Testimonials – Hale’s Holy Land Tour 2010        

Israel , Turkey & Greece/Greeks Islands

 

It was certainly a trip of a lifetime as again and again we relived the life of Jesus in beautiful Israel .  Armon, such an experienced driver (we will never forget his testimony) and Isaac so knowledgeable and passionate and you folk so prepared and so committed made this trip most memorable.  The services on The Sea of Galilee and in The Garden of Gethsemane and of course singing “ Jerusalem , Jerusalem ” as we entered the City of Jerusalem will always be etched in our mind.  Truly, we will never be the same again!  We will continue to pray for peace in Israel.  Our love and prayers will always go with you as you continue in this work.  God Bless!                                             H & M Elliott, St John’s NL 

You guys are awesome.  Your trip to Israel was very organized - the prayers, the devotions, the singing and everyone playing a part in reading the scriptures.  The groups were well planned.  The tour guides, the bus drivers, the hotels were all excellent. I can surely recommend your tour to all my friends to travel on your pilgrimage tours.  You guys have done an excellent job.  God bless.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A & C Henriques, London ON

This has been my second pilgrimage to the land of the Bible with you both, the first time I was at a loss for words; the second time, I'm still at a loss for words, but there is this one word which keeps coming to me and that word is ''awesome'', what an awesome GOD we serve and how much he loves us all.                                 M Wisdom, North York ON                                                                                           
This was my second time to Israel as a pilgrim with Woody & Sharon.  The first time I was so overwhelmed I knew I would have to go back to continue learning and to fulfill my heart’s desire – which is to know more about and to walk in the footsteps of our Lord.  My faith is so much more re-assured and the desire is ever stronger.  I want to thank Woody & Sharon for their great ministry, and I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who really wants to know and enjoy learning about the Holy Land , Hale’s group is the way to go!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      J Wisdom, North York ON

One is overwhelmed with a sense of wonder to stand where biblical writers once lived. To see, touch and photograph the remaining physical elements of antiquity is inspiring.   The juxtaposition I saw, of the woman hanging out her cloths in her backyard portion of the garden area we visited that contained the Garden Tomb, was charming. Sitting back in the Dead Sea , afloat like a canoe, was hilarious. The realism traveling through the Golan Heights and entering Bethlehem was sobering. The multi-media historical presentation of the holocaust Museum was deeply moving. The Jordan River Baptism brought such happiness. Every day, new places to visit; every moment of the day enjoyable, that was exhilarating. The choice of locations in Turkey , Greece and Israel was comprehensive. The transportation arrangements by land, sea and air were outstanding. Tour guides were extraordinary. The food and lodging were excellent. The experience you both provided for us exceeded all expectations. But beyond all that, you reached our hearts with sensitivity to personal needs, delightful expressions of kindness and thoughtfulness, like candy and relevant articles to read, the little Galilean boats, and the roses and cake with which to celebrate. Beyond preparedness, competence and attention to detail, it was your personal warmth, thoughtfulness and sense of ministry that was for us, so meaningful, and filled the experience with joy and happiness, giving us indelible memories that we will cherish.  Thanks for your wonderful ministry,                                   R & F Chaytor, St John ’s NL

 I have enjoyed myself immensely throughout this Holy Pilgrimage and many thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to travel with Woody and Sharon.  God bless you both.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              T Sirju, Toronto ON

 After this trip, I will view this part of the world through different eyes.  I will be able to pray with new insights.  Armon’s testimony was wonderful.                    L Jensen, Regina SK

 Everyone was helpful and understanding with my difficulty walking, which helped me be part of the group.                                                                        J Gage, Saskatoon SK

 We were so glad to have been part of this tour.  It was more than a vacation, it was a spiritual experience that was very special. Reading the Gospels will take on new meaning as we recall standing on the shores of Galilee, and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane .  We both feel this experience will have a profound effect on our daily walk with the Lord.  Thanks for making it possible.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               G & F Woodland, St. John’s NL

