Testimonials

December 5, 2006

Dear Elisha:

Shalom!

It has been almost a month since we returned form our Israel tour, and we are still basking in the wonderful memories. There were 49 people in our group, and each one has had his life impacted in a profound way.

This was the fifth time that I traveled with a group from Heavenly Tours, and the fourth time being group leader. This trip was the best ever. Once again we enjoyed working with you and all the special touches you added to make the trip unique and menaningful. Your knowledge of the country is unsurpassed. The farewell dinner was delightful and impressive with Raphael Ben Hur from the Department of Tourism bringing greetings and sharing his insights.

With the excellent guides you choose and the Scriptures and other helps you provide, you make it easy to lead a group. I believe any pastor could do so and have a successful trip.

We look forward to traveling with you in the future!

Sincerely,
Jerry Brooks

Dear Elisha and Merle,

I want to again thank you for the wonderful experiences you provided March 5 – 14, 2007 tour. Not only did I experience Israel, but I experienced the presence of God and my Mom in Israel. You see, on March 5, 2006 , my Mom passed away.  I never had any interest in going to Israel, but somehow I was lead to the Holy Land on Mom's spiritual life anniversary.  Yes I had some difficult days during the trip, but our Great God renewed my Faith,  by guiding me through the Holy Land with the awesome sights, prayers and new friends we've made.  Pastors Greg and Tim were so supportive.  We were blessed to have 5 pastors on the trip!My friend Dorothy and I have been telling everyone of our experiences and have had several requests for future trips. 

Please give Yuval my regards - he was incredible!  The best tour guide I have ever had. My friend Dorothy and I have been telling everyone of our experiences and have had several requests for future trips. 

God Bless you - Shalom,
Jeanne Bauer

April 6, 2007

Dear and good friend Elisha,

You were wonderful at worship last evening!

There were many positive comments made as the people were leaving the meetinghouse. You made a very good impression on everyone and they appreciated all that you said.

May you have wonderful holidays. I will never forget you comparing Passover to our celebration of Thanksgiving which is my favorite holiday!

Sincerely,
Karl

Elisha,

Thanks so much for the amazing tour... You and Merle are great hosts and gracious people. I will never forget the memories that have been made on this trip and I hope that you will continue to be successful in blessing people with your tours.

Thanks again!
Nathan Miller

March 20, 2007

I wanted to send you a note of appreciation for the well-planned tour to Israel that I was privileged to be a part of this month. Every detail was taken care of for us, and just the fact that the owners of Heavenly Tours International would accompany our group was such a blessing and honor!

One of the highlights of the tour was the time spent at Kfar Blum. What a truly peaceful place! Pastoral is the perfect name for it. Thank you, Elisha for allowing us a glimpse fo your childhood spent there. I think we all fell in love with the man that little boy grew up to be.

Our little group from Litchfield, Illinois will be whole-heartedly promoting your next tour. It truly is one-of-a-kind, and the best of the best!

My God richly bless you both as you contine to introduce many thousands more to the beauty and history and heritage of the Holy Land. It certainly has been of the biggest blessings of my life!

Shalom! ...and much love,
Charlotte Lowe

Yes, we went to the Holy Land with Heavenly Tours in November 2005. Wonderful trip!! We had also gone to Alaska with them and to Turkey right after 9/11/01, of all things!! Elisha & Merle Ben Yitzhak of Heavenly Tours run perfectly and marvelous group tours, and you can't go to The Holy Land without Elisha & Merle!! Elisha was born in a Kibbutz in Israel where we stayed for 3 nights on our tour!!

Maude-Ruth

11/18/2006

Dear Merle & Elisha,

Where do I begin to thank you both for a trip of a lifetime to Israel? Paul and I so enjoyed every moment and iw was all so well planned and executed. I have still been writing in my wonderful Holy Land book that you gave us - we share memories daily and I know we will continue to do so. If I forget what we did on a certain day, Paul remembers or visa versa! We loved the Kibbutz experience and our personal long walk along the Jordan River as the sun set; the food was superb as well as the service and I truly love the Spa experience. The highlight was the Sea of Galilee boat trip and the gospel hymns we sang as well as communion in the Garden - actually many highlights! So many to treasure. We are grateful we have seen Israel and walked where our savior walked - it was a privilege! Thank you both for making it so outstanding and special!

