Here in Israel, with all the social, economic, political and religious issues I have experienced the reality of God’s love.

 

Each day we have participated in reading a Psalm.  One day we read Psalm 69:16,  It is a verse where the psalmist asks for God’s love or compassion.  What might this look like?  Maybe like the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17.  We read this story and reflected on it when we went to the Church of the 10 Lepers in the Jenin region of the West Bank. 

 

These 10 lepers are outcasts.  The live together in sickness and impurity.  The story says that they “called to Jesus from a distance.”  They said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  I can relate to that.

 

The church has a small alcove on one side of the sanctuary.  It is here that the 10 lepers lived almost 2000 years ago.  This alcove was once a place of shame, abandonment and rejection.  Now it is a beautiful and sacred place; a testimony to the radical love of Jesus.  Christ changed those who cried out to him; his presence and love healed them.

 

Even in the midst of (or especially because of) this contested part of the world, where there is plenty of shame, ghetto like existence and “unclear” locations, I am moved by the depth of Jesus’ love.  It says when they wen from him “they were healed.”

 

James Wheeler

The Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church is prevalent throughout the Holy Land.  Along with the Flag (white background with a centre cross in red surrounded on the four corers by smaller red crosses) you will often see the insignia shown below. 

 St. Francis of Assisi was a wealthy man who gave it away to follow and serve Christ.  The two arms represent the arm of Francis (clothed) joined with the arm of Christ (bare).   In this day of great material wealth we may do well to consider the ways and heart of St. Francis…

 

 

Gavin Jensen  has made the only Inukshuk in the Judean Wilderness.

 

 

Kyra Anderson contemplates another piece of history that involves rocks.

 

Saddle up…

 

 

 

 

 

Walking the Via Dolorosa early this morning was incredible.  The 14 stations of the cross can be found in obscure spots throughout the Old City's narrow, winding streets.  Like Tony (also on this trip) said, you could walk right by most of them and not even notice.  Not the Church of the Holy  though, where Jesus was stripped of his clothing and crucified.  The place was filled with incense and candles, music and mosaics, revered rocks and works of art.  The atmosphere was powerful, penetrating the senses (and I don't mean to be melodramatic!)  But "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has overcome it" (John 1:5).  As I walked out of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, back into the sunshine, I knew God was walking out too - with me, in me.  Alexis Bevan

The Jenin Farewell Committee sending our bus back to the south.

  Words from Debbie Walters:

I have come to this country and to these cities that mean so very much to so very many, and I wonder.  I wonder at the deep pain and suffering of these people.  They are beautiful people’ the Israeli’s and the Arabs.  I appreciate their kind hospitality and welcoming ways.  Their love of family and country…

 Then I hope:  I hope for their future, their children and their hearts…

 Then I remember: I remember you, the One.  The one who loves the hearts of men, and knows the plans He has for us, for good and not evil.  I remember You are the same and you never change. 

Then I am comforted in You.  You will lead, you will be strong, you will fight for the hearts of men.  You will defeat pain and accusation.

 Thank You, Beautiful One.  We trust You Jesus. 

And Now...Picture Potpourri

Gavin Jensen and his (all of our) new buddy Issam (AbuZed) our fearless bus driver. 

Joel Braun looking excited about more time in a bus seat.

The temple of Pan near Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples the question "Who do you say that I am..."

Playground built by World Vision in the Jenin area of the West Bank.

Trying to organize the first ever football (as in pigskin not "soccer") in the West Bank.

We will call this section, The Life of Dan...

Here Pastor Dan is shown consuming an entire waterfall due to his great thirst!

Let's have another Dan moment:  this editor isn't crazy about the little elevators in our hotel.  Six of us came out from supper and went to the elevator, the editor offered to wait for the next lift to which Dan replied:  Don't worry this is not a claustrophobic moment at all!!! (Very pastoral to be encouraging).  We got in and for some reason the elevator went up instead of down.  Then suddenly it stopped near the top level but the doors didn't open as they usually do.  Ok, so Dan is not a prophet at all.  It is hot etc and no matter what we push nothing happens.  Trying to recover his caring spirit he pushes the alarm button.  Nothing.  Then the lights go out.  Finally someone says "Just a moment..."  In the end the elevator is reset or something and we all exit happy to be out of the little box that holds 450KG max (I'm still doing the math to see if we overloaded it or if it was just a case of Dan needing to know he isn't always correct!

