Dear LeSEA Tours,

I felt in awe from the first step I took in the Holy Land. I thought everything was so fantastic…then one day I stumbled on one of the steps while walking on the Way of the Cross. I hurt my foot and was afraid that the tour was over for me. I have arthritis in every bone in my body and hurting my foot did not help. Our next stop was the Western Wall. When I had gotten to the top of the stairs and looked down on the Western Wall I felt a burning inside my body from the tips of my toes to the top of my head! The closer I got to the Wall the hotter the burning feeling became. I placed my prayers in the Wall and told the Lord that I was expecting my healing in the name of Jesus and thanked Him. As I backed away from the Wall and turned and walked away toward our tour guide the pain I felt in my whole body was gone! I to this day have felt no pain in my bones. I told my Doctor. He cried. Thank you and most important THANK GOD! Amen.

Wanda West

Ahhh sweet Wanda West traveled on a LeSEA Tour just last month and took the time to write us about her miracle healing that took place at the Western Wall. The February tour touched not only Wanda’s life, it changed the life of many people. LeSEA Tour’s give’s God the glory and is honored to play a small role in facilitating the travel to such a powerful and important place where lives are transformed. Come to Israel and feel God’s power for yourself. Daily I am reminded of the continued work that the Lord has been doing in our lives since our return home from Israel. From Wanda and Amelia, Mary and Naidean to June's friend and even myself - Had we not traveled to Israel would this all be happening? I truely believe God has blessed us with our love of Israel and our faithfulness to visit His Holy Land. If you are feeling drawn to Israel you are being promised a blessing in hearing His call.

If you've traveled to Israel and God has touched you in a special way, I'd love to hear about it!

Kim

Lumi!

There's nothing like coming back to the office and to be welcomed back by Lumi. Ahh Lumi! She is the sweetest soul I know, and a very crucial member of our team here. I don't know what I would do without her. She has such a heart for Israel and such a heart for people in general. When you call LeSEA Tours, you will most likely be greeted by Lumi's beautiful Romanian accent. She will answer all your questions and guide you thru the easy steps of your journey. She will cry when you cry, laugh when you laugh and after you hang up, she will usually say a quiet prayer for you. She is all about love and we indeed love HER!

Thank you for all you do Lumi!

Kim

"Remember when...?"

“It’s hard to leave.” I said sadly to Daniela our Israeli hostess and friend as we waited outside the hotel for the luggage to get put under the bus. A handful of us stood on the side walk, stalling to board the bus until the very last minute. Horns are honking, a dog barking, a warm breeze on our cheeks, and a hint of exhaust drifting over from the street nearby, people walking – Absorbing our surroundings. I bet each of us was vowing silently not to forget this moment. I know I was.

Air travel is the greatest invention! I’m drinking coffee 37,000 feet above the ground. My body is moving at 535 mph and outside my window its -83 degrees. How is this all possible and do I really want to know all these details because it kind of freaks me out! There is 4 hours and 19 minutes to our destination. (Newark) I’ve been watching the tracking map that Continental displays through-out the flight. I watched it a week ago too, but this time I notice that I have a different feeling.

Reyklavink. That’s the city that I see on the map now. Iceland is not far from us. I watched as we flew over Athens, Rome, Berlin and London and wondered what life was like for them. Do they know Jesus?

I had such a wonderful time, met the greatest people, walking the steps of Christ! It’s so bittersweet to leave! I was really excited to hear that Frank gathered everyone’s email/snail mail information and is planning to keep everyone in contact with each other. I also heard the excitement of many people who are planning to return…some are planning another trip this year!

February, June and November every year… I’ll be there and hope you will too! A big fear I have for myself and others is “living with regret”. Lumi and I talk to so many people on a daily basis who we hear in their voice the passion to visit Israel. It’s strong, it’s emotional and they are so hopeful that they will get there someday. I pray that each of you who have yearning in your heart to visit Israel will listen to it…pray about it. God placed it there. He wants you to come, visit, and draw closer to Him in this land… This is where God chose for His son to be born… and for Him to die on the cross for us. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…because it is so true… You will never be the same. Don’t wait too long to do something about that feeling you have in your gut. Life is shorter than we expect sometimes. God wants you to live a full and blessed life. I am thinking about Amy, Derrick, Jessica and Lake right now. This is a family who came this week and will be talking about this trip for the rest of their lives! What a bond, what a family vacation to change the dynamics for the good in each of their relationships. “Jessica, remember when we rode a boat on the Sea of Galilee…?”

