2020 Inspirational Tour Egypt and Jordan

October 7-20, 2020

Dear Friends,

Come with us on a fascinating journey touring the present day marvels of Egypt and Jordan. Trace some of the amazing archaeological sites and biblical history that intersects with the extraordinary lives of Moses, Joseph, and the powerful Pharaohs who ruled Egypt. Pharaohs’ belief in the afterlife has left numerous interesting discoveries for us to see and comprehend.

Our 14-day journey includes round trip Turkish Airlines flights as we travel from gateway LAX , a stopover in Istanbul for a half day tour, a flight to Cairo with a day of rest, and a relaxing 4-night Nile River cruise to Aswan from Luxor. Our journey concludes with a Jordan tour to visit famous Petra, Mt. Nebo, and Amman.

Joining me on the tour is Rev. Ted Esaki who has served as our teaching pastor on a previous Holy Land tour and recently the National Parks and Memorial tour of USA. Pastor Ted will be sharing morning devotions and making the biblical passages come alive as we visit St. Catherine, Mt.Sinai, and Mt. Nebo where Moses had a life changing encounter with God. Touch on the life of Joseph as we visit some of the Pharaoh’s tomb. Also, we learn about the prophecy of Petra.

Our tour includes step-on licensed guides, most meals as noted, listening devices, inter-city flights and tips. Travel insurance and Visas are not included, but instructions for purchase will be provided by JEMS. As in the past, I will be your traveling escort to take care of all the tour’s administrative matters and services for a smooth, safe, and memorable tour.

We are looking forward to having you join us. Sending in your deposit as early as possible is recommended. If you have any questions, please send it to Rev. Sam at revsamt29@gmail.com or samt@JEMS.org.

Excitedly yours,

Rev Sam Tonomura & Rev Ted Esaki

Tour Leaders

Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society

948 E. Second St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 613-0022

www.JEMS.org

Rev Sam Tonomura

Welcome to the JEMS 2020 Tour to Egypt and Jordan

October 7-20, 2020 Rev Ted Esaki

Day 1: Wednesday, Oct 7 – Depart Los Angeles for an overnight flight to Istanbul.

Day 2: Thursday, Oct 8 – We arrive in Istanbul in the evening where we are met by our local guide. He will then drive us to the Old City Center to enjoy antique shops and cafes. We have a private tour of the St. Sophia Church that was built in 537 AD. Hagia Sophia is the former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral that used to be an Ottoman imperial mosque and is now a museum in Istanbul. It is famous for its massive dome and was the world’s largest building of its time. We enjoy dinner together at Hamdi Restaurant and then return to the airport for our late-night flight to Cairo.

Day 3: Friday, Oct 9 – We arrive in Cairo after midnight and transport to our hotel for a day of rest and leisure. This evening we board a short flight to Luxor. After arrival we go to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 4: Saturday, Oct 10 – After a full night of rest, we enjoy breakfast together and check out of the hotel and embark on a Nile River cruise. On the ship, we enjoy lunch and stop at the east bank sites of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. The temple was built by King Amenhotep III who reigned 1390-53 BC and was completed by Tutankhamun and Horemheb. Towards the back of the temple is a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great. Our next stop is the Temple of Karnak, the largest temple in the World! The complex also includes a group of temples: Ptah, the Temple of Montho and the Temple of the God, Osiris. We return to the ship for afternoon tea and a folkloric Egyptian show. After the show, we will dine together and enjoy a night aboard ship.

Day 5: Sunday, Oct 11 – We start our day with breakfast before we begin our adventure to the west bank of the Nile River to see the Valley of the Kings. During the 11-16th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite from Thebes (Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut of Dynasty XVIII was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre in the bay of cliffs known as Deir el-Bahri. The valley of the queens is a barren area in the western hills and was chosen due to its relative isolation and proximity to the capital. The kings of the 18th dynasty chose to be buried in rock-cut tombs, instead of the traditional building of pyramids as burial chambers. Lastly, we return to the ship and continue our sail to Edfu. We attend the ship captains welcome dinner on board and enjoy our evening with entertainment in the lounge.

