The Wheaton College men's basketball team will be traveling to Israel and Palestine from May 14-26, 2016. The team is traveling in partnership with Athletes in Action. The team will spend the first few days in Bethlehem and will then travel to Galilee and Nazareth before concluding the trip in Jerusalem. The men's basketball team will play approximately eight games against professional level teams in Israel including the U18 Israeli National team.
In addition to visiting many of the historic Biblical sites found in the area the team will do a ministry project with the Jerusalem School in Bethlehem. Coach Schauer comments on the trip "This is a really exciting opportunity. To visit the Holy Lands is on every Christian's bucket list. To do so as an intercollegiate men's basketball team only adds to the uniqueness of the trip. All of the trips we have taken over the years have been life marking for each member of the team, myself included. Given the location of this year's trip I believe this will be one of the best international tours we have taken as a program. We are all grateful for the many donors who have supported this trip."
This marks the eighth trip for the program in the last 25 years. In the past the team has traveled to Argentina, Ireland, Spain (twice), Taiwan, South Africa, and India. Updates on the trip will be posted periodically here on the Wheaton athletics webpage and Coach Schauer's Twitter account (@ThunderMBB). Please be sure to check back on this page throughout the trip for updates.
FIFTH RECAP (5/31) ---
FOURTH RECAP (5/23) ---
THIRD RECAP (5/20) ---
SECOND RECAP (5/17) ---
FIRST RECAP (5/15)
FIFTH RECAP (May 31, 2016) - Submitted by Head Coach Mike Schauer
I have attempted to write this final update on our team's trip to Israel and Palestine a few times since our return. However, words do not seem to do the trip justice. I almost cannot describe the experience we had together these past two weeks. Amazing is the word I keep using. This trip was amazing.
Our trip leader, John Farwell, took us to numerous Biblical sites and we read the corresponding scripture in each location. This alone would make the trip special. John's ability to bring scripture to life in this region is unique. We were blessed to have him as our guide. We got to experience living water in the desert of En Gedi, stand in the temple at Capernaum, look over the Sea of Galilee from the heights of the Decapolis, and experience King Herod's wealth while at Caesarea. We walked the Jericho Road. We got to see the Old City of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and walk in the steps of Jesus his last day's on earth. The list of places goes on and on. Scripture comes to life in a new way upon visiting the Holy Lands. But the trip was much more than just visiting Biblical sites.
We were reminded at Bethsaida that Jesus picked ordinary men from ordinary places…and that He is still doing so today. We confessed sin in a desire to be made well at the Pool of Bethesda. We danced and celebrated together after taking communion at the Garden Tomb. We also danced and celebrated with a Palestinian Family who invited us to dinner one night. We shared the Gospel with pro teams in Palestine and individual players in Israel. We did service projects for the Jerusalem School in Bethlehem and were served by Palestinian Christians at the Alexander Hotel. We climbed mountains.
And we played some pretty good basketball as well. I was very encouraged by our effort and our growth. Most nights we started 4 rising sophomores and a rising junior. We played some decent competition including one of Israel's National teams. We had several guys play extremely well including a young man with a last name that followers of Wheaton Basketball will definitely recognize. This group showed the ability to play our "old" pressure man-to-man defense as well as push the ball in transition. I cannot promise too much too soon but I am confident after watching this team perform that this group will be fun to watch. And will eventually be very good.
Finally, I want to thank all the family members, friends, and alums that supported this trip financially. We feel blessed to have had this experience together. This experience impacted each of us individually and will have a ripple effect in our lives for a long time to come.
As always, it is an honor to serve as the Men's Basketball Coach at Wheaton College.
FOURTH RECAP (May 23, 2016) - Submitted by Ricky Samuelson
Yesterday was the seventh day of our trip in Israel. We woke up very early to beat all the tourists to see the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We got to Jerusalem the night before, but this was our first full day in the city. It was cool to see the change of scenery and the different culture in Jerusalem compared to the other cities that we have visited.
