TOURS LED BY RUTH & MURDY 2OOO/2003


ISRAEL/ENGLAND/EUROPE OBERAMMERGUE2OOO.

Our first Tour was a beauty, full of incidents, a Tour leaders nightmare, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Lets divide them up

ISRAEL…England Europe INCLUDING OBERAMMERGUE….2000

Greece & TURKEY including ANZAC DAY….APRIL 2002

FIJI. MAY 2003


ISRAEL

Before leaving for Israel we thought we might have problems in 3 areas, SECURITY, ACCOMMODATION,FOOD.

SECURITY.

The fighting started the after we left…we felt secure at all times.

ACCOMMODATION.

We remember the trouble Mary and Joseph had 2000 years ago, but
times have changed. Our accommodation was first class, (maybe
as Tour Host we were given extra treatment)

FOOD

The food was of the highest standard, equal to any I have experienced.

Tour Guide

David Kedron was a top notch guide. It was necessary on the
second day to let him know, how I saw our respective roles ,
from then on our relationship was excellent (someone must have
told him I was a new chum & he was testing me out).

On the 1st day he began telling non Christian jokes, which were in
poor taste. When tackling him about it, I said I was forced by my
wife to leave home a book I had on the 500 best Jewish Jokes,
did he want me to go home and get them. He understood clearly
and his jokes became sanitized

At the end of the Tour he had earnt his Certificate of
Appreciation plus a Gold medal.


TOUR DRIVER

Avi was an extremely careful & courteous driver.
Everyday he was on the phone making sure we would not face any
problems, he too earnt his Gold medal and Certificate.

The majority of the Group left from the Adelaide Airport, a
Group from Melbourne were due to meet with us in Melbourne.
As theirs was a 4 hour delay before our next flight, I had arranged
for a VIP Room where we could meet each other, drink tea &
coffee, and store baggage for the next flight while the girls shopped.
This became a godsend, when a luggage dispute delayed our
flight some one and half hours,further.
We certainly had time to get to know each other, before
Boarding our Qantas flight to Bangkok.
Changing planes in Bangkok at 11.00pm saw further delays,
before our arrival at Tel Aviv, when as Tour leader
I was told all our baggage had not arrived.
Now this was my first Tour and we had lost everyones luggage
(black mark Murd). Each of us had to complete forms, as Tour
leader the boss was taking my details.
Two days later four bags turned up, the Charlicks & Inglis.
One of the Group became very annoyed, he had dressed
For the flight in a corduroy pants and shirt and with the temperature
in the high 90’s,he was truly hot under the collar. He announced
he would sit outside his room until
His bag turned up, in protest.
I reasoned with him as to his choice of action and offered
him a choice of shirts from my case… he took up the option.
The next day eight cases turned up and two days later the last ladies
bag arrived, the day after we had taken her shopping for
necessities.
We held a party in our room to celebrate the occasion.
I told them I would follow up the El AL Airlines for Compensation.
It did give the ladies a chance to shop at a large Department
Store, while the men tried to look on
with interest.
Our mornings started with Group Devotions on the banks of the
Sea of Galilee, what an awe inspiring site to worship our God. I
took the first one and offered others the chance to contribute on
other occasions.
Most shared something of their life journey… a good sign to me
that they were comfortable to share their life experiences with each other.
The standard of sharing was very high, it becoming the basis for
our wonderful daily experiences that followed
Luckily we started our Tour from Tiberias, right on the Sea of
Galilee. We were housed in separate units within walking
distance of the main Dining Room. It was on the site of a
Kibbutz. Quite a relaxing place with pools & exercise equipment.
A real Holiday Resort.
Just as the sun was rising one morning we boarded an old
Fishing boat, similar to the ones in Jesus day.
The Sea of Galilee looked like glass, not a ripple on the water. I
asked the captain to cut the motor and let us drift
quietly. We commenced devotions singing “be still and know that
I am God”. WoW what an experience.
Glenn Charlick asked me to give walking on the water a go…I
could not be convinced, as I said unlike Jesus I did not know
where the stepping stones were.
That morning a mist hung about 10 feet over the water adding to
the wonder and magnificence of the occasion.
Giving each one of us ample opportunity to be still & worship our
God.
On the banks of the Jordan we watched robed tourists being
baptized, it looked a little commercial for me and asked for a
private spot on the banks of the Jordan, where
Our group could reaffirm their baptism. We were taken to a
bend in the river, apart from everyone, where in pairs we gave
each other the sign of the cross on our forehead,
whilst we were ankle deep in the Jordan.
Once again Bev Sanders led us in ‘Be still & Know that I am God’
Another truly moving moment in each of our lives.
The time spent at Tiberias, enabled us time to weld together as
a Group.
Early in the Tour I rewarded an elderly couple who were first to
board the bus with a Certificate of Excellence.
The buddy system was working a treat & this assisted us to keep
to our timetable.
We were able to visit the Kibbutz and to learn how it operated,
visiting the junior school and handed out kangaroos. They
mimicked us as we jumped around like kangaroos.
Travelling to our next Hotel in Jerusalem, we commented on the
stony surfaces either side of the road.
We were amazed at the six story Hotel, THE OLIVE TREE,
Our corner suite on the second floor, was spacious and had a
large bathroom and spa, a sitting room and a large bedroom. It
comfortably held the whole Group as we celebrated the arrival of
the last missing suitcase.
The Four restaurants had us guessing where were we eating our
meals. All smorgasbord meals was heaven for Ruth, who eats
selectively small quantities.
From here we visited Dead Sea, Masada, Wailing Wall,
Via Dolorosa, Pool of Bethesda and the Open Tomb.
Most had a swim in the Dead Sea to capture its saltiness,
and buoyancy.
We saw the Jews in full flight at the Wailing Wall, rocking in
Prayer.
One of my favorite readings was the lame man at the Pool
who could not make it each time the water stirred.
Jesus comment ‘Do you want to be healed’?
When answered made him well.
We attended Sunday Morning Service at the Open Tomb,
Sitting on rocks in the Garden with some 1000 or more
worshippers.
He next day we had section to ourselves for Communion.
I had noticed a young man in his forties following our Group, I
asked if he would like to join us for Communion.
He explained he had bread but no wine… we in turn had wine but
no bread. I listened to his story he was the Australian Director of
Chinese Ministries, James Goss who
had recently been banished from China. I asked him to speak to
us following Communion, which he did.
The Open Tomb supplied each of with a carved wooden
Communion cup & wine. We were allowed to keep the cup made
of the Olive Tree wood.
It was a moving service, Ruth read of Jims first Communion in
the Chapel at Austin Hospital,a quadriplegic, when in response to
the Ministers words Christs’ body broken for you…Jim said ‘My
broken body I dedicate to You’.
What a grand way to start a Communion Service.


