Summarizing the NAUMS 2011 Father’s House Israel Trip, despite the fact that it was the most informative and enlightening trip I have ever been on, has been a surprisingly difficult task.  As one might imagine,

I have been asked by numerous friends and family members, and members of our congregation, to share what the most influential or to isolate what my favorite part, of the trip was, but I have to admit that there wasn’t a most influential or favorite part of the trip for me.  Each and every day there were multiple parts that I was very fond of and that were quite influential,  The entire trip, from beginning to end, was packed full of information and spiritual depth. I honestly wish the trip hadn’t ended, and I have been suffering from feelings of … homesickness???  Kind of strange, but it is true.  I want to return with the The Father’s House each and every time they go to Israel.  Perhaps the Lord will open a door for that to happen. I have come down to one simple statement that sums up my feelings about the trip, or maybe a better way to say this is to say that this statement sums up my feelings toward God since experiencing the NAUMS 2011 Father’s House Trip to Israel, and that is this … I have a lot more “Want To” where it comes to serving the Lord.  Having experienced Him on such a real and personal level, I don’t want to do anything that would displease him.  The experience has deepened my relationship with The Lord and has made me a better minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It wasn’t a trip that changed my faith at all. It was very confirming though to go to places and find things and see things that I’ve read about in a context. That was probably the best thing about it because it gave a context that’d be hard to get unless you’ve been there and seen it. A lot of times you read things from the Scriptures and you understand the point but not having the surrounding context of the places and things of that nature, it’s hard to really understand what it was like.

An incredible teacher, amazing heartfelt fellowship, probably the most spirit filled journey I will ever experience, feeling such a connection to the Lord. Words are inadequate to describe the feelings and emotions this journey brought about. Wish every Christian could experience this. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Meticulously planned and a wonderful experience. Life-changing in the truest sense of the word. I have a new passion for the Old Testament and fullness of the Bible. Almost too much information to absorb! I learned so much that I’m not sure where to start to explain it! I grew in my faith tremendously. I have a keen interest in the Old Testament now that did not exist before the trip. I see the Bible as one complete text now and not in division of Old and New. Totally transformed my view of the Bible, time, and the land of Israel. I go from a naive, “Just give me Jesus” Christian to a man that sees Jesus in the totality of the word. I also have a passion for Israel that is strong and I miss that land every day since we departed.

I knew a year ago that I wanted to go on the Israel trip. I saw the transformation in Roxie that I knew that I wanted to go if the opportunity came about. When we arrived in Israel we were greeted with welcome home. This is really appropriate since Israel is the birthplace of Christianity. Our family roots are there. My heart seems tied to Israel in a way I can’t really describe. For me the trip has really created more of a hunger to understand God’s Word and pay attention to every jot and tittle. I’m having fun seeing connections that I’ve never seen before. I loved seeing the covenant signs Israel having fun seeing passages about covenants. We stood at the gate where Boaz gave his right sandal to redeem Ruth. We learned that right is right and left is wrong. Right is clean and left is unclean. Then in Gilgal where the children of Israel had their camp when they crossed in to the Promised Land there is a huge outline of a “right” foot/sandal in boulders in the midst of the camp. What a reminder that they were in a conditional covenant with the Lord. If they obeyed they would be blessed if they disobeyed they would be cursed. Now go with me to The Cave of John the Baptist. You go into the cave and then descend steps that lead into the water. Before you get to the water you find a deep impression of a foot. Those coming to be baptized would put their foot in the depressions cleanse and anoint it and then go into the water to be baptized. Afterwards, they would come out of the water and break the jar against the wall of the cave. What a picture of no longer being a slave to sin that would have been for them. They have entered into a new covenant written on their hearts. Now picture us at the wailing wall. What a visual of Israel breaking covenant with the Lord. They are standing on the outside of a broken wall to worship. I was so moved standing at the wall, touching it, and praying for Israel and the Jews. What a privilege to be a Gentile believer and to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Our sign of being in covenant is the seal of the Holy Spirit that was given to us when we believed in Christ.

I, too, have been giving glowing compliments for the wonderful trip sponsored by Father’s House.  In fact, my Bible Study Fellowship class has asked me to give a short program soon.  How do I choose just three or four exciting sights to talk about? I believe the well organized planning by Father’s House resulted in all aspects to be well executed.  Even the small details such as mementos, i.e., the certificate from the Antiquities Salvage Operation and the Scriptural Birth Certificate yet to come are thoughtful special gifts. I guess the only negative thing would be that Ancient Pathway’s itinerary was too ambitious.  It could be more realistic and therefore disappointments are kept to a minimum. We didn’t get to tour Herodian or enjoy the Dead Sea but we did get to the top of Masada!  Which was one of my highlights. Thank you very much for the wonderful experience and yes, one day, I would love to go on another tour with you. Warmest regards, Ann Moore

The pictures are beautiful, but do not do it all justice. Can’t wait to go back!