 Mere words cannot really express how meaningful to us this tour has been.  We love the spectacular hills, mountains and valleys, and the fact that we were able to walk where J Jesus walked is a blessing from God.  We admire your efficiency and generally the trip was great.  God bless you.  See you again.                         P & W Kuhn, Scarborough ON

 The Hale Tour to the Holy Land 2010 was a wonderful experience, one which we will not forget.  We met wonderful people, made great friends.  Thanks to the leaders, Woody & Sharon Hale.                                                                                                                                                                                                        P & I Calloway, Gambo NL

Thanks so much for inviting us on this trip.  It was a blessed day when we met you for the first time.  When you mentioned about visiting the Holy Land , we were so excited about going.  We truly understand more about the Bible now.  We bought one, and will read it more often now.  We are so happy we were able to go.  We will go with you another time.  Thanks.                                                                                                                                                                                                        E & M DeBarros, Port Perry ON

I often wonder how you put this trip together.  The work you put into it was tremendous.  It was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed every minute of it.  May God continue to bless you both.                                                                                                                                                                                                               D & L Wiltshire, Pickering ON

 What an awesome trip!  I will always remember this wonderful experience!  I will truly “never be the same again, since I walked where Jesus walked!”  Thank you Woody & Sharon.  Thank you God.                                                                                                                                                                          A Lewis-Stephenson, Wingham ON

 What a trip...it was tiring but great...makes the Bible, it's places and all the players come alive...it was a trip of a lifetime for sure. Itinerary was good, realize there is so much to see.  Hotels and meals were good – well organized.  ....now have to get all my pix in disc etc...people are already wanting to see the                           W Stevenson, Wingham ON                                                                                                                        

I praise God for making it possible to come on this pilgrimage.  So much to see and take in!  Everything was excellent, baptism, Galilee trip, Yad Vashen Museum and devotions.  Thanks to Armon our driver, Isaac our guide and Earl for making our boats for our candlelight service.  Memories will go on.                                     H Myers-Green, Brooklin ON

 I have travelled extensively but never to the Holy Land .  I can truly say that the “Holy Land Pilgrimage” was a wonderful experience.  It was well organized, we saw a lot, the group got along well together, and you treated each of us as if we were special.  The tour guides were very knowledgeable and very passionate about their countries.  They had the answers to our questions at the tip of their tongues.  Thank you for such a wonderful and spiritual experience.                                                      L Tucker, St David, Bermuda

 God has provided Christine and I, and our 4 companions from the 2007 Pilgrimage, with the opportunity to revisit the Holy Lands.  Admittedly, the 2007 Pilgrimage remains dear to our hearts, meeting both our spiritual needs and our geographical curiosity.  Jerusalem , as seen from Mount of Olives , will always have a special place in our hearts and will always be our welcome to the past!  It is difficult to picture the surroundings in which Jesus lived and preached, and while it is good for children to let their imagination wander, adults really should know just how and where important biblical events took place.  After traveling the Holy Lands, you never read the Bible in the same way.  However, as I viewed Israel through the lens of my camera, I was shocked to see the speed in which changes are taking place, to meet the needs, both commercial and social, of its today’s inhabitants.  For the traveler, wishing to explore Israel from a biblical standpoint, with the hope to be able to read the Bible in a way different to that of the past, I urge him/her to make that trip sooner rather than later.                                                                                                                                                                      A & C Smith, Toronto ON

 This tour was a very rewarding experience for both of us.  The tour was well organized giving a good balance of the religious/spiritual, archeological/historical and cultural aspects of Israel .  Sharon & Woody did an exceptional job as tour leaders.                                                                                                                                                             W & M Oakley, St John’s NL

It is my greatest joy to have the opportunity to share with others in this special group.  I have enjoyed everyone and the fellowship, and the greatest of all is to have His Spirit in everything that was done.  God bless you both.                                                                                                                                   Major H Tennyson, Belize City , Belize

