Information Package
Israel/Palestine 2017 ‘Kingdom Living’ Educational Journey
Golan Heights
What Can You Expect? These two weeks will transform your experience with the text as the word of God. See the story come alive in its own context. Listen to the lapping of the water against the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Feel the heat in the heart of the desert. Hear the commotion of many languages on the streets of Jerusalem. Walk with Jesus and prophets through the Land. Live and work alongside native believers. You will return home with a renewed vision of your place in the Kingdom of God and energy for your calling Be prepared for adventure. The Land is challenging, and we will do plenty of walking/ hiking. The people are hospitable, and need our love and support. You Team members so far (As of .... Bart DenBoer (Teaching Guide), Pat deBoer (Host), Marcel deRegt (Team Leader), Brian Kielstra, Ben deRegt, Ben Arends, Sandra Arends, Courtney Dewolde, Madison Dewolde, John Dewolde, Esther Dewolde, Doug Bowman, Jolene Verstege, Al Mulder, Dianne Mulder, Jenny VanderHeide, Andy VanderHeide Travel Arrangements: To Tel Aviv, Israel: Lufthansa Airlines departing Vancouver on February 27at: LH flight 493 at 1:25 pm arrive Frankfurt at 8:15 am 28 Feb Connect to flight 6:86 at 10:05 am arrive Tel Aviv at 3:15 pm From Tel Aviv, Israel: Lufthansa Airlines departing Tel Aviv on March 13 at: Depart 13 Mar on flight 691 at 5:20 am arrive Frankfurt at 9:00 am Connect to flight 492 at 10:20 am arrive Vancouver at 12:30 pm, If you would like to make alternate arrangements from Frankfort, Germany, please fill in the attached form and return to Marcel as quickly as possible. Any redirected flights will take place out of Frankfurt, Germany. Any additional cover the additional VancouverTel Aviv return flight is at your expense. There are people from Michigan that will be joining our tour. We will meet up with these folks in Frankfurt, Germany.
Statistics for Israel: Religions:
Financials:
Gateway CRC Trip Cost Distribution 1. Ground Costs:
$1950 per person
Christian 2%, Druze 1.6%, other
2. Leadership Fees:
$ 350 per person
3.9% (2013 est.)
Total USD Funds:
$2300 per person
Population:
4. CND Airfare (from Vancouver)
$1200 per person
Jewish 75%, Muslim 17.5%,
8,049,314 (includes populations of the Golan Heights of Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) (July 2015 est.) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.27 years male: 80.43 years female: 84.21 years (2015 est.) Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem: note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv Yafo National symbol(s): Star of David (Magen David), menorah (sevenbranched lampstand); national colors: blue, white
Explanations: (point 1-3 are in USD) Item 1: Ground costs include all ground transportation, hotels, transfers, professional guide, and all breakfasts and dinners. It does not include lunches. Included in this cost is ground transportation for Bart and Pat. Item 2: Leadership Fees include the follow: This is Bart’s teaching and leading fee. It is donated to Traverse City Christian School to cover his absence from his professional duties between Feb. 27 and March 13, 2017. And a surcharge to cover the cost of Marcel's, Bart's and Pat’s airfare. Item 4: Airfare for participants from Vancouver Payment Schedule: Please make cheques payable to: Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church. Memo Line: Israel 2017 May 31: $1,000 September 30: $2000 December 15: Balance due based on that days exchange rate.
