The Land flowing with Milk and Honey - Israel

Let me take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible trip to Israel. In brief summary.

traversing the Jordan river through raft and ore was a thrilling experience. We have attended seminars learning a range of topics from the complexities of the Israeli political System, Terrorism in the Middle East, and learning lessons about Palestine -Israeli relations  from an Arab - Israeli reporter from the Jerusalem Post.




Being here has given me an in depth hands on look into the issues confronting Israel. It will definitely give me an leading edge in defending the US-Israeli relationship.

A brief guide on the our latest activities.


On Sunday August 07, 2011
We visited the Wailing wall for a morning prayer. Then proceeded to the City of David where we walked through Hezekiah's underground water tunnel, which is still filled with water to this day. We visited the recently discovered Siloam pool where Jesus performed many miracles. We then walked up stairs from the Pool to Jerusalem dating back over 2000 years ago. We continued to the Israeli Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem, in the New city of Jerusalem. Next we passing through the Israeli Museum to view the Dead Sea scrolls. Later we drove to Kfar Hanokdim for authentic Bedouin experience. We rode Camels and donkey's in the Dessert. We slept in tents ate traditional Bedouin food and enjoyed a campfire over music ans dance.

Monday August 08, 2011
Early Morning we lest at 5am for a trek up Masada to view the morning sunrise via the Roman ramp. Masada was the place for the Last battle against the Romans during the first uprising. We visited historic sights on the Summit of Masada and walk the famous snake trial overlooking the dead sea. After descending Masada we enjoyed a nice lunch  Dead Sea Swim. Then returned to the Ramat Rachel for a Briefing session on Israel.

Tuesday August 09, 2011
We visited Israel'a version of Arlington Cemetery Mt. Hertzel where we paid tribute to Israels national figures and Fallen IDF soldiers. We visited Bethlehem the Birthplace of Jesus and David there we toured with a Palestinian guide different sites in the area. We ate Lunch visited the Church of the Nativity, shepherds field and returned to Jerusalem for a evening dinner and educational program.

Wednesday August 10, 2011
Today we visited the Temple Mount / Dome of the Rock and had a briefing session there. Spent time at the Machne Yehuda, Explored the caves at Beit Guvrin. Then we participated in an Archaeological dig on site. We are now at the Kibbutz Yad Mordechai on the Kibbutz Mashabei Sade

For a Essay of Photo's for the above described events  visit facebook or flickr

Shalom From Israel 3 Day Recap

We have arrived in Israel! A beautiful land with flowing with development and culture. a mixture of historical traditions and flourishing life.  

We started our Israel mission with t learning fundamental leadership principles through the most humblest of  profession's, farming, . with a dramatic lesson in leadership focusing on three subjects in nature that are common in Israeli culture

1. Sheep and Goats - 

From Psalms 23: we learn over 23 effective leadership qualities by a Shepherd and flock. 

2. Water

Per year Israel receives 30 days of rain  which is equivalent to 180 of rain per year that England receives. Learning how to work with limited resources in 30 days will determine your year.  The Lesson is Resourcefulness 

3. Hyssop

Low lying compared to a cedar of Lebanon, It looks like brush-weed but it's potent make up if more powerful than all the cedar of Lebanon. The Lesson is Humility. 

Next we drove along the Mediterranean Coast to Caesarea, to visit a city Build by King Herod.  Where we visited King Herod's innovation in the Roman Capital of Israel. We viewed beautifully restored Roman theaters  where many christian martyrs where sacrificed for entertainment.

From there I had time to reflect on Jesus's Teaching on the Mt. of Beatitudes. What an awesome privilege to meditate on Matthew Chapter 5 and Pray for the teachings of Jesus to be realized in my life.

Our first day was filled with revelations = to Aesop Fables, many of which I can take and impact my life and the life's of others in a real peaceful way.

The Second Day was filled with a packed schedule as well. We began the morning by Boat ride on the Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is especially significant since it's where Jesus performed many miracles, and centrally located in the City of Tiberias, it is as important economic natural resource.









From there we traveled to the Golan Heights to view first hand the former Syrian Fortifications, and hear  from Kibbutz dwellers profiles in courage during the Yom Kippur War. We were near the Syrian Israeli Boarder.










That evening we enjoyed a Bon Fire and time of singing and meeting local Israeli's.


Today! Was a Fun informative day of celebrations we met privately with IDF soldiers on the Lebanese Israeli Boarder. (This meeting was highly secretive and confidential, so we are not able to post pictures. After an intense look at the work of the IDF on the Lebanese Boarder we  went river rafting in the Jordan River near Jericho City. After we Went to lunch in Tiberias city where we ate St. Peter's fish on the Sea of Galilee.

