3rd ISRAEL Worship Tour Report May 2013

8/22/2019 3rd ISRAEL Worship Tour Report May 2013

1/12

ISRAEL, OUR BELOVED, from the journal ofRev. Criscelyn Navarro, Team

Leader of LGIS 3RD ISRAEL WORSHIP AND STUDY TOUR, MAY 19-26

Dearest LGI Family, It was a long trip, almost a day... from home to the biblical homeland! As our planetouched down Ben Gurion, the anointing of worship came upon us. We stayed in Sfayim, a kibbutz hotel,

where you see the desert in full bloom of colorful flowers. God can make fruitful anything that is barren,

indeed!

CAESARIA MARITIMA

We spent our first day visiting four significant places. Caesaria Maritima was our first stop! We were

touched by the Spirit of the Lord powerfully in this place. It was here that Peter preached the Gospel to

Cornelius, a Roman centurion. It probably took him a two-day walk to get there from Joppa - In

obedience to the vision that the Lord gave him. Christianity flourished later on. This could have been theplace where the first Christian house church was held.

It was also here that Paul was imprisoned. He was used by God to powerfully preach the faith during his

trial before the high and mighty - Gov. Festus and King Agrippa. How God can turn our desperate

situations into opportunities of glorifying Him!


2/12

Will continue my update Ate Min in a while. The bus is leaving early today for Caesaria Philippi. Thank

you for sending us with your mantle of anointing. The LGI family are just too overwhelmed. We are

leaving now for Caesaria Philippi, Mt. Beatitudes, Jordan River, Lake Galilee.

SHalom upon you all!

BANIAS, SEA OF GALILEE, MT. OF BEATITUDES, TABGHA, JORDAN RIVER

Banias

Our first stop was Banias near Mt Hermon (in between Lebanon and Syria) it is one of the 3 sources of

the Jordan River.

Sea of Galilea

We took our boat ride to the Sea of Galilea. This is where Jesus calmed the storm and walked on water.

We had a powerful time of praise and worship together with the boat captain and his crew who are

Messianic Jews. He has translated praise songs to Hebrew. His mission is to bring fellow jews to Yeshua.

After this, we had St Peter's fish (tilapia) for lunch.

Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha

Next stop was the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha where the multiplication of the 2 fishes and 5 loaves of

bread took place and Capernaum, where Peter's mother-in-law was healed.


3/12

Jordan River

Then, we had baptismal re dedication in the Jordan River for 17 of us - by Ptr. Art along with 3 other

pastors (Update by Dr. Miriam Calaguas)

GIDEON SPRING, CITY OF JERICHO, MT. TEMPTATION, ELISHA'S SPRING,

QUMRAN, AND THE DEAD SEA

Gideon Spring

From northern Tiberias, we set out early for Jericho through the arid valley of Jordan. We headed first to

Gideon Spring. We remembered the young and insecure Gideon, who felt inadequate to respond to God's

call to fight off their enemies, the Midianites. He gathered a 32,000 strong army. But God ordered him to

reduce the number lest he would rely on his might and boast before God. Finally, only 300 men were

chosen who eventually won the battle. We prayed with the spring of Gideon as our witness that we will

REJOICE always -- the SMALLER we are, the GREATER chance the Lord can work in our lives! Mabel

Apostol led us in a posture of humility before God that courage will overtake all of us! Remember, even if

you are small, God can make you WIN!

Jericho

The ruins of Jericho reminded us of the young and courageous trainee of Moses --Joshua! How the power

of praise and worship made the thick walls of Jericho fall down! God handed the city over to Joshua. Ptr.

Art brought before the Lord our nation, the Philippines, in light of our recently concluded elections. He

prayed in tears that every wall hindering our progress as a nation will crumble down. The Spirit of prayer

rested on the whole group as they rose in a chorus of cries of intercession. VCF missionary to Israel Ptr.

Lito received the anointing of the Holy Spirit for an empowered ministry. His spirit travailed before the

Lord about the conditions of our OFW's here -- far away from home ending up mostly in broken

relationships. The church can very well be their sanctuary of strength and healing. We blessed him for his

courage to do missions work in Israel. Our nation will surely be blessed as this Filipino Christian worker

blesses the nation of Israel through Yeshua!

