Travel to Israel: Experience THE BOOK, Pt. 4

Jill FloodFeatured Articles

To read about the beginning of our Experience THE BOOK Tour CLICK HERE. Or simply start with today’s post and catch up later!

My mama taught swimming lessons at the city pool when I was little, and during breaks she let me get in and swim with her. Swim being a loose term for hang-onto-her-for-dear-life. I was terrified of the water and clutched her with my arms and legs like a baby koala. She cured me of the panicked grip with a simple strategy. When I clutched at her, she’d say, “Don’t grab,” and then would dunk us both under water. If, on the other hand, I remained relaxed and listened to her instructions, she’d pull me around gently until her next class. I soon learned to swim like a fish and LOVE the water to this day! 

The sixth day of our Israel tour is definitely my kinda day! 

Israel And It’s Water 

Before I tell you about that sixth day of touring, let me reminisce a little. When Roy and I toured Israel in February 2000, our guide Meir talked a lot about the importance of Israel’s water. As a retired tank commander, he’d seen many kinsmen wounded and killed fighting over national borders and religious beliefs. But we were shocked to hear his predicted cause of the next “great war.”  

“Water,” he said. “Israel has discovered brilliant ways to bring water to many of our most arid landscapes. The desert countries around us—and so many others—need water. I fear the whole world will someday be at war for water.” 

His concern made us all stop and consider the value of water—something so simple that Americans (and others) take for granted.  

Now, think of God’s Promised Land—a small tract of land blessed with a central lake (Galilee) and a river (Jordan) running the length of it—right in the middle of the earth’s most arid landscapes. Consider Jesus’s words to the Samaritan woman at the well… 

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.’” John 4:10 (emphasis added) 

When we return to Israel in March 2020, we will pray for each and every soul in that Land to know the Living Water that was poured out for them over 2,000 years ago. 

Our Journey Continues 

Devotional on Masada

One of my goals in our Experience THE BOOK Tour in 2020 is to dip our toes in ALL the waters of Israel. On arrival, we’ll tour sites along the Mediterranean Sea. Our second and third touring days, we’ll dip our toes in the Sea of Galilee, and on the fourth day many of our travelers will choose to be baptized in the Jordan River.  

On our fifth day of touring, we’ll enjoy a plentiful breakfast at the David Dead Sea Resort & Spa and board our luxury bus to Masada. Have you heard of it? Maybe read the book or seen the movie, Dovekeepers? (The movie is good. The book has some pretty violent scenes in it.)

View from Masada

Masada isn’t a biblical site but it’s of extreme historical importance in Jewish history. CLICK HERE for a short but interesting synopsis. Our morning tram ride to the top of Masada will be an unforgettable beginning to our day!

Later that afternoon, we’ll walk through the Ein Gedi “Oasis” where King David hid in the caves from the murderous King Saul. Be prepared to see some local wildlife and take a refreshing dip in the waterfall and spring-fed pools! 

From there, we’ll go directly to our next swimsuit stop—the Dead Sea! It’s the earth’s lowest elevation (1,412’ below sea level), and it’s 9X saltier than the ocean (for more info on the Dead Sea, CLICK HERE).  

Dead Sea Float

It doesn’t matter if you know how to swim because I promise you’ll FLOAT! How do I know? Remember my mama who always tried to dunk me if I clung to her too tightly? Well, she was with us on our February 2000 tour of Israel, and neither of us could even FORCE ourselves under water! You can literally sit or stand straight up without sinking in this buoyant sea. 

If you’re not into floating, stay in the shallows, grab some mud off the bottom, and smear it on for a facial. You’ll save hundreds of $$$, and your skin will look UH-mazing for weeks! I tried it in 2000, and it really works! And I can’t wait for my 2020 facial!  

Refreshed and beautified, we’ll return to our hotel for a relaxing dinner and overnight. Next day…Jerusalem! 

Join Us In Israel!

“Experience THE BOOK Tour” is gaining travelers, but we still have room for more! A $500 deposit will hold your spot, and you can let our exceptional tour director know if you’d like her to arrange your group air. I highly recommend flying with the group since we’ll have a non-stop flight to Tel Aviv for a VERY good price on United Airlines (Bev can apply those points to your personal account!).

For more information, visit “Experience THE BOOK Tour” website or contact Beverly Henry, Independent Travel Consultant, directly at 714-512-8167 (or by email: bhenry@luxetm.com)

Want to read Part 5 of our journey? CLICK HERE.

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