A Trip of a Lifetime

A trip of a lifetime....what exactly would confer a description like that? As I was preparing for my Holy Land Tour, a couple of my friends and coworkers who had already been to Israel were excited for me. They would tell me that Israel stays with you forever and I would never forget it. However, most people responded with shock and skepticism about me even considering going to a place of such turmoil. Call it a “God thing,” or call it a “meant-to-be” moment, but I never once reneged on my decision to go to Israel. It didn’t matter what people were saying, or even what the news was saying; I was determined to go and walk in the places where Jesus had been.

I was ecstatic to go with Dr. Charles Stanley of First Baptist Church because I had been listening to his messages and receiving In Touch magazine for as far back as I can remember. I grew up listening to him, became saved after hearing one of his messages on television, and read through the Bible using his Daily Principles Bible while I was away at college. Even after learning that Dr. Stanley would not be attending the trip, I was just as excited to have Andy Stanley join the group. I have recently begun listening to his messages as well, and have even started integrating them into the college life groups that I lead.

As the trip quickly approached, I honestly had no expectations other than the steady belief that I was supposed to go to Israel. I was not even swayed after having to undergo emergency wisdom tooth surgery two days before the trip. I had been given books and picture guides about Israel, but there was no way to prepare for the things I was about to see and observe.

From the very first moment my Mom and I stepped foot into the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport until the moment we departed ten days later, I never felt unsafe. My feelings of security and easiness can be attributed to everyone working for Inspiration Tours, the wonderful tour guides and bus drivers we were provided, and everyone at In Touch Ministries. Every single detail was taken care of with such meticulous attention that it allowed us to fully take in all of the sights, scenery, and historical information. We were initially greeted by chaperones at the airport in Tel Aviv then escorted to the bus that would take us to the hotel. There were staff members and directors of Inspiration Tours welcoming us at the hotel, handing out room keys, explaining the itinerary, and making us feel comfortable and secure.

We did not have to concern ourselves or worry about the logistics of the trip because the logistics were remarkable! Group dinners (of about 700 people) were organized, along with group messages where we could listen to Pastor Andy Stanley’s sermons at Caesarea by the Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the southern steps of the Temple Mount, and the Garden Tomb. As we relocated cities and hotels, our luggage was picked up outside of our hotel room and hand-delivered into our assigned rooms at the next hotel.

 I spent ten days in the Holy Land and can say without a doubt that it truly was a trip of a lifetime. I want to forever remember the places I saw, the feelings I had, the sounds I heard, and the memories I made. Even now, as I have been trying to describe the trip to my friends and family back home, words cannot accurately depict it. It was a surreal environment, yet parts of it felt completely routine and normal. While standing in such historically-rich sites, there were several undeniable Spirit-filled moments, while other moments exuded feelings of regret and sadness. I have never before witnessed a more dynamic and unexplainable place and I would go back in a heartbeat. 

Whether I ever have another opportunity to return to Israel or not, God has utilized this trip of a lifetime to forever change me. I have a renewed thirst for Scripture, to seek and find the places Jesus talked about and the places where Jesus walked...the places where I have now walked! More than that, I have a revived passion in my spiritual life. I want to learn, to study, to pray, and to do anything that will bring me again and again to the feet of Jesus, anything that will continually bring me to that place where Jesus will reveal more of Himself. My friends and coworkers were right – Israel stays with you forever.