Mt. Temptation

The extremely dry and barren condition of Mt. Temptation was visually assaulting. We were all humbled

by the truth that Jesus actually went on a 40-day fasting here! No wonder Satan tempted Him in His

moment of physical weakness. However, He was filled with the Spirit that He had power to overcome.

Satan cleverly used the Scriptures to trick Him. Ptr. Art reminded us of one of LGI's core values -- to be

SKILLED IN SCRIPTURES! Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes

from the mouth of God."

Qumran

The caves of Qumran revealed secrets kept from men for more than 2,000 years. Just when brilliant

scholars have been casting shadows of doubt on the integrity of the Word, scrolls dated 200 - 100 BC

were miraculously discovered in Qumran in 1947 -- lending authenticity to the Hebrew Bible. God


4/12

miraculously preserved these scrolls. God always proves His Word to be true. God always proves our faith

to be true!

Dead Sea

Before proceeding south to Jerusalem where we would spend our last 3 nights, we floated on the Dead

Sea. Being the lowest sea on earth, it only receives water but never able to give anything back. Nothing

grows in there at all! If you think you there is no life in you, the good news is God can still redeem you.

What good can come out of the Dead Sea? Today, many sick people from all over the world especially

those with incurable skin diseases go to the Dead Sea. Many get miraculously healed here. Also, because

of its great mineral properties, the export of the mud of the Dead Sea is very much in demand as a

wonder beauty treatment. Do you feel dead inside of you? He can bring back life within you! Of course,

we enjoyed fresh and free mud pack and immersed ourselves in the waters of the Dead Sea.

Jerusalem

We spent the night in Jerusalem whose old city charm brings peace to the soul! We look forward to

tomorrow's activities as we explore and experience God in the city He wept for -- Jerusalem, the city of

peace!!! SHALOM YERUSHALAYIM!


5/12

POOL OF BETHESDA, ST. ANNE'S CHURCH, CHURCH OF FLAGELLATION, ANTONIA

FORTRESS, VIA DOLOROSA, WESTERN WALL, CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE,

ISRAEL MUSEUM, BIBLE MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM

Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda gave a promise of hope for the sick, lowly, and desperate. Here gathered all the

outcasts of society -- the refuse, the abandoned, the hopeless, and the useless! Mga PATAPON ang

buhay! An ancient belief was held by the Jews that when an angel stirs the pool (which happens once a

year), the first to jump in will be healed! That posed a great problem for a certain lame man how he can

get himself into the pool first. That was his ONLY chance in life! But JESUS HAD COMPASSION on him!!! A

Jew must not mix with such kind of people. But He went to this man and healed him. Sometimes we feel

rejected and abandoned, but God CARES! He can make YOUR SPIRIT WELL AGAIN!!!

St. Anne's Church

Known for its perfect acoustics, we worshipped God at the St. Anne's church. Groups of worshippers

would come to sing in this church. LGI group enjoyed the sound of praise in this church. Cookie rendered

a solo of Baruch Ha Ba, Charles led us in singing How Great Thou Art, Ester Lee sang My Tribute and the

group joined her in the chorus. Our voices beautifully reverberated in the whole church. We blessed one

another with the Lutkin's Benediction! Applause broke from the watching group. The priest on duty had

to close the door of the church so other groups wont come in and our singing remain uninterrupted. He

listened to our singing pleasurably! We also met a Filipina from a group of Spanish pilgrims. Ptr. Art and

the group declared God's blessings upon her!

Church of Flagellation

At the Church of Flagellation, we recalled the sufferings, humiliation, and degradation of our Lord Jesus

under the hands of the Romans and fellow Jews. Once again, Bong and Esterlee rendered a very movingand emotion-packed duet, the "Via Dolorosa." Heavy in the heart, we were all moved to tears. Japanese

tourists who caught up with us joyfully appreciated the song. Marianne, our Jewish tour guide was also

moved by the power of the song. In the traditional site where the flogging of Jesus took place, an

obviously awed Ptr. Ester repented for the group for the times His sacrifice is taken lightly. By His

wounds, we are healed!

