I’m sharing this with you not to be boastful or proud, but because I amhumbled by the privilege that the Lord would allow me to be sent to visit His homeland. Yes, I know that Jesus lives "in me" here in Alabama, U.S.A. I’ve heard many people say that’s the reason they don’t need to go to Israel, the "Holy Land." But let me tell you, when you DO have the opportunity to go, the Bible will become alive to you also! I know, as with myself, you’ll never be able to read it the same way again. You will be able to visualize Jesus walking town to town and place to place… because you’ll see for yourself how that was possible.
         Oh how I wished that I had the ability to make my words come alive to you, so that you could feel the sense of being there for yourself! My prayer is that this in some small way, will help you feel a little of what I was honored to feel. There were so many more places that we went!     I even  have stones from the brook   where David picked the one up to slay Goliath with… Oh dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I could go on and on.
         While I was there, I had been keeping a daily journal, but somehow it was misplaced, so I’m writing from memory, and pray I haven’t gotten anything mixed up. I thank all of you who stopped and prayed for all of us while we were away; we honestly felt your prayers. I ask you all to continue to pray for our "homeland." Please… pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for Israel, for the economy of the people, for Jews to return home and to receive the truth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ as He truly is. Pray that tour groups will continue to come and help them as they struggle to survive. He is coming SOON, and these ARE the end days!!! May God Bless you all, His servant, Jan Hicks

         There are not enough words that can describe my trip to Israel. When a precious saint of God called me in June and told me the Lord had told her to send me to Israel, I knew it was a divine appointment with HIM. I had no idea then just what an appointment it was, and how changed I would become. I also heard the news, just as the rest of the world did, about the fighting and war going on there. Nevertheless, God was sending me and I knew that I had no reason to fear. I was blessed to go with Evangelist Perry Stone Jr. and the others on his tour. This man is truly of the Lord, and is blessed with "Revelation Knowledge."              God opened doors for us to go through that others had been unable to enter. This was not a vacation, but instead 10 days of 10-15 hours, daily bible studies, and I loved it. The wisdom and knowledge of Perry Stone and our guide Gideon were amazing as they tried to share everything with us about Jesus and where He lived. I truly feel as if I have walked the walk with Jesus. I walked the streets He did. I sat on that same stone seat in that same synagogue where Jesus sat and taught, 2000 years ago! I was baptized in the Jordan River, the river where Jesus was baptized. I stood on the Great Mount of Olives where He stood during ascension to Heaven. I viewed the Eastern Gate that is now closed and sealed with stones, where one day soon it will burst open as HE breaks through on His return!

We were able to get into Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
         I placed my hands in the Dead Sea, where nothing can live, and road the boat across the Sea of Galilee. I touched and prayed at the wall, which was the only barrier that separated me from the Holy of Holies. I also prayed at the Western Wall (previously called the "Wailing Wall") where I placed many names in the cracks of the stones for continued prayer. I walked the streets where He carried the tree to His crucifixion. I took communion in the garden tomb where he was laid to rest and rose again three days later. I felt His presence so strong there that I could hardly walk! I just had to stop and soak in His anointing and love. I praised Him and received His touch as we all worshipped Him in the "Upper Room" (as described in the books of Acts.) Together, we sang praises to Him and worshipped His Holy name. We went to the Garden of Gethsemane; I felt His pain of rejection when Judas brought the soldiers to take Him away. From my window each night I looked out over the city of Jerusalem, and prayed for its peace. I prayed for the Prince of Peace, to help her through her time of unrest, and I fell in love with my new home. From the trees, I picked olives and locust beans. I felt the drawing of my Judaic roots, as I was reminded in Romans 11 that I am "grafted in," a Jew by "adoption." I ate "Kosher" food for the entire 10 days there, even the McDonalds meal we ate was Kosher!!