Calming Storms Israel and Turkey

Calming Storms Israel – Turkey Journey

28 July – 09 Aug 2024

Genesis 12:1-3

Now Adonai said to Abram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Day 1: Departure from Johannesburg (Sunday 28  July 2024)

Johannesburg – Tel Aviv

Our journey begins as we depart on overnight flight.

Day 2: (Monday 29 July 2024) Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Mt Carmel, Jezreel – Megiddo Valley

The Bible stories come alive as we start our journey reading the Scriptures. We take a drive to Joppa the oldest port of Israel. We visit the charismatic and beautiful city of Jaffa the oldest port city in the world that dates back thousands of years and is where St. Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner and raised Tabitha from the dead. Jonah set sail to Tarshish from Jaffa and King Solomon built his port on the Mediterranean there.  After enjoying the few over the Mediterranean sea we will drive to Mt. Carmel where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. We drive through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization.

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.   Accommodation

 

Day 3: (Tuesday 30 July 2024)

Haifa, Akko , Gan Hapsalim, Mt Precipe, Nazareth, Cana, Mt Tabor – Transfiguration

We experience Haifa for a panoramic view. We drive to Akko to cover ancient history of Akko. The city was first mentioned in the Bible as part of the tribe of Asher’s inheritance, and then reappeared as Ptolemais in the book of Acts. Caesar Augustus brought his army to Akko while pursuing Mark Antony, and feasted here with Herod the Great. King Richard the Lion heart made Akko the capital of his Crusader Kingdom after the fall of Jerusalem in the 12^th century. Napoleon tried to capture the city from the Ottomans, but failed to penetrate the massive sea walls. We visit Gan Hapasalim.   This morning we visit Mount Precipice, where Yeshua escaped the attempt of throwing him off the cliff. We visit Nazareth Village Nazareth where Yeshua spent his boyhood years before beginning his ministry at the age of 30. We travel to Cana of Galilee where Yeshua performed His first miracle at the wedding. We are ascending Mt. Tabor for a spectacular view, the place of transfiguration and ascension of Yeshua.

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.  Accommodation

Day 4: (Wednesday 31 July 2023)

Mount of the Beatitudes, Ancient Boat, Sail on Galilee Boat, Tabgha, Capernaum 

We enjoy special time at the Mount of the Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount and for a beautiful view of the entire Galilee.  We continue our journey with a spectacular finding of the ancient Boat located at the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz. We enjoy relaxing Cruise on the Sea of Galilee and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Yeshua and the fishermen disciples. We visit the ancient Yeshua Boat located at the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz before we end the day with a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Yeshua and the fishermen disciples.    We visit Tabgha the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. We descend for a visit to Capernaum which form what has been called the “evangelical triangle” because most of Yeshua’s miracles in Galilee were performed in these cities. Capernaum (The Town of Yeshua) we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue, where we’ll view the ruins of a 1st century synagogue and likely a location that Yeshua taught and a view of Peter’s home.

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.  Accommodation

Day 5:  (Thursday 01 Aug 2024)

Bethabara – Baptism, Qumran, Dead Sea, Jericho, Wadi Qilt

We take a journey through the Judean desert to the Baptism Site, the Biblical place Bethabara that played an important role in the life of Yeshua, as he returned there many times after his baptism. He went there after his rejection in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication, “He went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.” (John 10.40). We start heading towards Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.  Afterwards we proceed the Dead Sea where you will end  the day with a relaxing float in the Dead Sea.  We continue to Jericho, where God had an awesome plan for the battle of Jericho. The scriptures describes the Israelites being led by Joshua crossing the Jordan where they laid siege to the city of Jericho. God spoke to Joshua telling him to August around the city once every day for six days with the seven priests carrying ram’s horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day they were to August around the city seven times and the priests were to blow their ram’s horns. We visit the Mount of Temptation where Yeshua was tempted by Satan after fasting 40 days & 40 Nights. We visit a Sycamore Tree where Zacchaeus climbed up into a to see Yeshua passing by. Next is Wadi Qilt where we will spend some time in prayer. David’s flight from Absalom (2 Sam 15-16), Zedekiah’s flight from the Babylonians (2 Kgs 25:4), the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and Yeshua travelled from Jericho to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.  Accommodation

Day 6: (Friday 02 Aug 2024)

