I hope you don’t go to Israel. Don’t go to visit the ancient holy sites. Don’t stop just to touch the old Wailing Wall. Don’t walk the cobblestone streets to walk where Jesus walked, or dip your feet in the sea that Jesus calmed. I hope you don’t tour the old city of Jerusalem and take in the beauty from days past and think of all the biblical stories that once took place there, and the miracles of days gone by. Please don’t go to Israel to do that.

Because you are the hands and feet of my brother, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Don’t go to Israel to see the ancient land of an ancient people, and forget that the Jewish people are not stuck in the past. My people are a living, modern, thriving people with a current, vibrant, modern culture. We are here. We are now. And most importantly, God is active with us – today. Not just yesterday. Not just tomorrow, but right now.

So, please don’t go to Israel and forget that.

Go to where Jesus walked – not to see his home, but to meet his family. To pray beside the bearded men and hear their earnest prayers at the Wailing Wall. Go to talk with the soldier next to you on the bus. Go to play with the little children and the young mothers in the park. Go and play volleyball with the high school students on the beach of the Mediterranean. Listen to the stories of the old woman selling in the marketplace.

That’s what my brother, Jesus, would do. He’s not in the past. The Jewish people are not in the past. And you are not in the past. The Church is here to love living people in His name – in the present.

So, go to Israel for the people. I promise they’re worth it.

Israel certainly made an impact on us. The culture, the language, the people have our hearts – even more than before. And even though it was cut short, our time of serving, studying and touring this summer provided much needed understanding and insight into the heart and culture of the community to which God has led us. Thank you for your prayer and support of us which made this trip possible! It is so beautiful to be “on the ground” come what may, and know, without a doubt, that you are continually interceding before the Throne on our behalf.

With love,

BJ and Carissa