God opened the way. Together with the “President’s Shield” group (part of us), we just arrived in Tel Aviv. We’ve reached the hotel (got WiFi now). Thank God for a smooth journey all the way. We flew United Airlines. As I stepped into the cabin, the only feeling in my spirit was peace and joy. The cabin was filled with mild-mannered Americans and some tall, solemn-looking Jewish rabbis. In my ears, God’s words echoed: “I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).
Irene sat next to me, and beside her was a young Jewish man who looked very serious the whole time. Many Jews were on the flight. They ate special kosher airline meals, and before eating, they carefully checked the labels to make sure everything was correct before eating with confidence. This young man observed Jewish law throughout the flight. He wore earphones listening to the Torah (the Five Books of Moses). He would stand up, wrap himself in their special prayer shawl, and put a small lamp on his head for reading the Bible. He had a bag specifically for these items. Wow – such a law-abiding people! On the plane, they would stand up in corners, two or three together, fully equipped in prayer, swaying their bodies back and forth to a rhythm.
Child, no matter what you believe, you must have joy – you must not live under the law. The little cap on his head was black.
After I woke up from a nap, I saw them standing in various corners of the cabin, wrapped in prayer shawls, holding scriptures and praying! Wow – I’d never seen such a scene before. Just as I was marveling, I looked out the window at the sea of clouds. WOW – both inside and outside the cabin were magnificent! This trip to Israel must carry a special purpose from God. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33)
Before eating, this Jew was checking the label on his kosher airline meal to see if it was their permitted food. The little Jewish cap on his head was orange. Is there any difference in meaning between black and yellow?
This Jew fully equipped in prayer.
Another Jew praying.
The picture above shows Jews reading the Bible and praying on the flight to Israel. I wondered, what were the black straps wrapped around their hands? And what was the little black box on their heads? It contained a small Bible. Then I remembered that this is recorded long ago in Deuteronomy: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads” (Deuteronomy 11:18).
http://bible.com/41/deu.11.18.cnvs
This is the traditional way Jews observe the Old Testament. There are records of these little black boxes on the head in Deuteronomy, Revelation, and Ezekiel.
The kosher airline meal for Jews says “Regal Meal” on it.
This is the chicken rice I ate – very tasty😋
See the two Jews standing in the corner of the cabin, wrapped in white prayer shawls, swaying in prayer?
The sea of clouds outside was thick and dense, just like God’s thoughts and intentions – who can fathom them?
Half sea of clouds, half empty sky. Is that the Atlantic below?
The plane took off from San Francisco, crossed the American continent, flew over the Atlantic, heading straight for Israel.
This was my first time flying over the Atlantic – before, I always flew over the Pacific to return to China.
Above is the flight record.
Half an hour until arrival at Tel Aviv Airport.
Arrived.
Tel Aviv Airport – above in English and Hebrew: Welcome 👏
At the airport, Israelis use wine as decoration to welcome guests from afar.
Tel Aviv Airport is quite ordinary. The world’s most magnificent airport is still Beijing’s Terminal 3 😄
It’s now 1:08 AM Israel time. I’m going to sleep. Good night 🌙
In the lobby of our hotel, there are only three national flags: USA 🇺🇸, Israel 🇮🇱, China 🇨🇳. Are these three nations leading the world?
I can’t wait for the dream tour of the Holy Land in Israel that begins tomorrow morning 🇮🇱🌹
Night of February 20, 2018, 1:16 AM
Deborah Blessings, from Israel