We talked at the Temple Mount which has now been built into a shrine for Muslims. Talking here was a little tough with strict security - constantly asking us to move. The new shrine was perfectly detailed and had a gold color shrine on top that was very distinct from other buildings. The original temples from the Old Testament were beneath our feet of the shrine that we looked at today. Also, the first temples were much bigger than the shrine that currently sits on top. Many generations of history were beneath our feet, which was amazing if you think about it. It's crazy to imagine that this is where Abraham was tested with the sacrifice of his son Isaac.
After viewing the temple, we had the opportunity to go through Hezekiah's underground tunnel that he dug for the purpose of getting water into the city. It was built beneath the City of David in ancient times. Going into these tunnels was a tight squeeze for us big basketball players and was pitch black as well! Some of us felt claustrophobic and couldn't wait to get out. It was an 800 foot walk through water up to our knees but was an experience we won't forget. Tiny lights were used to see, but our guide instructed us not to use lights for a large portion of the walk. Afterwards, we talked about how badly we want to "see" in our faith. Do we actually want things we pray for to happen or are we just going through the motions because it's right? We have to open our eyes to see what God actually wants us to do.
Later, we took a tour of the western wall tunnels. These tunnels exposed the western wall of the temple that Herod built. The Romans were advanced technologically and able to bring huge stones in order to form the temple. These stones were so big and heavy that even today they don't know how the Romans were able to move them.
It was finally time for our third game of the trip. Originally, we thought we were playing the u18 National team, but we played the u18 Jerusalem team instead. The Thunder got off to a good start and we didn't look back after that. We ended up winning by about 10.
On day 8, which was today, we started off overlooking the City of Jerusalem on a hill. Here, we took pictures and went over a few Bible passages, specifically the covenant with Abraham. Down the stairs from this view, was an ancient burial tomb. This was a tomb that was similar to the one in which Jesus was buried and seeing it helped us form a picture in our heads of where Jesus was buried. The burial site contained many bodies - each body in one of the holes on the side in the picture.
The next stop was the Mount of Olives which was outside of the city walls and we talked about when Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem before his crucifixion. There is symbolism here because Jesus chose the sheep entrance when riding in the city to show he is taking the sacrifice as if he is an animal sacrifice.
Afterwards, the team got to go inside the Garden of Gethsemane. This is known for being where Jesus went to pray before his crucifixion. We had part of the garden rented out so we could talk and go over the entire story.
In the evening, we went shopping for gifts and then had dinner at our bus driver's house. Our driver was a Muslim. At his house there were about 15 kids that were happy to have the team play with them. We ate a delicious meal, saw our host's little farm and then hung out for a while. Some of the team even did a little dancing with the kids. We look forward to the final few days of the trip.
THIRD RECAP (May 20, 2016) - Submitted by Tyrel Derrick
There are no words. Again, in the early morning sun the team stepped foot out of the hotel, and Day 5 in Israel was under way. The first destination was Mt. Arbel. Mt. Arbel loomed over the Sea of Galilee at roughly three-thousand feet and is the highest point touching the Sea. In order to hike this mountain our group had to climb roughly four thousand feet, due to the Sea of Galilee sitting at seven hundred feet below sea level. Some players' fears were conquered this day. From the peak of the mountain ridge, the group was presented a faith lesson. One unique aspect of this lesson was the speculation that this may have been the very spot in which Jesus directed the "Great Commission" to his disciples which can be read from Matthew 28: 16-20. After this trek, the Synagogue to the north was our next stop and this was believed to be a place in which Jesus would have spoken to spread his ministry.
Bethsaida was the next small historical site we visited. Even though this site lacked a vast size, or a numerous amount of tourists – the importance of this town can travel under the radar. Five disciples were selected by Jesus to follow him in his ministry from this small fishing community. At this site, we ate our lunches and the second half of the day was upon us. We traveled thirty minutes on the bus, and then suddenly two hundred yards in front of our noses was the rushing waters on the Jordan River. The river was not in flood-stage, and in some aspects seemed unimpressive, yet it was so powerful in its role in history that magnitude was not important. For 45 minutes our leader shared the story of Jesus and John from Matthew 3, and then the time had arrived to step in the waterway and immerse our feet in the same waters Jesus and John would have. During this time some players were baptized.
With our wet clothes the team entered back onto the bus and continued the Taghba Springs. This is believed to be the site where Jesus commanded Simon, in Luke 5: 1-11, to "Go where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish" (Verse 5). To the south, the city of Tiberias and the southern tip of the Galilee could be seen from this point. After another brief stop this concluded our fifth day of travel.