James Goss after thanking us for having him, spoke in a
Challenging manner about the Christians he had left in China.
Many of us have since joined his Ministries and made donations
to his cause.
Call our meeting a Coincident, I call it a God Incident.
On our day off touring, 2 of our party wanted to visit
the Bethlehem Bible College, which their Murray Bridge U.C. was
supporting. It was in the Palestinian area.
Ruth & I together with June and Glen Charlick said we
would go with them.
I spoke to the hotel Manager re transport, he suggested a
stretch limo…the cost $30 American Dollars
A large white Mercedes benz arrived at the Hotel, we confirmed
the price and off we went to the Bible College.
Arriving safely, we asked him to be back in 45 minutes.
We enjoyed the visit and the girls bought some handicrafts, I
wondered if our driver and he guide would be there… sure
enough they were.
After traveling a kilometer or so I said they were not taking us in
the right direction. I want to go straight back.
He commented about the scenic route. No to the Hotel,I said.
I had no idea where we were when suddenly an old man stood in
front of the car waving his arms, the guide lept out and in
jumped the old man. I began to protest, but the driver did not
speak English nor the old man, we turned down a lane, finally
coming to stop in front of what was the old mans shop. Our
guide was there to greet us.


Getting back in the car, I told the guide no more shops the Hotel
must be our next stop.
Sensing trouble back at the Hotel I had the $30 ready to give
him…when we stopped at the Hotel I reached over to give him
the $30, he looked at his watch and said it is $40. Glen & I went
to bat on the Guide telling him $30 was agreed. And simply went
inside and brought out the Manager. The language I did not
understand but I could see the guide was loosing.
Ruth feeling sorry for the driver decided to give him a tip.
But the coin she chose was equal to a 5 cent piece & the driver
simply looked puzzled at it in the centre of his hand.
I gathered up Ruth and headed for our room.
I don’t think it was a coincident the war broke out the next day
as we were leaving Israel.
Our time in Israel was special, I only wish I had seen it before I
began teaching in Sunday school, although on being at so many
sacred sights, the bible stories came to life and I saw more
clearly the messages of scripture.
It became a wonderful introduction to our next trip
Oberammergue Passion Play.
We left Te Aviv Airport for London thanking Inner faith Travel
for the experience.

