12 Day Inspirational Tour

May 7-18, 2007

---

Hosted by: Tom & Margaret Keck of Moriah Ministries

A life changing experience!

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group

Day 1: Departure from US (May 7 - Monday)
Today we embark on our journey to Eretz Yisrael – the Land of Israel. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. We will be flying El Al, the most secure airline in the world. Get some rest on the flight…soon you will be walking where Yeshua (Jesus) walked!

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv (May 8 -Tuesday)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Messianic Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. As we travel to Jerusalem, the City of Gold, we stop at Nebi Samuel, the Tomb of the Prophet Samuel. From this hilltop we can view Jerusalem and the environs. After lunch we have a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then onto the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? We have the opportunity to walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Yeshua (Jesus)' prayer and take time for personal reflection. Before checking in to our hotel on Mt. Scopus, we have another perspective of the city and its layout to aid us during the next touring days. After some leisure time we have a Meet & Greet gathering before dinner and afterwards we have the opportunity to sightsee and shop on Ben Yehuda Street.

Day 3: Way of Suffering - Around Jerusalem (May 9 - Wednesday)
We enter the Old City through Stephen's Gate and onto St. Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda where Yeshua (Jesus) performed a miraculous healing. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His ultimate sacrifice. While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering, to the Church of the Sepulcher.   Next, we will see the Roman influence on Israel: the ancient Roman Cardo, the Burnt House and Herodian Mansion. Before leaving the Old City, we visit the Kotel (Western Wall) for prayer and then tour the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. Outside the walled city, we visit the house of Caiaphas and the "Upper Room" where Yeshua (Jesus) and the disciples held the Passover meal. After dinner, we have a dance practice.

Day 4: Yeshua’s (Jesus)' Steps, the Last Days (May 10 - Thursday)
This morning we visit the Knesset where our guide gives us a full breakdown on the make up of the Israeli government system. Next, we go to the Israel Museum and see collections of century’s old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. This afternoon we will take time to visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum before returning to the Old City. At the Garden Tomb, we will have a special service as we partake of the elements. This evening we travel east of Jerusalem to the Judean hills to take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent. We enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food.

Day 5: Southern Route - Eilat (May 11 - Friday)
We depart Jerusalem and head south to Beersheva. This is the famous place in the Old Testament where Abraham made a pact with Abimelech for the use of a well “Well of the Covenant,” to water his animals. After time spent in Beersheva we head to Sde Boker, the grave of Ben Gurion. He was former Prime Minister of Israel who was instrumental in the founding of the state of Israel. As we continue south, we stop at Avdat, the ruins of the greatest Nabatean city in the Negev. Our last stop of the day is the Ramon Crater where we can understand the geology of the area and an excellent place to take panoramic shots of the stunning landscape. We arrive in Eilat, a resort city on the Red Sea where we celebrate the Shabbat.

Day 6: Eilat (May 12 - Saturday)
Today is spent along the shores of the Red Sea. Named one of the most vibrant and best examples of marine life, the Sea is known as a hot spot for deep sea diving around the world. We visit the Underwater Observatory, which enables us to get a glimpse of the marine world. The remainder of the day is completely free to relax on the beach, rest at the hotel, or enjoy the activity surrounding the city of Eilat. We have dinner and overnight in Eilat. As Miriam did, we practice our dances on the beach at the shores of the Red Sea. Bring your tambourines!

Day 7: Day trip to Petra (May 13 - Sunday)
We cross into Jordan today and travel north on the King’s Highway where we arrive in Petra. We walk through the “Siq,” an immerse crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra. Two thousand years ago, the Nabateans carved a city out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures.  We depart this afternoon returning south and crossing back into Israel for dinner and overnight in Eilat.

Day 8: North to the Dead Sea (May 14 - Monday)
This morning we head north stopping in Timna Park, where we view the copper mines of King Solomon and the majestic Solomon Pillars hued from granite. We also see the life sized Tabernacle replica and the wild life sanctuary before continuing our journey to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Before arriving at our hotel, we take a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. There we learn the history of the famous zealot stand. We arrive at our hotel in time for a special spa visit or a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. Dance practice and prayer time after dinner. 

Day 9: North to the Galilee (May 15 - Tuesday)
We'll visit Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. (1 Sam 23:29; 24 Song of Songs 1:14). Afterwards we proceed to the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We travel north passing by the oldest city in the world, Jericho, before coming to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel. It is located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. (1 Sam 31:10-12) Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins. During the time of Yeshua (Jesus), Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis ― a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. We arrive at our hotel in the Galilee. This evening we have a dance practice and special prayer time in the hotel in preparation for our workshop tomorrow.

Day 10: Galilee (May 16 - Wednesday)
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable sites associated with the Messiah’s teachings. In Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. We enjoy a fish lunch before a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with easy viewing of the nearby Golan Heights. This brings to life the experiences of the fishermen disciples and concludes a wonderful day. Tonight we hold a Dance Workshop where we join Israelis to worship the Messiah in dance.

Day 11: On to Tel Aviv (May 17 - Thursday)
In route to the Mediterranean Coast, we visit many sites including a morning climb to the top of Mt Arbel, with a perfect panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee below. We remember the sites visited and experiences gained during the last two days along the shores of this memorable sea. We head northwest to Akko, for a visit to the Crusader Fortress and the Museum of the Underground Prisoner. After free time for lunch in Akko, we head south to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. From the mountain top we view the Jezreel Valley below; the climax point during the battle of Armageddon.  We arrive in Tel Aviv, the industrial and economical metropolis of Israel. We head to the beachfront for free exploring and shopping before our farewell dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant. Following dinner we head to the Airport for our overnight flight home.

Day 12: Arrive Home (May 18 - Friday)
Arrive home today with memories to last a lifetime!