Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭NIV‬

Our journey began with delays and confusion. I’m not the only one who missed whatever announcements there were for our flight until the “final boarding call” and a rushed trek down the bridge to our airplane.

Nonetheless we all made it. And then…we waited and waited. And waited.

With all the weather we’d had in Toronto over the past 36 hrs, Pearson was moving slow.

Eventually, after more delays and de-icing, we made it to our runway. The airplane began to gain speed. And all too soon we were limiting off the tarmac, the g-force pushing us backwards into our seats.

One and a half movies later we are somewhere over the Atlantic. Greenland to our north, Ireland to our east. We glide countless miles above the earth, moving through atmosphere that would kill us in an instant, if it weren’t for the airplane keeping us afloat and secure.

Our ground speed is 976km/hr, it is 7:14hrs to our destination. We have already travelled 2646km, and we have so much further to go.

These are all just statistics. Numbers with only a little meaning. Only in certain contexts.

Each of us will be changed by the trip we undertake. In ways we cannot even imagine right now.

I am blessed to be taking this tour for the fourth time in my life. Knowing that as I walk, I will meet Jesus – in the paces he ministered and in the miracles he worked.

I am thrilled to lead followers of Him to this place, to his land, to his home. May all of us meet Him here in ways we didn’t expect. In moments that take our breath way. In places that are holy and wholly natural.

Amen. And amen.

Now the “half” part of this post. We made it safely off the plane in Tel Aviv. We found our luggage and our busses and our guides.

Because of the delays we weren’t able to do a whole lot today, but we did make it up to Mt Carmel for the story of Elijah’s battle with the prophets of Baal.

It was windy with some real rain coming through, but we posed for a few pictures before seeking shelter.

Then we got back on the bus for an hour’s journey to our home for the next four days: the Hotel Kinar Galilee. Right on the shores of the Sea.

It was dark when we arrived, but here are a few photos from Mt Carmel.

Tomorrow our journey begins in earnest.