Troy and Jessica Thompson

When our church announced plans for a trip to Israel, Pastor Sweatt said something which really got us thinking: "You should go when you're younger, because seeing Israel will change the way you think for the rest of your life." Jessica and I considered it for a while, then concluded there would probably never be a better opportunity than now. Last year, we were blessed to have some unexpected financial gains; I don't think the timing was a coincidence.

When we've discussed this with friends, colleauges, and family, the responses have varied but one theme appears more often than any other: "Why?" Comments like, "Oh, wow! That's so awesome! Keep your head down!" or "Watch out for the guys in turbans!" abound. And I must admit some concern about personal safety as well; Israel is not exactly known as the most peace-torn location in the world, and it's surrounded by several nations who want nothing less than what we might call "Israel's complete annihilation."

But this is an opportunity to see first-hand the nexus of three major world religions, and to literally walk where the heroes of the Bible walked.

Why is this important? Can't I get the gist of it through IMAX films, Discovery Channel HD, or the History Channel "Birth of a Nation" DVD? Certainly there are bloggers who've posted far prettiers photos of Israel than I could possibly get, and more YouTube footage than I could shake a camcorder at. Why this need to go see it myself?