Who is Bart denBoer: Bart Den Boer has led tours to the Land for more than 12 years. He has studied at Jerusalem University College, lived in Jerusalem and Bethlehem while teaching at Bethlehem Bible College, and traveled extensively in Israel, Palestine, and Turkey. He has taught Bible for more than 30 years at Holland Christian Schools, served as an adjunct professor of Education at Calvin College, and as superintendent at San Jose (CA) Christian School and Traverse City (MI) Christian School (currently). Required Reading: 1. The Bible: Gen 12-50, Exodus 3-20, Joshua 1-10, Judges, Samuel, Chronicles, Kings, Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke John, Acts. 2. Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour 3. Our Father Abraham by Marvin R Wilson 4. Son of Hamas by Masab Hassan Yousef 5. The Source by James Michener 6. Watch the movie 'Masada' Passport: Canadian citizens using Canadian passports do not require a visa to enter Israel for tourism or business stays under ninety (90) days. Your passport should be valid for 90 days following your departure from Israel. Shots: No vaccinations are needed, although it is wise to have your tetanus vaccination up to date Cash: The majority of your costs are covered through the 'inland costs' indicated above. You are required the purchase your own lunch, snacks and any souvenirs. You should plan to bring adequate cash in USD with you to cover any anticipated purchases. Credit cards are not widely accepted (except to cover incidental expenses at hotels, ATM machines are not readily available. Jericho Road - Day 7
Israeli currency is the shekel. One shekel is divided not 100 agorot. Bank notes come in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 shekels. The coins are 1,5,10 agorots and 5 and 10 shekels. Food: While there is a tremendous variety of cuisines and food eaten in Israel, certain dishes are considered typical Israeli food. These traditional foods of Israel can be found throughout the country... ...in restaurants and cafés... ...food stands... ...and of course, in many Israeli homes. In big cities and small towns, Israelis from all walks of life enjoy these popular Israeli foods. It’s easiest to try them during a trip to Israel! Yum-Yum! Israeli Breakfast Foods: These dishes are universally popular in Israel. You will often eat them at home because they’re easy to make and very filling. A chopped Israeli salad is often served on the side. Borekas – these pastries can be filled with cheese, potatoes, or vegetables Israeli breakfast – features fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheeses Israeli salad – a popular way to enjoy vegetables Jachnun – a filling dish made from dough and cooked overnight Labane – a tangy yogurt spread to be enjoyed at any meal Shakshooka – an easy way to enjoy eggs in the morning (or anytime!) Israeli Lunch / Dinner Foods: Popular Israeli food is characteristically simple. A typical lunch in Israel is shnitzel with different side salads, including hummus and tahini, and served with rice or mashed potatoes, and vegetables. For a quick meal on the go, it’s easy to grab a falafel or shwarma on the street, usually stuffed in pita with French fries ("chips") and salad.
Baba Ganoush – a tangy eggplant spread Falafel – deep fried chickpea balls, often served in pita bread Hummus – a mashed chickpea spread, hummus can be served in many ways and is a staple in Israeli households Malawach – this flaky round pastry can be enjoyed with sweet or savory toppings Pita bread – the “national bread” of Israel Sabih – a sandwich of fried eggplant, hard boiled egg, tahini in pita Shnitzel – chicken cutlets breaded and fried, Israeli supermarkets also offer many varieties of frozen “shnitzelim” to be enjoyed easily at home Shwarma – grilled lamb or other meat that is then sliced or “shaved”, often enjoyed in pita or laffa bread Tahini – a delicious spread made from ground sesame seeds
Israeli Snack Foods / Desserts: These are just some of the sweet treats available in Israel. Disclaimer - they're not exactly dietetic! Baklava - a sweet layered pastry enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East Crêpes - In the malls and on the streets, food stands sell freshly made crêpes, available with different fillings. Ice Cream - Israelis, like people all over the world, love their ice cream. Knafeh – this dessert is made of shredded pastry, soft cheese and sweet syrup. Malabi – a pudding flavored with rose water and topped with nuts Sahlab – a rich, creamy, sweet hot drink or pudding Israeli Drinks: The coffee served in cafés here is delicious! Fruit shakes and lemonades are especially refreshing and tasty because the produce is grown locally. Café Afuch – an “upside-down” cappuccino Fruit Shake – in Israel these shakes are always fresh and flavorful Mint Lemonade – called “lemonana”, sometimes served frozen and blended Mint Tea - enjoyed with or without a teabag!
Physical Shape You will need to be in decent physical shape . There will be plenty of walking and hiking to reaching many of are ‘teaching’ destinations’. The terrain that we will walk will be rocky and sometimes steep. Depending on the temperature, it could be hot and humid. If you are unable to walk or desire not to some ‘teaching destination’ have alternative ways to reach our location. Walking is preferable since that’s how the people travel in the times of Scripture. To prepare, start walking now - you should be able to walk 5 KM without difficulty or stopping to catch your breath. There is no rush when walking to the ‘teaching destinations’. We are a team so we walk together and we wait for the entire team to arrive before teaching begins. Bart denBoer will lead the walk and either Pat deBoer or Marcel deRegt will be at the end of the line to ensure everyone makes it. Get good shoes and wear them in before we go. You want to avoid blisters. Temperature:
Now
Day 1: Departure from Vancouver Day 2: Arrive in the Land. Our first stop will be an ancient “tel” on the way to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem we will meet our host families and rest. Days 3: Explore Bethlehem. Meet “Living Stones” making a difference
Day 4: The Shephelah. Questions addressed:
Then
for the Kingdom in daily life.