After we made our assent up to Jerusalem, here we stopped at the Haas Promenade to remember the Lord Death through communion with amazing views of the Old and New cities of Jerusalem.









This is a rapid recap of the past three events It did not cover all the things we have done but I though it befitting to choose from the highlights of the past three days more pictures, information, and reports will be forthcoming. I will spend another 9 days in Israel before returning home to USA

Flying to Israel

I will leave in soon for Israel. This trip, sponsored by CUFI, will bring together 40 protestant young college leaders from various denominations, who share a common values, mainly our Support for an independent Jewish state of Israel.

The Trip will prove to be an excellent power experience. I hope to gain an in depth look at the progress of the state of Israel and am very interested in hearing, first hand,  residents share their stories about their life in the Jewish State. I understand that the culture and way of life has elements of both  secular and traditional Jewish customs.

Israel is a  burgeoning mix of western and eastern influences which reflects its culturally diverse citizenry. So in one view as a humanities major I'm anticipating viewing the nuances the Arts in the 21st century and it's effect on  jewish life.







With the world captivated in the recent events in Middle East Where oppression and  breach of human rights  in many parts of the Greater Middle East has given rise to growing cadre of youth voice many of whom fled streets to riot in hunger for freedom and liberty.   We have seen this played out in Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, just to name a few. In the midst of  these events lso served as a highlight to 1 Nation in the Middle East that stands are a protector of Human Rights and Dignity, A staunch democracy and  true American Partner, Israel.

Our trip comes at a crucial time, support for the US - Israel relationship is pivotal. I am hoping to bond with our other participants who share  people who support Israel as an independent Jewish state.


This Fall I will engage campus peers in support of the US - Israel Relationship. i'll share with you further next time...

enjoy this Video of Israel Accomplishment  and gift of ingenuity to our world

Remember Israel

Today I take the time out to reflect on the Glorious day that Israel was created as a State in 1948!

I am just two days away from one of the leading evangelical Israel advocacy Summits in the world Christians United For Israel  Washington Summit. CUFI on Campus is bringing 700 Pro-Israel students will gather in Dc to be inspired, informed and challenged about issues related to Israel and her right to exists as a self governed nation without the foray of terrorism.


I can go on and on about terrorism groups, who target anything "Jew". Globalism and it's effect's on nations sovereign right of self-determination. But maybe for another post. But Now I want to focus on interesting facts about the State of Israel and her contributions to society as a whole, highlighting the investment in her citizenry.



 Enjoy these amazing Fact.

• Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees.

• 1. Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.

• Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin -109 per 10,000 people - as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.

• Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the US.

• Israel has the highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the UK.

• When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's second elected female leader in modern times.

• Israel has the largest raptor migration in the world, with hundreds of thousands of African birds of prey crossing as they fan out into Asia.

• The cell phone was developed in Israel by Motorola, which has its largest development center in Israel.

• Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was produced by Haim Saban, an Israeli whose family fled persecution in Egypt.

• In 1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia to safety in Israel.

• Most of the Windows NT operating system was developed by Microsoft-Israel.

• Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.

I've highlight a few breakthrough achieves since Israel has become a state. And for a country and population relatively so small and an economy a-little over $200 Billion, their achievements are enormous. Something to think about until next Blog!



I'll finish with a passage from Numbers 24:1-9(KJV):

1.And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 

2.And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.

3.And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:

4.He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.

7He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

8.God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

9.He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee
Matt 

June 2011 Preparing for Advocacy Mission to Israel

The Countdown has begun til the time I will join with 39 other young Christian leaders, who share my passion and love for Israel and the Jewish people,  touring Israel for 13 days in an advocacy mission sponsored by Christians United for Israel.

CUFI's Founder Pastor John Hagee is one of the Evangelical communities  foremost outspoken supporter for Israel not only in word but in deed. In July CUFI will host it's 6th Annual Washington Summit in Washington D.C. Second to AIPAC's policy summit, CUFI's Washington Summit is the premier  pro-Israel advocacy conference held in DC every year.

There are three books that are required readings for our group, I would highly recommend for any who wish to become well versed on the issues surrounding Israel.  

1. Standing With Israel: Why Christians support the Jewish State by David Brog.
2. The Case for Israel  by Alan Dershowitz.
3. Saving Israel: How the Jewish People Can Win a War That May Never End by Daniel Gordis.

I will continue to give updates on a rolling basis on Israel! and current and latest news I find interesting to post!

Until Next time

Cheers and God Bless