When people at my church began organizing for a March 2012 trip to Israel last year, I have to admit I was not to excited about it. The trip was rather expensive. Could I afford to go? After all, I still had a mortgage and student loans to pay, amongst other bills. Do I really want to go on a 17-hour flight, fight jet lag, then come back the day before I have to go to work, and fight jet lag again? There were all sorts of reasons running through my head as to why I shouldn’t go to Israel, but something kept telling me I should go. Something was telling me that this was an experience I did not want to miss. So, I decided to go.
It must have been divine providence that our tour guide Yehuda is a Messianic Jew! He was able to share with us insights into Jewish culture and thinking, while showing how everything pointed to Jesus Christ. We also had an amazing bus driver Samar who was able to drive us through the narrowest streets and safely take us to each site. In this trip, I had so many amazing experiences. I stood on top of Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal. I tasted the sweet grape juice of Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into unfermented wine. I traveled across the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm. I walked along the Jordan River, where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and witnessed my brothers and sisters in Christ get rebaptized.
I prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed. I re-traced Jesus’ steps to His crucifixion. I went to the area of Golgotha and partook in Communion at the Garden Tomb and celebrated Jesus’ triumphant resurrection. I have to tell you that I thank God so much that I went on this trip. I saw passages in the Bible come alive before my eyes, to see parts of Scripture I previously took for granted in a new light. Being able to see the gates of Jerusalem and where the temple used has made me be able to understand the sanctuary so much more. This trip has renewed my desire to study the Bible more in depth daily and inspired me to share with others what I have seen and heard. I will treasure these memories and experiences of my trip for the rest of my life. I would recommend any Christian to go to Israel at least once – it may change your life.
David Quach
