For over 40 years LeSEA Tours has been an instrument in facilitating God's blessings to thousands of people who have traveled to Israel. We will continue to be that instrument and assist in the life changing journey to the Land of the Bible until God leads us into a new direction. During this time, LeSEA Tours has never delayed or canceled a tour due to problems in the Middle East. We are continually watching the ever changing conflicts in the Middle East and to date, our upcoming February tour plans have not faltered. While it may appear through the news media that the entire nation of Israel is in danger, we are thankful that these conflicts are not close to where our tours enjoy all the Biblical places where Jesus lived and ministered. While we wait for the Lord to return and finally give peace to this land, we ask that you join us in prayer for all those affected in Israel and in Gaza.

Kim Suski, LeSEA Tours

"My whole trip was like coming home. As we landed in Israel my wife and I both began to weep. There was an overwhelming presence of the Lord..." Larry Gatlin, November 2008

"...I learned more on this tour than I had in 15 years of salvation and reading His Word...I am so blessed to read the Bible and have actually been to the places mentioned. It made the Word come alive to me..." Debra Serpas, November 2008

"It was a childhood dream come true, an answered prayer... an experience of a lifetime!" Pastor Ver Oberes, November 2008

Upcoming Tours to Israel:

February 16-23, 2009

June 8-15, 2009

November 9-18, 2009

Today on bus 4 I heard a lot of Ooooh's and Ahhhhh's – we were really paying attention – of course it's easy when you have a guide like Amnon. He has a way of grabbing your attention and painting a picture. Today as I stood from the Mt. of Olives, looking out the Old City I saw it in a new way... Now, I've stood here before...this isn't my first time here –but today, I really saw the Old City in a new way. Amnon was somehow able to help me erase the modern Jerusalem and its buildings and churches from my mind...I added a valley where museum tombs now stand.... And I stood looking out from the Mt. of Olives with my minds eye holding the imagine Jesus must have had when he was standing in this spot! Another unforgettable day!

I'll have pictures for you soon!

I personally had a great start to my day – I woke up early and went for a walk along the shores of the Mediterranean. The beach was beautiful and it was a peaceful start to what turned out to be a very busy day! I could do this every day! Wow!

The breakfast was delicious – I had the chef make me a cheese and mushroom omelet. I had no idea that I would be able to special order an omelet! It was delicious. The kitchen was also offering orange juice that they squeezed for while you waited! Talk about fresh! Yum! The food here will not be a problem for sure! I sat with a few new friends out on the deck looking out into the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean

We packed up and headed to Caesarea by way of Jaffa... I love the water...to look out and try to imagine the bravery of these people who would board a boat (probably not the best made) and head out into the water...with no vision, no clue of what is out there. There is literally no land for as long as the eye can see... but yet, they (Paul and Barnabas for example) took off in a boat – with no clue where it would lead. What faith they had!

Megiddo was where my exercise began – 180 steps up and down the water cistern... but amazing and wouldn't miss it for the world!

Mt. Carmel was Pastor Malone's favorite spot. He was especially moved there. And many others... reflected on the final battle that will happen on this very spot. Wow! We are standing in an area with so much history...and so much future... I can hardly comprehend it all. It's really very cool. I have gotten goose bumps so many times today. Why aren't you here? Why isn't everyone lined up to see these amazing places? Really – what a new perspective I have on the scriptures by walking on the land where it will all has and will come to pass...

Come here and get an eye opening view of the Bible!

(stay tuned for pictures!)

The group arrived Tel Aviv today! It's almost reunion like; when I get to meet everyone face to face. We've talked on the phone with each other – but now to meet them face to face is such a joy! Big hugs and warm greetings for each other. Many people are asking where Lumi is... she's back in South Bend "holding down the fort". Thank you Lumi! Everyone says a big Shalom and toda to you!

