Last year my wife and I visited Israel and really loved it. This month we were blessed with the opportunity to go back and bring the entire family; this time on a mission trip with our church.
I normally do some kind of online fundraiser prior to taking missions trips, but I did not this time due to the security-sensitive and controversial nature of the location. While I’m not going to share all the details, I do want to give a quick update and share some pictures.
The trip was a success, and it was great to see a different side of Israel compared to our tourist trip last year. This time we spent more time in Tel Aviv, got to know some people, and were privileged to visit some IDF (military) bases.
Here are some pics…
Tel Aviv
A long exposure experiment – trying to capture a feeling in the air.
We brought a dance team from our church, my wife is the director
Dancing in Israel
My family
The end of Shabbat at the Western Wall
Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem
I’ve posted more pictures from the trip on my Google+ account: view them here.
As always, you are welcome to leave your comments below.
Have a great day!
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Please contact me. I have a way to bless the nation of Israel through agriculture and I need your help.
Those are awesome pics. Thanks for sharing them with us. Keep spreading THE word.
Pray for the Peace of Israel.
“Were privileged to visit some IDF (military) bases!” Saw what your tax is going into?
Thanks for sharing. I love Israel love to go one day (must save up). Great to see your family, we too had three boys and two girls. God bless JP
Hi Eric,
Great pictures!
Though I do not fancy travelling but I enjoy seeing pictures or documentaries of interesting
places particularly those of unique cultures
and people. Cheers
Not sure why you mix religion with work? Quite unprofessional.
Congratulation!
I’m glad to see your family in happiness and your town’s in freedom.
wow,,, I wish to be there too.. in the land of jesus died for us…Amen
Now that is a memory to last a lifetime most kids just see Disney Land! Thanks for sending the pictures they are beautiful.
Your Student
David
Definitely something for my bucket list. Beautiful over there. I have numerous Israeli acquaintances and they tell me that Israel is a must see in one’s lifetime.
Like I said… controversial!
I normally don’t respond to comments like this, as I don’t need to defend my faith here, but I actually disagree with you from a business standpoint. Injecting your personality and bits of your personal life into a business blog is a good way to connect with your readers. My faith and mission trips happen to be an important part of my personal life, so I think its fitting to talk about it from time to time. You could even say its a part of my brand. I have never promoted myself as a “Christian marketer”, and that is in no way my intent. My intent is to be authentic.
Wow..I like the pics and thanks for sharing them with us. Luv to visit Israel one day.
Very well said! And thank you for being authentic.
Well said Eric, I’m sure your children learned a great deal on the trip. Blessings to you and your family,Chris
Eric,
I’m Blessed to have found you and your training. I can see that you have been blessed with a large Family take care. thank you !!
Keep up the great work Eric. I see nothing ‘unprofessional’ in what you have presented here. You made it clear it was personal in your email. That is a trip that my wife and I also want to do in the near future.
God Bless
I was hoping that you would post some pictures, thanks.
DEAR ERIC
GOD BLESS YOU AND ALSO TO YOUR FAMILY, PLEASE HELP ME BY GIVING THE ADDRESS OF SOME LOWCOST , SKILLED AND HONEST WEBSITE BUILDER AND CONTENT WRITER, IF THERE IS FREE SERVICE PROVIDER , THEN THAT WILL BE FINE FOR ME, WHO IS BEST IN HOSTING OF WEBSITE– SUJIT/BABLA
Thank you Eric for sharing different aspects of your life with us. I appreciate all of the information that you have shared with us. To me you’re genuine. Just keep being yourself. May God continue to bless you and your family.
WOW!
Awe-Inspiring photos! Beautiful Pictures!
Beautiful Family!
Beautiful Israel
Beautiful God we serve!
THANKS for sharing. 🙂
P.S. Thankful your safe!
Eric, I have always supported and admired Israel- a nation that does its best to live in peace with their neighbors, even though those neighbors would love to totally destroy her. She is a beacon of freedom and free enterprise in the middle east, and the U.S. MUST stand with her. God Bless you and your family Eric, and God Bless Israel too.
I do not doubt your sincerity or your integrity. Nevertheless, without knowing it or planning it, your references to faith, church and family can aid and abet crooked online marketers in their scammy business practices. I know whereof I speak. Almost three years ago I fell for someone like that. I fell for him only because he used his ‘faith’ and ‘church’ and ‘family’ throughout his recruitment talk.
I trusted him, because I thought we had something very important in common, even though it was not the same church.
The crushing disappointment which followed the loss of my investment is surpassed only by the much earlier death of a loved one. Had it not been for my trust ‘founded in my faith’, I would have long forgotten the whole bad deal.
The following gives more detailed information, if you’re interested: http://www.squidoo.com/beware-this-is-a-scam-
Lis
Thanks for sharing Eric. Nice pics. The kids are growing up quick.
I had to respond to this.
I never knew Eric was a Christian, so obviously
he doesn’t put it out there to often.
What I don’t get is how can it be unprofessional? We all mix our religion with our work. We have to, it’s a part of who we are.
No matter what you beleive it affects what you do, how you do it, your character, values, opinions, principles, morals…
One thing I do know is that I would rather do business with someone that is going to treat me fairly than a lot the IM hucksters I have done business with. 🙂
Eric, I hope you and your family had a wonderful trip and that you gave and were given to.
BTW, what was all that in the sky in the long
exposure?
