Thursday, April 30, 2009

We began the day at Saccara, the site of a small pyramid that contained the burial chamber and accoutrements of one of the pharaohs. Surrounding the pyramid and included at the site was an area similar in style but much smaller than Karnak, where we were yesterday. The elaborate architecture and artwork of the ancient Egyptians continues to amaze all of us as we see their work. Saccara lies just into the desert on the divide between the fertile Nile River Valley and the Sahara Desert.

Egypt is a land of contrasts; between the very wealthy in the cosmopolitan city of Cairo and the incredibly poor that live and work there as well; between the busy traffic that chokes the streets designed for two million people in a city of now twenty million (the third largest city in the world) and the horse drawn carts that carry people and produce about; between the modern technology that makes Egypt one of the major players in the world and the farmers harvesting their crops by hand and thrashing their grain on thrashing floors, letting the chaff blow away in the wind; between the expensive carpet factories and the underpaid poor boys that weave the carpets, and so on. We on the trip have felt the amazing contrasts and relish the blessings of living in the great nation we do, and resting comfortably with our Savior.

We left Saccara and drove to Memphis, one of the several capitals of Ancient Egypt where we were able to see the largest stone statue in the world, Ramses II, laying in the place it was discovered among the relics of his once lavish courtyard. Once again we were completely amazed at the engineering and artwork that characterized those ancient Egyptian Cultures. Unlike many of the other sites we visited there remains little of the ancient city of Memphis, however, what is there is spectacular.

We stopped on our way to lunch at a Carpet School where we were able to see young men learning their trade and then up to the second floor where the finished products were displayed. No Pam, I didn’t buy a carpet! Several of our group were able to purchase some beautiful carpets and are seriously excited about getting them back to grace their homes.

Lunch today was great as we sat in a rooftop restaurant that overlooked the Great Pyramids where we visited after lunch and stopped to do some more shopping.

Shopping is getting far better for our group as we’ve been educated through the multitude of vendors that have vied for our money since we began this trip. We are all learning to bargain and discern which of the things we see are tourist junk and which are legitimate souvenirs. We have the ignoring “walk on by” ploy down to a science and only the most skilled and persistent are able to turn our heads. It probably would have been good to have mastered this a bit earlier in the trip.

After our brief shopping stop, we went to see the Giant Pyramids of Giza and began with a group picture before we all took a brief camel ride on the most lethargic and disinterested camels in Egypt. We all took lots of pictures and some went down inside of one of the Pyramids, only to confirm what the guide had told us – that it was hot and smelly with no art work left on the walls. The size of these tombs is unbelievable, but the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, are far more impressive in terms of the preservation of the actual burial chambers and art work. One of the tombs we observed in the Valley of the Kings, housed a pharaoh, who se son went on to be king and built the largest of the pyramids in Giza, only to be followed by his son, who built the second largest and grandson who reigned and then built the third and final pyramid and three small replicas for his three wives. Leaving we stopped to observe and take pictures of the giant Sphinx, the largest one in the world, very close to the pyramids and thought to be part of the original complex.

The last thing we did today, was to stop at a Papyrus Factory, where we all learned how papyrus is made and looked over the magnificent artwork that depicts the mythology of ancient Egypt and all that makes it a wonderful place to experience. Many of our group bought artwork and are anxious to share with you the wonderful pieces with family and friends.

~ Clergy Comments ~

On the eve of our last full day on this Holy Land pilgrimage, I asked several of our pilgrims the question, “What will be different about your spiritual life when you return home?” Some of the responses follow:

“The Bible has absolutely come alive to me, I will read with much greater understanding.”

“After completing The Bible in 90 Days program last Fall, this trip has helped me to picture the places where the biblical stories took place the Bible lives in me.”

“I am anxious to share with my family and friends the wonderful people we have met on this trip.”

“I will be praying for the people we have met, and for future peace in these lands where the heroes of our faith lived.”

I would say that, based on these comments, which could be repeated by many others in our group, this has been a “successful” pilgrimage. Tomorrow, after a full day of activity we begin our journey home to Portland/Vancouver. This may be the last blog entry, if so, thank you for your prayers for us. We are all anxious to get home, but will return filled with wonderful memories and great friends! - Bruce

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

We began the day with a short flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor, in the south of Egypt, called “Upper Egypt” because it is higher than the northern part of the country and from where the Nile River flows over the Aswan Dam, north trough “lower Egypt” to the Mediterranean Sea.

Our first stop was the Temple of Karnak, the largest columned temple in the world, embodying temples from many of the Pharaohs and the elaborate artwork and architecture that have distinguished Egyptian History. We were all amazed as we walked amongst the collection of pillars, chapels, obelisks and various other things that make it so good a representation of the lives and reigns of the kings.

We left Karnak, driving past several other temples and went to the Valley of the Kings, where many of the Pharaohs were buried, and where we were able to go inside of and view three of the thirteen tombs. The inside of the tombs were elaborately carved and beautifully painted as they depicted the lives of the Royalty they housed. They are various sizes, depending on how long the Pharaoh reigned. Each tomb was begun as soon as the Pharaoh took office and the work continued until the Monarch was ready to occupy it. The largest of the tombs, Ramses I, took 67 years to complete, the length of his time in office. All of the tombs are under ground on bedrock and were sealed and covered with dirt and rocks to hide the entrances. King Tut’s tomb that is so famous, was under the tomb of another pharaoh and was not discovered because of that until after all the other tombs had been opened. His is the smallest of tombs, because he only reigned for a short period of time.

