After an hour or so of questions and verification by the Israel Defense Force in the airport of Athens, Greece, Janos Kovacs-Biro and the Bible arrived in Ben Gurion International Airport in 18 September 2009. This Bible that started its journey from Manila, Philippines arrived in Israel with a tremendous opportunity to witness for the theme of the Bible - Jesus.
At the start of the Sabbath (18th of September 2009), the Bible traveled to Ashdod where 60 people waited to see the Bible. Adventists and non-Adventists gathered with joy and anticipation to witness the traveling Bible. It was inspiring to know that the 66 books of the Bible were written in 66 different languages. The book of Esther was written in Hebrew. According to Janos, Israel is the 95th country that this Bible has visited. After his remarkable presentation, one man came to the church pastor and asked when he could be baptized and join the Adventist church.
Sabbath morning the Bible traveled to Jerusalem where the three English congregations of Israel Field came together for Christian Fellowship. At noon the Bible was in Tel Aviv where they have a Bible Correspondence Course graduation. Sabbath afternoon the Bible traveled to Yardenit (Baptismal Site in Jordan River). Six precious souls were baptized. Janos encouraged the newly baptized members together with the regular members and friends to follow God's word.
Three buses, 2 mini buses and several cars drove from Yardenit to the Sea of Galilee. About 200 people and children rode on two boats where they filled the air with songs of praises in Hebrew, Romanian and Russian. A twelve-year old girl who was baptized few hours earlier read from the book of Ester. Many of the guests and friends of the Adventists were impressed with the messages and songs they heard, and the fellowship they had experienced. When all the people had left the boat, the Jewish owners of the boat requested to take a picture with the Bible. It turned out not only a picture taking but a wonderful privilege to share the power of the word of God.
Sunday the Bible traveled to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, then to the Garden of Gethsemane, to Jericho and finally to Qumran. Many of the Jews were shy to take pictures with the Christian Bible but they stood around to listen to the stories from the Bible and the testimonies of changed lives of different types of people.
Truly the Word of God is living and powerful. Having the traveling Bible in Israel was an extraordinary event. It gave us a chance to make our Adventist Church known among the people of Israel. It unites us as a people. It transcends all cultures. Let us follow the Bible.
Julio Mendez, Secretary-Treasurer of Israel Field
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
At the start of the Sabbath (18th of September 2009), the Bible traveled to Ashdod where 60 people waited to see the Bible. Adventists and non-Adventists gathered with joy and anticipation to witness the traveling Bible. It was inspiring to know that the 66 books of the Bible were written in 66 different languages. The book of Esther was written in Hebrew. According to Janos, Israel is the 95th country that this Bible has visited. After his remarkable presentation, one man came to the church pastor and asked when he could be baptized and join the Adventist church.
Sabbath morning the Bible traveled to Jerusalem where the three English congregations of Israel Field came together for Christian Fellowship. At noon the Bible was in Tel Aviv where they have a Bible Correspondence Course graduation. Sabbath afternoon the Bible traveled to Yardenit (Baptismal Site in Jordan River). Six precious souls were baptized. Janos encouraged the newly baptized members together with the regular members and friends to follow God's word.
Three buses, 2 mini buses and several cars drove from Yardenit to the Sea of Galilee. About 200 people and children rode on two boats where they filled the air with songs of praises in Hebrew, Romanian and Russian. A twelve-year old girl who was baptized few hours earlier read from the book of Ester. Many of the guests and friends of the Adventists were impressed with the messages and songs they heard, and the fellowship they had experienced. When all the people had left the boat, the Jewish owners of the boat requested to take a picture with the Bible. It turned out not only a picture taking but a wonderful privilege to share the power of the word of God.
Sunday the Bible traveled to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, then to the Garden of Gethsemane, to Jericho and finally to Qumran. Many of the Jews were shy to take pictures with the Christian Bible but they stood around to listen to the stories from the Bible and the testimonies of changed lives of different types of people.
Truly the Word of God is living and powerful. Having the traveling Bible in Israel was an extraordinary event. It gave us a chance to make our Adventist Church known among the people of Israel. It unites us as a people. It transcends all cultures. Let us follow the Bible.
Julio Mendez, Secretary-Treasurer of Israel Field
