Today as most of my friends are rising for the day, I'm set to arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Rather than going straight to sleep, we'll set our watches to Israel time and work to think in a different time zone. We're to be met by a representative of the Ministry of Tourism as well as our tour guide for the week.

After a drive through Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial, cultural, and financial center, we'll check into our hotel, freshen up a bit, and then head for Old Jaffa, where we'll attend a welcome dinner hosted by representatives from the Israel Ministry of Tourism and El-Al Israel Airlines.

Old Jaffa is the ancient seaport from which the prophet Jonah fled from God (Jonah 1:17). It's also the city where Peter stayed with Simon the Tanner and restored Tabitha to life (Acts 9:36-43). This is especially fun for me, because last month I released a new book/study guide, Kona with Jonah. I've been immersed in "Jonah" studies for the past year; now I get to see the actual place where the story is set!