As Israel celebrates 60 years of its miraculous modern existence, the 2008 Grafted ‘Summer Hands On Tour’ gave her a present. Christian young adults from across the world travelled to Israel with one common purpose, to bless and support the nation through practical assistance.

“One of my biggest goals in coming to Israel is not just to explore the land of Israel but ultimately to bless the Jewish people”, said Andrea Nielsen from the United States as the tour began.

With a heart to serve, the group of thirty-eight Christians from eleven different countries toured the land for ten days starting in late June, learning more about the Jewish roots of their faith and participating in ‘hands on’ service projects from the Golan Heights to the heart of Jerusalem.

The tour began in the Galilee where they visited holy sites, kayaked down the Jordan River, and were privileged to hear a series of lectures relevant not only to Israel, but that also spoke into their personal lives. Susanna Kokkonen, the director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, taught on Israel and the Holocaust while ICEJ media director David Parsons gave an in-depth and timely analysis of current events in Israel and the looming threat from radical Islam. The lectures culminated with a talk from the ICEJ’s international director, Dr. Jürgen Bühler, who encouraged the group to seek more of the Lord’s transforming power in their lives.

The tour continued with a trip to the Dead Sea, an overnight stay at a Bedouin tent complete with an adventurous camel ride into the desert, and an evening of personal testimony and ministry from Grafted’s director, Liesl Hedding. “There was a real sense of freedom in the Lord’s presence and a definite anointing that night”, recalled Iiris Makela from Finland. “I did not want it to end.”

Amid exploring the land of Israel, the Grafted group also threw themselves enthusiastically into a variety of hands-on service projects. These included work on IDF army bases in the North, preserving and renovating the gardens of the historic Hansen’s Hospital in Jerusalem, volunteering at soup kitchens in the capital city, and an outreach to African refugees in Tel Aviv. The projects culminated with a day in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the group cleaned homes for the elderly Arab believers in the Christian Quarter and hosted a “Good Samaritan” themed outreach for Arab children. While all of the projects were essential parts of the tour, two projects in particular stood out.

One of the most unique and rewarding experiences was working for a day at Army Bases situated on the frontlines of the Golan Heights. The Grafted group began by suiting up in real IDF uniforms and then got to work helping paint, clean and organise storage facilities. “In many ways it brought the reality of people living in Israel so much closer. It seemed that the soldiers really appreciated our help”, said Rami Lethola, director of Grafted in Finland.

The Old City outreach was especially moving this year, as the group heard testimony beforehand of the impact of last year’s project. Grafted’s local contact in the Old City shared about the radically changed life of one boy who responded to last year’s message of turning to Jesus for help in hard times. The Grafted team realised just how powerful their time of ministry could be.

“Ultimately, I loved doing the service projects more than the touring, because I was able to show others the love that God has for everyone”, commented Levi Bross from the United States.

“I was really impressed to be with a group of young Christians from different parts of the world, many of whom were wearing Judaica necklaces, IDF t-shirts and asking quality questions about the current state of our country”, remarked the group’s Israeli tour guide, Eitan Chamberlin. “The term ‘Christian Zionists’ may not be a very politically-correct term, but that is the best way I could describe this group. Your love for Israel, both on an ancient and modern level, truly touched me as a Jewish-Israeli, and it was my great pleasure to show you the country”, he told the Grafted team.

Not only did the group return to their countries equipped with in-depth knowledge on both biblical and modern-day Israel, but they also had a greater understanding of what it means to serve “with all their hearts”. The Summer Tour participants came to give their time, resources, and love to the nation and in return gained a better understanding of God’s purposes for the Jewish people and ultimately, for their own lives.

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