Back to our other home…

Our view from the plane as we landed in Minneapolis....

My first post from the Holy Land was entitled “Welcome Home”. This was in reference to the words of our guide, Yousef, who shared with us that the Holy Land is, in a way, home to all Christians. Yesterday, thirty-four pilgrims returned to their homes in the U.S. but this does not mean that our journey is over. Yes, we have pictures and treasures to share with our loved ones but we also have stories of what we have seen, experienced and learned and these will continue long after the jet-lag has worn off. I cannot speak for the rest of my group, but this trip was a pilgrimage for me. Aside from jet-lag, inwardly I feel renewed and refreshed, excited to share what I have experienced. So many aspects of scripture are now visually imprinted in my mind. I have visual images that will come to mind when I say prayers for peace in the world. There is no way this trip could not impact my life in ministry. In the next coming weeks I hope to add a bit more to this blog (pictures and more thoughts as things arise). But until then, here are some images from our last day in Jerusalem…

A very crowded market near the Damascus gate. The strawberries looked delicious!

Our final worship together at Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem

Climbing the 200 plus-some steps of the bell tower at Church of the Redeemer

When I created my blog, having never have been to the Holy Land, I drew a photo from online.

Now I have seen the city from the top of the bell tower and this picture was taken with my very own camera. The tower provides one of the best views of Jerusalem, a shared city and a memorable end to our time in the Holy Land.

Our fearless leaders, Mark, Yousef (our guide), Achmed (our driver), Diane, and Paul (director of music)

Confusing and yet, wonderful.

Those are two very different descriptive words of our experience here as we travel from place to place. Our last few days have been full of many things, some of which we do not understand. We could not visit the Holy Land without encountering or discussing the situation between Israel and Palestine. I do not write answers nor am I going to write that I understand but I write with an acknowledgment of how little I know about something deeply complex.

On Thursday in Jerusalem, we met with Rabbi Rob Kahn, an Israeli who shared with us how this situation taps deeply into his faith and his everyday life. Yesterday, we met with Reverend Mitri Raheb, a Palestinian Lutheran, whose family has been Christian for many generations. He too shared how this situation deeply affects the life of those who are Palestinian.

We met with Rev. Rahab at the International Center of Bethlehem, a center he directs. Before meeting, we were introduced to this center which provides education and supports the art and culture in Bethlehem. It is a gathering place for those in the community Christian and even Muslim to share in the gifts of art God has given.

Our guide at the center was a woman by the name of Hiba, who is a Palestinian Christian. As the “scribe” for this group, there is no way that I can express what we have learned from these personal encounters as I type this post but I do know that each we have encountered have a hope for peace whatever that may look like. Hiba said something I will not forget, in regards to hostility, fear and un-acceptance of anyone’s neighbor she said this, “I think it’s about you, you put limits.” I, as a seminarian student, from the United States, can’t fully understand this, but Hiba is right, each of us make choices in our daily lives in how we treat our fellow human beings on this earth.

After visiting the International Center of Bethlehem, we visited the Church of the Nativity and then later had devotions at Shepherd’s field. Once again, at the Church of the Nativity, I encountered ornate, gilded works of art, encrusting this space. I have mentioned before that I don’t know quite what to do with this, but for now I will see it as an act of devotion by fellow Christians world-wide and over generations to mark that this event in this place was significant and holy. For me, the story of the birth Jesus resonated most as our group sang in the grottoes in Shepherd’s Field. These grottoes would have been what shepherds used in Jesus’ time to gather their sheep at the end of the night.

This may very well be my last post from the Holy Land and I thank you for journeying with us, taking in snippets of our pilgrimage. I thank my group who supported me in all aspects of being a “scribe” and I thank God for the opportunity to be experience scripture in such a way. Whether you ever come to the Holy Land or not, I hope that wherever you are you are able to connect to the book of our faith, The Bible and all the gifts God has given us within it. This can happen anywhere!

My prayer for you, from the 4th verse of “O Little Town of Bethlehem":

”O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Immanuel!

As our journey is coming to a close soon, just two more days! I realize just how many pictures on this blog are of various types of stone structures. Well, even as I realize this, I must post a few more because today we visited some very significant stones. Today, among many other places we visited the Western Wall; you may be more familiar with its other name, the Wailing Wall.

The Western Wall is considered the holiest site in Judaism since this wall is the remains of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount, and a place to mourn the Second Temple which no longer stands. Although a holy site, visitors are allowed to visit and pray at this wall. I had an opportunity to do this.

I walked down towards the woman’s entrance (the wall is separated by gender) down to the wall passing persons seated in plastic chairs or standing with their Hebrew prayer book in hand. To be respectful I did not take pictures of those deep in prayer. But I can still show the prayers to you, you can literally see many of the prayers themselves, the exist on the hundreds (maybe thousands) of pieces of paper.

