Good morning. I arrived home last night after hours and hours of travel and more security checks than I care to remember. I barely made it out of O'Hare last night due to the storm. Although I made it home my suitcase was not so lucky. So I am on my way back to the airport this morning to claim it.
My head is swimming from this experience. I have 1,300 pictures to organize and I will post some of them here today. Please check back later for that. I kept a very detailed journal which I plan to share in some ways as well.
Before I left people would comment that this trip would be life changing, the time of my life...I agree with that. I am trying to sort out what that means exactly. I know that thanks to the places I walked, the historical and biblical sights I saw and experienced, and the people I had the pleasure of talking with...the scriptures are opening up in different and remarkable ways. I feel very blessed to have had this opportunity at this particular time in my seminary experience.
Dad is planning a trip to Israel in 2013 and I plan to be the first to sign up. I need to go back!
Thanks to you all for reading, commenting and especially for praying for this trip.
Shalom,
Ang
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Up to Jerusalem
We arrived to Jerusalem last night in the pouring rain. I was in bed asleep by 8:30 pm. The combination of rain, wind, and walking sucked the life out of me. We did walk down the side of a cliff to St. George's Monastery yesterday...the only monastery that will allow women. We owe our gratitude to a 6th century noble woman who was walking the countryside searching for a cure. In the wilderness she is said to have been visited by the Virgin Mary who told her to go to St. George's for a cure. She went and the monks were not please with her. She told them her story and they allowed her entrance. They put her in the sacristy overnight and in the morning she was healed. Women have been allowed from that time on.
We are staying in the Old City Jerusalem. Today have been on a walking tour of this side of the city and walked the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Sorrows, The Way of the Cross), we walked each station of the cross, read scripture, had prayers and song. The most wonderful thing that happened was when a man, perhaps in his 50's, my guess is from Russia perhaps, joined in with us in listening to the readings and sang with us, and then during our silent prayers he began praying out loud in his language. It was marvelous.
From there we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre...the place where Christ was crucified and buried. What was once a barren hillside outside the city gate is now a shrine...the Greek Orthodox has claimed the site of the crucifixion and it is adorned in candles and icons. We were there at a time when purification was happening and a monk from each of the different faith's came through with chanting and incense.
We are finally at a rest time here at The Gloria Hotel and then off to meet with Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, a theologian, Catholic, historian, who has studied and researched OT, NT for years and years (he is 80) and has written a guide to the Holy Lands which many of us have along with us. It's about a 30 minute walk from The Old City and so I am praying for the rain to stay away.
Tomorrow morning we are worshipping here in Jerusalem, then to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). Should be some time for rest tomorrow I would hope. I am getting tired.
Shalom!
Angie
We are staying in the Old City Jerusalem. Today have been on a walking tour of this side of the city and walked the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Sorrows, The Way of the Cross), we walked each station of the cross, read scripture, had prayers and song. The most wonderful thing that happened was when a man, perhaps in his 50's, my guess is from Russia perhaps, joined in with us in listening to the readings and sang with us, and then during our silent prayers he began praying out loud in his language. It was marvelous.
From there we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre...the place where Christ was crucified and buried. What was once a barren hillside outside the city gate is now a shrine...the Greek Orthodox has claimed the site of the crucifixion and it is adorned in candles and icons. We were there at a time when purification was happening and a monk from each of the different faith's came through with chanting and incense.
We are finally at a rest time here at The Gloria Hotel and then off to meet with Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, a theologian, Catholic, historian, who has studied and researched OT, NT for years and years (he is 80) and has written a guide to the Holy Lands which many of us have along with us. It's about a 30 minute walk from The Old City and so I am praying for the rain to stay away.
Tomorrow morning we are worshipping here in Jerusalem, then to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall). Should be some time for rest tomorrow I would hope. I am getting tired.
Shalom!
Angie
Monday, January 9, 2012
Hello! Still here in Bethlehem. Wonderful day full of great conversations. We are seeing wonderful sights each day, seeing the holy land is wonderful. However, the people are what are making this the most amazing part of this journey. Today we talked with many Palestinians about their life under occupation. We walked some of the wall that is under construction, and let me tell you this is sad. Very. It is really hard for me to understand how a people who so hurt, destroyed in the Holocaust can so soon forget and be treating another people in this way. Now, having said that I do acknowledge that not all Israeli's are Jewish and not all those who are Jewish are Israeli. But in general this is the case. Wait until I can post pictures...you will hardly believe this place.
A great thing about our hotel here in Bethlehem is that we are in the center of things in the city. Everything we need, everyplace we need to be is close by. Everyone here walks. In fact pedestrians have the right of way, they own the road...and cars simply have to inch along trying to get from place to place. Trust me it is quicker to walk.