Day 6: Monday, Oct 12 – We enjoy breakfast together on the ship and start our day touring the Egyptian city of Edfu. The site of Edfu was the place where the God Horus was worshipped and where the battle between Horus and his traditional enemy Seth in ancient mythology took place. It is the most well-preserved temple and the only one we know to have been completed. We return to the ship where we enjoy a meal together and an overnight stay as we sail to Aswan.

Day 7: Tuesday, Oct 13 – After we have breakfast, we visit the High Dam of Aswan, one of the most important achievements in the last century in Egypt. For many years it was a symbol of the New Era of the Revolution of 1952. It provided Egypt with water and electricity and secured the country of the risk of the destructive inundation of the Nile River. We see the unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk that is located in the northern region of the stone quarries of ancient Egypt. Next, we go to the Philae Temple, meaning “the end” and defined as the southern most limit of Egypt. It was begun by Ptolemy II and completed by the Roman Emperors. We will board a felucca boat ride on the Nile, a traditional Egyptian wooden boat. We stop at Kitchener’s Island, land that was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army. He had a passion for beautiful palms and plants, so he turned the entire island into the stunning Aswan Botanical Gardens, importing plants from the far east, India and parts of Africa. The gardens are filled with birds as well as hundreds of species of flowers. Our last stop today is at Agha Khan Mausoleum, a pink limestone tomb of Aga Khan III and Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, who died in 1957. We enjoy dinner together and our last overnight stay on the cruise.

Tour Itinerary

Day 8: Wednesday, Oct 14 – We have breakfast together, disembark the cruise ship and transfer to the Aswan airport for our flight back to Cairo. We arrive in Cairo and begin our tour at the Great Pyramids, built during a time when Egypt was one of the richest and most powerful civilizations in the world. The pyramids, especially the Great Pyramids of Giza, are some of the most magnificent man-made structures in history. Their massive scale reflects the unique role that the pharaoh, or king, played in ancient Egyptian society. We proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion’s body, dates from around 2540 BC. We continue to the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis, founded in 3200 BC by King Marmer. It was the capital of Egypt in the era of the Old Kingdom. Next we go to Saqqara, one of several other notable necropolis sites near Cairo that have impressive sights and hold great archaeological significance. It hosts burials dating from before the beginning of the Old Kingdom up through the Greek Period of Egyptian history. We see Dioser’s Step Pyramid, the most famous structure at Saqqara. Dating from the 3rd Dynasty, it was the first all-stone complex ever built. We go back to the hotel for dinner and rest in Cairo.

Day 9: Thursday, Oct 15 – We partake in breakfast and begin our day at the Egyptian Museum. It houses a collection of some of the greatest Pharaonic treasures in the world. Our guide will show us the highlights of these artifacts and the museum’s expansive collections. We continue to Coptic Cairo, where we visit the famous Suspended Church (Hanging Church), dating to the 4th and early 5th century. This Basilica was named “Al-Mu’allaqah” because it was built atop the south gate of Fortress of Babylon. We continue to the Church of St. Serguis, a 5th century Coptic Church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the holy family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As we stroll along, we come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra, which marks the place where Moses was saved by the water girl of Pharaoh. This is the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt, built in 882 AC. We enjoy dinner and overnight stay at our hotel in Cairo.

Day 10: Friday, Oct 16 – Today we enjoy breakfast together and begin driving to St. Catherine and stop at Marah, one of the locations which the Torah identifies as having been travelled through by the Israelites during the Exodus. Marah is the location of the well of bitter water and murmuring. It is where Israel received a first set of divine ordinances and the foundation of the Shabbat. The shortage of water is followed by a shortness of food. Moses throws a log into the bitter water, making it sweet. Later, God sends manna and quail. Lastly, we go to Elim and Rephid, two of the places where the Israelites camped following their Exodus from Egypt. We have an overnight stay at St. Catherine.

