This tour‘s purpose is to connect Christians to their history, and their past, and in doing so we will be stronger and more confident to face the future.  We each have a story and I look forward to hearing each one of you while we are physically participating in His Story through sight, smell, taste, and touch.  His story includes significant geographical regions, such as the Galilee, the Mediterranean coastline, the Judean Hills, and the Arava. The best way to experience the land is to walk over the rocks, feel the climate, taste the food, and smell the spices. Therefore we will spend time reading the Bible in the locations where historical events occurred.  Each day will be filled with opportunities to create your very own library of vivid images that will remain with you long after you return home.

Many people who take a tour to Israel do not have the time in the few days they visit to sense the pulse of the Land so we will take the time to experience each site discussing how the historical events and the location of the site influences our understanding of the message of the Bible. These sites may include Jerusalem, Caesarea Maritima, Masada, Qumran, Nazareth, Capernaum, Mt. Camel, Jezreel Valley, and Caesarea Philippi. 

You will return home with experiential and Biblical knowledge of Jerusalem, the Dead Sea region, and the Galilee area. You will cruise on the Sea of Galilee in an authentic fisherman’s type boat and have an opportunity to step into the waters of the Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Mediterranean, and the Dead Sea.

You will help make the desert “Blossom as a Rose” at Biblical Tamar Park, the most ancient and historic Jewish fortress/city in the south of Israel. In this 55-park, there is a comfortable dining facility, an active archaeology site, and a peaceful Sukkah, perfect for morning and evening gatherings around a fire. This park is also home to an ancient Jojoba tree, and is surrounded on all sides by large date trees, and a mango orchard, and is connected to the Israel Nature and Parks Reserve. Here, during our evenings under the stars, participants will connect with each other, and experience a taste of life in the desert reminiscent of the patriarchal narratives. We will share insights into this special place about its ancient importance as well as its prophetic significance. This portion of the tour provides us with a rare opportunity to get back to the feeling of life in biblical times, but with a touch of modernity. At Biblical Tamar Park we will stay in clean, comfortable, caravans situated around the centrally located dining facility and Sukkah. It has become a favorite part of many of the tours that Blossoming Rose co-sponsors.

You will be a volunteer for two days at Tamar working beside other friends who have also helped to literally “DIG” this buried city out from under tons of sand over the last 35 years. Various jobs and ordinary tasks will give you the opportunity to see how Israel makes the desert habitable and “blossom as the rose.” Multiple tasks like planting trees, refurbishing Park buildings, and working in housekeeping/food services, will be a part of your experience during these two days. You will also have the option of going to Israel prior to the tour and working at Tamar or staying after the tour is completed. You can volunteer for up to 90 days and work at Tamar for a very minimal cost. Just contact Jodi (jcoxon@blossomingrose.org) about these options