There were three of us traveling from Dallas. Jeremy (middle) is from Frisco and Johnny is from Fort Worth.

Our 11.5 hour flight from Dallas to Istanbul was pleasant and not very full. In Istanbul, we met other travelers from Houston and the main group left from Chicago. We learned that the group from Los Angeles would miss their connection and will not get to Israel until 4:00 tomorrow. These things happen when you travel.

There are folks from all over the country in various aspects of ministry, from senior pastors to non profit directors to elders and teachers.

We landed in Israel around 8:30 local time (12:30pm in Dallas).

Security is tight in a country that can’t have it any other way. But in general, there are advantages to traveling with a group and we were expedited as much as possible. After we cleared passport control and customs we loaded a bus headed for our hotel. In the short trip we already learned some geography. The airport is in the costal plain. Within minutes we started to climb elevation. In a half hour we were in he mountains of Judea.

I’m thankful for all of your prayers and I had plenty of time to pray over you all as well.

Wednesday, we will head to Kiriath Jearim where the Ark was returned in 1 Samuel 6-7, and Tel Arad, which is where the people thought it was ok to worship God in their own way, not the way He prescribed in His Word.

More updates soon!