Day 11: Saturday, Oct 17 – Early in the morning we eat breakfast and those who are physically able to hike can climb Moses Mountain at Dawn. Also referred to as traditional Mount Sinai, it is the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments. It lies south of St. Catherine’s Monastery and rises to a height of 7,497 feet. Our next location is the monastery of St. Catherine, which sits at an altitude of 5150 ft. on the reputed site of the burning bush. We return to hotel for dinner and check-out. We continue to the Taba Border crossing into Israel. We stop and enjoy a panoramic view of Eilat, the southernmost city in Israel. We continue to the Jordanian border and cross into Jordan where we arrive at our hotel in Petra.

Day 12: Sunday, Oct 18 – After breakfast we have a full day tour of the ancient city of Petra, otherwise known as the Red Rose City because of its rich red sandstone. This unique Nabatean city is hidden in the rugged mountains and carved entirely into the naturally red rocks. It includes temples, theaters, monasteries, houses and roads. Petra was an important junction for the silk and spice trade routes that linked China, India, and southern Arabia. We travel north to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. We have the opportunity to "float" in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. Tonight we enjoy an overnight stay on the salty shores of the Dead Sea.

Day 13: Monday, Oct 19 – On our last day, we eat breakfast together and travel to Amman. Stop to see Mt. Nebo, where Moses looked into the Promised Land to view the land of Canaan which God had said he would not enter according to the last chapter of Deuteronomy. At Madaba, we see the 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem. Before our day ends, we have an opportunity to be baptized at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptized by John (John 3:23). We arrive at our hotel in Amman for a very short rest and preparation for our late night departure.

Day 14: Tuesday, Oct 20 – Depart Amman after midnight and arrive back to Los Angeles in the afternoon with a lifetime of memories from our incredible journey.

JEMS 2020 Tour to Egypt and Jordan with Nile River Cruise

October 7-20, 2020

Tour price is $4595 per person, double occupancy Please complete the registration insert and return to JEMS with your deposit.

Price includes: Round trip airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) on Turkish Airlines, 4 nights on Nile River cruise ship, 8 nights hotel accommodations double occupancy, porterage, breakfast and dinner daily at hotels and on ship, lunches on ship, deluxe motor coach for all tours and transfers, guided sightseeing program, all entrance fees on itinerary, licensed English speaking guides, tips to driver, guide and hotel staff, Jordan Visa, airline tax and fuel surcharge at current rate (subject to change). Tour priced at a cash/check discount rate. Not included: Lunches other than mentioned, single room, bottled water or beverages, use of credit cards for tour payments, travel insurance (medical/cancellation), Egypt Visa $25 and Istanbul Visa $30 (per person to be purchased online before departure). Terms and Conditions: Registration is made with a $500 deposit per person. Registrations received within 90 days of departure will be assessed a $100 late fee and must be accompanied by payments required by that date. Expenses incurred as a result of expediting documents or information are the responsibility of the passenger. Seats are limited and tour will be closed when filled. All rates are in US dollars, per person, double occupancy. Unless passenger has a preferred roommate, MTT will make every effort to assign a suitable roommate. MTT is not responsible for, nor does it guarantee the finding of a roommate. If no roommate is available for placement, the applicable single room supplement will apply. Tour price is based on a minimum number of passengers. Should the minimum number not be met, tour price is subject to change. The tour price reflects a discount for purchases paid by cash or check. Credit Cards are accepted as a convenience to our customers and are subjected to a 3.5% non-refundable convenience fee. Travel documents: Passports and visas (if needed) are not included in the tour price. All travelers are required to have a passport for all trips outside of the United States which must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of the tour. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship. Non US passport holders are responsible for obtaining visas for the countries they are visiting, if required. You are responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of delays or itinerary changes related to your lack of appropriate travel documents and are therefore ineligible for any refund from MTT. Flight tickets must match passport name and verifying travel documents is the responsibility of the passenger. Cancellations: 100% of Cancellation fees are covered by the optional Travel Insurance Program (Travelex Select) provided premium has been paid and reason for cancellation is insurable. Those who do not purchase insurance should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: Full refund, less $200 handling fee will be made up to 120 days before departure: 119-60 days, $500; 59-30 days, 50% of tour price; less than 29 days, non-refundable. All applicable airfare and overseas operation cancellation fees will be added to the above. You will also be charged a single room fee if your cancellation forces your roommate into a single room. All cancellations must be submitted in writing and will take effect upon date of receipt by MTT. Unused portions of the tour cost are not refundable. Travel insurance: We strongly advise cancellation insurance, which may grant full refund in case of illness or unforeseen events. Travel insurance also covers emergency medical expenses, trip interruption or missed connection and baggage delay. You will find policy details and coverage in the insurance brochure that will be sent to each passenger after the initial deposit and registration has been received, or you may visit www.madisontravel.com for more information. Not included in tour price: Travel Insurance, excess baggage charges, meals other than those provided for, items from hotel room, mini-fridge, telephone calls, laundry, bottled water, liquors, after dinner coffee or tea, personal items, US Customs & Immigration fee, if any, anything not mentioned as included and anything of a personal nature. Please note: A $100 charge per person, per change, will be assessed for any deviation from the prepared tour itinerary. No changes accepted within 90 days of departure. The fare is based on advance purchase excursion rates. All prices are based on currency rates of exchange in effect at the time of printing. If this should increase by more than 2%, a surcharge will be added. The services of any IATA or ARC carrier may be used in conjunction with the tour. MTT acts only in the capacity of agents for all vendors. Your deposit confirms your tour membership and your acceptance of all tour terms and conditions. By accepting tour membership, the tour member agrees that neither the tour operator, nor any of its employees or affiliates shall be liable for any strikes, riots, terrorism, wars, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays, loss or damage resulting from negligence of any vendor. By embarking upon this tour, the traveler voluntarily assumes all risks of damage or loss involved, expected or unexpected. Tour operator reserves the right to refuse any person, before, or during the tour, and to make any changes to the tour should circumstances warrant. CST #2113996-40

