Israel

Have you ever enjoyed looking at your friends photos from a trip and while you can appreciate the photos and what they represent, you don't quite have a desire to go to that particular place?  That is how I felt about Israel.  I have always enjoyed hearing the stories and seeing the photos from friends who have gone, but I never had the desire to go myself.  That is until the fall of 2010. At that time I was looking through photos from friends who had been on a study program for two weeks in Israel.  Something happened inside of me while I was looking at the photos. Suddenly the words, Lazarus Tomb, Sea of Galilee, The Garden of Gethsemane, Wilderness of Judah where Jesus was tempted by Satan, Jacobs Well (where Jesus met the woman at the well), View of Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath, from Socoh Hill. Israelite hill can be seen off in the distance...these words seemed to capture my heart.  I had such a strong feeling that I knew I needed to go.  It was an excitement I had never felt before.

As much as I felt the desire to go, it didn't seem like something that would "fit into" my life at the time but maybe in three-five years. I told even my husband, "I know I am going to go to Israel at some point in my life". I kept it in the back of  my mind but I certainly wasn't pursuing any information at this point. 

Fast forward months later and I was meeting with my Women's Ministry Director, talking about my ministry with the book and speaking opportunities when at the end of our conversation she said, "you should prayerfully consider joining the Israel 2011 Study Program.  It's an extensive in depth study program that goes from Old Testament, to the Inter Testmental period, to the New Testament. The study program culminates with two weeks of Biblical study in Israel".  As she was talking to me, my heart began to race with excitement, this was the same trip that I originally saw the photos from. We continued to talk about the program and I left our meeting feeling strongly in my heart I was going to participate and accept the invitation.  My mind raced with questions and thoughts as I drove the short distance home to ask my husband to pray with me. 

After several days of prayer, my husband and I had a peace and excitement for me to join the program. We still have a few details to work out and of course there is money to raise, but we both know that God will provide everything I need and work out all of the details. The trip is September 24-October 7, 2011

If you are interested in hearing more details or supporting me in prayer or through a financial donation please email me Sheryl@SherylGriffin.com.

I look forward to sharing more with you as the study program begins and I will post blogs and photos as well.

If you have been to Israel, I would to hear your story!