Day six was slightly less busy, but the impact of the places we visited must not be diminished. Again, early in the morning, all bags were packed and the group checked out of the hotel at Galilee and we drove to Capernaum. This city was located on the Via Marris, a major trade route, and Peter's house is located in this city. The Catholic Church now manages this site, and it is believed the specific home of Peter is marked by a third century church being built around this location. During Jesus' teaching of his disciples this is also the place in which Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8: 14-17) and many others.
The second destination of Day 6 was the Roman city of Suista. This was a city dedicated to the pagan god Dionysus. Jesus came to this place in Mathew 8: 28-34 and cast out the legion of demons from one man into a swine of pigs. Where he did this was two hundred feet below where we were standing. As this lesson concluded the next stop of the trip was Beit She'An. This was another Roman city in which Jesus would have directed his disciples to go and spread the good news to this city. The ancient ruins of Beit She'An were incredible and vast. Also at this site was a colosseum where gladiators and slaves would have fought. To finish out the day after lunch, the group traveled to Gidona. This was the place in which God would have spoken to the Judge Gideon and led him to victory. The very stream in which Gideon used to select his men in the story, we dangled our feet in while our leader talked. Lastly, the team settled into the hotel in Nazereth in which we are staying, and we are currently waiting more days ahead.
SECOND RECAP (May 17, 2016) - Submitted by Mark Champion
Today was our third day in Israel/Palestine. After breakfast, that was made by our great hosts at the Alexander Hotel in Bethlehem, we had an hour and a half long bus ride to the Dead Sea. Our first stop there was at En Gedi, which is mentioned in 1st Samuel as the place where David took refuge from Saul. Although it is not an easy hike for those who are scared of heights, the scenery at En Gedi was in my opinion the prettiest we have seen in Israel so far. It was nestled in a canyon, or "Wadi", where there were beautiful waterfalls, fantastic views of the Dead Sea, and swimming holes along the trail.
Our guide for the trip, John Farwell, jumped in one swimming hole and had us all jump in after him. It was another very hot day today, so we all jumped in with all our clothes on without much of a second thought.
Next we went to the caves of Qumran, which is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written and later discovered. There, we walked through what remains of the settlement where it is believed that the Essenes lived. It was interesting to see how well preserved the settlement was for being 2000+ years old.
Lastly, we went to the Dead Sea where we got to float. Also, our host John bought us ice cream and cold drinks after our long day in the hot sun, which we were very grateful for. For many of the guys on the trip, including myself, floating in the Dead Sea was something we had hoped we would get to do in Israel, so it was great to get the chance to experience the feeling of weightlessness in the Dead Sea.
To finish our day, we had a game tonight against the second-best team in Palestine. We have been honored to be able to play in the first two games in the new gym in Beit Sahour. We won again tonight, making us 2-0 so far here on our trip.
Tonight is our last night in Bethlehem, which is bittersweet because our time here has been very enjoyable because we have loved getting to explore this great biblical city and interact with the friendly people here, but we are excited to see what God has in store for us on the rest of our trip!
FIRST RECAP (May 15, 2016) - Submitted by Zack Kvam
What a long few days! It feels like weeks have gone by since we were in Wheaton but it has only been a day or two since we left. Toronto was a fun stop before the long plane to Tel Aviv. Stepping off the plane we were warmly greeted with 100 degree temperatures! Staying hydrated is a must.
We met our great host John Farwell at the airport and boarded a bus that took us to Tel Gezer. We had a fantastic picnic and John took is to many great spots around Tel Gezer. We learned a ton from John and the coolest thing he showed us were ruins left from the Canaanite period and as we moved higher in the hills we could fast forward through time and see the remains of the gate of a city during the time of Solomon. We then checked into our hotel in Bethlehem!
John left us to go coach his basketball team while one of his Palestinian friends led us through the Church of the Nativity. After a wonderful tour we returned to the hotel and were greeted by a great buffet meal. We have already learned, seen and experienced so much and we have just started.
Exhausted from the travel we hope to refuel with a good night's sleep and continue our journeys tomorrow.
