The Superior Express -

For Jon Albrecht, pastor of the Living Faith Fellowship in Superior, a long awaited dream to visit the Holy Land, became a reality early this year. He plans to publicly report on the experience and show photographs taken there at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, at the Crest Theatre.

As a youngster listening to stories about Biblical events, he dreamed of someday having an opportunity to see the land of the Bible.

About three years ago he thought his dream was going to become a reality.

He had previously learned about an organization called Christians United for Israel, and Living Faith had joined in supporting the group.

With more than 11 million members Christians United for Israel is said to be the largest organization in the United States defending Israel and the Jewish people.

When a representative called and offered Jon a nearly free trip to Israel, he didn't have to think about the offer but instead immediately said yes, he would go. His only expense was an $800 registration fee and transportation to and from an east coast departure point.

In March of 2020 he was in Newark, N.J. planning to depart for Israel when word came the departure point had been moved to the JFK airport in New York. He was just ready to board the bus for JFK when the message came over the intercom that because of COVID Israel had closed it borders.

Jon was devastated to have gotten that close to his dream trip only to have the gate slammed shut. He had to return to Superior.

In the coming months there would be other chances to visit Israel but because of COVID, he would have to be screened several times and wear a mask. He decided to stay put in Nebraska.

But then 2023 arrived and the restrictions were gone. The only COVID related requirement was that he had to have COVID insurance. And so on Monday, Jan. 18, he was back in New York City at the John F. Kennedy airport awaiting an overnight flight to Israel. The dream was becoming reality.

Tuesday the plane arrived at the Tel Aviv airport where the members of the tour group boarded a modern bus and began traveling north along the Israeli coast stopping at Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea. Jon toured the beautiful ruins of the ancient town, harbor, Hippodrome, aquaduct and the ancient Roman theatre. The tour continued on to Migdal, visiting Magdala, the site of a first century synagogue. That night they stayed in Tiberias.

Wednesday, Day 3, they crossed the Sea of Galilee on a boat and visited the site of the Sermon of the Mount. The visited Capernaum and on north to the Golan Heights for a Jeep tour and visit to the baptismal site on the Jordan River.

Day 4, they drove through the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on the earth, some 1,400 feet below sea level, and an opportunity to float in the waters of the Dead Sea. The day ended with a panoramic welcoming ceremony at Jerusalem atop Mount Scopus.

Day 5, included a tour of the Gaza area, a view of the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath, a visit to an agricultural community and a return to Jerusalem for a Shabbat (Sabbath) dinner with a Jewish host family.

Day 6, was in Jerusalem, where they enjoyed a view from atop the Mount of Olives, then walked down Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane and a visit to St. Anne's church. Next was a trip to Bethlehem, visiting Shepherd's Field and Manger Square located at the Church of the Nativity. Later they toured the excavated tunnels at the base of the Western Wall on the Herodian street from the time of Jesus.

Day 7 began with a visit to a security fence and check points. They visited the southern steps which once provided entry to the temple and the heart of the ancient Bryzantine city.

Day 8 the group visited an underground ammunition factory which is now a museum and toured Old Jaffa.

Day 9 they visited Caiphas' House, the site of the Upper Room of the Last Supper and the Garden Tomb.

On Day 10 the tired tour group returned to the United States.

Each day included briefings, visits to museums and lots of walking, an estimated 20,000 steps a day. There were also lots of steps to climb.

Jon described Israel as a clean and beautiful country. The trip across the Sea of Galilee was a highlight of the entire trip. He felt the presence of God throughout and said it was great to see the land Jesus saw and walk where Jesus walked.

While not in the exact place where Jesus was baptized, Jon found being baptized in the River Jordan was special.

Experiencing the Sabbath day in Israel will long be remembered. Busy Jerusalem came to a halt. All motor vehicles stopped. As the Jews are not allowed to push an elevator button on the Sabbath, there are special elevators which operate automatically and stop on each floor. Visitors to the country, like those in Jon's tour group, however, can ride regular elevators which require the pushing of buttons.

Jon's hobby has been the collection of nativity scenes, While in Bethlehem, he visited a store with hundreds of nativity scenes for sale. Jon described his reaction to the store as being like a child in a candy store. He admitted to buying a few to add to his large collection.

The tour group included 19 pastors from nine states.

Though security was high and the military was very visible. Jon said he felt safe, the people were friendly and most spoke English. Nearly every meal include olives and fish. He said the roads were often rugged, and cattle were frequently seen in the rural areas.

At the Garden Tomb communion was served in wooden cups. Back in Superior he showed his cup to Diane Nelson. She recognized as being like two her mother had. Not until now did she understand the importance of the cups. Her parents had been visiting the Holy Land prior to her dad's death in Egypt. Apparently, they has also taken communion and received the keepsake wooden cups.

As one third of the Jerusalem population is Muslim, Jon heard over loudspeakers the Muslim call to worship.

The tour included visits to the borders with Syria and Lebanon where they saw barb wire fences and mine fields along with penitentiary style walls with guard towers.

On the tenth and last day of the tour, Jon returned to Nebraska exhausted. A friend met him at the airport but he doesn't remember the final leg of the trip back to Superior. Once he was in the automobile and headed for Superior, he relaxed and slept all the way home. He had gone without sleep the previous 48 hours.

Asked if he would go again should the opportunity arise, Jon didn't hesitate in saying "Absolutely."

Jon and a representative of the Christians United for Israel plan to make a public presentation about the trip at the Crest Theatre at 7 p,m. Wednesday, April 5.