Gresham, Oregon - Gresham-based Where He Walked Ministries is forming a tour to Israel especially designed for impaired travelers. The tour, named "Israel, More Slowly," is being tailored specifically for persons with limited mobility, people who can walk with the assistance of cane, crutch, walker, or are just a slow walker because of age or infirmity. The tour is to take place March 15-27, 2010.

Ministry director, Greg Pietz, said the idea for the trip began with a tour he organized in 2007. A number of people said they would like to go to Israel, but were afraid they couldn't keep up with the group. That, and having friends with mobility impairments, prompted Greg to research tour companies that specialize in handicap tours. "Israel has nothing that approximates our ADA standards," he said, noting the fact that most pilgrim sites are thousands of years old.

Pastor Pietz made a special trip to Israel in March to pre-walk many of the sites that will be visited on the tour and to visit with representatives of two of the more complex sites. He also met with the owner of a tour company that specializes in providing services for tourists of varying degrees of mobility. "That was helpful," he said. "He shared a lot of insight regarding touring with disabilities in places that are definitely not barrier free."

"We're talking about archaeological sites made available to tourists by uneven paths of a variety of materials," says Pietz, who is an ordained Lutheran minister. "The old city of Jerusalem is particularly challenging. Most of the streets are paved with cut stone, some dating to the time of Christ. Buildings and historic sites are multi-layered, with few ways to avoid stairs and virtually no elevators." He continues, "While little can be done about the terrain and steps, alternative entrances and coordination with site custodians can reduce accessibility barriers. Also, adjusting the pace of the tour can help. Slowing things down, providing more rest, finding different entrances and letting folks know in advance what barriers they will face before they arrive at a site gives them choices in regard to doing only what they feel able to do - that's the thrust of this trip."

While the tour is being designed with slow walkers in mind, Pietz is quick to add, "Fully able walkers are encouraged to come. This tour is a full tour that will cover the same sites that are typical for Christian tours in Israel. We'll just cover them more slowly."

Where He Walked Ministries, LLC, is the personal endeavor of Pastor Pietz. Though not officially connected to the church, the ministry is based at Greater Grace Lutheran Brethren Church, Portland. More information about the ministry or the March 2010 trip can be found on the ministry's website.