The eve of the end! Hmmm. Sounds a bit macabre. I have mixed emotions tonight as I realize once again the tour is over. I'm exhausted from being on the go from 6:00 a.m. wake-up calls(like I need them--) :-) to 8:00 p.m. (sometimes later). On the other hand I feel fully exhilirated from all that we saw as the Bible came to life before our eyes. I told Nancy yesterday that I am really excited to get home to preach again. There's also the side of me that sees this incredible nation where our Messiah was born & lived & died; a nation that is in such turmoil. Even while we have been here there has been shelling going on. The very first night we were here our bus was hit in the window with two huge rocks that cracked the windows (don't tell our oldest daughter or we won't be able to come back!) Beyond the outward turmoil is the inward turmoil in the hearts of the Jewish people; a people zealous for God, but only in the outward forms & traditions & they have no grip on knowing God through Messiah--personally; intimately; genuinely!

Tomorrow morning for us is free. At 3:00 we will go to the Valley of Elah (we missed that today) where David & Goliath did battle. Then we will go to Joppa on our way to the airport. At Joppa we will have our farewell banquet. Our flight out of Tel Aviv is at 11:50 p.m. tomorrow night. We will arrive in NYC at about 10:50 a.m. (which will be 5:00 a.m). Then we will fly the rest of the way home on Monday.

Thanks for your prayers, concerns & interests in this trip. It has been once again eye-opening. Hopefully you will be able to see some of the Land of the Bible through us on our return! I am looking forward to that return & that reunion together!
Shalom!!