I can’t begin to find words to express how joyful I was to have been on the tour.  It’s an experience I will never forget and one I will repeat in a few years to come.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Major B Greenidge, Belize City , Belize

 I will never be the same. Having visited the holy land, reading the Bible has become much more clear to me.  A trip that will never be forgotten. Of all the places and hotels I have stayed, the Ramot in Galilee was very meaningful to me. I really felt at home, getting up on mornings and standing on the balcony overlooking the Sea of Galilee was such a pleasant and comforting feeling, the presence of my Lord was so profound, it was amazing.  I felt the humbleness and meekness within my heart.  So much to explain, I can't find the words to express myself more clearly.  Being able to be baptized at the Jordon was another high-lite of this trip and entering Jerusalem singing that lovely song  “ Jerusalem , Jerusalem ”.  That was very fulfilling spiritually.  All in all the tour was wonderful and educational.  Isaac is very knowledgeable, and Armon knew his way around the city.                                                                                                                                                                        G Gill, Toronto ON

 Thank you for a wonderful 16 days.  For such a large group everything ran very efficiently.  Armon's driving was amazingly skillful and so much history was downloaded on us by Murat and Isaac it was almost overwhelming at times.  How amazingly peaceful it was to be on the Sea of Galilee and to know that Jesus and his disciples experienced the same thing 2000 years ago.  The Garden of Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb were also the other places where all the extra layers of today's world were stripped away.  Being baptized in the Jordan River has added a new dimension to my walk with God.  It's going to take some time before everything really sinks in, but after listening to a taped reading from Mark's gospel today where Capernaum is mentioned I found myself visualizing the place as we saw it.  Shalom!                                                 S Broughton, Picton ON                                                                               

I appreciated all of the information and helpful hints before we went on the trip and enjoyed meeting everyone on the tour. I felt comfortable at sitting at meals with any of them and enjoyed conversations both on and off the bus.  I believe that in both parts of the tour we had very good tour guides. They were personable, experienced and knowledgeable which meant for lots of learning and I felt very safe at all times during the tour.  I have returned with a real picture in my mind of the places from Scripture, which will remain and will impact my understanding of the life of the Bible.  My favourite spots would be at the Sea of Galilee (I so appreciated the hotel on the Sea of Galilee, just going out on the little patio and hearing the crickets sounds soothed me), the Garden of Gethsemane and Ephesus .                                                                                               K Wilson , Victoria BC

The Pilgrimage had a profound affect on me.  All guides who accompanied us were very knowledgeable.  The most outstanding one was Isaac in Israel , who shared much information about the life and times of people in both the Old and New Testaments.  His passion for his homeland was obvious.  He also spoke of the challenge facing the Israeli people today.  At very significant locations, Woody and Sharon led very inspirational devotionals.  The presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit was never so apparent for me.  I shall now read scripture with a clearer vision of what life was like before, during and after the time of Christ.                                                         D Mayes, New Market ON

Pleased to write you on my wonderful, awesome and exhilarating trip to that "holy place". It may sound kind of ridiculous but I am still reliving and enjoying the blessings received. It is such a wonderful place and I read something while I was there that said if we are able to trace our heritage to Israel , then we can apply for citizenship. I am able to trace mine because I am Abraham's seed and heir of the Father and joint heir with the Son, am I not over-qualified to apply? I wouldn't mind becoming a citizen of Israel though, because it is a place I have fallen in love with and even though I believe travelling to the "holy land" should be a 'must' for every believer, for me I wish it could be more than a 'once-in-a lifetime’ experience. Actually I am planning and hoping to be on a next tour with you in the not too distant future. I don't want to go with anybody else because it will not be the same. I just can't stop talking about my trip to the "holy land" and I think probably everybody in Belize must know by now that I've been to the "holy land".      D Nicholas, Belize City , Belize