BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Two Kentucky church groups were taking trips to the Holy Land this fall and planned to leave Israel in early October. However, their plans halted when war broke out between Hamas and Israel.

The two Kentucky groups are from River Lake Church in Glasgow, Ky., and Broadway United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, Ky.

The River Lake Church group included Pastor Nic Smith, his daughter and 16 other members. None of the members were in targeted areas when Hamas attacked Israel and no one was hurt. However, Smith said that the country is in “real chaos.”

As the death toll rises for Israelis — and Americans in the country — the group said it was lucky to find shelter in a safe area while waiting for their departure. Smith gave updates through two different Facebook lives. They can be viewed here and here. 

“We’re stuck,” Smith said. “We’re stuck in Israel right now, but we’re safe and that is really the most important thing in all of this. Israel’s defenses are incredible and we’re grateful for all that they’re doing here.”

Despite the impact of war, Smith has remained positive throughout this troubling experience.

“I think God sometimes puts us in positions where we’re stuck and we can’t fix it,” Smith said. “Especially for people like me, the over-functioners, to remind us He’s God. He’s good and He has us. We can rest in His time and His presence.”

At the end of his live video, he had one request from the public.

“We just ask you to continue to pray and really pray for this nation,” Smith said. “They are walking through a lot, more than we are. We are just bystanders. 

Spectrum News 1 was able to contact Smith. He stated that he and others in his group boarded a flight and landed in Boston. He will be home the night of Oct. 11. 

The other group, the Broadway United Methodist Church has not released many details on their status or experience. However, Executive Minister Jason Brown confirmed that “they are there, that they are safe and they have a plan to safely return home.”