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(The following is not meant to
provide a detailed description of everything we will be
experiencing. An
extensive syllabus will be provided to each tour member
prior to departure.)
Day 1 –
Thursday, July 24 – USA/UK - Depart from your regional
airport to connect with Continental Airlines at the
Newark/NYC airport for our flight to Bristol, England.
Dinner and breakfast served aloft.
 Day 2 –
Friday, July 25 – Bristol - Mid-morning arrival
at Bristol International Airport where we will be met by
Derek Townsend, our British Travel Operator. Enroute to our
hotel we will make a visit to Wesley Chapel, Methodism’s
first building and the center of John and Charles’ ministry
for many years. It was John’s friend, George Whitefield,
who, having had tremendous “success” in outdoor meetings,
invited him to come to Bristol in 1739 to “take over my
work of preaching to the open-air crowds.” Charles often
visited Bristol during this time and eventually settled
there from 1749-1771. After our visit to Wesley Chapel we
will have lunch together then proceed to elegant
Totworth Court, one of England’s most important
Victorian Gothic mansions, which will be our home and
headquarters for the next four nights. Remainder of
afternoon free. Evening: Dinner at our hotel followed
by a “getting acquainted” time and orientation meeting.
Day 3 –
Saturday, July 26 – Wales - After a hearty
breakfast we will drive across the Severn River to Wales.
Today history is made personal as we visit places that
until now have just been words on a page. Coming to life
will be Moriah Chapel, Loughor, where on the 6th
of November, 1904, the Holy Spirit descended with great
fire in a service where Evan Roberts was speaking. Night
after night Moriah was crowded to capacity with services
running to 4 and 5 AM. This was the beginning of what we
know as the Welsh Revival of 1904-05. Today you’ll
also get acquainted with Daniel Rowland and Howell Harris,
Trefecca and the Talgarth churchyard. These will all come to
life. Evening: Return to hotel for dinner and sharing
time.
Day 4 –
Sunday, July 27 – Wales - Two services, morning and
evening, are being scheduled for today with an afternoon
visit to the country farm birthplace of the great
hymn-writer, William Williams of Pant-y-celyn. Evening:
Return to Totworth Court.
Day 5 –
Monday, July 28 – Bristol/Bath - This morning we will
visit the headquarters of the George Mueller Orphan’s
ministry and will be reminded how this man of faith proved
to the world that there is a God who still hears and answers
prayer. We will then take the short drive to Bath for lunch
on your own with time for personal sightseeing and shopping.
Evening: Return to hotel for dinner and sharing time.
Day 6 –
Tuesday, July 29 – Oxford/London - This morning we drive
to Oxford through the Cotswold area with its many quaint
thatched roof houses. Tour of city upon arrival. Lunch on
your own. Remainder of afternoon free for personal interests
such as shopping or additional sightseeing of this city of
history where Europe’s second oldest University is located.
You may wish to join some of us for a stroll along Addison’s
walk, near Magdalen College, where on September 19, 1931,
J.R.R. Tolkien shared his faith with C.S. Lewis who was soon
to see his need of a Savior. Whatever you decide to do, our
guide will be available to help. We will then meet together
for an “Oxford” supper before driving on to London where we
will have an early check-in at our hotel.
Day 7 –
Wednesday, July 30 – London - Morning tour of the city.
Remainder of day free for shopping, personal sightseeing
such as the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels
are kept, or perhaps a boat ride on the Thames. Our London
guide will be available to assist you. Some may wish to take
in one of the many London musicals tonight. Help in
arranging this prior to the tour departure will be
provided.
Day 8 –
Thursday, July 31 – Bedford/Olney/York - Today
we begin our journey north toward Scotland with a visit to
Bedford, the home of John Bunyan, the “immortal tinker.” It
was here that, during a 12 year imprisonment for his faith,
he wrote Pilgrims Progress, translated into over 200
languages. After a tour of the Bunyan church and museum, and
lunch, we will move on to Olney to visit the burial site of
John Newton and to worship and sing some of his great hymns,
such as Amazing Grace, composed during his ministry
here at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Parish Church. We will
then continue our journey north with an overnight in the
York area. Evening meal together upon arrival.
Day 9 –
Friday, August 1 – York-Edinburgh - This morning will
be given to seeing this city that was once the capital of
Roman Britain, the Vikings and the Normans, during whose
time the foundations of the York Minster, the largest Gothic
Cathedral in England, were laid. Time to browse along the
Shambles and have lunch before heading on to Scotland and
the Edinburgh Marriott, our home for the next
four nights. Dinner upon arrival.
Day 10 –
Saturday, August 2 – Edinburgh – A tour of one of Europe’s
most beautiful cities is scheduled for this morning. In
St. Giles Cathedral we’ll recall how greatly God used
John Knox. Also, in addition to the usual sites, we will
make a memorable stop at the Greyfriars Kirk, where
so many of the Covenanters, who were martyred for
their faith, are buried. The remainder of the day is free
for personal pursuits, shopping, etc. Our guide will be at
our disposal.
Day 11 –
Sunday, August 3 – Revival Sites –
Plans today are for us to drive to Dundee for the morning
service at St. Peter/St. Paul Church where Robert Murray
McCheyne and William Chalmers Burns pastored during a mighty
period of revival. One of our leaders will speak. Lunch and
afternoon in St. Andrews. Evening service yet to be
arranged.
Day 12 –
Monday, August 4 – Cambuslang, Kirk
‘O Shotts, a service in the Kilsyth graveyard where James
Robe is buried and from which George Whitefield preached to
thousands. We will then close our full day of revival
history with a visit to Edinburgh’s Charlotte Chapel, where
Colin and Mary Peckham will tell about the Hebrides Revival.
Dinner at Hotel.
Day 13 –
Tuesday, August 5 – Scotland/Ireland - We head east this morning, past
Glasgow, and on to Stanrear for our ferry-crossing to
Belfast. After checking into our downtown Belfast hotel,
there will be time to get oriented before sharing the
evening meal together. Evening free.
Day 14 -
Wednesday, August 6 - Ulster Revival sites – When God
visited the United States in the Revival of 1857-58, word
reached the British Isles, and especially Northern Ireland.
Two of their leading ministers were sent to investigate and
upon their return and subsequent report, the Irish
Christians began to hunger and pray for an outpouring of
God’s Spirit on their churches, And God was pleased to do
so. We will visit some of these places such as Connor, Kells,
Ballymena, Ahoghill, Coleraine and others. After returning
to our hotel for dinner we will worship with Irish
believers.
Day 15 –
Thursday, August 7 – Belfast area – The day begins with a
tour of Belfast that will include C.S. Lewis sites and a
special surprise guest. We will then have several hours for
shopping and other personal pursuits before returning to our
hotel for dinner and a final worship and sharing time.
Day 16 –
Friday, August 8 – N. Ireland and home – This morning
we make our way to Belfast’s International Airport for our
flight home. We leave, having made new friends, with a mind
full of memories and a heart stirred to pray even more
fervently that God might do it again, even in our
time. |
