We have arrived safely in Jerusalem after two flights of a cumulative 15 hours, a 9 hr time change, and a crazy taxi ride. We had no problems getting through security though the woman did say "Kevin..." in a tone like he was in trouble...similar to how folks at Iliff talk to Kevin. But she just gave him a hard time for having a wrinkled passport and let us through.
We stayed last night at the beautiful Christ Church Guesthouse, home to the oldest Protestant church in the Middle East. One of the desk workers is an American and took up on a tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulcre last night. It was late enough that most of the tourists were gone so we could enjoy the solemn sites, sounds, and smells of the church. Our host is married to an Arab Christian and gave us a her (surprising) opinions on the political and social situation here. They are part of a growing evangelical and Charismatic movement of Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem that believe the land belongs to Israel and that God has a special plan for Palestinians who help them. She and her husband live in an Israeli settlement on the Israeli side of the wall, though they have family who lives on the Palestinian side. We did not offer our own opinions, but just listened and I couldn't help but wonder about the complexity of receiving gracious hospitality and welcoming from someone who so strongly believes something so different from me. That is often how God works, I think, in contradictions and surprises, reminding us of our humanity.
Today and tomorrow we are seeing the sites around Jerusalem and the Sea of Galillee. Then on Thursday our delegation officially begins.
Some Israel moments so far:
- sharing a taxi with a Russian Orthodox family
- praying together at Christ's tomb with Kevin and Tiffany
- the smells of incense and mass in Latin at Church of the Holy Sepulcre
- breeze at night in the court yard of our guesthouse
- standing in the middle of so many prayers, chants, and tears at the base of the Western Wall
Join Team Shiphrah:
Read about the stance of the UMC in its Church and Society site:
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=2837503&content_id={4C91BD08-36A6-4F77-AB00-E39D00094384}¬oc=1
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I'm so proud of all you're doing! It sounds like you've already had some pretty amazing experiences. I love you! - Sally
ReplyDeletep.s. I'm not sure what the availability of smoothies is in Israel and Palestine, but please remember not to get into a taxi after drinking one! :)
Glad you are on the ground, in ha'eretz. I'm glad your hosts are gracious (to you, anyway), and your eyes and ears are full.
ReplyDeleteMusic? Food?
I'm glad you made it safe and sound!
ReplyDelete