Where do God’s people find their calling in this world? How does the geography of the Land and Israel’s place in the world affect our understanding of our calling? What biblical principles empower us to most effectively live out our calling today? Sites visited: Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Maresha, Lachish
2 Chronicles 32
Stories considered: Samson, David, Sennacharib Overnight: Arad Day 5: The Negev Questions considered: How does Abraham’s encounter with God shape our relationship with God? What can we learn about our calling from ancient covenant-making practice? How is the story of Abraham central to Paul’s message in Romans? How does God deal with disobedience that dishonors His name? Sites Visited: Arad, Ein Avdat, Tel Avdat, Maktesh Ramon Stories considered: God’s covenant with Abraham, Moses in the Wilderness of Zin Overnight: Arad Day 6: The Dead Sea Questions considered: Abraham, Moses, the Israelites, Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus all spent time in the desert. Why is “the desert” such a formative theme in the biblical story? What does God want his people to learn in and from the desert? How do our own desert experiences (and those of others) shape our calling as people of God? How does—or should---the experience of God’s people be different from how the world judges success? Sites Visited: En-Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea, Qumran Stories considered: Herod, desert experiences of biblical characters, David and Saul, John the Baptist Overnight: Jericho
Day 7: The Jordan Valley Questions considered: How does Jesus’ view of “eternal life” differ from many of our contemporary’s view? How does that difference affect our calling and how we live in this world? How much does it cost us to follow Jesus? How much did it cost Jesus to obey his father? How does John the Baptist’s understanding of repentance inform our mission and work today? Sites Visited: The Jericho Road, Kochav HaShahar, Judean hill country Stories considered: The parable of the Good Samaritan, Old Testament biblical geography Overnight: Tiberius Day 8: Galilee Overview, Jesus In His Mega-Culture Questions considered: To what extent have we accepted the assumptions and “rules” of our culture when it comes to politics, economics, education, and entertainment? How much does the “Crusader” mentality still affect our thinking today? In what way does your “story of faith” influence you and others in their stories of faith? Sites Visited: Mt. Arbel, Beth Shean, Belvoir (Kochav HaYarden), Susita Overnight: Tiberius Day 9: Jesus In His Micro-Culture Questions considered: How do our “communities of faith” help us remain faithful to and encourage us in our calling? How does scripture daily inform how we do our work? What does Jesus say about what it means to be one of his followers? How does Jesus’ life in the Galilee inform our understanding of the meaning of his life and his teachings?
Our teaching location in Capernaum—Synagogue likely where Jesus taught.
Sites Visited: Gamla, Capernaum, Qatzrin
Stories considered: The demon-possessed man, Jesus in the synagogue, daily life in Jesus’ time, John 15, the calling of the disciples, Jesus as bride groom Overnight: Tiberius Day 10: Upper Galilee Questions considered: How can we use Scripture as a model for our prayer life? How are spiritual compromises keeping us from being most effective in our calling? What does it mean to be the church in the world?
Sites Visited: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Quinetra, Yarmuk Valley Stories considered: King Jeroboam, “Get behind me, Satan,” Overnight: Tiberius Day 11: Coastal Plain/Jerusalem Questions considered: What made the worship of Baal and Asherah so attractive to the ancient Israelites? What can we learn from their experience with Baal? How is the ancient seaport of Caesarea important in your ministry today? What is the form and role of the Holy Spirit in your calling and work? Sites Visited: Megiddo, Caesarea, Jerusalem Temple Model Stories considered: Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Cornelius and Peter, Passion Week Overnight: - Bethlehem host families Days 12-14: Jerusalem Questions considered: How was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem “triumphal?” How does our experience with modern Jerusalem inform our understanding of Passion Week? Sites Visited: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, The Garden Tomb, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Temple Mount, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Burnt House, Herodian Mansions, Southern Stairs of Temple Mount, Jaffa Gate, St. Anne’s Church/Pool of Bethesda, Western Wall Stories considered: Jesus and his disciples during Passion Week Overnight: Bethlehem host families (Day 12) Jerusalem Old City (days 13-14)
Then
Now
Day 14/15: Depart for Vancouver
Masada - Day 6 If you look closely on the bottom right corner you will see that path that we will hike to get to the top. Don’t worry there is also a tram that will take you to the top.