Kathy told me this morning that this was her "yearly treat to herself". I think that is so awesome. Her annual pilgrimage. Awesome Kathy! Welcome back! Now that's a testimony about this tour and about this country. You just want to come back; and you do. Israel is one of the highest "repeated tourist locations" in the world. Did you know that something like 2.7 million people have already visited Israel this year? That's a lot of people who now know what I know... Israel is fantastic!

I'd love to show you some of my photos but once again I'm having technical problems. I'm beginning to wonder if it's "operator error". Perhaps there is a class I can take! Blogging 101. Anyway, stay tuned for the pictures! And more details...We're going to Tiberias tomorrow!

Kim

Right now I am sitting 37,004 feet above Rome, traveling at a speed of 557 MPH. Isn't that amazing? We are about 3 hours from touching down in Tel Aviv! I can't sleep anymore. I'm too excited! I am anxious with anticipation. This won't be my first trip to Israel, so I have an idea of what to expect – which makes me anticipate even more! My mind runs thru the daily itinerary and I try to visualize the excitement and emotion... I think about all the people that Lumi and I have talked to on the phone and whose paper work I've processed who are joining me tomorrow. I'm so excited for them because I know their life will never be the same after this trip... I applaud them for taking the step of faith and overcoming so many of life's objectives that keep people from coming. I love to talk to them on the first day...then the last day and hear the amazement in their voice of how their perception of the Bible, of safety and many things has changed dramatically.

So, as I fly over Italy and we get closer and closer to Tel Aviv, I'm praying that everyone- all 150 of us, will feel God's presence, grow closer to Him and feel his love in such amazing ways while we literally walk on the ground that Jesus walked on. I shake my head in awe of that reality (something I'll do many many times throughout the 10 days). I'm anxious to leave the world behind for the next 10 days to focus on God and to be open to receive what He so graciously wants to give...

If you're one of those who are feeling that tug in your heart of longing to come here... don't wait any longer. You are missing out on one of the best blessings – I promise you won't regret coming to Israel for a second. I encourage you to get some information about our next trip in February. Just click on "contact us" on the home page and submit your request. It's easy. Get the information, then pray about it and call us if you have questions...it's the first step – It's the step that each one of us had to take to be able to say we are at 37004 feet above Rome and headed to Tel Aviv...

Kim

It's sad to say goodbye...

What an intense week this has been! Such a rollercoaster of emotions daily. Whether you've been here one time or many, Israel will do that to you. This was a special trip with special memories that each one of us will keep in a special place forever. Your pictures, your new friends and most importantly the scriptures will remind you where you have been – and what you have experienced this week.

The Holy Land.

I know for me the drive back to the airport is with a heavy heart and though I've made the trip before, this time was no different. I know I'll never be the same... And as I sit here on the plane preparing myself to go back to the daily routine of life, I pray that the experiences you have lived this week have and will continue to draw you into a closer relationship with Christ.

I encourage each of you to share your love for this land with everyone you know. Israel needs us and we need Israel. I am personally so very honored to be a part of this great ministry, to be able to share and experience the land of the Bible with you.

Shalom my friends,

Kim

Here are some pictures from the week...

The view of our hotel from Mount Scopus.

When we returned to our hotel one evening there was an Orthodox wedding outside on our roof top. It was an amazing site and very cool to watch.

You've just got to come here and see the sun and how it comes up over the desert to shine on this incredible city of Jerusalem.

After my "sunny side up" cooked to order egg at yesterday's breakfast, I decided to go for an omelet today! Our first stop was to an overlook of the city in front of Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. A magnificent view and the guides took the opportunity to point out the highlights of the city. We also took the group photo here. Don't we all look great? You could be in your own group photo in November...there is still time to sign up!

From Mount Scopus to the Mount of Olives... we traveled the short distance and most of us went crazy with picture taking! This is the place where Jesus will return on this earth!! From the Mount of Olives we have a tremendous view of the Old City with Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock as well as the Eastern Gate where Christ will enter the city when He returns. We walked down the hill to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was praying and was arrested by the Romans. The olive trees give us an idea of how the garden would have looked when Christ prayed there 2,000 years ago.