On a somewhat more serious note, the following two posts are by Andrew Fortuine who happens to room with Dan and the second by Dan himself:

When we first arrived in Jerusalem, my first thought was not “holy.”  Crowds bustling…vendors clamoring for attention…people shouting back and forth…all in the context of a hot and dusty land.  But then it struck me:  taking away all the modern trappings, Jerusalem today probably isn’t very different at all from the Jerusalem of Jesus’ day.  People are still thirsty for living water, still in need of a Saviour.  Does Jesus still weep over Jerusalem?  A.F.

 This is my third trip to the Holy Land.  I had a deep conviction and passion to help lead this discipleship experience for our conference, because I believe the Lord meets us here, opens up His Word and teaches us.  There is something about this place.  Maybe it is simply that when God became man, He did it in Palestine.  And to visit the places of the Bible it becomes so real; the Lord was here.  He lived, He died, and He rose again!

Two places have touched a chord in me most this time around:

First, was the Judean desert.  The vast dry and dusty, hot and barren wilderness where the Israelites wandered and God sustained them.  Where Elijah, Jacob, David and Jesus fled to, to be alone and quiet before God.  Where John the Baptist preached and baptized.  We read Psalm 63 together and each sat alone and quiet before the Lord. 

O God, you are my God, I earnestly seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Here, alone and quiet before God I realized how much I need the Lord, and just how busy, full and distracting my everyday life is and how I thirst for my God and need Him.  Only He is my living water that sustains, speaks, guides and can love me so completely.

Second, was visiting the beautiful Palestinian children and families in one of the poorest, most oppressed places of all the land.  Living imprisoned behind a wall, living in the largest unemployed (40%+) place, living with little water resources, here World Vision and the Palestinian church have come to their aid.  There are nearly 200,000 Christians living in Israel and the West Bank, but they are often forgotten by us in the west.  We can com to the Holy Land, see the ancient ruins of where Jesus walked, but fail to stop and visit where Jesus IS today.

He is alive and living among the poor, and in the faces of His children, and in the hearts of His people.  The families were so thankful we came.  They gave us a huge lunch, treated us like kings and queens.  The kids asked me all about Canada and wanted their picture taken.  They were just like my 6 and 4 year olds back home.  My heart broke and I felt all this love and call to embrace. 

I heard Jesus say: I was hungry, did you feed me, I was naked, did you clothe me, I was thirsty, did you give me something to drink, I was in prison, did you visit me?  Whatever you did for the least of these, you did unto me.

I also heard Jesus say:  Let the little children come to me, for of such belongs the Kingdom of God. 

I still love the holy sites, but I love the living stones even more, because Jesus in me loves them and that is where He is today.  D.O.

Sorry but the Picture Man still hasn't brought his magic to the laptop so we are working with old pictures...

 

 

  Pastor James Wheeler doing the 3 R's, Reading, wRiting and Reflecting
 It was a hot one up on Masada
 Hezekiah's Tunnel, 1750meters dug about the width of a fat guy (sometimes pretty short too...
 An interpretive meal called Abraham's Tent - Exquisite Food!!!

Follow-up for those wanting some information on the Ancient Boat mentioned in the last post:

http://www.jesusboat.com/contentItems.php?section=914&item=5331

Why no post yesterday:  Gouging rates for internet ($20/24 hours or $3 /15 minutes!!) Sorry, we Canadians are just too cheap for that.

Back in the Old City of Jerusalem after a very long day in the northern region of the West Bank.  It was a stretching and at times difficult day but a good day too.  More to come when the picture man delivers the goods.

Thoughts by Jeff Gooderham:

“Awake my soul and sing

of Him who died for me

and claim Him as my matchless King

through all eternity."

This song has become a theme for me on this trip.  I have heard it ringing in the ancient stones of yesterday, whispering on the gentle ripples of the Sea of Galilee, and crying out in the shadows of the Garden of Gethsemane.  But I have found that it has come alive the most, not in the ancient stones, but in the living stones, those living stones that are so few in number, those living stones that are adorned with such beautiful faces, such warm smiles, and such passionate, courageous love for Jesus.  I have discovered a new song and a new family of brothers and sisters in the Lord!  How blessed am I.

 

Believe it or not this is a boat from the first century!  It was found in the mud by the Galilee during a drought year by some men who work at the Kibbutz Nof Ginosar where we are staying.  It is an incredible story that includes carefully digging around it, covering it in foam, removing it from the mud, putting it into a tank of chemicals for over 10 years and then moving it into its final resting place near the Kibbutz.

