I wanted to share some exciting news with you and ask for your help and participation. This Summer, I have the opportunity to go to Israel for two weeks with Providence Christian College. My theology professor Dr. Swanson, who lived in Israel for over seven years, will lead this trip. The trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and experience many places I have only read about and imagined. I will take a Spring Semester class to help prepare for the trip, in which I will read many books on Hebrew culture and even learn to speak some Hebrew.

This trip is not what some people call a “Holy Land” trip but rather an academic immersion trip. It will be academically and physically rigorous. The class includes a research presentation and an in-depth book reflection on a historical narrative. We will meet with many scholars and pastors on the trip and keep a daily academic journal. The class portion is worth two units, and the in-country part is worth another two units. The trip initially cost less but, due to inflation, now costs $6,000. EEK! The cost includes airfare, breakfast and dinner, hotels, transportation, and admission to museums and other locations.

On this trip, we will visit Old Jaffa, Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Tiberias, Capernaum, Mt. Tabor, Nazareth, Cana, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), Golan Heights, Gamla, Beit Shean, Jericho, Jerusalem (Temple Mt, Western Wall, City of David Hezekiah's Tunnel, Mt. of Olives, Mt. Zion, Israel Museum), Bethlehem, Qumran, Massada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Beit Shemesh, Valley of Elah, Tel Maresha, and more.

There are two ways I need your support and participation. First, please pray for me as I fundraise and study in preparation for the trip and for the safety and growth of the entire team as we are on the trip. Second, even though I find it very awkward to ask for money, I am requesting donations to help pay for my Israel trip. This trip will significantly impact my academic studies and walk with the Lord. Please consider and pray about donating to my fundraiser. I am not asking for just one person to donate the total amount of $6,000 but for each person to donate what they can. Even if it's just $10 or $20, you would be helping me to go on a once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing trip.