A group of 18 people from Dallas Baptist University were caught in the chaos this weekend as they wrapped up a tour of Israel.
Students, alumni, and faculty were forced to find another way home.
According to a press release posted on DBU's website, as of Tuesday, there was still a group of nine members of the DBU family in Israel who were part of a larger group of 18. They were scheduled to depart on Oct. 7 when fighting broke out in Southern Israel, away from where the group was staying.
On Tuesday morning, Kay Bradley, a DBU alum and two other people arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
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"Everything started out wonderfully. It was just beautiful," Kay Bradley said. Bradley is a DBU alum.
She described her visit to the Holy Land as a trip of a lifetime and recalls the rich history and warmth of the Israelites.
"We have friends there, and there is a Baptist school there that we have become friends through DBU," Bradley said.
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However, Bradley said it all changed on their last scheduled day in Jerusalem.
"We were delayed a little bit and there was a couple that was with us that had gotten time mixed up. And so, we're waiting on them. And in the meantime, I just stepped out to a little gift shop that was there," Bradley said.
The man running the shop drew her attention to the TV. Bradley was shocked at the images of destruction.
"He goes, 'No, this is real. This is really happening'," Bradley said. "I went to show my son-in-law. And I went to him and I said, 'Do you know what's going on?'"
Bradley's son-in-law is Dr. Jay Harley, DBU vice president for student affairs. Faculty had been made aware of the situation and made the call for the group to take shelter in their hotel.
"We ended up staying at the hotel," Bradley said. "They asked us to move away from the windows, and we were kind of just trying to gather information."
Many airlines suspended service to and from Israel this weekend and in response to the cancelations, other flight arrangements were made.
Bradley credits DBU leadership for helping the group stay calm. Bradley said it was not until they arrived at the Tel Aviv Airport that she felt in harm's way. The group would fly from Israel to Dubai before arriving in Dallas.
"We were getting close to boarding," Bradley said. Another passenger alerted her of an alarm. "It said rockets were in the area of something of that nature… And then all of the sudden everybody rose up, and everybody started panicking and running. The security was telling us, 'Move, move, move! Get back! Run! Run!' And at that moment, that's when all of a sudden it hit you that you're in a bad situation and this may not turn out good. And so, I just followed the crowd, and we ended up in a restroom."
The airport was spared, but back home, Bradley's family said they were worried sick.
"It's just been a hard time not knowing," Jennifer Davidson said. Davidson flew in from Chicago Monday night to welcome back her mom. "Our faith has kept us strong through this whole thing. It's a great just happy. We're just relieved."
"The time difference was hard because she would be texting us, and we wouldn't get it until the middle of the night," Alicia Grant said. Grant is Bradley's sister. "So. we'd be sleeping and would miss, you know, some of the texts."
On Tuesday, Bradley was welcomed back by her family. She said two others from DBU were on the plane with her.
"The problem was that all the American Airlines, all the U.S. airlines had stopped service. So, I was supposed to come back on Delta," Bradley said. "We had to try to figure out ways to get out. And so, the closest for me was to go to Dubai."
Six other DBU individuals arrived the night before including Bradley's other daughter Britney Harley. On Wednesday, their family will once again be reunited when they welcome back Jay and the other eight from the DBU group.
"One more celebration tomorrow. We're going to be very happy," Grant said. "He wanted to be the last one. So, he was kind of delaying himself to make sure everybody got out since he was heading the group."
According to the university, those remaining are three DBU students, three DBU alumni, and three DBU faculty and administration members, including Jay; Dr. Brent Thomason, dean of the graduate school of ministry; and Dr. Blake Killingsworth, dean of the Cook School of Leadership. They are set to arrive in Dallas on Wednesday.
“Our experience here in the Holy Land was transformative. Our group commented regularly that the visit to Biblical and historical sites helped them more fully understand the background of the Bible. Although we are certainly tired and ready to be home, our group remains in good spirits and are currently at a secure hotel,” stated Jay.
The group leaders and the DBU administration have been in communication with local contacts, and US government officials, and monitoring flight statuses.
“Our thoughts and prayers have remained with our group and for this evolving conflict in Israel,” stated Dr. Adam Wright, DBU president. “We are praying our team home and have remained in constant contact with appropriate officials within the United States government regarding the safe return of our group.”
Bradley admits she worries for her friends abroad that will remain stuck in the chaos.
"I was able to leave. But we have many friends, both Jewish, Arabs and whatnot, that are there. And this is the world that they're now living in," Bradley said. "We'll just have to continue to pray for them."