I waited until a space opened up and I unfolded the piece of paper where I penned my prayers earlier this morning. With one hand on the wall, I read through my prayers. On this piece of paper were prayers for my friends and fellow seminarians as they go through the assignment process this week, prayers for my family, all those I love and prayers for peace. Then I did as so many do and tucked my prayers with the hundreds, thousands of others in the cracks of the walls. There are so many prayers that as you push them into the cracks many shower to the ground at one's feet.

I think of the questions I typed last night. It is amazing how one can be moved by the holy places of another, even if one does not fully understand. Yesterday at the Mount of Olives I thought of the three monotheistic religions lifting their prayers to God at the same time. Today I felt very connected lifting my prayers to God silently as well as pushing them into the cracks of this these revered stones. I didn't wail at the wall but… well... to be honest, I did tear up as I read the names of loved ones I had penned on that piece of paper with the rest of my petitions, and that reaction surprised me.

Those moments at the wall will definitely be part of my pilgrimage story in the Holy Land…

Today was also filled with other journeys. To be truthful, today was two days rolled into one. Did I mention our wake-up call was at 5:30? Tomorrow we travel to Bethlehem before our last day in Jerusalem, but let me share with you a few more snippets from other parts of our day…

Today we walked the way of the cross…(carrying this olive cross that we passed around our group and gave to our guide a Palestinian Christian)

We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Traveled beneath Jerusalem in the Western Wall Tunnel

St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda

We also visited the Dome of the Rock (the third holiest site for Islam, the Israeli Museum to see a model of Jerusalem and Yad Vashem, a remembrance of the Holocaust.

We ended our evening with Rabbi Rob Kahn, a U.S. native now living in Jerusalem and coordinator of an immersion experience for young adults from around the world here in Jerusalem.

More questions...

“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….” (Matthew 23:37) This is just a portion of the scripture read to us when we finally found ourselves in Jerusalem, viewing the city from the Mount of Olives. Within these verses Jesus weeps for Jerusalem and as we sat listening to Kristina read, behind us was the Dominus Flevit Chapel. Dominus Flevit means “Jesus wept”. This chapel marks the spot where tradition says Jesus spoke those words recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. The Dominus Flevit Chapel, a view looking out from within the chapel and Matthew's words depicted on the altar of the chapel...

Jerusalem is still a city which evokes many emotions. This city is considered holy for the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. As we sat in the Mount of Olives we took in the contrast of ancient walls and modern high rises, Christian churches, an Islamic Mosque as well as places significant to the Jewish faith. We heard scripture read, sang “Go to Dark Gethsemane” and were invited to have a time of silence for meditation and prayer. During this silence, the Isalmic call to worship began to be heard throughout the city. In the midst of this, one of our group, David noticed Hasidic Jews praying in the Jewish cemetery visible in the valley below the Mount of Olives. For me, it was a strange melding of senses, a coming together while still contrasting. I don’t quite know what to think of it.

As we reflected tonight, this complexity and the questions that come with it have arisen for many in this group. What will the city of Jerusalem mean for us? What does it mean to visit various places where Jesus is said to have walked, prayed, died, rose when we know that God is just as close in places back home? The questions I raised about pilgrimage in my first post are bubbling to the surface again. I feel that I, as well as many of my fellow travelers, have been fed by this trip and yet we are challenged to understand what part this particular city, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem” plays in our own faith story.

Our view of Jerusalem. The more crowded and bustling part of our journey begins (hence in this photo you not only see Jerusalem but other groups below us who have come to this holy city).

A few other photos from our day….

We traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations today as well, however this morning before traveling to Jerusalem we traveled to Masada. Masada was built by Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 b.c.) and expanded by King Herod (73-4 BCE). It was here that the famous standoff between the Romans and the Jewish Zealots occurred.

A model of Masada (to help give you an idea)

Our group riding the cable car to the top (above) and the view on top of Masada (pictured below)

Look Mom! We float!!!!

No matter what your swimming skill or how many falafels you've eaten, we were told you will not sink in the Dead Sea. About twenty-four of us tested out this phenomenon on Monday and it's true! Before our float, we also took in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Here is just a sample of the many fun pictures we took late Monday afternoon. More about our journey coming soon!!!

Rejoice!!!

In front of the Treasury!

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."- Psalms 118:24

There is much to rejoice in today. It is Sunday and we began the day remembering in prayer our loved ones and our worshiping communities back home. Today is also Kay's birthday and she was welcomed onto the bus with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" in English as well as in Aramaic (thanks to the assistance of Omar, our guide).

