Israel Project 2008

My life will never be the same after traveling to Israel. Most people never have the incredible opportunity to see the Holy Land. I feel extremely blessed to not only have visited Israel once, but twice in less than a year.

With each visit to the Holy Land, I feel as though I leave a piece of myself behind. For a majority of my June 2008 trip I was with a ministry team. We traveled around the land ministering to the Jewish and Muslim people. What an incredible responsibility. As Christians we have such a huge responsibility, to tell them of our greatest love, Jesus Christ. I found it difficult not getting somewhat emotional as I set at the top of the Mount of Olives, looking over into Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, knowing what will happen there in the future.

We spent a few days along the Sea of Galilee...traveling around the sea and seeing all the sites associated with Christ's ministry. We road in the Jesus Boat, along the Sea of Galilee. Our group consisted of only 8 people, which made it so easy to go places and see the sites. At night it was easy for us to jump in the van and drive downtown for ice cream. After our time in Tiberias, we traveled to Nazareth. I can't even begin to describe what an incredible time we had in Nazareth. We stayed at the Fauzi Azar Inn downtown Nazareth for almost a week. It's a 200 year-old mansion. I want to write more about this incredible place, but I can't seem to come up with words to describe what an amazing time we had in Nazareth and at the hostel. If you're looking for an adventure check out backpacking through Israel. You can stay in hostels along the way: http://www.hostels-israel.com/

For two of our days in Nazareth we worked at Nazareth Village. Nazareth Village is a village created to look like Nazareth would have looked during the time of Christ. We had the incredible opportunity to actually dress up like people from from 2,000 and work in the village. I now have a better appreciation for the people of that time. My feet have never been dirtier.

After visiting Nazareth, we made our way to Jerusalem. Oh, what an adventure. There is nothing like sitting on the Mount of Olives looking down into Jerusalem. We walked through the old city. We ate falafels until they were coming out of our ears. We swam in the Dead Sea. We hiked up the waterfalls of Ein Gedi and even went for a swim.

The last few days of my trip I had the incredible opportunity to stay with my friend Angela in Jerusalem. Angela had an apartment downtown. What an incredible way to see Jerusalem. My time with Ang was so different than when I was with the group. On my first day with Ang we spent the day at the Ein Gedi Spa. I wish I could show you some of the incredible pictures that we took, but they wouldn't be allowed on here. We visited the nude section of the spa, which was an incredible experience...something I never thought I ever even consider doing, yet actually do. The rest of my time in Jerusalem was spent getting to know some of the local people. What an awesome experience...one that I will never forget. I will always carry with me memories of sitting in a bar in Jerusalem with Angela until the middle of the night just talking. I'll always carry with me memories of shopping for Jewish toys in Jerusalem. I'll always remember my late night experience of going to the Western Wall with a Jewish man I met in Jerusalem. So many memories...I'll never be the same...

They took our Bible's from us when we walked up to the Temple Mount-Dome of the Rock.

My reaction to being in Jerusalem

The Sea of Galilee

Regina and I all dressed up in Nazareth Village

Hanging out with the boys!

Praise the Lord!!

Working in the field...

Dead Sea mud!!

Angela and I in Jerusalem

Church of the Nazarene in Nazareth.

Meg's Story

My name is Meghan "Meg" Maginnis and I'm a military consultant in Northern Virginia. In October of 2007 I was given the opportunity of a lifetime, to travel across the world to Israel and Jordan. I'm a proud Army brat and an even prouder follower of Jesus Christ. As an Army brat I've had the opportunity to see the world, yet had no desire to ever visit the Middle East, until last summer when my Dad suggested the trip. I'm now counting the days until I'm able to return to Israel.

In October as we flew into Ben Gurion Airport outside of Tel Aviv, I began to realize what an incredible experience I was being given. Here I was traveling across the world to walk where Jesus once walked, and eventually gave His life for me.

Our trip in October consisted of 18 people from all walks of life. The youngest person in our group was 23 years-old and the oldest was well into his 80's. Over the course of 2 weeks, we walked where Jesus walked, sampled ethnic food, covered our bodies with Dead Sea mud, and made lasting friendships.

As I reflect on my trip to Israel I find it hard to come up with words that can accurately describe my trip. There is nothing like visiting the places that Jesus once lived. Nothing can compare with walking the Via Dolorosa. There is nothing like hiking up to the waterfalls of En Gedi, where David hid from King Saul.

Last fall when I told people I was going to the Holy Land, people bombarded me with questions about my safety and why I would even be interested in visiting the Holy Land. Before going over my view of the Middle East was very distorted, much like many people in the world. After walking the Via Dolorosa, sitting in the fields outside of Bethlehem, hiking the trails of En Gedi, scripture came to life. I can now envision what it would have been like for David as he sought refuge in the caves, near the Dead Sea. I've seen the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered over 50 years ago. I traveled along the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus performed many of his miracles. As I traveled around Israel, my life was changed. As I traveled from one Biblical site to another, the Bible became more real to me...and most importantly Jesus Christ became more real to me.

During our trip in October we had the opportunity to observe the Jewish and Muslim people. What fascinated me was how much they focus on tradition, not a lot has changed in over 2,000 years. I learned a lot about both cultures and religions. As a result, I have taken ownership of my own faith in Jesus Christ. After watching the people there, I began to thank the Lord for not only my security in my relationship with Christ, but as well as thank Him for showing me that you don't have to follow a list of strict rules in order to have a relationship with Him. He takes us as we are...no strings attached.

My life was changed when I visited Israel. Never again will I read the Scriptures the same way. Now as I read the various Biblical accounts, I can envision the sites. As you or your child embarks on this incredible journey, may you/they travel to the Holy Land with an open heart and mind, knowing that you will never be the same. I learned that you can't travel to the Holy Land without somehow being changed or influenced.

In my spare time I have a small photography business. While in Israel and Jordan in October I took 3,500 pictures and about 40 small video clips. As I look back through my thousands of pictures I can't but help get emotional, as well as excited about returning to the Holy Land. If you're interested, some of my pictures are on my website: http://megsmemories.org/

We interracted with young bedowin children.

We walked the streets of Jerusalem.

We visited multiple churches.

We covered our bodies with mud from the Dead Sea

We set on top of Mount Carmel as listened to Jimmy tell of the battles that will one day take place here.

We visited the Western "Wailing" Wall in Jerusalem

We visited the town of Capernum, home to many of the apostles.

We visited Petra, one of the 7 Wonders of the World

We hiked up to En Gedi, where David hid from King Saul

We traveled along the Sea of Galilee on the "Jesus Boat"

We walked the streets of the old city, Jerusalem

We ate St. Peters fish, with the head still attached.