A group of forty members from Calvary Chapel Summerville in South Carolina has returned to the United States after being stranded in Israel for nearly a week due to escalating violence. The group had arrived in Israel on February 20, 2024, for a planned eight-day trip, but their return flight was abruptly cancelled on February 28, 2024, when airspace was closed following airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel.
Pastor Vic Carroll, who led the group, described the situation as overwhelming. They had reached the airport just three hours before their scheduled departure when the attack took place. “It felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders,” Carroll recalled. “I just prayed and prayed and asked God to give me wisdom.”
With the airport closed, the group was forced to shelter in place, often seeking refuge in bomb shelters for several days. Faced with the option of remaining in Israel or taking a bus to Jordan in hopes of securing a flight back, the pastor had to make a difficult decision. “We ultimately made the decision between what was bad and what was worse. I thought the worst would be to stay,” he explained.
The journey to Jordan presented its own challenges. Carroll detailed the instructions given to the group: if a siren sounded while they were on the road, they would need to pull over and lie face-down for at least ten minutes until the threat passed. Fortunately, the group arrived safely at the airport in Jordan and was able to board a flight home on Thursday morning.
Reflecting on their ordeal, Carroll noted, “It was frightening, but our faith was greater than our fear. We were just trusting that we were making the right decision.” The group landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Thursday night, where Melanie Carroll, the pastor’s wife, expressed her relief through a text message saying, “We are so thankful!!!!! It’s surreal!!”
The unexpected extension of their trip incurred substantial costs, leading Melanie Carroll to create a GoFundMe page to help cover the expenses. She projected that the costs for lodging, flights, and transfers would exceed $2,500 per person. Remarkably, the group was able to raise their goal of $100,000 in less than three days.
As the situation continues to unfold in the region, the Carrolls remain in prayer for those still trying to leave the Middle East. According to the U.S. State Department, nearly 24,000 Americans have successfully returned home after fleeing the region since the onset of Operation Epic Fury last week. The conflict has heightened concerns for travelers and residents alike, prompting ongoing discussions about safety and evacuation procedures.
The experience has left a profound impact on the group, who are grateful to be back home but are also acutely aware of the turmoil faced by others in the region.
