Our thoughts in the days leading up to our departure were filled with uncertainty. The worst thing that could happen would be that war breaks out and we have to leave Israel—or that we stay home based on the “what-ifs” and nothing happens. But as Deuteronomy 31:8 reads:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
With God whispering these words to us prior to departing, we held onto them and left as planned.
Our group of 37 travelers arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, February 22. We went to the port of Jaffa for lunch and a walking tour. There we read from the Scriptures the story of Jonah and the whale (Jonah 1:17) and saw the house of Simon the Tanner.
The next few days were filled with amazing God moments. We visited Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, and worshipped in the synagogue where He preached as told in Luke 4:16–30. We saw the remains of Herod’s palace and his swimming pool built over the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the place where Paul was imprisoned by Herod as recorded in Acts 23 and Acts 24. Standing atop Mount Carmel, we read the story of Elijah (1 Kings 18) standing against the god of baal while hearing Israeli fighter jets overhead from the nearby Israeli Air Force base. We drove north to Tel Dan and saw a 4,000-year-old gate that Abraham would have walked through on his way to rescue his nephew Lot (Genesis 14). Our group also stood before the Gates of Hades and read the words from Matthew 16:18: “…and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Many in our group renewed their faith by being baptized in the Jordan River—the same river where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17). We sailed on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the waves in the midst of a storm (Luke 4). The group visited the Mount of Beatitudes and recited the Lord’s Prayer in unison as Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:9–13. How powerful it was to speak this prayer in the same area where Jesus taught His disciples.
On our way back to the hotel we drove through the Golan Heights and looked out over the borders of Lebanon and Syria. All was quiet. Throughout these visits, God moved in powerful ways and reminded us of His strength and presence in our lives.
As we walked into the Jordan border office to purchase visas, we received word that the American Embassy had told all U.S. citizens to leave Israel. Yet we heard God whisper again “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you”. We had left Israel moments before and entered Jordan.
We stopped at Mount Nebo on one of the clearest days ever and were able to see the Promised Land as God showed Moses in Deuteronomy 34. We saw Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea, and more—and we were scheduled to be there within the next few days.
Within our first hour of visiting the beautiful rose-red city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, we received word of the first missiles being launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. I immediately returned to the hotel and began making flight changes for our group to return to the United States from Cairo. We were being exiled to Egypt just as Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus had fled to Egypt from Israel to escape the wrath of King Herod as recorded in Matthew 2:13.
En route to our next overnight stay in Eilat, the southernmost tip of Israel and on the Egyptian border, we shared with the group that we would not being going to the Promised Land of Israel but rather we would be transferring to Cairo. At no time did we feel unsafe, but the anxiety of the world’s events was surreal.
Having been to Egypt six months earlier, we had developed a network of drivers and guides. We immediately contacted our good friend and guide, Romani, and he arranged a bus to transfer us to Cairo and helped secure hotel arrangements. Again, we were reminded: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.”
We awoke the next morning in Taba, Egypt, to the sounds of fighter jets overhead, followed by missiles being launched toward Eilat but intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome. We had been scheduled to stay in Eilat, but we had crossed into Egypt the day before to be closer to Cairo. Again, we heard the words: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.”
On the morning of March 1, we began our drive through the Sinai Desert, much like the Israelites who left Egypt and arrived at Mount Sinai on the first day of the third month (Exodus 19:1–25). We read the Scripture and relived the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments as we drove past Mount Sinai. After ten hours of driving through the desert, we arrived in Cairo. Along the way we were constantly reminded of the Israelites wandering through the desert for 40 years with only manna and water. Our manna consisted of chips and snacks from the gas station!
While in Cairo, we made the best of our unexpected days by visiting the pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Our group rode camels in front of the pyramids and saw statues in the Grand Egyptian Museum of Pharaoh Amenhotep II, believed to be the pharaoh during the Exodus when Moses pleaded with him to “let my people go.” We also saw the statue of Moses’ Egyptian mother, Queen Hatshepsut, who pulled baby Moses from the Nile River.
Looking back, we realize this journey was never just about the places we visited—it was about seeing God’s hand in every moment. From the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the deserts of Sinai, from unexpected border crossings to safe arrival in Cairo, God continually reminded us that He was already ahead of us. Plans changed, the world around us grew uncertain, but His promise never changed. We returned home with more than memories of the Holy Land—we returned with renewed faith, deeper trust, and the assurance that no matter where we go, “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.”
We are thankful for our group of 35 travelers who trusted our leadership throughout this journey. With attitudes of flexibility and appreciation, they remained calm and witnessed God’s presence and protection throughout each day. We are also grateful for the many prayers lifted up on our behalf as we traveled and navigated our way back to the United States. Your prayers strengthened and encouraged us along the way.
Having returned home safely, we praise God for His everlasting and constant presence every step of the journey. Please continue to pray for the people of Israel and the entire region—that God’s peace, comfort, and protection would be upon them.
With love and from our hearts,
Jeff and Sarah
