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Our group of 23 were delighted to receive the Ichthus pins for our pilgrimage tour to Israel. They were proudly worn by all on the trip.

"Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" And they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:27-29). The population was not Jewish, so Jesus could teach the twelve in peace.

On our visit to this site, on the southwestern slope of Mount Hermon and the northernmost extent of Jesus' ministry, we were observed wearing our Ichthus pins by another group of international tourists.  They pointed and said 'fishy! fishy! Christian? It was special to be able to declare and celebrate together that we are Christians at the site Jesus chose to ask the question 'who do people say I am?'

Israel's Independence Day (9th May in 2011) was the day we travelled from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem and en route made a stop at Wadi Kelt (The Valley of the Shadow of Death). There were several young Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers on duty at the lookout. We talked with them briefly and they were delighted to discover we were Australians. They had a good knowledge of the account of the Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba (Be'er Sheva) in October 1917. This was a significant victory for the Allies which enabled the liberation of Jerusalem. They were quite taken by the pins and asked what they represented. We were able to explain that they declared we were Australian Christians. Three of us volunteered our Ichthus pins as gifts to them, they immediately and proudly attached them to their uniforms.

Thanks again for the generosity of providing the pins for the group.

Blessings,

Bev and David