Next on the itinerary is a trip on the Sea of Galilee.  The Canadian Flag is raised and the anthem is played...

Our guide, Walid, shows the way of respect...

And the time on the lake where Jesus spent so much time was underway.

Highlighted by some spontaneous preaching by "Preacher" Walid talking about Jesus coming to us in the storms of life...

Images we think we are familiar with are portrayed in very different ways...

 

Lots of food on this trip, and lots of food for thought...

At the end of a hot and humid day we went to the Jordan River and celebrated with two from our group (Jeff Gooderham and Ken Johnson) as they reaffirmed their baptism in the same river (even if not at the same place) as Jesus baptism.

Saturday Night and we are about 1/2 way into this experience; it is a good one!

On the Road Again... Just can't wait to get on the road again...  

The troubadour Willie Nelson says it well.  The consensus is that we are continually excited to be enthralled or challenged by the next experience.

First Stop after leaving Jericho (not counting the time at the border crossing) was Nazareth and the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation that commemorates the announcement to Mary by the Angel that she would have a child.  Part of this church dates back to the crusader period.  The attention to detail and the deep desire to create a sacred space is incredible even if the architecture and style is quite different from whatever we normally experience.

Second Stop:  The market in Old Nazareth -

 lots of fun buys and fruit and vegetables galore

Third stop was Nazareth Village - a representation of 1st Century Nazareth complete with "period actors" and working displays.  If you ever get here make sure your tour goes to this place: www.nazarethvillage.com

        

A replica of threshing, a lady making yarn (sorry don't know how to orient the picture properly) and an oil press which is actually used to harvest their olive oil crop which happens in the late fall.

The last visit of the day is one without any pictures but one with deep impact.   We had the honour of meeting with some 8 - 10 Israeli Arab Christian leaders.  They have a vibrant and active faith and they are involved in some wonderful ministries.  We met at the Israeli Arab Bible Society office which had just opened within the last month.  Dina Katanacho is one of three Directors in Israel/Palestine (the only woman in that position) and is shaping the work of the Society to focus on women and children.  Others we met work with churches, children,secondary and post-secondary schools and also those focused on ministry to youth and young adults.  We had an hour to engage in some one-on-one conversation with these new friends.  Who knows what could happen next!

Quick Edit... Spelling of Masada is incorrect in the post...  for more information just search "The Google" and you will get lots ...

We started the day in Bethlehem having had a good night at the Jacir Palace Hotel (likely the nicest of our time here) and headed toward the Dead Sea.  First stop was the security wall (over 5 meters high).  Our guide, being Israeli Arab had to go around by another way and after passing the check point (no problem) we met up with our intrepid leader once again.

Nope, not another place ride... this was the view from Massada, the place where a group of about 1000 Jewish Rebels who defied Rome had to make an ultimate decision:  Fall to Rome and become slaves (or possibly worse actions to their persons) or end their lives.  They chose the later and in the end all the husbands killed their families, then 10 chosen fighters killed all the men, then one of the 10 killed the nine and finally himself.  A few women and children lived and the account has been recorded by Josephus an ancient historian.  It is an incredible story of a group that is on one hand so valiant and yet on the other made a choice that seems not to make any sense.  This high fortress (once a palace and fortress by Herod the Great (great builder but lousy person - killed the babies after Jesus birth along with having various family members murdered).  It is interesting to wonder if small ethical decisions made without care won't eventually lead to much larger ones where we no longer have the proper moral compass.  Following Jesus certainly brings us face to face with many difficult decisions - while we may not agree with the rebels decision at Massada we must say that as opposed to many of us in North America they at least made a decision.

Brown is the dominant colour of this land...

So when you see a place like En Gede (See the story of David sparing the life of Saul while he went into a cave to "relieve himself") a beautiful place of water and life in the midst of heat and brown.  

It makes one think that maybe when we have so much we miss the miracle of God's great provision.  In the hot and dry land (it was 45C at the dead sea - tonight in Jericho it is not yet below 30C at Midnight) the oasis of God's provision is so clear and refreshing.

Ok - on a lighter note showing just how hot it was...this man (not part of our group) started losing clothes up at Massada this morning!!!

Good night from Jericho...

