After traveling from Fresno, Ca. to Israel I was ready to smell fresh air, touch solid ground. Many prayers had been answered, we arrived safe and my desires to come back to Israel became a reality. After going through customs, getting our baggage we as a group embarked upon Israel, ready to take the next step in our journey. The most impressive moment was our welcome.

There was a tiny curly headed woman jumping up and down saying in a most angelic voice “WELCOME HOME.” My first sight in Israel on my second journey. This brought tears of joy to a old man’s heart. The following morning my eyes were opened to only things I had read about and saw pictures of. Moshe began to teach and share with us his developed knowledge of his home land. I marveled at how he was able to remember every detail of the moment we shared. There one spot I was so moved: when Moshe took us to Shepherd’s Field and we saw what is believed to be the actual birth place of Our Lord Jesus. Not to say that there were not other places: the City of David, the place Christ was handed over to the crowd and his walk down Via Dolorosa where He carried His cross, Mt. Nebo where Moses looked over the Holy Land, the walk under the City of David through the tunnels. I encourage other churches and their pastors to connect with Father’s House. I think that Father’s House, Moshe, and Dr. John and Roxie Turner have put together a very viable tour to the Holy Land. I applaud them. Dr. Turner is a very good teacher of Israel and its history. Thanks to the both of them.

It truly was an amazing experience and I found it extremely special to have this journey with some amazing men of God. We were all bounded together because our love for Jesus Christ and we continued to grow throughout the journey. I have a greater understanding of the biblical text as well as modern day Israel and their daily struggle as a result of this trip. Of course, it makes scripture come alive and will greatly impact your preaching and teaching of God’s word as well as strengthening your overall faith. I would also encourage pastors to consider various ways they can help others in their church family make a similar journey to Israel to help strengthen your local body as well as provide much needed support and encouragement for the people of Israel. I think having church leaders experience this type of trip only results in a greater blessing for those that are part of the churches they lead. Great experience, Great Journey, and Life Changing!!!

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards you for what you have done in my life. A number of years ago when I was doing some work to help in the aftermath of Katrina I met a new Christian who was telling me about his story. He said that God had totally “messed up” his life! He went on to explain that God had so changed his life that he would never be the same in a good way God had changed his whole perspective of life. Well this Israel trip and what I saw and heard has totally “messed up” my life! In a good and most incredible way! It is as if blinders have been removed from my spiritual eyes! Every passage, every reference to God’s people,  a place so captures my attention that I get hung up in a verse or two and feast upon His Truths. The perspective of what God did where it took place layer upon layer literally blows my mind! I can’t take it all in. And I feel like I am just getting started. Needless to say, it has transformed my life, my preaching and my ministry. How God allowed my life to be connected with you, with Bono, Moshe, the Fathers House… Well, that still amazes me! But I do know this, what you have sown into me has spread to our church! Like a wild fire, the desire to go to Israel is spreading we will, Lord willing, go with the Fathers House next year. This is the plan we believe God is leading us in and I can’t wait for it to come about! Your gift came at such a good time for us. Leslie and I needed a break together. We are so blessed to have such a gracious and loving church family, but our time away was refreshing and invigorating. In fact, Leslie and I have resolved one day to find a spot on the Sea of Galilee to just spend a week or two! Who knows what will happen but we take great delight in even thinking about it. Well, more could be said. Yet “words” seem so inadequate in expressing the overflow of my heart. Thank you. Thank you for your gift for your investment in me for looking beyond the things of this world that you might sow for the next. That is a rare thing in our day yet I believe you have brought the Father and all His House great joy and glory in what you have done. May the fullness of His Spirit rest upon each of you this day, and like Joseph of old may He cause to prosper all that you set your hands to! To God be the Glory!

Hallow Family at Father’s House, Words fail me, with which to express adequately my appreciation. I am truly grateful for the opportunity the Father’s House Educational Foundation made available for me and other pastors to go on an educational tour to Israel. Just being there and seeing the richness of our Christian faith was such a blessing to me. The physical evidence to the biblical message was both encouraging and an eye opener. The Lord has used this visit to give me a stronger desire to read and study afresh His Word. I feel emboldened to proclaim God’s Word. I tried suppressing my emotions the whole time I was in Israel but I could not contain myself the last day we were in Galilee. As we sailed on the calm Sea of Galilee, I saw the sun setting (as it were) between two mountains. I could not help but weep with joy for what Christ has done for us. In spite of the turmoil the human race is going through, God’s plan to save mankind is still on course. He is faithful in making the sun to rise and set, to calm the waters, and bring every believer to our eternal home, safely. Somehow, I could not wrap my intellect around the thought that my Savior walked along this sea and called some saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Now I am one of those fishermen! What a privilege! Chacha D. Mwita Pastor, Tumaini International Church