What a trip.

With a big sigh,
Kim





Hey, is anyone out there? I'd love to hear from you!

Scott and Jane!

Oh Scott! You cracked us up in the Old City yesterday! Do you even know how many heads that head-scarf has been on? ewwwww! (Just kidding!)

You and Jane are a blessing to have on the trip!

Mary and Naidean!

For all of you who are curious who are celebrity guests are who are celebrating their 10 year anniversary. (They met here 10 years ago on tour and have been best friends since!) This is their 11th trip to Israel!

My surprise blessing...

Today was a "WOW" day for me but I didn't go very far away from the hotel. I didn't visit any Holy sites. But I've been touched and blessed! You know, I've been to Israel quite a few times...my heart is here and I love the land and it's people and I am blessed to work for LeSEA and to be able to come often. But sometimes, like today, I wasn't touched by the country or by a specific place I visited - I found myself touched by the people who have come here to experience it. I've gotten to know so many people in the group and I'm amazed how God has put the right people in our lives at just the right time. I'm not surprised...just amazed! I'm sure everyone in this group would agree that God has His mighty hands all over us, working His perfect will into our lives, opening our eyes and hearts to not only His home...but to each other.

Only in this very special place, only this week and only with these God chosen people placed here all together by His loving hands.

Today I went to the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. I didn't go alone, I went with another tour member to help her with some paperwork. This remarkable woman shared a fraction of "her story" with me. And as my chest grew heavy and my heart broke, she reassured me that God has blessed her (and even others) through the hardships that she is experiencing. All I can tell you is that she touched me and this is a day that will be engraved in my heart. And this amazing woman will be someone that I will always remember.

Humbled by His love,
Kim

All about the water...

Scott and Jane Johnson say hello to those special blog viewers! You know who you are! We had a beautiful day in the Lord today! Scott and Jane are just two of the many smiling faces!


Today we went up north to the Galilee. Our first stop was Bet She’an. This is the largest archeological dig in Israel and is simply amazing. You could literally spend 2 full days here exploring the city that was destroyed in a major earthquake. It’s one of my favorite spots actually and what a beautiful day!
The sun was out and we enjoyed temperatures in the high 70’s! (Sorry all of you who are snowed in back home!)

After Bet She’an we moved onward to Tiberias. This is the area of the country where Jesus lived and performed most of His miracles…very awesome! We got on a boat that looked a lot the “Jesus boat” that was discovered years ago. (A boat that scientists feel date back to the time of Jesus.) Looking around the area from out on the boat was so beautiful.
The hills surrounding the lake were the greenest I’ve ever seen! Usually the hills are bare and brown because of the lack of rain, but today after a lot of rain in the last few weeks the hills are very green and beautiful! The water on the lake was pretty choppy and there were several times that waves splashed up and blessed our clothes and hair with the water that Jesus walked on! We cut the motors, sang songs, and Pastor David Sumrall talked about Peter and letting God use our failures…


Then he renewed the marriage vows of two couples on the tour. What he said about marriage…wow. He made us all stop and think…



The day was one goose bumps moment after another. After the boat we ate at St. Peter's fish! Well, most of us. Jessica and I thought we'd try out the pasta since the fish looks back at you while you eat it...and if you've read my blog, you know my rule about eating things that look back at you. (It just doesn't happen!) But really it was a fun lunch.

After lunch Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha and .... yes! The baptism! 80 people braved the cold spring waters of the Jordan River! I'm so glad they did and so are they. I'll just let the pictures of the day speak for themselves.







Tomorrow I have some work business...but it's interesting so come back here about it AND I'll give you the latest group update!

Oh, and a crazy picture of Mary and Naidean! ha!

Night!

Kim