We then boarded the bus again to travel past the Kidron Valley where Abshalom's tomb is on our way to Mount Zion where the tomb of King David and the Upper Room is located just outside of the Zion Gate of the old city. We had a great time of prayer and thanksgiving remembering that this could be the place where Christ had the last supper with the disciples and where the Day of Pentecost took place!

Then, what I consider one of the highlights of the tour, the Garden Tomb! This beautiful and serene place is located just outside the Damascus Gate of the Old City in Arab East Jerusalem. Outside the walls there are loud busses, people and noise but inside the garden it is peaceful. We viewed the hill called Golgotha where Christ was crucified and the tomb where we believe Christ rose, yes, it is still empty, Praise God for His resurrection! We had communion with Pastor Al and we sang in praise and worship. It was a moving experience.

Dinner was again at the hotel and we were all blessed by LeSEA Broadcasting's Middle East correspondent, Brian Bush, who shared his impressions of living not just in Jerusalem but also in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City followed by some time for questions and answers with the group. Brian is TALL!! And a great blessing, we all enjoyed hearing just what it is like to live in this ancient yet modern city.

This actually is one of the last times the group, as the entire group will be together on the tour. Tomorrow is the optional tour to Masada and some people will stay in Jerusalem for a free day of relaxing by the pool, walking in the streets of Jerusalem or some all important shopping. A few of us took the opportunity to visit famous Ben Yahuda street after dinner, an eclectic place of cafés and shops with thousands of people strolling on a wide promenade.

Tomorrow sadly is our last day for the June 2008 tour! Late tomorrow night the group returns home with great memories and experiences from the Holy Land. Many people approached me tonight with questions about our November trip. They want to come back in November! It's so exciting to be here!

Why aren't you here?

Sorry...still no pictures - but don't give up, I'll figure it out soon!

This morning, after our now "usual" Israeli buffet breakfast - including a cook to order egg stand – (sunny side up for me please!) we boarded the air-conditioned busses for our trip to the West Coast of Israel, the Mediterranean.

As we travel down Highway 1, the main road connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv we see many farms and forests along the way - many of these trees were planted by LeSEA Ministries in honor of Dr Sumrall who founded LeSEA Tours more than 40 years ago! How awesome is that? In November our tour members get the privilege to continue the tradition and plant a tree personally – we've been doing that in November for about 12 years now!

From an overlook, we can see the ancient port city of Jaffa, a place where shipping both in Jesus time as well as the Crusaders was very important and we then headed up the coast, right along the Mediterranean Sea. Many high tech companies are located here such as Microsoft, HP, Intel and more, it's amazing to see the prosperity of this great, yet small nation.

Very soon we arrive at Caesarea, once the capital of the Roman Empire! The ruins are incredible to see with the amphitheatre, the racing track, the foundations for the homes and governors headquarters, truly it was amazing how this was all built thousands of years ago. Today, Caesarea is home to multi million dollar homes that line the only 18 hole golf course in the country! (Yeah, I could live here.) What a contrast of the Roman times and today.

Next stop... Mt. Carmel, where the prophet Elijah called down fire from Heaven to prove the awesome power of a living God. The view from the lookout is of the valley of Armageddon- where the final battle will take place. It's amazing and again with those goose bumps!! Every army that every fought Israel came thru this valley...and the Bible is clear what will take place in the future here...

After Megiddo and a thorough tour of that 'tel' with its great history... we went to Nazareth where we can see the place where Jesus lived as a child and grew up with Mary and Joseph. In Christ's day, there were only about 400 people living in the village, today it is a bustling city of over 70,000!

It was a long day – but so wonderful. What a blessing just to see how God has His hand on this great nation. We are back at our hotel for a wonderful evening of much needed rest.

