Jerusalem - Beginnings

Goodmorning my friends.

It is Wednesday morning here - about 6:00 a.m.

I have good news and bad news. As of right now I am able to post on here but not upload pictures. Seems as how I brought the wrong plug in cable for my computer - so until I find one I'll tell you what is happening - but you can't see it. Hopefully this will be a short lived problem.\

Monday 1/21 we were to leave Des Moines at 4:00. HOWEVER - the plane from Denver was late. Soooooo we left Des Moines late - about 5:10 and made it to Chicago - where they were holding the plane for us. Praise the Lord.

From Chicago we landed in Newark and because we were late - they held that plane also. We are loved. (and it helps that we are a big group and spending big bucks for this).

Left Newark only about 10 minutes late - must have been the tail wind. Flight from Des Moines was small plane - one seat on one side and two on the other.

From Chicago was 3 on each side. BUT at Newark we had 267 on the plane - Full - full - full. 10 hour flight - 5873 miles from Newark to Tele Aviv. Got served supper about 11 p.m. and breakfast about 3:00p.m. Jerusalem time. Some of us slept - some didn't. Speed of plane at times was 900 mph - reached 39,000 feet - and the outside temp at 39,000 feet was -75 degrees. When we left Des Mones it was 0 degrees. When we landed in Tele Aviv it was 75 degrees - Margaret says EAT YOUR HEART OUT! I'll say Praise the Lord.

Went through customs at Des Moines and then again at Newark with passport check and all. Then when we arived at Tele Aviv we had to go through another passport check. Only one baggage probelm (a lady from Fort Dodge)- but was fixed by the time we got to Tele Aviv.

Drove one hour from Tele Aviv to Jerusalem. We have a great driver and guide. On the way we drove through the valley where Joshua fought the Cannanites as well as the Valley where David fought Goliath.

Tuesday was election day in Jerusalem and Pilar (our guide) said that around 6 million would have voted. She says there is a Jewish movement to get back to the Bible - and if the new man is in that should happen.

As we drove into Jerusalem she played "The Holy City" and "Holy Ground".  Of course tears came to my eyes as we tried to sing along.

Supper at the hotel - which is wonderful by the way - was AMAZING. So many different kinds of dishes, fruit, salads, and the dessert bar was WONDERFUL. So much food. And yes Mom I'm finding things to eat. (so far).

For breakfast there is no meat and for supper there is no dairy. But it's all good.

Brothers and sister in Christ. I can't tell you how it feels to know that you are in the city where our Lord and Savior walked, where he preached, where he healed, where he stood. The feeling makes me cry just thinking about it. Someone told Margaret that it would change your life - I know that is going to be true for both she and I.

Today we are slated to go toGethsemanie: "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." AND HE DIED FOR YOU AND I. We also go to Bethlehem.

So for now - you have a post but no pics. I'm hoping to get this figured out today. If not you'll have lots of pics when we get home.

Know that we love you all. Know that we are all safe and having a WONDERFUL time. Time to eat now so that we can head to WALK WHERE JESUS WALKED.

Mom, Jess, Pam,(and family) Sharon, Rita, Dustin and the girls I love you. Harlan, Margaret loves you and misses you alot. But I kept her company with my snoring last night. (|Lisa, Mark and fam. she loves you also.) And mom - yes she put in the ear plugs

So all for now, more to follow,
Grace and Peace
Pastor Deb.