFEL REUNION!!!

You may not be able to taste-test, but what do you think, guys? We did pretty good, right?!

The hummus made me ‘homesick’...

God bless,

Love Erin.

My time in Israel

Shalom!!

My experience on the January Zealous Tour was amazing. It was a humbling experience for me because I had the opportunity to go again. My first experience with Zealous was June 2008. Life after Israel hadn’t been the same. The Lord revealed himself to me in such an amazing way. He showed me things about myself that I never saw and he showed me what kind of person he wants me to be for his sake. And once you have tasted and see that the Lord is good there is no turning back! His presence is so sweet. His land is magnificent. And after your first experience, you will be looking for any excuse to meet with him once again and come back to his land.

The tour simply brought the bible to life. Scriptures jump off the pages of the bible and becomes more realistic. But with the visual comes great understanding and comprehension of who God really is and the purpose and plan he has for our lives. It gave me a better understanding of who Jesus was and what he came to earth to accomplish. The history of this land is simply amazing. It baffles me even more that people don’t believe and that they have hardened their hearts so much to something so precious. The people you meet and the friendships you make are just icing on the cake and a cherry on top. Time with God is priceless.

The site that touched me the most was House of Caiaphas. Since the beginning of the day my heart was stirring. I knew instantly that God was moving. And he was moving in my heart. He touched me this day. Tears constantly ran down my face. To be in that jail where my beloved was on trial and beaten, battered and bruised and the dungeon where they kept him was an overwhelming feeling. As humans at times we can’t understand what LOVE is. Love has been contorted and twisted because of our human faults but the Love of Christ is perfect. Jesus could have called down an army of Angels but he didn’t. He could have freed himself from the hand of enemies but he refused. WHY?! Because he loved us so much and he still does. This location brought to life John 3:16 even more. For God so loved (you and I) the world that he gave his one and only son (Jesus) that whoever believes in him (accepts him) will not perish (die) but have ever lasting life. I can’t fathom why he would take the burden upon himself. But he did. We don’t deserve it and I know I certainly haven’t earned it!

One thing I absolutely love about the Zealous Tour is that there are many different nations represented. We are all different and all unique but we serve the same God. During our devotions we sang the same songs. And we simply go through the same struggles. We tend to think that our God is limited and that he is a God of the Australians, or the Americans or the South Africans and even just Israel, etc. But he is God of the world and the same God of yesterday today and forever. He is the same! He will always be the same! He excludes no one and includes everyone. No one is forgotten! I’ve seen how God being a common factor drew all of us together! If he can do that with a team of 21 people and more won’t he do that for our nations if we let him!

I encourage all those who seek to spend time with God! Come to his land. Meet his people. Have communion with him. It is life changing and something you simply just can’t read about. Let his life and words become reality as you visit and join Zealous on a tour. God has given great wisdom to the leaders of this ministry and especially our tour guide. It is safe to open your hearts and mind. Come without expectations so the Lord can go deeper with you. You will never be the same. But don’t just take my word for it. But if it means anything this was my second time going. If God invites you obey. Don’t worry about funds and other necessities. The Lord will provide!

God Bless

-Octavia

Zealous 8:2 Experience

Hey! I’m Emily. I am a 21 year old American who got on a plane and headed for Israel for the first time! Most people thought I was nuts, but God provided in every way possible! I have been serving with a ministry the last few years in South Africa when I felt God calling me to a new land; I was not sure how to react. I just knew I had to go. This is my first time volunteering for Bridges for Peace, in Israel, and my first time helping with the Zealous8:2 Tour. It has been nothing, but a blessing!

Stepping away from my plans for my life and following the plans of God for my life, by taking part in the leadership for Zealous 8:2 Tour is something that I will never regret. This tour not only brings the Bible to life, but brings mentorship, education, discipleship, and one into a deeper relationship with God. It is amazing! There are so many memories that will last me a life time. There are so many experiences that have changed my life forever.

Walking on the shore and sailing on the Sea of Galilee will be an experience I will never forget.