We also saw Mar Saba Monastery today. Men were allowed to enter and the women were allowed to hike up a steep hill and look down upon the monastery...beautiful.
I hope you are all well and know that I think of you always.
Here is a part of the prayer service I led today in shepherd's field...
"Heavenly Father, we praise you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to be born in Bethlehem to become one of us. As we thank you and praise you for the birth of you Son, we find ourselves in the midst of violence and hatred that seem to have no end. we feel helpless in from of the political and military might of this world. We look around us and find no salvation in human beings, but only in our incarnated Lord." Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine
(By the way we are meeting with Bishop Younan next week.)
A great thing about our hotel here in Bethlehem is that we are in the center of things in the city. Everything we need, everyplace we need to be is close by. Everyone here walks. In fact pedestrians have the right of way, they own the road...and cars simply have to inch along trying to get from place to place. Trust me it is quicker to walk.
We also saw Mar Saba Monastery today. Men were allowed to enter and the women were allowed to hike up a steep hill and look down upon the monastery...beautiful.
I hope you are all well and know that I think of you always.
Here is a part of the prayer service I led today in shepherd's field...
"Heavenly Father, we praise you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to be born in Bethlehem to become one of us. As we thank you and praise you for the birth of you Son, we find ourselves in the midst of violence and hatred that seem to have no end. we feel helpless in from of the political and military might of this world. We look around us and find no salvation in human beings, but only in our incarnated Lord." Bishop Munib Younan, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine
(By the way we are meeting with Bishop Younan next week.)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hello from Bethlehem! We arrived here on Friday afternoon, had some time to find our rooms, brush teeth and walk up the block for dinner at the ICB (International Center of Bethlehem). We had a brief meeting and then off to bed. To be honest I barely remember that night. I slept so hard that I never heard my alarm the next morning. I think it went off for 45 minutes! This morning I was back on track.
Saturday morning we were met by our guide Niam, he is Palestinian Christian (Lutheran...born, baptized, confirmed and raised in Jerusalem...where he still lives.) We are blessed to have him as our guide. He took us Saturday out of Bethlehem through Jerusalem to Masada. We spent much time there looking, learning, exploring, and imagining what it was like for the Zealots who too refuge there when Jerusalem was under attack by Romans AD 70 - 73. The synagogue was built so the people would face Jerusalem, so they would keep their eyes on home and never forget. The Zealots received helped from neighbors including the Samaritans, but in the end 10,000 Romans along with the Zealots own friends, neighbors, and family who were forced to fight against them and Masada fell on Aug 8 73. Only 3 men remained alive in the end, the Rabbi and his helpers. All the others had taken part in a ritual mass suicide, so as not to be killed by friends or enslaved by Rome. None ever made it back to Jerusalem.
After Masada we traveled to the Dead Sea to see, touch and dip in the water. The water is 27% salt and minerals...I should warn you that if you hope to visit the Dead Sea to do so soon as it is being drained away at a very rapid rate. This is partly due to the fact that companies are creating cosmetics and lotions and other skin products with these waters and more so because much water is being taken from the Sea of Galilee for water to the territories.
From Masada to Jericho. I spent the day singing "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho". (Hi Josh!) From Jericho we can see the wilderness mountain where the first two temptations of Christ took place. Whew! Jericho is a beautiful city, old city. I stood right at a part of the old wall...and believe me it is "tumbled down".
Today, Sunday morning we walked up the block to Christmas Lutheran Church for worship. All Arabic worship...beautiful. We were invited by the Rev (Mitri Raheb) to pray the prayer of our Lord together each in our own language...and it sounded beautiful! This was the communion of saints. (Side note: the best cup of coffee I have had since arriving was at Christmas Lutheran...dark, thick, strong with lots of sugar in the bottom of my cup. Delicious AND got rid of my headache.)
Also today we visited the Church of the Nativity...no one was fighting with broomsticks. It is interesting, I don't know if you saw that on t.v recently with the big fight before Christmas...but in talking with people here it is known that what you own you care for and what you care for you own. Therefore, it makes since that fights can break out.
I have so much to write and so little time to do it. We off now to meet with a Muslim Sheik then dinner.
One thing I can say is that tomorrow we are going to Shepherd's Field and I will be leading my worship. My focus will be PEACE.
Saturday morning we were met by our guide Niam, he is Palestinian Christian (Lutheran...born, baptized, confirmed and raised in Jerusalem...where he still lives.) We are blessed to have him as our guide. He took us Saturday out of Bethlehem through Jerusalem to Masada. We spent much time there looking, learning, exploring, and imagining what it was like for the Zealots who too refuge there when Jerusalem was under attack by Romans AD 70 - 73. The synagogue was built so the people would face Jerusalem, so they would keep their eyes on home and never forget. The Zealots received helped from neighbors including the Samaritans, but in the end 10,000 Romans along with the Zealots own friends, neighbors, and family who were forced to fight against them and Masada fell on Aug 8 73. Only 3 men remained alive in the end, the Rabbi and his helpers. All the others had taken part in a ritual mass suicide, so as not to be killed by friends or enslaved by Rome. None ever made it back to Jerusalem.