Western Wall

Western Wall is the holiest site for the Jews --being the only remaining structure nearest the Holy of

Holies. Dr. Miriam encouraged the group as she read from 2 Chronicles that God honors the prayers of

foreigners who have come from distant places. We approached the crowded wall as Jews were

celebrating Bar-Mitzvah (the coming out of age of Jewish boys). We have our own stories to tell as to

how each one were filled with the Spirit as we touched the wall ourselves and uttered the prayers of our

hearts. Written prayer requests we brought from the Phils. were prayed for and inserted on the crevices.


6/12


7/12

Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem Museum details the horrific accounts of the Holocaust under Hiltler's orders. Six million Jews

suffered death through the gas chambers, hard labor, starvation, or at the very least execution or

hanging. Mein Kampf, a book that Hitler wrote promoted extreme hatred for the Jews. Hitler claimed

Jews were a threat to the progress of the Germans. He planned for a systematic execution of every singleJew (women and children included) living in the Greater Reich. They were stripped off their naturalized

citizenship, confiscated their properties, forced to live in Ghettos without any right to work and earn a

living, registered in the Criminal Registry, raped their women, ordered to wear a yellow star badge so

they will be discriminated against wherever they go, and shipped out with nowhere to go. In those days,

someone said that animals had more rights than the Jews. In all of these, Hitler claimed he did it in the

Name of Christ !!! Healing of hearts has been slow as memories of holocaust are taught not only in their


8/12

homes but also in schools. We felt so heavy we needed prayer to lift us up. Charles asked God for

forgiveness as the whole world remained silent to these horrible acts committed against God's chosen

people. as the prophet Micah wrote, "May we walk humbly, show mercy, and love justice."

MT. OF OLIVES, MT. ZION, KING DAVID'S TOMB, THE LAST SUPPER ROOM,

TEMPLE INSTITUTE, BETHLEHEM, CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, ST. CATHERINE'SCHURCH, SHEPHERD'S FIELD

Mt. Of Olives

We were the first group to arrive at the site of Mt. Of Olives early in the morning. We stood on top of the

Mt. Of Olives with the breathtaking view of the City of Jerusalem. This would be the place of Christ's

FINAL VICTORY against the Anti-Christ at the end of age. Ptr. Ester Nasayao reminded us that there is

nothing to fear because Christ's victory is sure and is ours too. Bong and Ester Lee sang "The Holy City" as

they faced Jerusalem. This song was Ester Lee's winning piece in a contest she joined in and Bong's

dream song. Bong was moved to tears as he sang very worshipfully, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Hark how the

angels sing.... Hosanna to the highest... Hosanna to your King!!!"

Upper Room


9/12

We imagined the Lord in the Room of the Last Supper admonishing the disciples to press on to their faith.

A very important tradition in observing the Last Supper is the passing on of the faith by the spiritual head

to the youngest member. In a symbolic gesture of passing on to the next generation a godly legacy... Ptr.

Nasayao declared prophetic words of blessings to our youngest participants, Beny and Mego. In turn, the

2 young boys honored the love and faith of the older generation that was faithfully passed on to them.

To seal the anointed moment of prayer, we held hands as we sang, "Blessed Be the Tie that Binds".

Temple Institute

Our visit to the Temple Institute opened our hearts and spirits to the kind of reverent worship they

expressed before "Yahweh." We were taken back to the time of Moses who built thetabernacle affirming

the presence of God with His people. God is to be praised LAVISHLY!!! The ministry of the orthodox Jews

is to recapture the heart of worship for Yahweh --- the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! Amazing, our

guide teacher comes from the tribe of Levi. His father serves as a priest in their synagogue.

Bethlehem

Visiting Bethlehem was such a glorious experience despite going through Palestinian borders. We were

just sooooo blessed that our guide in Bethlehem, Johnny, is an Arab Christian. The group felt connected

and at ease with him right away. Johnny immediately thanked us for visiting Bethlehem. The presence of

visiting Christians from all over the world is a big encouragement to them. Many Christians have left

Bethlehem in search for a more peaceful living environment. The presence of the remaining Christians

there continue to be symbolic in securing the spiritual significance of Bethlehem as the birthplace of our

Lord Jesus Christ! We worshipped in an underground cave believed to be the home where Jesus grew up.

