Day 00 - We have arrived in Israel!

We are in Israel! Thank you for all of your prayers asking God for safe traveling mercies. The past 24 hours (or more, not sure) have been full of laughs while brothers got things stuck in sister’s hair, learning how to use the squat toilet and hopelessly searching for baklava in the Istanbul airport. We’ve all enjoyed learning about and bonding with each other, while coming together from so many different places. There is one really cool God moment I would like to share. Before we left the airport in Houston, several of us were sitting at our gate waiting to board. Sitting near us was a mother (dressed in an Islamic hijab) and her four children. Angela and Eden Haynes quickly befriended them - learning their names, ages and where they were traveling. The oldest daughter, probably 9 or 10 years old, said to Eden as she was leaving, “You are the most joyful person I’ve ever met.” Who knows how the Lord could potentially use this interaction for this family. But at the very least, even for just a moment, they experienced the love of Christ! 

For tonight, our tour guide and our bus driver have been incredibly kind in getting us to our hotel. We’ll see what the Lord has for tomorrow! 

 Lauren