My Israel Experience

My Israel Experience
It is said that you don’t just go to Israel; instead, you’re invited to Israel by God. I heard this during the tour and was amazed, and felt honored, that God himself had invited me to experience the Promised Land. Reasons why I wanted to go to Israel are that, firstly, I wanted to understand the Israeli-Arab conflict. Secondly, I wanted to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. Thirdly, I wanted to learn a new language. Let me say that God had a lot more in store for me. I did meet and make great friends. As far as the language is concerned, Hebrew is not an easy language to learn but I do know how to say Shalom and what it
means.

The most asked question I get is, “What did this experience mean to you and what did you take out of it?” There is a particular point that stood out for me throughout the tour. Growing up, I knew that God was my fortress and my strength. I never really gave much thought about what a fortress really looked like until I saw
Nimrod’s fortress. Nimrod’s fortress was strategically built on a mountain top to serve as a refuge against enemy attacks. It was when we had gone into one of the chambers that I realised how safe I am in God. The chambers in that fortress are so secure and built using massive rocks that I assure you, you would feel very safe in them. But as God’s children, we have a far much stronger and indestructible fortress in him.

Our tour was planned in such a way that we spent the first five days traveling around Israel and for the remaining five days, we were based in Jerusalem. There is a lot that one can learn about Israel and our tour guide was generous in sharing with us as much as he could about Israel. During our five days of travelling, we went to places like Masada, the Dead Sea, the first century village in Nazareth, the Bedouin desert, Tel Dan, Ein Gedi and the site where the prophet Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. While in Jerusalem, we went to many places like The Mount of Olives, The Garden Tomb, The Old city, The City of David and the holocaust
memorial called Yad Vashem.

The Yad Vashem memorial has a lot of information about the holocaust such that you need, in my opinion, at least a week to go through all the material in it. It was a very sad moment for me going through all that history and seeing how God’s people had been subject to such injustice and prejudice. I pray that nothing like that ever happens to our roots, God’s chosen nation. Now that I’m a zealot, I’m passionate about standing up and speaking up against such injustices.

During that week, we also had teachings in the evenings. On one night we were taught on our Hebraic roots. On another, we had one of the Zealous leaders, Barry, share his life testimony with us about how he came to know the Lord, becoming a messianic Jew. We also had an insightful lecture from the David project. The David project provided the answers to my questions about the Israeli-Arab conflict. We had the CEO of Bridges for Peace, Rebecca Brimmer, talk to us and explain what Bridges for Peace was all about. We also visited the Bridges for Peace food bank, which is their food distribution centre. During the last two days of the tour, we renovated two houses and a community centre in the Ethiopian community. Bridges for Peace is indeed supporting Israel through practical ways and that is what pleases the Lord because, “Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….” (James 1:27).

Something wonderful happened on the afternoon of our last day. Sean, from Japan; Joseph, from USA, and I went for a walk around Jerusalem. We stumbled upon a park where a group of young orthodox Jewish students were playing around with a ball. They invited us to a game of soccer, five a side. Joseph, Sean and I had two of their guys play on our side. I really thought that we would win over them very easily, considering that they were wearing shirts and formal pants. Boy was I wrong; they thumped us and the score was something like 5-1. I liked the fact that we could relate as brothers and have fun together. Mrs Wiese and Mrs Eden told me that I would have lots of fun in Israel but the truth is that I had more than lots of fun in Israel; I had a super awesome experience and in the process became a zealot for Israel.

I would like to thank Bridges for Peace for affording me this opportunity; Mrs Wiese and Mr and Mrs Eden for helping me prepare for the tour; Barry, Peter Fast and Theuno (T-Piano) Swart and the whole zealous team for planning such a wonderful tour. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and may the Lord bless you. Shalom.

Nduna Mpofu

Israel: Still God’s people, still God’s plan, in God’s time

My journey to Jerusalem started in Texas, USA when God used a fellow South-African’s testimony to grab a hold of my life about 9 years ago. In the last two years the Word has become living to me and I have studied it more and more. The people and places have started to intrigue me. I was amazed when I found out that former places unknown to me, still exist today where major global events will take place in the current and near future. The Word suddenly became relevant in today’s time.

At the end of 2004 I returned to South-Africa and started to contemplate a trip to Israel after buying a Let’s Go Israeli travel guide. One night, with this specific thought in my mind, I read my daily scheduled scripture piece when the following verse leapt out at me - Psalm 84:5 “ Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.” (NLT). I took this as confirmation that one day I would visit Israel, but had no idea when or how, thus shelving the idea for the time being. Now, six years after that night, I can confirm that I saw Jerusalem with my own eyes, made possible by God’s schedule and providence, forever changing me.

To walk amongst his chosen people as they immigrate from all over the world back to Israel, to see a prophecy come true in front of your very eyes, is a privilege and a precious gift. Seeing and walking the very place where Paul appeared on trial before Felix in Caesarea, or sitting next to the Galilee where most of the Gospels took place – is something that can not be put into words, but only experienced. Standing at battlefields where small Israeli forces won against far larger armies connected the biblical Israel and modern Israel for me. They are still one and the same.

The very existence of Israel today is proof that they are His people, the very nation chosen by God, and are protected but also disciplined by Him. They are proof that He exists. Zealous 8:2 offers you the opportunity to witness and experience many of these aspects, not only from a historical viewpoint, but also a spiritual one. You will see a place and people largely unknown to you before, come to life.

Israel: Still God’s people, still God’s plan, in God’s time.

