Thirteen are blessed on tour  to Israel

"Eveyone that goes to Israel goes there because God is drawing them there." according to a kind Jewish merchant in Old Town Jerusalem. For the thirteen who came on this trip from Calvary Chapel Guadalupe and Calvary Chapel Aptos this a true statement. Each of us was blessed and our eyes were opened to see the scriptures more clearly then ever before while on this trip. This was like a 12 day worship service. It was more education than a semester at Bible College. Passages we have read for years in the Bible now have a different context as we can see the place in our mind. Blessed by the fellowship of our group and guide and the beauty of this Holy Land we all found a special message from God during our personal and group devotions here. We were blessed because we came.  

This tour was originally set to be close to 40 people from Calvary Guadalupe (near Santa Maria on the central coast of California)  two years ago in 2005. As sign up time and crunch time for deposits came the group shrunk because of local economic problems. Pastor Ruben Gonzales  from the Guadalupe church was close friends with Pastor Larry Elizondo from Aptos and suggested the two church groups unite to replace those who could not go. Aptos sign ups were originally at 15. Then in the summer of 2006 when the final deposit was due Israel entered Lebanon in a short war that put fear in a lot of hearts. Many of our friends asked if we where afraid to go. All of us who went easily said no we were not afraid at all.  Although Israel is always at war and in danger, life there is clearly in God's hands. In my view never cancel a trip to Israel because of fear but DO go in answer to prayer and the call of God. Do, however, go with an experienced guide like the one we had as they will know where to go and where not to go. Even in California there are places that I know not to visit because of the danger there.

Our tour was charted for us by Inspired Travel and carried out in Israel by partner Sar El Tours. Our guide, Ronnie Cohen, was a perfect match for our group. He was filled with an almost infinate knowledge of Israel, Judiasm and also of Christianity as he was a believer. Born in New York he has been in Israel for over 30 years and has been a tour guide for much of that time. His military experience both for the US and for Israel added a depth to our understanding of the struggle this land is under.

This web site was made to share the joy of this trip with our friends as well as visitors that find us while web surfing. The thoughts and comments and photographs found here are mostly the work of Keith Wills from Calvary Aptos.  Opinions expressed are those of Keith and not necessarily a Calvary doctrine. Hope you enjoy our trip as we did.

Shalom!

View the photographs from the April 2008 tour with Chuck & Kay