Thank you very much for the offer. He really did appreciate your interest, although I admit that this morning he had already forgotten last week's conversation. He doesn't always realize how bad his memory is... and when he does he is carefully not to make much of it. In the back of his mind I believe that he is afraid some man or agency of men will try to control his life. He trusts me but even with me he is careful because he doesn't always remember how trustworthy I am [LOL].i pumped that up mostly to illustrate how easy it is to goto Israel at the right times of year, the off seasons, apr-may and sep-oct, on BA air (accept no substitutes), for 1/3 the airfare, and if you wanna get like 2 implants cheaper than here and those pay for the whole trip; you dont need me. Stay in hostels for the best authentic experience, and bc Israel is stupid expensive, and escapr to the Sinai for cheap loot and loads of fun, very multicultural, dining on the red sea cheap, great hash cheap, tourist economy all the way so you are treated well, etc.
He is very economy minded, but only at the moment he has decided, [or God has decided], it is time to go. I have told him repeatedly that if he books early he gets a much better price. He hears me but he still will not even book a flight until he is ready... or until God taps him on the shoulder.
All what you said I certainly believe from personal experience overseas... and from my pastor's statements about it. He has Israeli friends and Arab friends on both sides of the ocean. To him, in traveling for God, the warring and violent feuds are distractions. He would never change his travel plans because of such things. His last trip to Israel was not delayed by the danger in Israel or the warnings by the U.S. State Dept but by huge storm that closed down airports and cancelled flights. That flight was scheduled for the month after his wife died, but even in his terrible period of mourning he refused to cancel the flight. God did it for him and he received a full refund for his already purchased ticket. Instead of a Fall flight, he went the following Spring. God does have His hand on the man. When others around him are dying at much younger ages, he is continuing to travel on his Father's business.totally ignore the news hype btw, much safer than anywhere in LA, etc. If you have even one of those tiny swiss army penknives in Israel, you are subject to arrest. It is a very well run country, apartheid notwithstanding. Much. I guess i wouldnt attempt the West Bank right now...well, i would, but then i am an idiot lol