Preparations

When we go on a journey of any kind, it is best to prepare in advance. We have been preparing in several ways. One is the necessary papers and forms. When that is completed, we study what we need to take and begin the process of collecting those items. We are close to having the things.

Because this tour will involve a bit of walking, it has been suggested that we walk regularly to be in shape. Most days I have been walking over an hour a day. It is hot here but it will be hot there too.

The trip will mean more if we know something of the place where we are going and about the people there. Because this is a tour of places mentioned in the Bible, we have been studying scripture to get the context of what happened and why the places are significant. I have been looking at a map as i read which leads to interesting encounters. As I was looking at the scripture and a map of the world in a coffee shop, a man can by, pointed to New Brunswick, Canada and said Jesus was born, right there. Right there and pointed again. He hadn't looked at the map particularly, but was just making a comment and tried to guess what I was looking for. I was looking for the areas where the Moabites, the Ammorites and the Philistines lived, trying to understand where those ancient places are in today's world.

On any journey, it is best to pray and ask for God's protection and blessing. We have been praying for this trip too and have asked others to pray for us.