Israel Tour

TOURS LED BY RUTH & MURDY 2OOO/2003


ISRAEL/ENGLAND/EUROPE OBERAMMERGUE2OOO.

Our first Tour was a beauty, full of incidents, a Tour leaders nightmare, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Lets divide them up

ISRAEL…England Europe INCLUDING OBERAMMERGUE….2000

Greece & TURKEY including ANZAC DAY….APRIL 2002

FIJI. MAY 2003


ISRAEL

Before leaving for Israel we thought we might have problems in 3 areas, SECURITY, ACCOMMODATION,FOOD.

SECURITY.

The fighting started the after we left…we felt secure at all times.

ACCOMMODATION.

We remember the trouble Mary and Joseph had 2000 years ago, but
times have changed. Our accommodation was first class, (maybe
as Tour Host we were given extra treatment)

FOOD

The food was of the highest standard, equal to any I have experienced.

Tour Guide

David Kedron was a top notch guide. It was necessary on the
second day to let him know, how I saw our respective roles ,
from then on our relationship was excellent (someone must have
told him I was a new chum & he was testing me out).

On the 1st day he began telling non Christian jokes, which were in
poor taste. When tackling him about it, I said I was forced by my
wife to leave home a book I had on the 500 best Jewish Jokes,
did he want me to go home and get them. He understood clearly
and his jokes became sanitized

At the end of the Tour he had earnt his Certificate of
Appreciation plus a Gold medal.


TOUR DRIVER

Avi was an extremely careful & courteous driver.
Everyday he was on the phone making sure we would not face any
problems, he too earnt his Gold medal and Certificate.

The majority of the Group left from the Adelaide Airport, a
Group from Melbourne were due to meet with us in Melbourne.
As theirs was a 4 hour delay before our next flight, I had arranged
for a VIP Room where we could meet each other, drink tea &
coffee, and store baggage for the next flight while the girls shopped.
This became a godsend, when a luggage dispute delayed our
flight some one and half hours,further.
We certainly had time to get to know each other, before
Boarding our Qantas flight to Bangkok.
Changing planes in Bangkok at 11.00pm saw further delays,
before our arrival at Tel Aviv, when as Tour leader
I was told all our baggage had not arrived.
Now this was my first Tour and we had lost everyones luggage
(black mark Murd). Each of us had to complete forms, as Tour
leader the boss was taking my details.
Two days later four bags turned up, the Charlicks & Inglis.
One of the Group became very annoyed, he had dressed
For the flight in a corduroy pants and shirt and with the temperature
in the high 90’s,he was truly hot under the collar. He announced
he would sit outside his room until
His bag turned up, in protest.
I reasoned with him as to his choice of action and offered
him a choice of shirts from my case… he took up the option.
The next day eight cases turned up and two days later the last ladies
bag arrived, the day after we had taken her shopping for
necessities.
We held a party in our room to celebrate the occasion.
I told them I would follow up the El AL Airlines for Compensation.
It did give the ladies a chance to shop at a large Department
Store, while the men tried to look on
with interest.
Our mornings started with Group Devotions on the banks of the
Sea of Galilee, what an awe inspiring site to worship our God. I
took the first one and offered others the chance to contribute on
other occasions.
Most shared something of their life journey… a good sign to me
that they were comfortable to share their life experiences with each other.
The standard of sharing was very high, it becoming the basis for
our wonderful daily experiences that followed
Luckily we started our Tour from Tiberias, right on the Sea of
Galilee. We were housed in separate units within walking
distance of the main Dining Room. It was on the site of a
Kibbutz. Quite a relaxing place with pools & exercise equipment.
A real Holiday Resort.
Just as the sun was rising one morning we boarded an old
Fishing boat, similar to the ones in Jesus day.
The Sea of Galilee looked like glass, not a ripple on the water. I
asked the captain to cut the motor and let us drift
quietly. We commenced devotions singing “be still and know that
I am God”. WoW what an experience.
Glenn Charlick asked me to give walking on the water a go…I
could not be convinced, as I said unlike Jesus I did not know
where the stepping stones were.
That morning a mist hung about 10 feet over the water adding to
the wonder and magnificence of the occasion.
Giving each one of us ample opportunity to be still & worship our
God.
On the banks of the Jordan we watched robed tourists being
baptized, it looked a little commercial for me and asked for a
private spot on the banks of the Jordan, where
Our group could reaffirm their baptism. We were taken to a
bend in the river, apart from everyone, where in pairs we gave
each other the sign of the cross on our forehead,
whilst we were ankle deep in the Jordan.
Once again Bev Sanders led us in ‘Be still & Know that I am God’
Another truly moving moment in each of our lives.
The time spent at Tiberias, enabled us time to weld together as
a Group.
Early in the Tour I rewarded an elderly couple who were first to
board the bus with a Certificate of Excellence.
The buddy system was working a treat & this assisted us to keep
to our timetable.
We were able to visit the Kibbutz and to learn how it operated,
visiting the junior school and handed out kangaroos. They
mimicked us as we jumped around like kangaroos.
Travelling to our next Hotel in Jerusalem, we commented on the
stony surfaces either side of the road.
We were amazed at the six story Hotel, THE OLIVE TREE,
Our corner suite on the second floor, was spacious and had a
large bathroom and spa, a sitting room and a large bedroom. It
comfortably held the whole Group as we celebrated the arrival of
the last missing suitcase.
The Four restaurants had us guessing where were we eating our
meals. All smorgasbord meals was heaven for Ruth, who eats
selectively small quantities.
From here we visited Dead Sea, Masada, Wailing Wall,
Via Dolorosa, Pool of Bethesda and the Open Tomb.
Most had a swim in the Dead Sea to capture its saltiness,
and buoyancy.
We saw the Jews in full flight at the Wailing Wall, rocking in
Prayer.
One of my favorite readings was the lame man at the Pool
who could not make it each time the water stirred.
Jesus comment ‘Do you want to be healed’?
When answered made him well.
We attended Sunday Morning Service at the Open Tomb,
Sitting on rocks in the Garden with some 1000 or more
worshippers.
He next day we had section to ourselves for Communion.
I had noticed a young man in his forties following our Group, I
asked if he would like to join us for Communion.
He explained he had bread but no wine… we in turn had wine but
no bread. I listened to his story he was the Australian Director of
Chinese Ministries, James Goss who
had recently been banished from China. I asked him to speak to
us following Communion, which he did.
The Open Tomb supplied each of with a carved wooden
Communion cup & wine. We were allowed to keep the cup made
of the Olive Tree wood.
It was a moving service, Ruth read of Jims first Communion in
the Chapel at Austin Hospital,a quadriplegic, when in response to
the Ministers words Christs’ body broken for you…Jim said ‘My
broken body I dedicate to You’.
What a grand way to start a Communion Service.