Bethlehem, Shepherd Field, Mt Zion, Last Supper Room, Tomb of King David,Walls of Jerusalem, Cardo, Jewish Quarters, Western Wall, Southern Wall, Golden Gate, Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit,  Palm Sunday road , Church of All Nations, Garden of Gethsemane

We start at our day at the Shepherds field. Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:1-7) and also the place of death and burial for Rachel. The name Bethlehem actually means “house of bread.” Bethlehem was also the birthplace of David (2 Sam 23:24; 1 Chr 11:26). The roads descending to the east of Bethlehem lead through the Christian village of Beit Sahour (or Bait Sahur), which includes the Shepherds’ Fields identified since ancient times where the shepherds seen the Star. (Luke 2:8-10). We drive to Zion Gate and visit the Upper Room (Luke 22) the traditional site where Yeshua instituted the “Last Supper” – Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1—17:26.  Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter, down the Cardo. On our way down the stairs we see the Golden Lamp Stand and enjoy prayer time at the Western Wall. We exit the Dung Gate to view the Southern Wall Excavations and the Temple Stairs. We walk pass the Mercy Gate to the Golden Gate. We head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where Yeshua had a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44) also the place where He ascended into heaven (Acts 1). We walk pass by Pater Noster Church and Dominus Flevit where “the Yeshua wept” as he beheld the Holy City and walk down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Yeshua. We visit the Church of All Nations.  We spend time praying in the Garden.

Meals: Breakfast, and Dinner.  Accommodation

Day 7: (Saturday 03 Aug 2024)

Caiaphas House, Panoramic view, Pools of Bethsaida, St. Anne, Stations of the Cross, Golgotha, Garden Tomb

We visit the house of Caiaphas where Yeshua was kept during the night. Our day continue with the way of the cross starting at the Lions gate as we continue to the Pools of Bethsaida John 5:2-9  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades, also known to have supplied water to the First and Second Temples until Herod the Great’s time. These very baths are where the healing miracle of Yeshua took place. We visit the place where the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe (“behold [the] man” John 19. We continue to the Stations of the Cross starting where Yeshua was condemned to death(Mark 15: 1-15, Matthew 27:23-31), Yeshua takes up the Cross (John 19:13-17, John 19: 5),  Yeshua falls for the first time (Isaiah 53: 4-7, Matthew 11:28-30). Yeshua meets his Mother (John 19: 25-27), Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his Cross, (Mark 15: 21), Yeshua consoles the women of Jerusalem, (Luke 22: 28-32), Yeshua stripped of his garments (John 19: 23-24), Yeshua nailed to the Cross , (Luke 23: 33-43), Yeshua dies on the Cross (John 19: 28-37, Matthew 27: 50), Yeshua taken down from the Cross, (John 19: 38-40), Yeshua is laid in the Tomb (Mark 15: 46-47) . We end at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17) and the Garden Tomb.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Sunday 04 Aug 2024)

Istanbul, Pergamon, Thyatira, Izmir

We arrive in Istanbul , where our exciting adventure will start. After We will start an early departure heading to Pargamon where we will make our transfer to Acrapol by cable car. We visit Acropolis, which sits atop a 1000-foot windswept mountain, offering a view of the neighboring modern towns. From here we also learn about the Theatre of Pergamon, the steepest theatre of the ancient world. Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “The Seat of Satan”, a reference to the altar of Zeus. We will take time for reflection on the fulfilment of Scripture. We learn more about the church in Pergamon (Revelations 2:12-17) existed in the place where Satan had his throne. We visit the Red Basilica and afterwards enjoy a Lunch Break in Pergamon. Our next visit to the Church of Thyatira, nowadays called Akhisar.  It is one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor mentioned in (Revelations. 1:11; 2:18 – 24; Acts 16:14). In Paul’s sermons, while in the Philippi city of Macedonia, he made mention of Akhisar (Thyatira) and the church there. Paul describes Thyatira as the hometown of a wealthy purple dye merchant named Lydia, who worshiped God. (Acts 16:14)
Overnight: Izmir                                            Meals: Breakfast and Dinner  