Peter is one of my favorite people in the Bible. So many times I have read about Peter in the Bible and how he had the faith to climb out of a boat and walk on water to the Lord. So many times, I have read how he denied Christ three times, but came to a point of repentance, and how the Lord used him after that. So many times, I have read about Jesus calling to his disciples, after he had risen, to toss their nets into the Sea of Galilee to show it was Him. I was speechless standing on the shores of the Galilee. Standing there I felt like Peter. Although I have messed up many times, I could feel God calling me; calling me by name and asking me the same question he asked Peter. This will be a moment in time I will never forget.

Yes, the site seeing was amazing, and everything I learned was astonishing. And, the new friendships developed from different countries are great, but taking part in the work project was a passion coming to life.

Serving in the community in Israel was a highlight for me. There were two different work projects happening at the same time. My-self and many others spent all day in the Ethiopian Jewish community.

We helped to fix up the community center that reaches out to many people in the neighborhood. We repainted the inside of the building, worked in the garden, cleaned up trash that was left, and loved on the local kids in the community. It is always a blessing to reach out and help where ever help is needed, because you experience God and the life of Israel in such a different and new way.

The Zealous 8:2 Tour is a tour that has impacted my life in words I can hardly explain. These few examples I have shared with you were just the beginning of life changing experiences for me. It has been a blessing to volunteer with Bridges for Peace and the January 2010, Zealous 8:2 Tour!

Shalom- Emily

My Journey In Israel - Daniel Kirchhevel

Hi friends, my name is Daniel and I’m from Florida, USA.

I am one of the long-term young adults volunteering at Bridges for Peace (BFP). My friend Marnus has asked me to write a short story about my volunteer time with Bridges, so here goes…

When I came to volunteer with Bridges for Peace, in December of 2003, I had signed up for three months to serve wherever they needed me. That turned out to be the Assistance Center a.k.a. the Food Bank. My first day was also the first day of another guy named Schalk from South Africa (S.A.). We were around the same age (early 20s) and became good friends. I remember that there were two other young adults that were already there, Marnus (who after his volunteer commitment, left for Bible school in S.A. and then came back a few years later a married man) and Candice Eden, the daughter of Chris Eden the National Director of BFP in South Africa. So, there were the four of us, Marnus the rugby player, Candice the model, Schalk the hockey player, all of them South Africans, and then me the American photographer. What a fun group! I still remember the adventures that Schalk and I had going around Jerusalem and to Tel Aviv on the weekends.

After a month or two, those volunteers left and others came in their place, but those three people will forever be in my heart because their friendships helped me get through the first months of volunteer life, which can be challenging. The four of us had fun packing avocados and potatoes and rice, beans, canned tomatoes and packs of flour… I have lost count of how many tons of food I lifted while working at the food bank.

Although I knew that God had called me to Israel, loneliness and doubting if God had really called me here would come against me at times. At those times I would call my grandmother in Montana, U.S.A. and ask her to pray with me. She is a mighty intercessor and has been consistent in encouraging me throughout my service here.

Israel is a country with an ancient and recent painful history. I have been in Israel through at least three war/conflict situations. Being away from family and friends and many comforts I normally would take for granted has taught me to be thankful for everything that God has blessed me with, no matter if great or small.

The best times for me at BFP were/are at our morning devotions, listening to the other volunteers share how God had called them to bless the Jewish people in Israel and what He has done in their lives while they are here. Many times the scripture that was quoted was from Isaiah 61:5: “And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers…” This scripture is a prophecy that God spoke concerning the Jewish people, saying that there will come a day that people from the nations will come and serve them after God brings them back to their own promised land of Israel.

Now, you are maybe wondering, if that was in Dec 2003-2004, where is Daniel now…?