JEMS 14-day Inspirational Tour Egypt and Jordan with Nile River Cruise

$4,595 per person, double occupancy

To register, mail completed form with $500 deposit payable to: Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS)

Attn: Rev Dr Sam Tonomura | 948 E Second St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 | (213) 613-0022 | www.JEMS.org

Name Appearing on Passport __________________________________________________________________________________ Last - Surname First - Given Name Middle

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip Code

Contact ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number Email Address

Passport __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number Country of Issue Expiry (MM/DD/YYYY)

Registrations are accepted without passport information. Please begin the process as soon as possible and submit when available. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after return date.

Gender M F Date of Birth _______________________ Name Tag __________________________________________ MM/DD/YYYY Please provide if different from above.

Requested Tour Roommate ___________________________________________________________________________________ Rooming with Spouse (one bed) Single Room (fees apply) Assign Roommate (two beds)

Emergency Contact __________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Phone Number Relation

Credit Card ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number $ Amount (3.5% fee applies) Expiry (MM/YYYY) Code

I agree to the terms and conditions outlined above. _____________________________________________________________

JEMS 14-day Inspirational Tour Egypt and Jordan with Nile River Cruise

$4,595 per person, double occupancy

To register, mail completed form with $500 deposit payable to: Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS)

Attn: Rev Dr Sam Tonomura | 948 E Second St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 | (213) 613-0022 | www.JEMS.org

Name Appearing on Passport __________________________________________________________________________________ Last - Surname First - Given Name Middle

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street City State Zip Code

Contact ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number Email Address

Passport __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number Country of Issue Expiry (MM/DD/YYYY)

Registrations are accepted without passport information. Please begin the process as soon as possible and submit when available. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after return date.

Gender M F Date of Birth _______________________ Name Tag __________________________________________ MM/DD/YYYY Please provide if different from above.

Requested Tour Roommate ___________________________________________________________________________________ Rooming with Spouse (one bed) Single Room (fees apply) Assign Roommate (two beds)

Emergency Contact __________________________________________________________________________________________ Name Phone Number Relation

Credit Card ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number $ Amount (3.5% fee applies) Expiry (MM/YYYY) Code

I agree to the terms and conditions outlined above. _____________________________________________________________