Following Christ, The Journey Begins

It was early Sunday Evening when most of the 17 who make up the 2009 Israel/Palestine Study Group entered into Israeli airspace.  One the mundane but important note everyone had their luggage arrive with them and Gavin's guitar arrived unscathed by the trip.

We were met by our guide Walid at the airport and headed into Jerusalem where we all met for supper.  Following supper some needed to crash in bed and some went for a walk to the Western Wall and were able to watch many come to his historic wall to pray.  The evening sleep brought various hours and various points of jet-lag waking.  

Expectations are interesting.  The wonderful thing about being in a group that gathers people from three provinces and includes seven pastors plus 10 others ranging in age from 19 to 60+ is that we come with different experiences, expectations and perspectives.   This should provide a great mosaic of perspectives in the end.  

Our overarching them is "Following Jesus".  We are hoping that the diversity of experiences will bring us into a better place of understanding and relationship to Jesus who lived and walked in this place.

We begin our journey in Jerusalem.  A city that is historic, conflicted and yet full of Biblical connection.  A trip to the Mount of Olives looking down toward the city with the famous Dome of the Rock and city skyline was followed by the walk Jesus made on his way to the Garden of Gethsemane.   

Everything is so compacted.  The walk is somewhat steep but it really is amazing how close it is from this place of agony to the city where Jesus was seen as an outcast amongst the religious establishment and ultimately killed.  

The experience is turning out to be a time of deep reflection but also deep enjoyment and at times even humour.

Take for instance our fearless guide Walid.  He is a Palestinian Christian from the Northern region of Israel.  You may wonder about the threat of rain...Walid has taught us that in plus 34C heat that the umbrella is a wonderful deterrent against the direct heat of the sun.  Having been a guide for over 21 years he will usually say something like:  "you take time to look around, I will be standing under that tree in the shade"... he has the ability to find the only tree within any physical space!  Walid has a great sense of humour and he fits us as a group very well.  He is fun and he is flexible - we like him and we think he does like us.

A part of our experience has been to come and see the places of the bible.  We have also chosen to listen to the "living stones" of the land, those who follow Jesus and live in this place.  Salim from Musalaha has given us two very full and challenging lectures: "Reconciliation" and "Theology of the Land".  Dr.Bishara from Bethlehem Bible College gave us information on the Conflict of the region.  Along the way we ran into Bethany Fullerton who was born in Prince Albert and is volunteering with Sabeel a Christian organization based in Jerusalem.  As a kind of wonderful "coincidence" we were staying at a hotel in Bethlehem and ate in a great banquet room with many families.  When we asked if it was a group we found out that it is three Alliance Congregations (Palestinian) who are holding their summer Family Camp together at this hotel.  So in the place of Jesus birth we meet over 150 others who are also following Him today!

A final window into our experience is to try and find times where we can have more than a brief "get off the bus and take a picture" experience.  We told Walid that we would like to have a taste of the desert and he took us to a great spot where we could first of all read a few of the desert texts and then go off individually to think about this place where Jesus spent significant time.  In the midst of the intense heat (apparently this area receives MAYBE two inches of rainfall a year) we were struck with the signs of life.  Apparently it only takes a bit of rain to turn the stark brown hills into a green carpet.  The importance of water is seen in each of the small ravines where plants are far more prevalent right at the bottom.  We started Monday reading Psalm 1 about trees planted by the water and having roots that go down.  In the desert we even see this principle of being in the right spot for that time when the water comes - even if it is very sparse.

Have you ever done a camel ride?  You feel somewhat vulnerable sitting way up there.  You don't have stirrups.  You have to trust that the guide won't let you go off the cliff.  They go up and down in a most uncomfortable way.  It is also one of those "glad I did it" choices.

This trip is turning out to be something like a camel ride for many of us.  This evening, only three days into our journey we did a brief check in related to how we were doing and what we might be learning.  In readers digest form here are just some of the thoughts that come from the group of us who are gathered for the purpose of considering anew our call to Follow Jesus:

"...the emphasis is on God's Kingdom and pursuing that instead of the world's kingdom which can just swallow us up..."

"...I'm feeling for our brothers and sisters who are Palestinian, and wonder, who takes up their cause for justice..."

"I am really trying to sort stuff out..."

"I like God more as I hear of his love for all people..."

"I am amazed at the passion and knowledge of our brothers and sisters who live in this place..."

"I am struck by the humanity of Jesus that he sweat just like we do and he got tired just like we do..."

Stay tuned.