Leaders Make it Possible - Testimonies from Missouri

Lizz W. shares a portion of her experience in the Holy Land and how great tour hosts, guides and everyone in the background at EO make this a trip of a lifetime.

“Looking back on things now, about a month later, I cannot believe that I was really there. I really enjoyed meeting the group from North Carolina and Florida! You know, I did this trip in honor of my mother, Sue and I think one of my favorite moments—if I REALLY have to pick one—was taking the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. . .

Thank you John and Terri for this chance of a lifetime!

I read the Bible now and sometimes will come across a passage that mentions an area where we were and I think, “Oh yeah! I was there!”

Thank you to Mike, Eunnis and all the people at E.O., and all the others who made this possible for us to enjoy our pilgrimage to the Holy Land! . . . Looking forward to one day returning!!”

— Lizz W.

New Friendships - Testimonies from Missouri

James S. shares how he and his wife, Elaine, found new friends across states even though this is his third trip to the Holy Land.

“Our Holy Land Trip 2016 was very special! For us, we were able to visit our favorite places from our previous two trips to the Holy Land as well as see and experience new places!

Our group was an awesome group of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! We were able to create new friendships and share special “Holy Spirit” moments together. Besides our St. Joseph/Kansas City friends, I really enjoyed our group of new friends from North Carolina! This pilgrimage was very special in sharing the presence of Jesus in our hearts as well as the places we experienced together.”

— James S.

Being Home Makes Being There a Reality - Testimonies from Missouri

Linda M. explains how her trip didn't settle in until after she came home. Enjoy her full testimony below as the Testimonies from Missouri continue.

“I was glad to go to Israel, and after two weeks - glad to come home! In many ways the trip was as I always thought it would be and in other ways nothing I could have imagined. I was not so touched to be actually there as I have been now at home to know that I WAS there, if that makes any sense. I have loved looking at my pictures, reviewing where we traveled, reading the Bible and recognizing places and seeing them with my “soul eyes.” I loved experiencing all the different aspects of the trip - bonding with old friends, enjoying new relationships, meeting many new people and people groups; grasping an understanding a bit of the typography and geography of the region, the politics and religious diversity. I loved the busy market, the arid and windy wilderness, the damp and confining tunnels, the salty sea, the calm and warmth of the Sea of Galilee, the majesty of Mt. Hermon, the gnarled trees of Gethsemane, and the panoramic views everywhere!

And of course, there was Jerusalem itself with its busy market, walls, gates, quarters, sights and sounds so different from where we live. I thought of this song many times when we were in Israel and it pretty much sums it up:

”I walked today where Jesus walked in days of long ago.
I wandered down each path he knew with reverent step and slow;
I walked today where Jesus walked and felt his presence there.”

Thanks Terri and John for encouraging us to go and leading the way. I really enjoyed Mike, as I’m sure we all did. So glad to have had this experience and share it with all our new and old friends!!”

— Linda M.

Testimonies from Missouri - Stayed with Great Tour Hosts and Tour Guide

Rev. Ray G. shares how his trip to the Holy Land this year was still exciting to see after his first trip 28 years ago.

“I very much enjoyed my trip to the Holy Land. I had gone there 28 years ago and not too much has changed since then: the Western Wall, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, drinking from Jacob’s Well, the Garden of Gethsemane, the tomb next to the Skull, the Essenes’ cave where the scrolls were found, and the City of Jerusalem. Still, it was exciting seeing all of this again.

On this trip, while walking up the hill of Jericho, I must have thought I heard the trumpet of Joshua blaring out, because I went tumbling down. Nice people on our trip helped me up. I appreciated that!

On the negative side, adjusting to jet lag was hard for me. Maybe being 28 years older made a difference!

I want to thank our good leaders: Terri, John and our guide Mike. All of them were great. I felt safe while I was there. And I appreciate all of the good people I met on the trip. (Also, this time I found that you can’t make a microwave oven out of a room safe!)”

— Rev. Ray G.

Testimonies from Missouri - Bible Stories are Different Now

Teddy C. explains how his trip to the Holy Land with Brookdale Presbyterian Church provided a better understanding of what Jesus went through and how it has changed how he reads Bible stories.

“The most heart-felt experience for me was when I was in the Garden Tomb where it seemed so natural in its surroundings where they could have laid Jesus. Our trip brought the Bible to life in a new way and made Jesus’ life and death seem so real. I have a better understanding of all he went through for us. Meeting new friends in Christ on this great big adventure meant a lot to me. We had so many heart-felt times together, never to be forgotten. The largeness of the area where Jesus lived, taught, traveled and died was overwhelming for me as I journeyed through those special areas. The overall trip was worth more than words can tell in bringing this experience to life. Bible stories sound so very different now!! And we had so many great times along the way with laughter and things to remember we did together for a lifetime. Mike our guide was just great and we were blessed by him.”

— Teddy C.