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Dear
Holy Land Pilgrim:
Thank you for joining our tour of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt
(with a stopover in Athens). You
are now officially registered for thirteen days of spiritually
refreshing tour in the Lands of the Bible.
How wonderful to be traveling together in Bible lands, walking
where Jesus and His disciples had walked and to see where Bible events
had unfolded.
"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a
land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of
valleys and hills...A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without
scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it...
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD
thy God for the good land which he hath given thee." (Deuteronomy
8:7-10)
At present, 40 persons have registered to go (from all over the U.S.).
Our maximum limit is for 45 persons.
If you or your friends are interested to join, please contact us
as soon as possible, because space may soon be filled up.
(Although the bus can seat 50 persons, the 45-person limit is set
for comfort).
A.
Highlights of This Year’s Israel Tour Are:
(1)
VISIT IN ANCIENT SAMARIA
Abraham and the patriarchs traveled and pitched tents here. This is
beautiful country in Israel’s West Bank.
Includes Jacob’s well, Shiloh, Bethel, Shechem, etc.
Also, visit east of the Jordan River in Moab, Edom, Mt. Nebo,
Petra, etc.
(2)
SPEED BOAT ACROSS RED SEA
A 2-hour hydrofoil jet across Red Sea (east) from Jordan’s Aqaba
seaport. Landing on Sinai Peninsula, the bus will then take us to Mount
Sinai. Then, we will go to
Cairo under the Red Sea (west), which is below the Suez Canal. Unforgettable.
(3)
JERUSALEM’S HEZEKIAH TUNNEL WALK
A 1-hour, 1,777-foot walk underground in the water tunnel dug by King
Hezekiah, which was a marvel of ancient engineering.
Recorded in 2Kings 20:20; 2 Chron. 32:30 (and in Isaiah 22:9).
(4)
ABOUT 100 OTHER SITES
B.
Spiritual Preparations
In order to get the most from this trip, we are now enclosing a copy of HOLY
LAND DEVOTIONAL GUIDE. Please study this book, which we will be using every day
during our actual Tour. Moreover, we suggest that you do the following:
(1) Concentrate your devotions on specialized Bible passages from this Devotional
Guide, or study the entire books of: GENESIS, EXODUS, MATTHEW
and JOHN.
(2) Read some books on Bible Land history and geography, including a
good Bible atlas.
(3) Try to build up some physical stamina by exercises and proper diet.
(4) Double-check your medical and insurance needs.
Check if your medical insurance covers your travel abroad.
(5) Pray for the Members of our Group, that everyone will be prepared
spiritually and physically for this one-in-a-lifetime trip.
(6) Pray for good weather conditions, travel connections, and the peace
situation in the Bible Lands, that everything will work out smoothly and
efficiently.
Our Travel Agency is one of the largest and most experienced in the
Middle East, but we trust in God to "make a way in the
wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19) for us.
C.
Passport, VISAs, Taxes, Insurance, etc.
(1)
PASSPORT
Very
important. Please mail us zeroxed copies of the front pages of your
Passport, which must contain these data: (a) Your FULL NAME, (b)
Passport Number, (c) Date of Issue, (d) Date of Expiry, (e) Date of
Birth. Kindly indicate your (f) Nationality and (g) Place of Birth on
the pages.
Also please include two (2) photos (passport size).
We need these right away. Thanks
for your help.
IMPORTANT: Your passport must
be valid at least 6 months from date of departure.
(2)
VISA
When we have
the complete names of all members, we will apply for a "Group
Visa" to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Greece, for the
whole group. This is more
convenient and time-saving for the whole group. The total Group
VISA & application fees for the countries we are visiting is $52.
IMPORTANT:
GREECE requires certain countries’ passport holders to apply for Visas
individually at their nearest consulate.
We will let your know. If this is your case, please apply at your
nearest Greek Consulate NOW. You
may contact us for details and a Letter of Recommendation (if needed).
(3)
INSURANCE
We suggest that you purchase Travel Insurance.
A brochure is enclosed. But
your may use your own insurance agency.
Kindly contact them directly. Also, your current Health Insurance
should be checked for coverage abroad. (NOTE: Bible Communications, Inc.
is not responsible for loss\damage to personal belongings, personal
injury, accidents or illness.)
(4)
TAXES
Airports and Borders arrivals and departures charge taxes, which are
often changed. As of now, the total border taxes are: $45.
(5)
TIPS
Tips for 13 days to Guides, drivers, Porters, Waiters, Wardens, etc.,
calculated day by day, total $156.
(6)
ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
On Olympic Airlines, we have a free stopover in Athens. We are planning
an optional bus tour of Athens and sightseeing in Mars Hill, Acropolis
(where the Apostle Paul preached).
There is a small optional cost for bus, entrances and guide.
No lunch.
(7)
Please do not hesitate to call or write us on any further questions or
suggestions.
As you may see, all the above-mentioned Taxes, Tips, Visas fees will
total around $300. That’s
ALL the expenses—there are no hidden costs.
Not included, of course, are OPTIONAL items ($100), which you may
skip; and the Dallas\New York Air Ticket ($200-250) which may not apply
to you.
We want you to join the pilgrimage without worrying about unexpected
costs.
D.
Miscellaneous Items
(1)
THINGS TO BRING:
See Page 215 of Holy Land Devotional Guide.
Additional Items:
-
FLASHLIGHT
(very important for Mount Sinai)
-
Electrical
Adaptors: 220-volt, 3-prong. (for Middle East)
-
Bath
Towel: for swimming in Dead Sea and other places.
(2)
CLOTHING TO WEAR:
-
Non-formal,
comfortable clothes; no need for coat and tie
-
A
sweater or jacket (it gets quite cold in Mount Sinai and upper
Galilee & Jordan River area.)
-
SHOES:
walking shoes, even tennis shoes (sometimes rough road, Sinai climb)
-
Some
Holy Land sites do not allow Shorts (OK shorts if below knees)
-
CAPS
will be given to each member. But
small umbrellas can be useful.
(3)
TEMPERATURE IN ISRAEL:
See Page 214 of Holy Land Devotional Guide.
(4)
PREPARATIONS FOR ATHENS STOPOVER:
This is a special “treat” for members on Olympic Airlines. We arrive
in Athens first. Read pages 129-150 of Holy Land Devotional Guide
now.
(5)
AIR FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
(Detailed flight schedules, including times of departures and arrivals
at each Airport have been mailed to you.)
(6)
HOLY LAND HOTELS’ PHONES and FAXES:
(A detailed List of Hotels Phone and Fax Numbers has been mailed to you.
If your relatives or friends need to contact you, they may use the
list.)
(7)
BAGGAGE RIBBONS & TAGS:
At the departure airport (or beforehand), every person will be given
three (3) colored Ribbons. Please
tie the ribbons on the handles of your check-through and hand-carried
baggages. In addition, each
person is given three (3) baggage TAGS.
Please tightly tie each tag to each of your luggage.
As we check in and out of different Hotels, you will be given
Room Stickers to attach to the "RUSH" side of the Tags.
May God bless you abundantly.
Sincerely
in Christ,
DR. PAUL LEE TAN
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You are welcome
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