LESS THAN A WEEK AGO…
I was in Phoenix for the Global Training Network leaders gathering with some of the 200 plus GTN staff now training in 87 countries. We were together for vision casting, encouragement, and inspiration. In addition to the main sessions, there were workshops, some free time, and lots of connecting with others.
Sharon and I joined GTN (along with daughter Laina, son-in-law Phil, and friends Hud and Nancy McWilliams) in 2011. What a great staff and ministry. The 15 years ministering with GTN has flown by.
THE FEW DAYS BEFORE…
I was privileged to be part of GTN’s Senior Executive Leadership Team (SELT) that met just before the others arrived. The SELT (photo below) serves under the President (Paul Madson) and the Board of GTN. It’s a great team … but that’s not why I am writing.
AS SOON AS WE LEFT…
As I made my way back to Long Beach with my daughter Laina, one of the SELT leaders, Carl Green (pictured here second from the right) left to lead a tour to Israel.
This morning, Carl sent an email from Tiberias in Israel with this notice seen here he received on his cell phone. Carl and his tour group were soon in a bomb shelter due to Iranian rockets flying over their hotel.
Carl wrote:
“To the Israeli’s, spending time in the bomb shelter is nothing new, and to them, life goes on. For us, it was quite a different story, as we could hear the bombs being intercepted and detonated literally over our hotel.”
As Israel is in a state of emergency, all tours are cancelled. Since all airspace over Israel and Jordan is closed, Carl and his group hope to make their way to Egypt and fly out of Cairo.
WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW
What an unexpected difference a few days can make. James 4:13–14a reminds us:
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan trips, but we need to be ever aware, as James adds, that …
“if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15).
Pray for the safe return of Carl and his group … and for all who are affected by the conflict now underway.
We know that God is sovereign and that He has the whole world in His hands … even when unexpected things happen.
We also know, “The Lord is mighty to save” (Zeph 3:17),
Linus for the GTN Divine Expedition team
P.S. I just got word, Carl and group made it into Egypt.
On Expedition + 