Fondly,
Holly and Paul

11/10/2006

Dear Merle & Elisha,

Shalom -

What a wonderful time we all had together! Thank you for all of the caring effort you put into making our tour such a success. I want to sincerely thank you for the olive wood carving of the praying hands. It is right in front of me in my office where I will see it every day and remember our time together. It is a beautiful gift.

Until next time,
Sue L.

Dear Merle & Elisha,

Upon looking back on our recent tour that you provided, we are so blessed that we were able to take the trip. The tour was wonderful, and thank you for putting everything together for us. Also, thank you for the birthday cake. That was very special.

May God richly bless you and your business,
Tom & Betty Sabatino (Mama Mia)

Thank you both

For the wonderfully planned journey through Israel. The experience was a great opportunity and was deeply appreciated by me, and I am sure by all on the trip.

Weldon

12/14/2006

Dear Merle & Elisha,

I wanted to express my gratitude for everything you and Heavenly Tours did to make my recent trip to Israel so special. From the earliest pre-meetings and information packets to the arrival back in Milwaukee, everything was seamless, well organized and well managed. Your attention to detail allowed me to focus on the wonder of Israel without ever having to think about the logistics. (As an event marketing professional, not having to focus on the details & logistics made this a true vacation!)

As to the wonder of Israel - it is truly amazing. The mix of history, spirituality, scenery, culture, religion, politics and people make Israel a very unique and special place. Our guide, Yuval, was wonderful! His knowledge and ability to communicate brought all of the unique characteristics of Israel to light and helped me to better understand not only my spiritual roots but also some of the more recent history and turmoil in the country. He also did a great job of coralling our group and always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. I am very glad that Yuval was our guide!

Once again, thank you very much for all your planning and attention to detail - this was a trip I will never forget and will treasure always.

Sincerely,
Ann W. Janikowsky

11/16/2006

My Testimonial of the Holy Land Tour
October 30 - November 8, 2006

Not only did I experienced Israel, but experienced the presence of God in Israel. The overwhelming sites and the biblical scenes revived me and renewed my faith.

How could I ever forget His sweet presence warming my heart while I sang praises to my King standing in the boat in the Sea of Galilee? The waters rocked the boat in silent praise and my soul found rest!

How can words describe walking into the waters of the Jordan River?  There, I experienced the most incredible feeling of intimacy with God.  In a moment I felt His touch and His love all at once and I just wanted to love Him back.  The words “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine” became my words.  The moment will be forever part of me…. profound…. sacred.  My beloved took my breath away! 

From this moment on my heart dictated my actions.  The indescribable feeling of wonder, the desire to worship and adore my Lord was not to be denied.  I am so grateful that the next stop provided me with the opportunity to do just that while I sang “How Great is My God”… for all will see how great is my God!  Peace covered and surrounded me like a blanket and I fell to my knees in adoration. 

The sights of Massada recount the magnificence and splendor of nature blended with history, the Dead Sea telling a story of its own….  Yet, nothing compares to the feeling of finally seeing Jerusalem.  My heart burned within me.  Seeing the streets of Jerusalem by night, bursting with the emotions of the Shabbat… people coming and going, families by the hand… children running…. The Wailing Wall surrounded by women of all ages chanting, praying, their bodies rocking back and forth.  I took it all in and I hurt for them and for those lost in the darkness.  As I receded from the Wall, walking backwards in reverence of the moment…, I prayed for peace and I was thankful for receiving the Messiah.

Walking into the Upper Room and feeling God’s power was one and the same.  God’s power and anointing shook my very being.  His Word given to us as we stood there reminded me of promises that will come to pass.  With tears running down my face, my lips spoke His language…just as He had promised… His power and manifestation are evident 2,000 years later.

Bethlehem made me sort of sad.  For in the little place of Bethlehem I smelled religiosity.  I know His humble birth and I am thankful for my heart is truly His manger.  Later, as I stood worshiping in St. Anne’s Church, my name took a new meaning, for according to tradition Ana was Mary’s mother.  Sitting in a rustic bench we sang Halleluyah! And once again my heart busted in gratitude.  As I remained seating there a prayer was born from deep within my heart for my friends and family back home… and I smiled as me and God shared a secret….