Well, after the first three months of volunteering here, I prayed about staying on for another three months. I saw that Bridges needed more volunteers and I was enjoying what I was doing for the people of Israel. However, if I did stay on this would mean selling my car back home because I was already out of money and I did not have a strong support base. I would also have to forfeit my flight home. I said something like this to God; “Lord, if you want me here then you will have to provide for me.” And, He did! God first gave me faith and then peace that this is where He has called me to be (something He was already speaking to my heart) and then He worked out the rest. Since that time, I have wholeheartedly committed my life to serving the people of Israel, which has been an amazing experience!

I have worked in the BFP Assistance Center’s Food Bank for two years, packing food to be distributed to the needy throughout Israel. Then I worked in the Home Repair department for almost two years, fine-tuning my plastering and painting skills by renovating homes in the community. I then went up to the North to help Bridges set up a new Warehouse/Assistance Center in Karmiel, which was opened after the 2006 war with Lebanon. During this time, I lived in Karmiel and served as community liaison and delivered food as one of BFP’s drivers. Presently I have moved back to Jerusalem and work at the International Headquarters in Jerusalem’s city center, organizing volunteer work projects for tour groups that want to bless Israel through “hands-on” projects for Jewish communities.

My time here has been blessed with joys and laughter as well as pain and tears. With that combination mixed together, I would have to say that truly “my cup is overflowing”.

I can also say that I have grown and learned so much about my Heavenly Father and His love for His people here and this nation. I feel like God has blessed me so much more than I could have imagined as He has used this time to totally change me. You can ask anyone here at BFP who knew me when I first came to Israel and they would say that Daniel is not the same person that he was when they first met me.

I still enjoy life as a volunteer and hope that one day I will meet you on a Discovery Group project or better yet, as a volunteer.

If there is anything that I would hope for you to take from my story, it is that if God has called you to a work, be obedient to that call and trust Him with your life. He is faithful!

Daniel Kirchhevel

Discovery Group Coordinator

Bridges for Peace

My Experience in Israel

Over the years, my family and I grew more and more interested in Israel. Through studying more of the Word, we developed a desire to come to the Holy Land. To our surprise, God opened a way for us and we received an opportunity to come for two weeks at first. Through my experience here, my love for God’s Word and His people has grown and the more I come, the more I enjoy it. Bible prophecy and the Bible in general have become more realistic and it’s a blessing to know that I can be part of fulfilling Bible prophecy by volunteering at Bridges for Peace (BFP).

The first time I came to the Holy Land, I was amazed and confronted by the cultural shock of encountering so many religious people roaming around on the streets, especially in Jerusalem. It was so strange seeing Jews, Arabs, Christians and many more religious people all dwelling in the same city. I felt like an outsider, because I couldn’t converse with anybody and at times I felt very unsafe, especially in the Arab quarter of the Old City. The Old City is the most historical part of Jerusalem and has been divided into four quarters: the Jewish, Arab, Armenian and Christian. The Wailing Wall (Western Wall) is situated in the Jewish area and is considered to be the holiest spot for the Jews. It is truly marvelous there and it really touched me to see how people regularly came up to the wall and prayed, literally fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 8: 20-22. I felt secure and at peace there and could soak up the Jewish culture. What I enjoyed most the first time was simply dwelling with the Jews.

On my second visit to Israel, we stayed for three months, so I decided to volunteer with Bridges for Peace for two weeks. But as the two weeks flew by so speedily, I wanted to stay longer and asked to volunteer for two more weeks. This was still too short, but it was a great opportunity to learn many different things. Even though at the time I was only eighteen, I befriended the staff at Bridges’ Head Quarters. The best part of working with BFP was meeting people from all over the world and seeing how they are giving more of themselves to God, so that through His love we can show the Jews that we do love them and we want to bless them. The Bible says God will bless those who bless His people (Genesis 12:3). This time in Israel my family and I toured a lot more and saw a bit of everything in the land. I enjoyed the Dead Sea a lot, because afterwards I felt rejuvenated. However, I stayed a tad too long in the sea and got nauseous from all the minerals that my skin sucked in from the sea. There was a sign that said you should only stay in for a maximum of fifteen minutes at a time, so it’s important to look and to follow this instruction! My family and I also attended services at a synagogue and there I met lovely young adults my age. Many of them made aliyah from America, so I could at least converse with them. We bonded immediately and I felt more and more at home with my new acquaintances. It was sad to bid farewell and return home to South Africa, but university was awaiting me. I managed through my first year of Architecture and thanked my Father for helping me.