We were cut to the HEART as Cookie soooo sweetly sang the song, "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem!" We

prayed for Johnny and ourselves as well as the symbol of Christ's everlasting light that shineth in the dark

streets of Bethlehem."

Shepherd's Field

We passed by the Shepherd's Field where the angel Gabriel announced the coming of our PEACE and the

Joy of the whole world! Yeshua is the only source of TRUE PEACE and JOY!!!

Toda Raba!!!!!


10/12

THE JERUSALEM GREAT SYNAGOGUE, THE GARDEN TOMB, ST. PETER'S CHURCH

IN JAFFA, TEL AVIV

Jerusalem Great Synagogue

This is a most awesome experience! Marianne brought us to the magnificent Jerusalem Great

Synagogue. This synagogue is not ultra orthodox so foreign visitors were allowed to come in. I am

without words!!!!! As we entered, men and women were ushered to different sections. Women and theirchildren would always stay on the second floor but still with a full view of what's happening down below

the main place of worship, where the Jewish men worshipped Yahweh. The sanctuary was sooo huge and

without a sound system. It has perfect acoustics. The men looked so glorious and in reverential awe of

God in their prayer thalit and kippa on their heads. Religious men always cover their heads according to

Yahweh's instructions. Women were all dressed up for the Shabbat.... They are sooo beautiful looking!!!!

There was an all male choir whose voices reverberated in the whole sanctuary. There were cantors.

There were Scripture readings made in narratives or sometimes were worshipfully sang. Men and women

would also respond. We witnessed also the Bar-Mitzvah in the synagogue as a coming out of age of the

boys. The scroll was taken out from the altar to be sang by the boy and the whole congregation would

respond in a form of song as well. The Jews know how to DEEPLY worship God. They know Yahweh whospoke to their fathers of the faith. I felt Yahweh sooo pleased for the kind of reverence they offered Him.

The whole Shabbat is full of God's holiness!!

Garden Tomb

We went to the Garden Tomb where Jesus was laid to rest. On the door it says, "He is not here, He is

risen!" We celebrated the Holy Communion in this very beautiful and anointed place. I exhorted the

whole group that our faith does not hope aimlessly. God rose Himself from the dead. It means that


11/12

though we die, we shall live again. Bong and Esterlee sang "The Lord's Prayer"... Ptr. Nasayao made the

institution of the Sacrament remembering that Christ's blood is the New Covenant. Ptr. Art consecrated

the Communion elements while Mego was playing "As the Deer Panteth" with his guitar. Ptr. Art and Ptr.

Lito distributed the elements. We partook of the communion elements altogether signifying our unity in

the faith. I was most touched as Marianne, a Jew, also partook of the communion of Christ's body and

blood. Hallelujah!! We sealed this prayer activity with the " Seven-Fold Amen " afterwhich we broke into

a sustained applause in praise of our Lord Jesus Christ!!!

FAREWELL

We also held a farewell ceremony for Marianne who served as our tour guide on both trips in 2008 and

2013. Each one gave their word of thanksgiving and prophecy while some were even moved to tears.Bong and EsterLee sang a song for her, "Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace." To close, I

prophesied over her while Mabel uttered a special prayer blessing for her unto the Lord. In her response,

she mentioned of her special connection with LGI family. A kind of feeling that is not always present with

other groups. She sang for us and joined her in singing, "Shalom Havarim," meaning Goodbye Friend! We

also thanked Nasser, our Arab driver, who has been very kind to us. The whole group prayed for him led

by Ptr. Art, that Yeshua will continue to do a revelation of Himself to him.


12/12

THANKING JESUS FOR MEETING US IN HIS HOLY CITY

At the airport, we sealed our trip with a thanksgiving gesture to our Lord Jesus Christ. Each one shared

how the trip became a blessing, a life-changing, and a faith-building opportunity. Jesus heard the prayersand worship of all these pilgrims.. as the song goes, "MAY IT BE A SWEET, SWEET SOUND IN YOUR

EAR!!!!"

We can almost hear Yeshua say, THANK YOU FOR COMING!!!

Date post:	08-Aug-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	life-growth-christian-network-inc
View:	215 times
Download:	0 times

3rd ISRAEL Worship Tour Report May 2013

Documents