Greetings from the Holy Land!
I was asked my fellow GUFC members to give a report on my visit (with my bestie) after we return to Singapore, but there is just so much to share (even on Days 1 and 2) that it is better to do so on a daily basis rather than accumulate till the trip is over so as not to miss out on anything.
It had been my dream since first discovering the grace gospel in 2005 to visit Israel. Ps Prince’s passion for the nation as well as testimonies of others that had gone before only made that longing all the more greater.
And the Lord granted the desire of my heart this year, from 25 Nov to 4 Dec 2013, and even paved the way for me to be accompanied by my bestie. Hallelujah!
We were supposed to be at the airport at only 6pm, but we decided to take leave the whole day just to chill and relax.
The day started off by waking up relatively late, and then heading to Nex where we had a great lunch at Soup Restaurant…
Upon returning home, we finished up our packing…
And then like typical kiasu Singaporeans, we took a cab and reached the airport at 4:30pm, a full 1.5 hours beforehand.
Just after 6pm, Omega Tours handed us name tags (which I understand is the first time they are doing so)…
and our 2 boarding passes: one from Singapore to Bangkok and the other from Bangkok to Tel Aviv…
I was lagi more kiasu and took a photo with Ps Henry Yeo, our tour leader, even before leaving for Israel haha
We departed for Bangkok without much fanfare but it was clearing the Israeli security at the airport there that was a bit of a challenge. We were interviewed about why we were going to Israel etc. Upon aceing the interview, we were issued with a yellow post-it…
By the time all of us were cleared to board the El Al plane, it was about half an hour behind schedule.
Nonetheless we praise God that all 48 of us could depart Bangkok, and we arrived safely in Tel Aviv 11 hours later, just before 7am local time.
At the Israel airport customs, we informed the officer not to chop our passports. Instead we were issued with a border control pass, valid for 3 months…
After collecting our luggage, Ps Henry led us in a prayer of thanksgiving. We were then shown to our tour bus.
So ends Day 1. TTFN!