Troy and Jessica Thompson

Does it really matter so much to visit or remember real places where real people encountered the hand of real God and things happened? A straight reading of the Bible would certainly indicate, "Yes!"

Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to do certain things to
remind them of the past: the Jews often raised monuments by God's
command, even in the middle of the Jordan River; built altars to
commemorate victories both spiritual and military; and rehearsed to
their children the great things God had done. And Jesus instituted what
we call the "Lord's Supper" with a specific goal: "this do in
rememberance of Me."

So I view this trip to Israel as a great opportunity to encourage my personal walk with God; not a pilgrimage to gain favor with God, but rather seeking to understand more
fully what God has done in the past. When I read in the Bible about
these places which sound so foreign, I want to have in my mind, I've been there! I've seen it! It's real!

In a way, this is similar to how God uses trials in a Christian's
everyday life; how much better our ministry can be when we later meet
someone who's in the same low place we once were. I've been there! I've seen it! God's power in that place is real!

We hope to share our experience here at this web site, to encourage others to make it real, too!