FINAL PREPARATIONS 31MAR18

Getting so excited about my journey to Israel with Danielle Parish and Kevin Neuner.  I've looked at this opportunity for at least 8 years, but the timing and the resources have made me wait.  Kevin and Danielle are my daughter's pastors who have planted Spark Church in Palo Alto CA (yes, the church that meets in a synagogue). Check them out at www.spark.church or www.comeandlearntowalk.com.  Their credentials and experience are impressive and the fact that this Study Trip focuses on the geography and archaeology of the biblical narrative is so suited to my interest and education.  Kevin and Danielle are my daughter Jen Primuth's pastors and when Jen invited me to travel along and room with her, it captured my heart.

So I've been getting ready, collecting the right clothes and boots, mapping Israel's geographical history and trying to get into hiking shape and counting down the days.  Right after services on Easter morning, we will drive from Thief River Falls (where I'm interim pastor) to Owatonna for final packing to crawl on the plane mid morning on Tuesday.  I'll fly MSP - Toronto - Brussels - Tel Aviv.  I'll have a bit of free and recovery time before connecting with Jen on Thursday and the tour group on Friday.

My intent is to blog daily (or almost daily) to reflect on the wonderful places we've seen, the great things we've learned and the new ways we've experienced God's redemption story in the land where He chose to reveal his glory.  Israel is small (think New Jersey in size), but no other place on earth has such a diverse geography - nor is there anywhere placed so strategically between the ancient world powers. I hope you can enjoy the journey with us and that you will dream of a journey for yourself into God's Promised Land.
HAVE A BLESSED EASTER!