Our day was spent in one of the seven modern wonders in the world, Petra. As we walked the two miles into this archeological wonder, it is no surprise this place made the list! From the treasury (mentioned in my earlier post) to the Urn Tomb (where we held our devotions), I am amazed that persons 2,000 years ago carved such massive structures into this sandstone. And to think that they did this beginning with the top and working their way down!

As amazing as these structures are to view from the outside, my most vivid memory of Petra will be from within the Urn Tomb which was used as Byzantine church around 477 A.D. The acoustics in this space are so remarkable that this space has not only been a church but used as a courthouse (during Roman rule) in its past life. Now this massive square room sits empty filled only by visitors.

The Urn Tomb

Today we took advantage of these amazing ancient acoustics. Paul greeted us into the space with music played on a classic baroque-style flute. Next we offered up prayer petitions hearing the syllables reverberate on the walls and high ceiling above us. Then we sang...

As Diane put it best, music in this particular space "gets inside you." I had hoped to post a video of our music in this amazing space. However, uploading has not been successful. If I figure it out, you will be the first to know!

There were other moments in our day, rides on camels, donkeys, horses and encounters with the locals that give us much to rejoice about. A group of us even journeyed farther climbing 800-900 steps (the actual number is disputed) to the Monastery, a high point at Petra. Today we walked quite a bit. To simply walk in and then back out is four miles, some of our group probably walked closer to eight.

Those who traveled the 800-900 steps and the monastery we found at the end of our journey!

One of the greatest reasons to rejoice came as I loaded this bus. I discovered that the wind we encountered at various parts of our day was part of a sandstorm occurring in parts of Jordon. This sandstorm has been the strongest in 20 years and actually closed roads and delayed travel for many. Walking at Petra sand did seem to blow everywhere but we realize in other places it was much, much worse. Had the timing of our visit to Petra been one day later we may have never made it to this amazing site. We would have never been able to have our four-part harmony echo on the walls of what once was a 5th century Byzantine Church. Yes, from camels to Lutheran hymns there is much to rejoice about, especially in Petra.

High Five

Today was a long day of travel via bus, but as tired as I am I couldn’t resist sharing some highlights from our day. Tomorrow will be an adventure too as we journey to Petra to take in the rock-hewn tombs, temple and treasury. If you have seen Indian Jones and the Last Crusade and remember where Indy finds the Holy Grail, you have seen images of Petra. We will be there tomorrow and don’t worry there will be pictures! However, since it is a bit of a hike (two miles to trek in and out) tonight’s blog will just be snippets from our day today. .. Five Highlights…in no particular order…

1. We are in Jordon! We have safely and success

fully crossed over into the country of Jordon. This is an interesting endeavor since security is high at border crossings. Our gracious driver offered to drive us across the bridge to Jordon. However, because of security the Israeli bus could only be at customs for a certain amount of time, otherwise he would be seriously delayed. What does this mean? The bus driver saved us time driving us across and in order for us to spare him being delayed before traveling back (all buses must be checked if they sit at customs for a certain amount of time) back we needed to get off the bus… fast. How long does it take 34 people plus all of their luggage to unload a charter bus? About three minutes. Tonight we rest easy in a high class hotel (five stars!) and begin our experience of Jordon.

2. The number five came up earlier today as well. We had a five dollar lunch. No, not a foot-long but chicken wrapped in Beduwin bread and served with smooth mashed potatoes, French fries, pickled beets, fresh cucumbers and lemon. The meal was much more than most of us could eat and at $5, delivered to our bus at the top of Mount Nebo you couldn’t ask anything more.

3. After lunch we moved

into another high point of our day, literally. Today we read from Deuteronomy (Deut 32:49-52, 34:1-12) at the top of Mt. Nebo where Moses took in the Promised Land before he died. From the top we could see the city of Jericho, over 6,000 years old, as well as waters of Dead Sea.

4. Today we had a chance to

see high art in the making. After Mt. Nebo we visited a mosaic art center which provides work opportunities for those with disabilities. The mosaics were gorgeous ranging from small pieces the size of your hand to expansive wall designs. I was invited to glue a few stones in place myself!

5. Tonight Barbara spoke this simple truth “God calls us into community.” This has been an ongoing high point on this trip. I see again and again examples of community within this group of people. From persons assisting others with luggage, to taking turns snapping pictures (serious or silly

) of each other, to deeply listening to each other’s varied experiences, there is an intentionality here, a special type of togetherness. Where does this come from? Is it because we are in the Holy Land? Is it because we know that each of us hopes for something along this journey. Is it because of the faith we share? One person in our group described it as a “super discipleship” and we all laughed, together. Whatever you call it, it is a gift from God and a highpoint of my day and I feel it will continue to be in the days ahead.