Frontline Israel
Mailing Address:
1314 W McDermott
Suite 106-820
Allen, TX 75013

From USA call
(512) 535-6104

In Israel call
02-997-8287

Email us at:
 jbell@frontlineisrael.com
 

“Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

Frontline Israel SUKKOT tour with ICZC

Last month our focus was on the event during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).  Over 350 people from all over the world came to Jerusalem to celebrate together. 

Nine huge touring buses visited strategic sites all over the country of Israel and held rallies, marches, and prayer vigils, each bus having a native tour guide. (Mine was a 64-year-old teacher from Haifa who moved to Israel 40 years ago from California.)

On the tour with Frontline Israel, we journeyed to the Jordan River at the place where Israel crossed over into the Promised Land, where Yeshua was baptized by John the Baptist…close to Gilgal where Joshua met the Lord as the Captain of the Lord of Hosts. Security guards were very strict (for our safety) and allowed only one person be baptized.  (Many were prepared to also be immersed there, but they were content to have their special event at the traditional tourist site at a later day.)  The weather was very hot, as we were in the desert…a new experience for many. 

  Our second day was to the South, an oasis in the Negev Desert. A small herd of camels greeted us…with saddles and halters for pictures or short rides.  Homemade candy, tea, coffee, toasted hyssop bread, and fruit drinks, were followed by a concert; and supper in the ancient Abrahamic Tents completed the event.  We were in groups of four on small, colorful mattresses during the evening meal: shish kebobs, rice, salads, and pita bread. Amazing facts in anticipation of this experience explained the construction of the tents for their optimum comfort and preservation.

We visited Sderot – the city near Gaza in the Negev, that has been under Qassam rocket attacks for years, for a solidarity meeting.  We marched in the streets (which had bomb shelters at every intersection), our colorful banners waving. Some people wore costumes from their native countries.  The people knew we loved them and were standing with them as they responded with tears of joy, honking horns, and big smiles!  At the enclosed sports arena, after our 8-block march, the community responed with great love as a youth group of singers accompanied by guitar, met the head Rabbi and the Mayor, together we showed our solidarity real by making donations to the children and people of the community. 

On Shabbat we visited the Dead Sea and Masada. Of course that had to be a highlight, having anticipated the “floating” sensation heard about for years!  We were advised not to splash, making swimming restrictive.  (I tried the standing position, not touching the bottom…and finally succeeded!!!)  Masada, the fortress built by Herod the Great in 40 B.C. and occupied after the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, by over 960 Jews, 1300 feet high and with a flat top of ½ mile, was breathtaking! When the tram brought us down, fresh pomegranate juice, medjool dates, and a visit to the Ahava outlet store completed the day.  (Israel’s Dead Sea factory’s Ahava products are known world-wide.)

The Frontline group travelled to Sea of Galilee, where we ate St. Peter's fish lunch.  This day the Jordan River was again on the agenda at the point that it leaves the Sea of Galilee, the popular baptism site.  Many from the tour were immersed. Then we journeyed on to the Golan Heights to have a mass solidarity meeting with Israelis and Bible believers in Qatsrin, and to a far northern point at the Syrian border.  Returning home at night we enjoyed seeing the many lights of Tiberias across the Sea of Galilee. 

Tel Aviv was our next destination, marching in the streets again with our banners, to the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) Military Headquarters.  We were cooled down in the modern Mall for lunch at local restaurants in the Dizengoff Center.  People were gathered from 3 floors high to see our banners, sang with us “Hay-vay-nu Shalom A-lay-chem”, and exchanged smiles, hugs, and tears.

In Jerusalem, Gan Sacher Park, we participated in the annual Sukkot march through the city’s streets.  Many marchers had brought gifts and flags from their countries, giving them to the children who eagerly collected them.

The purpose of the march was to encourage and

A Praise and Hosanna March from the Mount of Olives to near the Temple Mount began our next day’s activities. We were dressed in white in honor of the King of Kings, and continued together at the foot of the Mount on the ancient southern steps for a rally.

The last tour day was continued in Jerusalem with a worship service at the beautiful Garden at the Tomb where Yeshua rose from the dead. Groups then individually toured other parts of the “Old City”, Church of the Sepulcher, Pool of Bethesda, City of David, Pool of Siloam, and Church of the Many Nations.  My group, mostly from Singapore, (only one other was an American, Constance Bounds, from Maryland…prayer warrior) sang several songs there…awesome acoustics with echos! Garden of Gethsemane (with olive trees over 2000 years old!), the Armenian, Jewish, Christian, and Arab sectors…and made last-minute purchases at the many tiny shops along the very narrow streets.

The next morning my host family, Joel and Pamela Bell, picked me up at the Hotel Regency for the conclusion of this segment of my Holy Land experiences.  What wonderful memories to begin my stay here! 

 --Rachel Unruh, volunteer