Day 9: Monday 05 Aug 2024

Smyrna, Sardis, Philadelphia, Pamukkale 

This morning after breakfast, we will start our journey in Izmir. Our First visit will be to Smyrna Church, the second city of the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation. Here we read, to receive the message from St. John, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelations 2:10). We continue with Salihli city (Sardis). This was the capital of the ancient Lydian kingdom of the 6th century B.C.,which is portrayed as a dying church. We visit the great Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Cybele, which was converted into a Byzantine Church. We will also visit the restored Sardis Gymnasium and reconstructed Synagogue. After our visit, we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant en route. Our journey continue to Philadelphia, nowadays called Alaşehir, one of the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelations 1:11; 3:7), the only church that wasn’t censored. We have a view of the remains of a Byzantine basilica built of brick, with it’s high arch and 11th-century frescoes. We will drive to Pamukkale where we will overnight.
Overnight: Pamukkale                                  Meals: Breakfast and Dinner  

Day 10: Tuesday 06 Aug 2024

Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Colossae, Laodicea, Kusadasi

After breakfast, we’ll start our tour in Pamukkale. We’ll head to Hierapolis and visit the Martyrium of the Apostle Philip where he was martyred during the persecutions ordered by Domitian. We will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Way, the ancient 2nd-century Roman Theater, the Nymphaion,  and the Necropolis.  You will have a relaxing walk in the thermal waters of white travertines.  Take lunch at a local restaurant and depart for Laodicea (present name Denizli Laodicea, located 10 km away from Pamukkale, was the center of industry, agriculture, and trade, Laodicean people were rich. In the letter that Yeshua wrote to the church of Laodicea, he immediately accuses the congregation of his lukewarm faith and reproaches the congregation by “spitting” it out of his own mouth. This city was one of the Seven Churches that the Apostle John chastised the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-22).  Yeshua rebukes this church for allowing the people of Laodicea to go spiritually bankrupt because of their economic prosperity. He explains that even if they are economically rich, they can provide spiritual wealth. yet another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:11; 3:14; Col. 2:1; 4:13 – 16). Here, we’ll see the ancient theatre, the remains of the basilica, and ancient stone water pipes. Continue to Honaz Colossae, one of the 6 cities of the Phrygian kingdom in ancient times, was devastated by an earthquake in the 1st century AD during the Nero period. Colossae is one of the important religious centers of ancient times. The city where the first Christians lived is mentioned in a part of the Scripture as “Letters to the Colossians”. In his letter to the Colossae, the Apostle Paul presents Christ as the focal point in our collective and personal devotion to God; Such as healthy family life, business relationships, the common fellowship of Bible believers, and our personal devotion to God.
Overnight: Kusadasi                                                  Meals: Breakfast and Dinner  

Day 11: Wednesday 07 Aug 2024

Kusadasi – Ephesus – The House of Virgin Mary

After breakfast, we’ll start our Journey towards Ephesus from Kusadasi. The Church of Ephesus is the most important of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor and one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in Turkey. Originally a Greek city built in the 10^th century B.C. It is thought that the Gospel of John was written here. This political influence and the city’s large Jewish community attracted the attention of the Apostles. Apostle Paul preached to the Ephesians and lived here for three years. The Church of Ephesus also received an epistle from him. We will walk around the spectacular ruins where excavations continue in this once great and important city, which was founded in the 10th century B.C. We will walk through history, along the marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, including the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theatre with a capacity of 25,000. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and then visit the Temple of Artemis, known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the Basilica of St. John. The church that Apostle John founded and presided over when he lived in Ephesus. Lastly, we will see the House of the Virgin Mary, a small modest stone house located in the forest on the side of a mountain 9 km from Ephesus. It is the final abode of the Virgin Mary where she spent her last years. At the end of the tour visit the Leather Fabric outlet center with the Fashion Show, Seramic, and Turkish Delight magazine for souvenir shopping.
Overnight: Kusadasi                                                  Meals: Breakfast and Dinner  

Day 12: Thursday 08 Aug 2024 Izmir, Istanbul

We make our way to Istanbul where we will have time to visit the Grand Bazaar with its kaleidoscope of colorful lanterns, friendly people, and its maze of hallways, alleys and more than 4000 shops. Dating from the early days of Ottoman rule in Istanbul, the bazaar  houses local crafts, jewellery, pottery, spices, traditional costumes, carpets and more. At the end of the Journey we will proceed to the airport for our flight.                                               

Day 13: Friday 09 Aug 2024

Home

We on Sunour way home with mind and hearts filled with a new and revived passion of Faith. We say goodbye to our new friends and Jerusalem remains on our lips.