Tomorrow, once again, the city of Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel!

I'm having some trouble with my pictures... but come back soon – I'll add them when I can get some technical assistance! (Help Norm and Mike!)

Today we started out the day as usual with the wonderful Israeli buffet breakfast at our hotel and boarded our busses for the two hour drive to Tiberius. Two hours...but the time just flew by!

After about one and a half hours, we stopped at Beit Shean, the site of one of the most historical and archeologically rich discoveries in Israel. Wow is all I can say... This was a Roman town that was completely destroyed, covered and discovered just a few years ago, it is an incredible monument to a past civilization with great remnants of the old city. The group enjoyed walking around discovering areas of the city.

Next we continued on to Tiberius where we boarded a wooden boat for the traditional boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. The landscape has not changed much so it's easy to imagine Jesus walking on this water! After sailing for about half an hour, the boat stopped, the water was still and Pastor Al Nucciarone talked about the miracles and ministry of Jesus in that area. When he was done, Ronnie, our chief guide, proceeded to tell us all the facts about the sea (facts like... it's the lowest fresh water lake in the world at 600 meters below sea level), the boat docked at Capernaum where we boarded our busses again for a short ride to the Kibbutz En Gev. We had quite an experience eating wonderful St Peter's fish lunch!

After lunch, we finished our touring of the northern part of the Galilee with visits to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus ministered the sermon on the mount, Tabgha, where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and another visit to Capernaum where there are great ruins of a synagogue that dates back to the first century - it could be one where Jesus lived and ministered!!!

Now... the highlight of the day, and possibly the whole tour for many people, was the baptism service in the Jordan River. What a great experience! It must have been about 90 degrees outside but I still had goose bumps! Around 80 out of our group of 100 participated in water baptism with Pastor Al officiating. It was a moment that will not be forgotten...

Our busses then journeyed again back to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley Road where you can see Jordan and the Mountains of Moab, along with the Jordan River and a great entrance back into the city of Jerusalem with a warm dinner waiting for us.

A long but wonderful day for all of us; can't wait for tomorrow and our trip up the coast along the Mediterranean Sea!

Some things are worth the effort. Traveling to Israel is one of them. Two days ago the U.S. was covered with thunderstorms and other adverse weather which affected some major airports. Many of our tour members found themselves questioning if they were going to make it to Israel, for this once in a life time trip! Airline delays, cancellations, rebooked flights, airline computer problems and eventually lost baggage led several travelers to wonder just what God's will is for them regarding this trip. Am I supposed to come to Israel? Is this God's will or mine? It's sometimes confusing to understand just what is of God and what comes from our own desires. With that said, I'm happy to report that everyone made it to Israel!! It wasn't easy for some but they endured and now, each day they are being blessed by their presence in the Holy Land.

As frustrating as air travel can be; I believe if you ask anyone who's been to Israel they would tell you a resounding, "YES, IT IS WORTH IT!!"

Our first day was full of ooo's and ahh's. We visited the Old City today and started at the Temple Mount and looked over to the Mount of Olives, we touched and prayed at the Western Wall and walked the Via Delarosa while stopping at many Stations of the Cross. We walked where Jesus walked!!!

Here are some pictures! The Old City was fascinating! Lots of people with many different kind of smells, sounds and colors and people from all over the world It was exciting!

Here's the Western Wall. The men pray on one side, women on the other. There is someone praying on the wall 24 hours a day!!

You MUST come here to experience this land for yourself.

Here is Pete Sumrall welcoming the group on our first night. It's really awesome to be watching METV and FETV in the hotel. We have watched the Harvest Show from Israel! Hi Kelly, Stefan, Chuck and Debbie! If you're not on this trip – you could be on the next. This November we are planning yet another fantastic group tour. Get the brochure and pray about it. I know you'll be blessed, just as all of the 102 pilgrims on this tour are. This is the best year to come.... Israel's 60th Anniversary!