Jordan

I write this as we prepare to leave Amman, Jordan after a wonderful three days.  We visited Bethany beyond the Jordan, Jesus’ baptism sight as well as the location of Elijah’s ascension and the Israelites crossing of the Jordan at the Exodus’ end.  From there on to ancient Gerasa–an amazing Roman city of the Decapolis.  We also visited Mt. Nebo where Moses gazed into the Promised Land.

Yesterday found us, not at a biblical sight, but at the ancient city of Petra, which was used in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”  This is an incredible journey, for learning, pilgrimage, and awareness of current Middle Eastern situations.

The visits are only part of the journey.  A deeper understanding of our world and history are invaluable.  Can’t wait to visit some more.

Bethlehem

“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”–Matthew 2:6

We’ve been on yet another whirlwind of a journey.  Saturday we spent our time touring Bethlehem; the Church of the Nativity, the Shepherd’s Field, a Lutheran school and dinner at a bedouin tent, complete with working hookas.  It truly is an exhilerating experience to stand next to the manger and see the spot where tradition says Jesus was born.  A new sense of the word ‘impoverished’ is gained in the sight.

Probably the most impressive and inspiring moment of the day was an unscheduled visit to a Lutheran K-12 school, which educates 270 young people.  It is a blessing to know our church emerges as a leader in the teaching of peace and co-existence.

Our eventful days continued today while worshipping at Christmas Lutheran Church.  It was youth Sunday and a variety of youth participated in the service, included a dialogue sermon. From there we traveled to the Holocaust museum which is truly a somber walk.

Through the day we were surrounded by sights and sounds blatantly conveying the dire and urgent need to be Jesus’ hands and feet in a world where intolerance and hatred reign supreme.  The Lutheran Church in Palestine is small, yet we learn that here are leaders for a new world; here are being raised up God’s messengers to change the world with the Gospel of Jesus.

I truly cannot wait to get home to share my experience.  There is something about the journey that holds one in either speechless awe, dumbfounded by the overwhelming sights and situations; or it captivates the pilgrim so that they can’t shut up about it.

I leave it to you to guess which one I’ll be…

The Via Dolorosa

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”–Jesus, Matt.23:37

These past two days brought as much contrast as captivating sights.  Yesterday was about as beautiful a Galilean day as is possible.  From Capernaum to reading Jesus’ words on the Mount of  Beatitudes, to the Golan Heights our little group experienced the awe-inspiring surroundings of Jesus’ ministry.

Today brought to us an experience as varied in surroundings as it was in effect.  Walking the Old City of Jerusalem is not a jaunt to be grasped until you take the steps upon the limestone streetways.  An eerie sense of ‘numb’ grabbed hold of me, an almost ‘no-reaction.’  Even as much of the city is greatly built up from the 1st century, and some of the sights can’t be 100% confirmed you still know you’re pretty close.  The Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains both the believed locations of Golgotha and Jesus’ tomb.  How strange and how downright odd to imagine the events so many years ago, and yet, the power of God’s intense love,  (even a suffering love), hangs in today’s air.

The city sights are both impressive as well as faith-inspiring.  Overlooking the Temple Mount from the west, you see the Mount of Olive’s slope to the east.  Breathtakingly beautiful.

The journey continues and my fellow pilgrims are well.  We settle in to the International Center of Bethlehem and visit the area tomorrow.

Blessings to all today.

Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee

Hello to all from the Sea of Galilee! We travelled to today from Amman, Jordan and first to Nazareth. The crossing at the border near Jericho is an interesting experience, to say the least. Presenting your passport to six different individuals, some of them with machine-gunned guards is a little disconcerting. Yet, like Dorothy to Toto, “We’re not in North Dakota anymore!”
The travel from there to Nazareth is a breath-taking drive through the Jordan River valley. We could first see it as we passed Mt. Nebo and shared a moment with Moses, looking into the Promised Land. Jerusalem was very much in sight as you gaze up the Judean hills.
To most in our group, the journey indeed is far more than a vacation; it is a pilgrimmage. The entry to the Church of the Annuciation in Nazareth presented most pilgrims with an appropriate sense of tingling awe. to gaze into a small cave where Gabriel may indeed have visited the young Mary is a somber and holy moment. We should have removed our sandals, for we were on holy ground.
I expect many more such moments in the days to come. The unreal and overwhelming sense of awe cannot be underestimated.
Now at the Sea of Galilee I have a room that overlooks the sea. Sight, sound and smell of the lake is right there. Before dinner I couldn’t contain myself and grabbed bible and journal and headed to the water, soon up to my knees where, somewhere close, Jesus called those first fishermen.
You could almost hear it; certainly with soul if not ear, “Follow me.”
More to come…