It is apparent that you truly walk with the Lord and I cannot imagine having gone to Israel without you, Jarir, Imad, and of course, Pr. Chris. As a team you provided the spiritual understanding that we needed to make the trip a lifetime memory. Sherry and I always felt completely safe in all of the locations that we visited. I enjoyed taking unaccompanied morning walks before breakfast at all of the hotels.
Our first 4 days in in Jerusalem were truly inspiring. Although I have studied the Bible, the ability to actually see the places will make my reading of scripture much more meaningful. Not only did we retrace Jesus' early ministry at the Temple, but we also walked his footsteps leading to his crucifixion. We followed his entry into the city from the Mt. of Olives, his betrayal and arrest, and walked the stations of the cross with detailed explanations of each station on the Via Dolorosa by Jarir, our guide, and also by Pr. Chris. We saw just how chaotic is the city of Jerusalem and how to many, the entire event was of passing interest in the Old City markets, both then and now. Of particular interest to me, was to be able to stand in the stone pit at the house of Caiphas, knowing that Jesus was suspended on a rope for the entire night prior to his execution. My understanding of his suffering was greatly increased seeing this place, and praying with the group as we stood in the pit. Finally, being inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher gave me a whole different perspective on the scale of the area in which the crucifixion took place.
The teaching steps on the south wall of the Temple Mount is a place very meaningful to me because we know that Jesus actually taught on those steps and I could imagine being there and listening to him.
The incredible fortress and Herod's residence at Masada were truly breathtaking. It was hard to believe the scale of it, knowing when it was built. That same afternoon we toured Qumran and saw the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. I honestly never expected to see this place, and was impacted by the fact that these ancient scrolls confirmed the accuracy of almost the entire Old Testament.
Our entire stay in the Sea of Galilee area (Tiberias) was one highlight after another. We were able to go the places where Jesus preached and performed miracles. The church at the Mount of Beatitudes was particularly beautiful and a place where I felt at peace. Being at the home where he lived for 3 years at Capernaum was also memorable and inspiring. We reaffirmed our marriage at the church at Cana (very moving) and Pr. Chris reaffirmed my baptism on the Jordan River--quite a thrill!
Finally, I was particularly struck by the beauty of Caesarea Maritime, the great port and aqueduct built by Herod. It is not only a place of great historical significance, but has a beach which would make a great vacation spot. The entire trip consisted of one historical and spiritual meaningful place after another. We also learned about the culture and politics in modern day Israel, which are quite different than generally known in the United States.
In summary, it was the trip of a lifetime because it was not only interesting, but also strengthened my faith. God Bless you Linda for the work you do. It is something that changes lives and strengthens the faith of those who go with you. - Chris Toland, Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA

Here’s my comments for your website/newsletter. I’ve been raving about the experience and just gave your information to a friend from St. Bonaventure Church named Claudia. Here’s my review:
I had very high expectations for my pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land that I went on with Alpha 2 Omega Travel in March 2016. They didn’t just meet, but far exceeded those expectations! Linda was able to share some of her archeological experiences and expertise, which enriched our trip immensely. Our guide, Jarir, became a beloved brother in Christ and my new Facebook friend. He had much more than just “book knowledge” about the sites we visited, he had the biblical background to constantly relate the sites to stories and characters we had read about in the Bible, which really made it seem like the words were jumping off the pages and becoming three dimensional. He also was very patient with me and my inquisitive nature, always willing to answer my questions and he helped our group understand the dynamics between the three main groups in Israel; Jews, Muslims, & Christians. I was fortunate enough to go with my pastor, my mother, and a group of fellow pilgrims from our church. Reflecting back on our experiences, it’s hard to just name a few sites, but a couple of my favorites were the Garden Tomb, being able to give each other communion in the grotto, and actually visualize what the garden and tomb may have looked like. St. Peter’s in Galicantu was also a very touching moment, when we all crowded into that cell that it is believed to be where Caiaphas held Jesus, and is the site that Peter betrayed Christ. I think we have examples throughout the Bible of our frail human nature, such as when Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, yet we see God’s grace and mercy which helps us move beyond those mistakes and press forward to do better, just like it inspired Peter. I loved the beauty of Ein Gedi, with the waterfall and wildlife in the middle of the parched Judean wilderness. I could imagine David hiding in those caves from Saul, pouring out his heart in songs, writing Psalms that still inspire and move us to this day. We were able to see so many ancient places each day and cover such a wide array of terrains, I really didn’t expect Israel to be as green and beautiful as it was! Hiking the path to Tel Dan, in the midst of the woods, with the water rushing around us, and marveling at Herod's port city, Caesarea Maritime, set so perfectly on the Mediterranean, were also two of my favorite sites I won’t ever forget!
If you are considering this trip, I highly recommend it! I had friends say, “Aren’t you scared to go to the Middle East?” Actually, I never felt that I was in any danger. I live in Southern California, about an hour from the San Bernardino tragedy, so honestly, in this day and age is there any guarantee of safety? Christ is our protector and provider and can be our peace, if we let Him. If you are feeling a tug on your heart to take this leap of faith, I say trust God. He will open up your heart and mind to a deeper relationship with Him! - Kim Jarrah, Grace Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA

I especially enjoyed the area around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus did so much of his ministry. Mt. Carmel was a treat because I have sung the Oratorio, Elijah and some of it took place there. Finally, the new site at Magdala allowed us to see the archeology in progress. Thank you for all of your hard work that made our trip possible. - Jan McCrea-Foster, First Presbyterian Church, Upland, CA