James Goss after thanking us for having him, spoke in a
Challenging manner about the Christians he had left in China.
Many of us have since joined his Ministries and made donations
to his cause.
Call our meeting a Coincident, I call it a God Incident.
On our day off touring, 2 of our party wanted to visit
the Bethlehem Bible College, which their Murray Bridge U.C. was
supporting. It was in the Palestinian area.
Ruth & I together with June and Glen Charlick said we
would go with them.
I spoke to the hotel Manager re transport, he suggested a
stretch limo…the cost $30 American Dollars
A large white Mercedes benz arrived at the Hotel, we confirmed
the price and off we went to the Bible College.
Arriving safely, we asked him to be back in 45 minutes.
We enjoyed the visit and the girls bought some handicrafts, I
wondered if our driver and he guide would be there… sure
enough they were.
After traveling a kilometer or so I said they were not taking us in
the right direction. I want to go straight back.
He commented about the scenic route. No to the Hotel,I said.
I had no idea where we were when suddenly an old man stood in
front of the car waving his arms, the guide lept out and in
jumped the old man. I began to protest, but the driver did not
speak English nor the old man, we turned down a lane, finally
coming to stop in front of what was the old mans shop. Our
guide was there to greet us.


Getting back in the car, I told the guide no more shops the Hotel
must be our next stop.
Sensing trouble back at the Hotel I had the $30 ready to give
him…when we stopped at the Hotel I reached over to give him
the $30, he looked at his watch and said it is $40. Glen & I went
to bat on the Guide telling him $30 was agreed. And simply went
inside and brought out the Manager. The language I did not
understand but I could see the guide was loosing.
Ruth feeling sorry for the driver decided to give him a tip.
But the coin she chose was equal to a 5 cent piece & the driver
simply looked puzzled at it in the centre of his hand.
I gathered up Ruth and headed for our room.
I don’t think it was a coincident the war broke out the next day
as we were leaving Israel.
Our time in Israel was special, I only wish I had seen it before I
began teaching in Sunday school, although on being at so many
sacred sights, the bible stories came to life and I saw more
clearly the messages of scripture.
It became a wonderful introduction to our next trip
Oberammergue Passion Play.
We left Te Aviv Airport for London thanking Inner faith Travel
for the experience.


Author: Murdoch Inglis
www.murdochinglis.com