Walking the streets of Old Jerusalem, watching the people rushing by their ordinary day, made me part of their history.  Down the Via Dolorosa,  I was in awe as I walked through the city gates where my Lord walked 2,000 years ago.  Just as Psalm 125 says:  “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever”.  His promise is mine!

Standing up in the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, I joined Him as I wept in a cry for mercy for His people.   The magnificent view clouded by my tears, a sob breaking deep within me.

How special and fitting was to end our tour at the Empty Tomb.  I wanted to laugh and dance of joy for the Tomb is empty. This time I had tears of joy and while I sat by myself outside the tomb I sang:  “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.  My God, my Savior has ransomed me.  And like a flood, His mercy reigns, unending love…. Amazing grace….” There I confessed once more my love for Him as I shared communion and remembered all He has done for me.  His sweet voice within my heart promising me a new beginning, He is my place of rest.  In what other way can I thank Him, but to lay my life at His feet in total surrender?

Annie Lopez

11/19/2006

Dear Merle & Elisha,

This is the second opportunity we have had to tour with you and the second primo experience. 

The combination of Merle, Elisha, our two pastors, Karl and Sue and the extremely experienced guide, Yuval gave us a wonderful mix of culture, history and religion. Your knowledge, planning and organization skills were evident in how smoothly everything was handled. The Holy Land now has a more profound and special meaning to us.

Thank You for making this special experience possible.

Best Regards,
Linda & Doug Nie

11/13/2006

I began looking into going back to the Holy land a year ago. I had made one trip with heavenly tours in 1998. It was perfect than and it was perfect now. I tried and tried to find a touring company that could offer me More for Less. It just was not out there. From start to finish, Elisha took care of everything and if you are like me , you need that.The airline's he works with is the safest in the industry, the tour guide was knowledgeable in Jewish history , Israel history and yet he even knew my Christian history. He was amazeing.The bus was so clean and comfortable. The bus driver never ever made us feel afraid and the places we went were totally safe and comfortable.The food and hotels were out of this world. Fabulous is all I can say about them. I could never get so much on one tour as I did with Elisha and his wife Merle. From the time I got off the plane in Israel until we began our trip back to the states I felt totally Safe,Pampered ,and my every need was taken care of .So please, book with Heavenly Tours, it is not just a travel company, it is a man and a wife who love serving people, giving value for the dollar spent and who will do everything possible to make your dream of going to the Holy Land a Dream come true, just as they have mine, TWICE. Thank you again, Elisha and Merle.

Shalom,
Bonnie Prince
Huntsville, Alabama

10/30/2006

Dear Elisha and Merle:

Happy New Year! May God's blessings be yours in abundance in the coming year.

I was thinking about our years together, and realized how many times you have blessed me. So many extras. Like letting me stay in Jerusalem for extra days at the King Solomon (their staff was very kind to me). I have so many happy memories of our times together. Also of Israel. I get homesick for all the precious people I have known there.

I know there are many more examples of your love and consideration, but just wanted to mention a few, and let you both know I love you! Also it has been a blessing to get to know some of your families. I do hope they are all doing well - you too!

Shalom, and blessings,
Love,

Mary Bates

6/1/2006

Dear Elisha & Merle -

Thank you so very much for planning such a wonderful trip to Greece for Spring Creek Church. We enjoyed every minute of this once-in-lifetime vacation. The special attention you give to all the details was quite evident to the both of us. Hopefully, we'll be able to join you again for some future date. Several people at Northwestern Mutual asked me for your address.

Gerrie & Doug Dunning

Dear Elisha and Merle,

What an absolutely wonderful vacation! It was so nice having everything taken care of for you. We didn't have to worry about a thing. You took care of everything from the wake up calls to the dinner reservations and everything in between. You did an outstanding job. It truly was a vacation. We had a great time. It was unbelievable to visit all the places we've read about in the Bible. We're looking forward to the trip to Israel next year. Thank you again for putting together such an excellent trip.

Gary & Cheryl Schellhaas