Thanks Eric and family for sharing those wonderful pictures of your trip to Irael. Keep the faith.
Totally agree Eric! No one is perfect, not even Christians, but knowing you ARE a Christian gives me a better understanding of you and your values. Well done and great pics.
John, you are totally missing the mark my friend, I cannot see how this is ‘unprofessional’! It would certainly be dishonest if Eric omitted to tell us things because he didn’t want us to know he was a Christian!
What a beautiful family and you are so blessed to see Israel as a family – wonderful memories for those kids! Thanks for sharing…
Dad is quite the photographer!
Well , your tax money is not going to building bases , that’s not true . But your goverment does give Israel something between 2-3 billion dollars annually that go to purchasing American weaponry/warcrafts(like advanced types of rockets , striking airplanes like the F-135 in the coming years) and also to fund , or jointly fund toghether with Israel , the development of systems/weapons . Some of them are defensive and amazing if you ask me(for example – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Dome) . The American administration does not give Israel money for civillian aims any longer cause Israel is a developed country after decades you’ve helped us a lot and we are now standing on our feet . Despite that , lots of private Americans such as Evangalist christians and Jews donate a lot of money to Israel – but it’s because they want to , because they feel a connection to the country and support it , they don’t have to donate anything obviously . The two countries also have deep and vast mutual trade , but that’s business that is good to the buyer and to the seller obviously . USA is the biggest import and export market of Israel by far .
Hi Eric,
I’m first glad to know that you and your family were not hurt from the fires. I was truly concerned and I’m happy you are okay.
It also appears you had a wonderful experience in Isreal.I hope one day to visit Isreal too.
Warm Regards,
Stan R.
Eric, I agree with your thoughts on your personal life and beliefs. Some people won’t like it, and it takes convictions. It’s unfortunate that some marketers are as profane as can be (very unprofessional), and no one comments on that, but when you write about helping people find a greater faith in God, someone criticizes it.
But you did something good, and unselfish. That’s always a good thing.
What a great way to bless Israel. May the Lord bring peace upon her.
Eric has done a good job…sharing his personal life and his passion for the mission fields!
Eric, thanks for sharing with us these wonderful pics of Israel ..& keep up your good work..God Bless
Most of you guys are quite deluded and need to get some enlightenment of what is really going on beyond internet marketing . . .
Dare to find out the truth and watch these free movies beginning with the one from 2007
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
Whether a person is christian or not it is what the person believes in that makes them who they are. We all mix what we believe in thru all our daily activities.
It is the criticism of others that keeps us separated.
May we all walk the path of peace and harmony, whether it is in our personal life or in business.
Keep up the good work Eric.
In the next time give me a call. welcome.
🙂
Gabriel
Israel
Lis, that’s a shame that someone took your money without giving you what they promised, while claiming to be a Christian. I’d encourage you to keep learning and growing anyway, and hopefully your efforts in online marketing will pay off. Don’t stay in despair and bitterness, or it will do more harm than the person who cheated you.
But when someone is genuine, they’re not aiding the crooks. That’s simply not true. One of the tricks of con artists is to use “religion” to try to get past people’s defenses. I saw a story on TV about a con artist who posed as a minister. But other ministers shouldn’t quit their work because of that. Jesus had many problems with religious leaders who had the wrong motives, but he was the greatest leader of them all.
Agree heartily with your affirmation of Eric and who he is as an authentic Christian in business. Great sharing! I enjoyed Israel in 1981.
John, I usually don’t reply to comments like yours but… Why do you think you have the right to decide for others what they can or cannot say or believe?
All I can think of calling people like you are the “thought Nazis”. Yours are the only opinions that count?
Anyway, thank you Eric for being authentic and wishing you and your family all the best.
God bless.
Thanks for sharing about your work, trips, photos and all. May you and your family be blessed in many ways.
Hi Eric
I love to see your beautiful family. Looks like the holiday went well. I agree that it’s good to see the real person behind the business. Thanks.
Janny
Eric
Glad to see you and the family back safe.
Stay Blessed
So glad you got to visit Israel! The “unholy” land. Hope you also got to see Gaza and the West Bank! 🙂
Eric I agree with my namesake about walking the path of peace and harmony, and hope your mission would encourage the IDF to turn the other cheek, if not to “beat swords into ploughshares”.
i and my family and all my Sea Coast Gospel Ministry-India greet you and your family and all your Church members in the matchless name of Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
i request you please pray for my ministry needs.
we have so many problams. thanking you brother.
your brother in Christ.
Pastor N.John
Thank you for your faith in the nation of Israel. May God bless you so much.
Great pictures!
I’ll bet it was a very emotional trip as well – God bless.
Dave
Hi Eric
I admire your pretty family and wish you a lot of happiness and success. Your children look so healthy and express a lot of live curiosity.
Eric I have still one question. I did not receive all lessons Eric’s TIP from you. You have finished with sending them and you still owe me the lessons 85 to 100. I would appreciate very much if you could send me them soon. Thank you and best regards Marija
Eric always knows ahead of time that when he posts something like this he gets a mix of responses – some cutting or harsh – yet he does it anyway.
Bless you always Eric (and family) and do not fret (I know you don’t) about the negatives that get posted.
God is with you and so nothing will truly harm you. I have been on your list long enough to know that you are never self-serving and your work is ultimately to honor Our Lord. Thank you for the beautiful photos – especially since I may never get a chance to visit there and your good images help me SEE. <