It’s Sunday today and I’m not in Israel anymore. I’ve been back five days now and am getting adjusted to the home time zone. (See K—-g’s Rules of travel.) Today was the first time back in my home church. It was good to be back. Lot’s of people welcomed me back and wanted to know a bit about the trip. I appreciated their genuine interest and willingness to listen to more than a brief sound bite. I used the word ‘awesome’ an awful lot as I tried to explain the experience. I’m glad I had the opportunity to express gratitude to a former member of Parchment CRC, the church that made this trip possible.

Someone asked me, “What was the the one best part of the trip?” That’s a tough one. How do you answer that? How do you answer that when there were so many ‘one best parts.’ He didn’t have all day to listen to all of my ‘one best parts.’ He had to go have lunch with his gramma after all. Besides there are some ‘best parts’ that I still have a tough time verbalizing without developing a throat lump and the lip/chin quiver and turning into a blubbering idiot. Maybe in a few weeks the words will be able to squeeze through and make it out – like we did in Hezekiah’s Tunnel. That was one of those ‘best parts.’

Even in some of the songs we sang today, I was caught with stuck words and wet eyes. Key words like wilderness and shepherd brought back images and memories from Israel. Concepts like God’s care, Christian community and sharing our stories reminded me of lessons learned on the trip. Little did the worship planner know when she and the Spirit were planning today’s service what effect those selections would make.

Tomorrow is Monday. I’ll still be home and not in Israel. That’s a good thing. There are important things to be done here and I’m better equipped to take on those tasks.

Coming soon…. Two more Photo Themes of the Day. 🙂

Water is essential for survival. As we traveled the land of Israel we experienced first-hand the need for water. It seemed fitting that one of the PTOD should focus on water.

For most days of our Israel trip I would have a photo theme of the day, not always related to the lessons of the day.

Feet covered by good shoes were essential for a successful Israel trip. We walked miles. We walked up. We walked down. We walked through tunnels wet and dry. We walked in cities, in the wilderness and in well watered places. We walked in the land where Jesus walked.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” Isaiah 52:7

For most days of our Israel trip I would have a photo theme of the day, not always related to the lessons of the day.

Hats! essential equipment for touring the land.  They were a stylish way to keep the sun from beating down on our heads and faces.  Check out our mobile shade providers.

Let’s review.

1. Generally, the time traveled is less than or equal to the time stayed.

2. Always live in the time zone you are in.

3. Pack what you will use and use what you pack… ordinarily.

So… how did these work out for me in Israel? #1 – No problem, although the flight from Tel Aviv to New York seemed like it lasted two weeks. The rule refers to actual, measurable time traveled. #2 – So, so.. So far, as is evidenced by the fact that I’m up at 5AM typing this. #3 – Pretty successful here… Every stitch of clothing (but one long sleeved t-shirt) I brought was worn at least once. The exception to the rule is: Imodium, ibuprofen, band aids, blister preventer, etc. Didn’t need them. Didn’t use them 🙂

Our last day in Israel was as full of walking, visiting sites and teaching as the others. We focused on the last days of Jesus in Jerusalem – his suffering, death and resurrection. We all knew that this day was coming, that we would get there, that we’d get to those important things, the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus.

All through the trip the group was faced with daunting tasks – Masada, Gamla, Hezekiah’s Tunnel to name a few. If what I was going to have to do had been fully disclosed ahead of time, I might have had second thoughts. However, at some point in the trip it came to me that our leaders would not take us any place that would be too much for us. True, we had some incredibly difficult climbs and descents. We were in some dark, tight places. It was hot! But I had confidence because our leaders had done all of this stuff before and survived! I knew we would get through it.

Throughout the trip we were reminded that in or lives Jesus walks beside us. When we face difficult times, he’s there. He’s been there. Even when facing death, our own or someone we love, even in death he has gone before us. He’s faced death head on and won! That’s the confidence and hope that I have. That’s the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus.

“Jesus said… I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die; whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25, 26

I’m home from Israel now. This little blog has been fun to put together, but it may be time to put it to rest. Maybe not. We’ll see…

Israel Picture of the Day –

Ask any member of the Israel group, “Where were we when we saw the cloud in in Israel?”

The picture below is not a scene from Israel. It’s our view from the window of the bus in….. Chicago.

Right now I’m sitting at the gate at JFK airport. We are waiting to complete the last leg of the trip. We left Tel Aviv at midnight Israel time. After a forever flight, we arrived in New York. Ten of us are scheduled to fly to Chicago and the the rest of the group found out that their Detroit flight had been cancelled. We don’t know what happened to them. I’m trusting they will find their way home. My regret is not being able to say good-bye after sharing such a memorable experience with them. I’m looking forward to hearing about their traveling adventures. Now boarding … Delta Flight 3521 for Chicago… and then home…

PS – The ‘Chicago Ten’ otherwise known as the goats are on the bus heading to Kalamazoo as scheduled. It’s a cloudy rainy day here in Chicago. I hope the Detroit group is doing well and making their way safely home… I’m posting this from the bus with the free Indian Trails wifi.. 🙂

Israel Video of the Day –
40+ Christian educators and spouses worshiped today in the Church of St. Anne just outside the Muslim controlled Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

As we filed in another group was singing a familiar hymn. Many of our group joined them. When it was our turn we sang our songs and then we were followed by a group of Iraqi Christians. It was moving to be in a place where Christians from around the world can worship. “We are one in Christ Jesus.

The following video clip shows us singing today at St. Anne’s and other places around Jerusalem. .

Click the link… http://bit.ly/10gIBEm

Israel Video of the Day – “Jerusalem Sights and Sounds”

Check it out. Click the link below.

http://bit.ly/11UAOsn