The Grafted Experience

Sometimes it isn't the ancient stones that are the most exciting news out of Israel, though the ruins from times gone by have a weighty significance. The story of Israel is as new as it is ancient. It spans human history and continues forward in ways that we can share in and impact. Today the people are living stones which communicate a unique story about what God is doing in our time.

Tomorrow's history is created by today's activity and it is ready to be molded by those who will actively pursue it. The Grafted tour of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) is the perfect event to join if you are a young adult and want to contribute to the story of Israel. Grafted was started by our director, Liesl Hedding Maas, in 2003 as a global vehicle for young adults to express their love and support for Israel through practical educational and social programs. In January I joined the team as the Jerusalem Coordinator and project manager. It has been an incredible experience and really culminated in the July Summer Hands-On Tour.

We had 24 participants representing 13 different nations. The international aspect of the tour is one of its greatest strengths, though there are many. We engaged in a variety of service projects including a house make-over for a woman rescued from human trafficking, a musical program for Holocaust survivors, a fun-filled day camp for children of Sudanese refuge