Greetings:

One of my lifelong dreams is about to materialize. Dr. Barry Beitzel (my Old Testament professor from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and author of the Moody Atlas of Bible Lands and Biblica: The Bible Atlas) has invited me to join others from the Trinity academic community on a teaching tour of Israel May 12 – 29, 2009. No one knows the geography and history of the Middle East better, so to learn under Dr. Beitzel is an unparalleled opportunity.

This is no basic tour of the Holy Land. I will be studying the biblical and historical significance of the land and its people in classroom and on-site lectures, then making field trips to various regions and sites throughout the entire country. As we concentrate on issues of the biblical periods, we will also discuss how the same geographical and societal realities affect modern Israel. In less than three weeks, I will travel by bus over 1,000 miles and walk over 100 miles! Yet I will be based at the point where Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem come together and literally across the street from the Old City’s walls, with opportunities to explore ramparts, ruins, and relics on my own.

I will also travel across the entire Negev and wilderness, as far as the Red Sea, and ascend Mt. Sinai. In addition, sites of biblical importance in Upper Galilee have just recently been opened and will be available to our inspection.

As a Bible teacher, you can only imagine what this trip means to me—and how it will transform my studies forever, rounding out my teaching from two to three dimensions and allowing me to take people from black-and-white to color as I open the Word for others. This ripple effect will go on and on as I take what I learn on this journey and weave it into my teaching in Oregonia, around Ohio, across the US, and around the world.

I never thought I would have an opportunity like this. And I know God’s timing is perfect. Of course, the day after I found out I was accepted and heading to Israel, the economic situation began to rock and roll. Did that surprise God? No. Can He still send me? Yes. He knew I would be offered this strategic training at such a time as this. But it is a big step of faith to trust God with the logistics of this education.

I need your support in order to do this. And if I needed a prayer team to go along with me to Turkey, how much more do we need a prayer team before Linda Kline goes to the Middle East!

The Board of Directors has allowed me to take this time away to experience this invaluable continuing education. But I am trusting God to provide the finances needed—and most of it is due before the end of November. Please pray for God’s provision. (If the Lord might lead you to be part of this adventure and to invest in this, send a tax deductible check payable to Psalm One Ministries to the address above.)

If you join the prayer team, we will be praying for the details and preparation until I leave. Then, as email access allows, I will give you plenty to pray for through onsite updates as I report from the road. Those of you who have traveled vicariously with me before know what an adventure it could be to be part of Linda Kline’s Israel Prayer Team!

In the meantime, please pray with me for God’s provision, good health on the journey, and that the Lord will use this trip to equip me to teach and minister in a more accurate, impactful and transforming way.

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;

For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.

And in that day you will say, " Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name.

Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted."

Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth.

Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,

For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 12:2-6)

So grateful for your friendship, support, and prayers!

With His love and mine,

Linda