Day 00 - ARRIVAL

Travel Day: Grand Rapids – Chicago – Istanbul – Tel Aviv. Shalom! Thank you for following our trip through the Holy Land and for your prayers as we step “in the text” of Scripture.

We have safely arrived in Tel Aviv after a day (or 2…we’ve lost track!) of travel. Our journey began on a coach bus from the Ada Bible Church East Paris Campus. Pastor Brad prayed over our group as we began our travels to Chicago and beyond. You may wonder how long it takes 47 people to get checked in and through security at the international terminal of O’Hare? One hour!

Our flight from Chicago to Istanbul was smooth, with only minor turbulence. It was the largest plane many of us have ever been on – 9 seats across! Ten hours, a little sleep and two full meals later, we landed as the passengers clapped for our crew.

We then had a few hours in the massive Istanbul airport to find coffee (Starbucks!) and food and walk to stretch our legs. Our final leg of the journey was a 2-hour flight from Istanbul to Tel Aviv. We arrived on time, made it through customs and met our GTI guide Dan and our driver (and lunch chef!) Egal. Egal will also be in charge of cooking our lunches on-site while we tour. Lunches are going to be a fun and special part of the experience.

Dan read Acts 9:32-35, a passage which recounts Peter meeting and healing a man in the name of Jesus. Dan let us know the airport is in the town of Lydda where this event happened. Biblical history surrounds us, and we cannot wait to encounter the living Word in the geography.

We have checked into our hotel and are ready for a fast but good night’s sleep. Please pray as we begin our study tour tomorrow. We will start early (6:30 Israeli time) on little sleep, in the heat and adjusting to being 7 hours ahead. We all desire to absorb as much as possible, believing God will meet us personally and collectively in powerful ways.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21