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January 2009 Biblical Study Tour to Israel

Biblical Encounters/Oak Hills Christian College

Biblical Study Tour to Israel

January 2 - 10/12, 2009

Tour Leaders:

• Dr. Dale and Tara Pederson-McDonnell: Biblical Encounters - Modesto, California
• Dr. Gale Struthers: Oak Hills Christian College - Bemidji, Minnesota
• Dr. Mark Hovestol: Lead Pastor, Evangelical Covenant Church - Bemidji, Minnesota
• Allan Rabinowitz: Israeli Guide

Itinerary

• Day 1: Friday, January 2 - Depart from US.
• Day 2: Saturday, January 3 - After arriving at Ben Gurion airport we begin our Biblical journey in the ancient port city of Jaffa (Joppa), significant in several Old and New Testament accounts. Then on to the Sheraton Moriah Hotel in Tel Aviv for some time to relax and enjoy our first Israeli dinner and overnight.
• Day 3: Sunday, January 4 - This is a huge day in our tour, beginning with a moving presentation at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv. We then journey north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, significant in numerous accounts in the book of Acts. We then travel to Tel Megiddo, overlooking the Valley of Armageddon, and Mt. Carmel, the site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. As our day closes we drive through Nazareth and Tiberias, arriving at our Kibbutz hotel, Nof Ginosar, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, for dinner and overnight. There will be a brief time of reflection and worship after dinner.
• Day 4: Monday, January 5 - Today we start the day early at the Mount of Beatitudes, the location of Jesus' sermon on the mount. Then north to Mount Hermon and the fascinating ancient sites of Dan and Caesarea Philippi (Banias). We return south through the Golan heights, back to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus caused the miraculous catch of fish and restored Peter as recorded in John 21. We visit the sites at the ruins of Capernaum, and then take a boat ride on Sea of Galilee back to Nof Ginosaur, where we'll see an authentic Sea of Galilee first century fishing boat before enjoying dinner and a night of rest.
• Day 5: Tuesday, January 6 - Our day opens on the Jordan River where members of our group have the opportunity to be baptized. On to Beit She'an and Qumran, the location of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls, arriving early at the Daniel Hotel on the Dead Sea in time for leisure, dinner, and overnight.
• Day 6: Wednesday, January 7 - Our day begins on top of the fortress of Masada, where Jewish zealots made their last stand against Rome in A.D. 73. We continue along the shore of the Dead Sea to Ein Gedi, where those who wish may hike through a beautiful nature reserve to David's waterfall. We then ascend to the holy city, Jerusalem, where we'll follow the path of Christ from the Mount of Olives to Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight at the Dan Panorama Hotel, where we will stay for the remainder of our time in Jerusalem.
• Day 7: Thursday, January 8 - Our morning will focus on sites in the old city of Jerusalem, including the southern temple steps in the archaeological park and the hidden rabbinic tunnels behind the Western Wall. In the afternoon we'll visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Shepherd's fields in nearby Beit Sahour. Here we'll visit a wonderful olive wood and gift store, operated by a co-op of Palestinian Christian families. Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Jerusalem.
• Day 8: Friday, January 9 - Our morning will take us to the Holocaust Memorial Museum at Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum, and other sites in Jerusalem’s new city. We return to Old city Christian quarter for lunch, a walk through the Via Dolorosa, and a number of other significant Biblical Jerusalem sites. Members of the tour who would like to may be able to join our guide for a Shabbat service at his local Synagogue and even join Israeli families from the synagogue for Shabbat dinner in their homes. Dinner will be served in our hotel as well.
• Day 9: January 10 - Return flight to Minneapolis

Eilat/Petra Extension

• Day 9: Saturday, January 10 - Free in the morning, afternoon flight to Eilat. Leisure in the beautiful resort city of Eilat on the Red Sea, the location of King Solomon's quarries, and the scuba diving capital of the world. Dinner and overnight at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Eilat.
• Day 10: Sunday, January 11 - We cross over into Jordan for a fabulous tour of ancient Petra, a secret and mystical city carved millennia ago in red sandstone. This site is significant in numerous Biblical accounts. We return to Eilat for our last dinner and overnight in the enchanted land of Israel.
• Day 11: Monday, January 12 - Morning at leisure in the beautiful resort city of Eilat. Return flight to the US in the afternoon.

Tour Prices

Tour Price from Minneapolis (10 days)

1. $2770.00 per person, double occupancy, From Minneapolis via Austrian Airlines
2. Additional Fee for Private Room $460
3. U.S. departure taxes $139.00
4. Tips to driver & guide, and hotel staff $88.00
5. Optional Comprehensive Travel Insurance: $129

Tour Price from San Francisco, including Eilat/Petra Extension (12 days)

1. $2998.00 per person, double occupancy, from San Francisco via Delta Airlines
2. Additional Fee for Private Room $590.00
3. U.S. departure taxes $139.00
4. Tips to driver & guide, and hotel staff $123.00
5. Optional Comprehensive Travel Insurance: $129

Price includes round trip airfare from Minneapolis or San Francisco, fuel surcharges, first class hotels including full buffet breakfast and dinner daily, all itinerary site entrance fees, a licensed Israeli guide, Biblical instruction by the tour leaders, a comprehensive tour study manual, and optional preparation classes. Inexpensive personal extensions in Europe can be easily arranged.

Please add 4% to the total passenger cost if paying by credit card

OUR HOTELS:

1. January 03-04 Sheraton Moriah, Tel Aviv
2. January 04-06 Nof Ginosar Kibbutz Galilee
3. January 06-07 Daniel, Dead Sea
4. January 07-10 Dan Panorama, Jerusalem
5. January 10-22 Dan Panorama, Eilat

For further information or to register for the tour contact Dr. Dale or Tara Pederson-McDonnell at PO Box 1039, Salida, CA 95368, or at 209-545-1156 or at .

Additional information and a downloadable tour registration packet is available from Friendly Planet Travel.