Currently, I am visiting Israel for the third time, this time for a month only. I am again volunteering at BFP and assisting in arranging the Zealous82 Young Adult Jan 2010 tour. It’s great fun because I get to connect with the young adults that will be coming and it’s wonderful to see how the youth from all over the world have grown a love and passion for Israel. I want to encourage more to do likewise, for you will receive blessing in coming up to God’s chosen city JerusalemIsrael. and joining hands in support for the nation of

Menan du Plessis

BFP Volunteer

Theuno's Zealous Experience

So, you are scanning the Zealous8:2 webpage, photos and possibly reading a few testimonies of a number of ‘Zealous Zealots’ who have made the trip on a previous occasion to Israel. You may be wondering … should I plan to join them on the next available tour or not? Well, I was one of those privileged people to share in the Zealous ’09 June tour and may I briefly share a few highlights to possibly help you make the decision to book your ticket for the next available Zealous tour (10 – 21 January 2010).


It’s really not about the people, the land or the tour. I have come to the conclusion that the main reason why the Zealous8:2 Adventure Tour was a highlight for me (personally) was that God had invited me on a special personal journey with Him. It was an eye-opener and life-enriching experience on so many levels that I won’t spoil your surprise by sharing all of that with you before you embark on your special journey with God in Israel.

However, I can share this. It’s a first time’ experience in many regards. You’ll never read the Bible with the same pair of glasses again and for the first time you’ll want to page to the Old Testament Scriptures first thing in your devotions in a new way as the Bible truly comes alive!


If you are from South Africa, like me, it will be the first time ever that you’ll experience something called a ‘reeces cup/bar’.

If you are from the USA or some other part of the world and you have a South African with you on tour, it will probably the first time that you ever hear about RUGBY (sport in Southern Hemisphere) and words such as ‘lekker’ (nice) or ‘boet’ (brother).

There will also be people that you’ll meet for the first time, but believe you me … it will not be the last you hear of them!

The friends I’ve met and made during the Zealous ’09 tour are truly one of the main highlights of the WHOLE TOUR.


This may be the first time that you hear of someone with such a strange name living in the Southern part of Africa, but I trust that this personal experience may inspire you to book your first Zealous trip in the coming year …

Best wishes from SA (South Africa)
Theuno Swart

Zealous8:2 in the Community

This past July Zealous8:2 & the Discovery Group department of BFP joined up to do a project at the WIZO Rebecca Sieff family center in Jerusalem. The acronym, WIZO, stands for Woman’s International Zionist Organization. The WIZO organization was founded in Great Britain in 1920 with the goal of serving the needs of women and children in the Land of Israel.


The Zealous8:2 young adults project consisted of hard work in the hot sun, sanding then painting metal fences that enclose the play ground of the center. We also removed old rotten wood from park benches, repairing and refurbishing them. Alongside of this playground repair, we also planted small trees and flowering plants in an area that for along time stood neglected and we made it beautiful.


The center also cares for women from very hard and extreme situations of domestic abuse. In this section of WIZO some of the Zealous girls helped to clean the kitchen and dining room area as well as organized the children’s play area.

The staff at the WIZO Rebecca Sieff family center was overwhelmed with the large amount of work Zealous8:2 accomplished in the two days that we were there.
Many words of praise and thanks went to the young adults as they were each given a certificate of appreciation by Kobi Hillel, the Head of this WIZO center.


I personally enjoyed working with the Zealous8:2 group because of their willingness to work with a servant’s heart. It was the first time that Bridges For Peace did a project with this center as they are one of our newest community contacts. The Zealous8:2 group made a lasting good impression on all the people there.

Daniel Kirchhevel
Bridges for Peace
Discovery Group Coordinator