-John Wilkins

USA Zealous 2011 Conferences

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRAY

What happens when you pray - "Father, use us where You want us" or "Lord have Your Will in our lives". No less than 18months ago my wife and I prayed that special prayer together. As a young married couple, we felt that God had brought us together for a mutual purpose and destiny. We desired to discover and follow His plan for us. And we prayed a simple prayer consisting of one line, not realizing how it would literally change our lives! Not only our lives, but also our worlds.

We prayed that special prayer in South Africa a few months ago, and today I am writing to you from Jerusalem, Israel. God had invited us on a special journey with Him and what a JOURNEY it has been so far. We are currently volunteering at Bridges for Peace, Jerusalem where I personally am assisting in three areas namely; Group and Guest Relations, Land of the Bible Experience and Zealous 8:2. What a privilege, for me to have been a Zealous tour participant a few years ago and now to be able to come and serve other Zealots who wish to COME AND EXPERIENCE the Zealous 8:2 Adventure Tour for themselves. We can't wait to meet you in person and for you to join us on one of the Zealous tours in the coming year (Jan 2011 & June 2011).

My wife is assisting at the Bridges for Peace's Jerusalem Outreach Center with various projects that practically impacts the lives of Jewish people in a positive way.

Both of us have had to quit our jobs, leave our families, friends, familiar and comfortable surroundings behind to follow through on one simple invitation...'Come and Follow Me!'...

How about you? How are you responding to that special invitation - 'Come and follow Me?' (Matthew 4:19).

Wishing you all of the best,

Theuno & Maretha Swart. 

Israel & I

My entire experience can be summed up in one word. It was life-changing and amazing, but the word I would use is 'small'.

I started packing my bags and realized that my shoes wouldn't fit. So I had to pack a seperate bag for them and put it in the overhead compartment where I sit.

From the beginning of the plans, I knew things would be tight.
I mean, God took care of the finances...I just wasn't looking forward to the 12-hour flight.

For the majority of our time in the air I was standing on my feet.
Blocking the isles with the Flight Attendants telling me: "Sir, please take your seat."

 

When we landed in Israel, I can't explain how I was feeling.
But my focus was diverted when I noticed my head scraping the hotel ceiling.

Our accomodations were okay regardless of how many times I hit my head. And I slept surprisingly well on what I call a cot, not a bed.

We saw amazing sights and I was baptized in the Jordan River and all.
But after seeing the Garden Tomb my focus strangly enough was: "Man, Jesus was not very tall."(the place where they laid Him was like 6' long, c'mon now, LOL).

Please forgive me for making light of the trip.
In all honesty, it had my heart in a grip.

The truth is this experience showed me that no matter how big I think I am. I will never be able to fill the shoes that Jesus can.

Fact is, this entire planet was too small for our Lord Jesus Christ. And there is nothing small about His perfect sacrifice.

Imagine feeling like the whole entire Earth is too small.
And then taking the weight of it's entire sin, beatings and all.

I saw where He walked, talked, taught and lived.
But all of these things are small when compared to His greatest gift.

He'll love us no matter what, no matter how many times we fall.
And it is this amazing love that will always keep me humbled and small.

 
Craig Lovatt

Zealous8:2 Tour, June 2010

Jessica - January 2010 tour

Why Israel? Well for me, I was more interested in Africa as I had been there before, but my husband, Simon has been interested in Israel. So when our youth pastor Kevin started talking about Israel, Simon and I both became interested and we had the money available. I had no idea what it would be like and honestly didn’t give it too much thought other than I just had to go.

 

Israel taught me many things, and for me revived my spirit. When I left for Israel I hadn’t been walking with God very well, I hardly read my bible or prayed. I wanted to get right with God, but I guess I didn’t really know where to start, so I didn’t try.

The trip through Israel was just one amazing place after another. You would arrive at an ancient ruin going, “yeah this is cool,” and then our guide Tom would tell us the significance of a site. After that it was no longer just a “ruin,” but a bible story I could see coming to life right before my eyes!! I can’t list a favourite place or time in Israel.  I rededicated my life to God in the Jordan River, and that was pretty amazing, but I think that a deepened relationship with both God and my husband would be my true highlight. If that is all I left Israel with I would have been happy, but God did so much more.

I have a new understanding of the issues the Jewish people face, and how I can love them and support them, and that many Christians believe that the promises God made to Israel now belong to the Church, not to the Jews. The Jews face many different kinds of battles (people that want them dead, and then people who believe that they are no longer God’s chosen people), and if you want to learn how you can stand with God’s people, as he asks of us, then Zealous 8:2 is a great way to do it!

When I started out I think my heart and spirit looked somewhat like the hard, cracked mud that I saw up on Mount Beatitude.  Now I feel refreshed and I just really want to live with God, for God and through God! If you are thinking about Israel, don’t say “if” say “WHEN!” I think it will change your life, and once you’ve been, you will definitely want to go again. So take a heart that is willing to listen and learn, and see what wonders God wants to show you, because I guarantee he will!

Gundo - My experience in Israel

Well, were do I start? The whole experience was "the boom", meaning awesome!

Honestly, being a black African from South Africa I never thought I would manage for two weeks with other people from a different race, especially white, and survive! Guess what?! I did not survive - I enjoyed it more than I ever imagined. I experienced what is called the unconditional love of Christ, which crosses all boundaries and race. I found myself so free and open minded about a lot of things that I never knew or asked about before. This was truly a life changing experience!

The bible came alive like never before in my life. I can go on and on but, the highlight for me was the way God dealt with the racial differences and He, Himself made us one and united. From now on I am very free around every race because of Zealous8:2 2010 Jan. :)

I have friends in Australia, USA, Japan and Israel. What more can a person ask for in only two weeks! :-)

-Gundo