Time Flies... But We Almost Didn't

Time flies, but we almost didn't...

If the battle is any indication of the joy set before us, we are about to experience one of our very best pilgrimages... Ever! 

This Thursday in June fostered a series of serious storms the stretched across most of the eastern U.S. the turbulence was intense and most flights were delayed. James and I had driven to West Virginia to use the tickets of Mrs. Barton, (who underwent open heart surgery a little over a week ago. She is home and recovering well. ) The airline said the only way not to lose the tickets was to stick to the original flight plan. So James and I volunteered (as tribute ;). We joined with two wonderful ladies from Maranatha, Michelle and Hannah and made our way to Philly. Our first flight, the stewardess didnt give us the safety speech... She demanded we turn off our phones because if we were going to beat the storm rolling in we had to obey! The turbulence was horrendous... At least once, everyone on the plane flew out of their seats. But we made it to Philly!

Not long after that,  we got a message from Pastor Thomas that his and twelve of the group's flight was not cleared to take off. They were charter to fly right into the worst of the storm. It was very plain to see that their window of making it in time for their international flight was closing.

As we were discussing this over the phone, we watched as 50 people were turned away from their flight to Rome because they were ten minutes late. Out of breath for their run and irate at the airport staff, we had a first hand look at what our pilgrims were to face I they didn't make it. 

The four of us waiting in Philly for others began to pray. "Jesus, miracle maker. You spoke to the storm on Sea of Galilee. Please speak, 'peace be still.'"

There flight finally took off at pretty much the time it was supposed to land. We began to piece together the reality that their flight was going to land 5 minutes before they were going to shut the security checkpoint at our gate. We knew what could happen. The "Romans" turned away earlier were mostly young people. They ran and ran and still missed their flight, though their plane was at the gate. We have a wide variety of ages and athletic ability. We knew they couldn't move that fast, especially since their plane was landing several concourses away from the gate we were waiting. 

We were making phone calls, drafting emails, and speaking to the airline agents in the event we would have to reschedule 13 flights. 

We posted online asking for prayer, and so many of you respond. 

We heard one report that a lot of the gates were delaying closing the doors, but this was not confirmed by any airline personnel. Personnel requested permission to wait from the tower, but they were getting no response. 

They began calling zones for boarding. "AHHHhhhhhh." We decided to stay at the gate until we were forced to board. 

As we watched the room empty, we got a message that the Atlanta flight had landed. James went to the desk and asked if they would wait since they knew our group had landed. 

"I'm sorry," she said, "unless they are here, they will not make it." We then asked, "what if one of the group ran ahead to show the rest were almost here?"

"That person would make it, but not the others." 

We also found out the next flight to Tel Aviv was in 24 hours and it was oversold. It could be days before they make it. Hannah overheard out Roman friends say they would have to wait 5 days until they could go on. 

By this time the stress and nerves of all were frazzled. I was able to speak to my dad as they were pulling up to the gate. I was filling him in on all the details. It was not looking good. All of a sudden, I hear James through my fog, "they have to do maintenance on the plane... Elizabeth, they have another 50 minutes to get here." I just started crying from the

release of anxiety. I could barely get it out to tell daddy over the phone, "You guys still need to press, but you have time now. Jesus answers prayer!" 

Pastor Jerry was able to secure a cart for our people who needed it. When they came through security, we got our arms around one another and praised The Lord. 

Michelle overheard the airline attendant say, "you got lucky..."

"No," she responded, "we have prayer!"

Now, the maintenance that was only to take an hour took two and a half, but we were all so happy just to be together. 

(They had to replace panels on the plane, and to our disbelief, didnt have the right screws for the job.)

Heather said, "It feels like déjà vu." Remembering our last trip where we stayed on the tarmac so long that the crew was not allowed to work for more than the union allowed. So we got to sleep in the airport. We thought this was turning into another delay, but no... We were finally in the air and on our way. 

James prayed that it would be a fast and smooth flight, and it was. 

Pastor Thomas was even able to sleep most of the way, which he has never done before. Praise God!

We are now an hour out of Tel Aviv. The sun is shining as we begin our bet trip ever!