Day 1 - Pre-travel

Shalom (Peaceful Hello), Family and Friends!

Israel preparation is well underway as we are counting down these ELEVEN days until departure!

Knowing that travel is inconvenient and uncomfortable, we are prepared to be FLEXIBLE and POSITIVE.

We have thrown down a “No Complaining Rule.”  We are memorizing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and praying through our participants by name and our itinerary by date.   We are watching instructional videos and reading chapters about the Holy Land.  We are shopping for Tactical Snacks…because though we might be tired from crossing time zones, we need not be hungry!  Boots are purchased and broken in.  We are hiking stairs and logging miles.  Turkish towels are prepared to be wrapped, tied, rolled and worn.  Early packers have their start…and procrastinators have their lists!

We are preparing ourselves heart, soul, mind, and strength (emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical) through prayer, study, walking, connecting.  This trip is dedicated and surrendered.

How beautiful that our pilgrimage to Israel coincides with Advent, a season on the Church calendar that includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day.   “Advent” comes from the Latin word “coming” and traditionally candles are lit each Sunday:  the Prophet’s candle = Hope, Bethlehem’s candle = Faith, the Shepherd’s Candle = Joy, the Angel’s Candle = peace.  This season of preparation for the arrival of Jesus as a baby at Christmas also reminds us to anticipate His second coming in the future.  So, while we are preparing for Israel, we are also preparing for our Christmas celebrations and--significantly--our team will be in Bethlehem the week of Christmas!

Let’s continue to remember Jesus as we pray for and prepare to experience Israel!

Shalom (Peaceful Farewell),

-Heather