After Masada we traveled to the Dead Sea to see, touch and dip in the water. The water is 27% salt and minerals...I should warn you that if you hope to visit the Dead Sea to do so soon as it is being drained away at a very rapid rate. This is partly due to the fact that companies are creating cosmetics and lotions and other skin products with these waters and more so because much water is being taken from the Sea of Galilee for water to the territories.
From Masada to Jericho. I spent the day singing "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho". (Hi Josh!) From Jericho we can see the wilderness mountain where the first two temptations of Christ took place. Whew! Jericho is a beautiful city, old city. I stood right at a part of the old wall...and believe me it is "tumbled down".
Today, Sunday morning we walked up the block to Christmas Lutheran Church for worship. All Arabic worship...beautiful. We were invited by the Rev (Mitri Raheb) to pray the prayer of our Lord together each in our own language...and it sounded beautiful! This was the communion of saints. (Side note: the best cup of coffee I have had since arriving was at Christmas Lutheran...dark, thick, strong with lots of sugar in the bottom of my cup. Delicious AND got rid of my headache.)
Also today we visited the Church of the Nativity...no one was fighting with broomsticks. It is interesting, I don't know if you saw that on t.v recently with the big fight before Christmas...but in talking with people here it is known that what you own you care for and what you care for you own. Therefore, it makes since that fights can break out.
I have so much to write and so little time to do it. We off now to meet with a Muslim Sheik then dinner.
One thing I can say is that tomorrow we are going to Shepherd's Field and I will be leading my worship. My focus will be PEACE.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Pilgrimage
Good morning, I am up, ready to go...drinking lots of coffee in preparation for my 24 hours of travel from here to Bethlehem, Israel. I have plenty of homework and reading to do in those 24 hours to keep me occupied and enough Dramamine to keep even an elephant from having motion sickness! I hope I am drinking enough coffee.
This trip is a class on Peace and Justice and meets a cross cultural requirement for my studies at Wartburg. We are following in the footsteps of Egeria, a nun who lived in the 300's AD and took a pilgrimage to the Holy land. She kept a detailed journal of the sights, people, customs, religions, and the Holy places along the way. Egeria made many important observations which helped to understand liturgy and worship of the time, as well as helped connect simple people to Christ and the Holy Land.
We arrive in Bethlehem on Friday (tomorrow) which is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the magi arriving in Bethlehem to see the newborn baby Jesus. Sunday we will worship in Bethlehem at Christmas Lutheran Church...for this I am very excited! All week we are busy with studies, lectures, sites, free time to explore Bethlehem. On Tuesday one of the sites we will visit is the Shepherd's Field located Beit Sahour. This is where the angels appeared to the shepherd's to announce the birth of Christ. I am leading the worship service for our group at this site...I have added a link for you to learn more about this place and it's significance. We will spend a couple of nights at the Sea of Galilee and then the rest of the time living in Jerusalem.
Thank you all for your part in this pilgrimage. Thank you for your support, love and encouragement. I still can't believe that I am finally following the call to ordained ministry and in doing so find myself on a journey like this!
Did I mention 24 hours of travel? I need more coffee!
Shalom,
Ang
This trip is a class on Peace and Justice and meets a cross cultural requirement for my studies at Wartburg. We are following in the footsteps of Egeria, a nun who lived in the 300's AD and took a pilgrimage to the Holy land. She kept a detailed journal of the sights, people, customs, religions, and the Holy places along the way. Egeria made many important observations which helped to understand liturgy and worship of the time, as well as helped connect simple people to Christ and the Holy Land.
We arrive in Bethlehem on Friday (tomorrow) which is Epiphany, the day we celebrate the magi arriving in Bethlehem to see the newborn baby Jesus. Sunday we will worship in Bethlehem at Christmas Lutheran Church...for this I am very excited! All week we are busy with studies, lectures, sites, free time to explore Bethlehem. On Tuesday one of the sites we will visit is the Shepherd's Field located Beit Sahour. This is where the angels appeared to the shepherd's to announce the birth of Christ. I am leading the worship service for our group at this site...I have added a link for you to learn more about this place and it's significance. We will spend a couple of nights at the Sea of Galilee and then the rest of the time living in Jerusalem.
Thank you all for your part in this pilgrimage. Thank you for your support, love and encouragement. I still can't believe that I am finally following the call to ordained ministry and in doing so find myself on a journey like this!
Did I mention 24 hours of travel? I need more coffee!
Shalom,
Ang
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