After the Valley of the Kings, we took a short boat ride across the Nile and ate a terrific lunch before going to an Alabaster factory, where they shaped alabaster stone into beautiful objects. We learned the difference between machined alabaster objects, they call “faster alabaster” and the genuinely handmade articles that are more beautiful and much lighter. We drove by several other sites of interest as we made our way to the airport where we departed for Cairo, where we will be until we fly home Saturday morning early.

It was another spectacular day of site seeing and learning about history we’d only heard about before. The weather was exceptionally hot, 110’, but didn’t stop us from having a great time. We followed our Guide Osama’s advice and all drank copious amounts of water. Dinner was late and we all looked forward to another night’s sleep as we anticipate a busy day tomorrow.

~ Clergy Comments ~

Last night Dr. Bob shared with the group three of the Biblical figures who came “out of Egypt” – Abraham, who returned to Canaan with sheep, cattle, donkeys and servant’s (Gen 12:16) following a famine; Moses, who led the people of God out of slavery (Exodus 12:31-42); and Jesus, who escaped the hand of Herod into Egypt, before Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth (Matthew 2:13-15). Certainly Egypt is an important place in Biblical history. Today we experienced some of the very places that Abraham, Moses and Jesus may have visited – what a thrill! In spite of the hot weather and a bit of walking, our group is doing very well and are looking forward to seen the sites at Cairo tomorrow and Friday, the last days of our fabulous Holy Land Pilgrimage. - Bruce

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The day began at two different times, depending on which group we were part of. The early birds (5 of us: Doug, Susan, Judy, Suzie and Shiloah) were awakened at 1:00, packed our bags and sent them to the bus, picked up our sack breakfasts and headed off to climb Mt. Sinai where we would watch the sun rise over the Sinai Peninsula. We began our hike at St. Catherine’s Monastery at 1:45 on a glorious night when we could see a myriad of stars that boggled our minds. Before the night was over we saw Venus and Mars, the Big Dipper, the North Star and lots of other constellations that we’d all learned about, but took our guide to find for us. The Monastery had an apparently very sinful monk, 800 years ago, that spent 40 years building 3750 steps, as penance, to the top of the mountain which now has a small church on it. We walked up the Snake Path, around the side of the mountain, with hundreds of other pilgrims, many of whom were on camels. The trek took 4 hours to the top and was pleasant, as we walked by Bedouins who continually offered us a camel to ride and several small kiosks that offered everything from candy bars to coffee and tea. Upon reaching the 3000 step level, there were no more camels, just 750 steps that seemed to stretch steeply upward into heaven, as we climbed toward our goal. Our Bedouin Guide, Saba, had us on top by 5:45, 15 minutes before sunrise, with about 200 other folk, all trying to find just the perfect spot to take pictures. We spent about 15 minutes on top and then began our 1 ½ hour trek down the 3750 steps on the front of the mountain, arriving at the Monastery at the same time as our bus and those who “slept in,” at 9:30 and toured the Monastery, famous for having housed Sinaiaticus, one of the most significant ancient documents ever discovered and the 2nd largest collection of ancient documents in the world.

We left after our tour and drove 1 ½ hours to lunch at a beautiful sidewalk restaurant on the Red Sea where we watched wind surfers and looked across to Saudi Arabia as we enjoyed Shish kabobs and fish from the local fisheries. Once again, our lunch, especially the fish, were a culinary delight. As you might imagine, the hardy members of the Order of Mountain Goats (the five hikers) slept while we drove to lunch and then again after lunch until we got to our hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
We are staying Hilton’s Sharm Dreams Resort and seriously enjoying the 8 pools, magnificent accommodations and a welcome rest. Several of us are a bit tired, so tonight is likely to find us in bed early and sleeping soundly as we look forward to another busy day tomorrow when we fly to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings for the day and then on to Cairo in the evening where we’ll spend the rest of our time in Egypt, before we head home to regale you with all our stories. The only possible thing that could have made this trip better is if each of you were with us.

~ Clergy Comments ~

This morning as we left the hotel in St Catherine’s, I read to the group from Psalm 63, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” Although this psalm was written by David in the Judean wilderness, it well applies to the land we have traveled through in the last two days. The wilderness of Sinai is a dry and thirsty land, where there is little water. In my life I certainly experience times of spiritual dryness. At those times I am grateful for the faithfulness of God who hears the honest desire of my heart, and “leads me beside still waters.” What a wonderful God we love and serve! - Bruce

Monday, April 27, 2009

We had a pretty uneventful day, travelling from Jerusalem to Egypt, where we ended up at a nice hotel near to Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery.

The day began with our travelling south toward Eilat where we got stopped for about an hour while a construction accident on our highway, got cleared up and the injured rushed off to the closest hospital. We left that tie up and travelled to the Israeli- Egyptian Border at a point where four countries meet, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The saddest part of the trip ensued, when we had to say goodbye to two people who had become close friends to each of us and with whom many of us will continue to correspond. Our world class guide, Julie, who for many of us that had travelled abroad before consider the best we’ve ever encountered. She not only was incredibly well informed, teaching us about Scripture we now read with new insights, she seldom responded to a question she couldn’t answer and became an integral part of our travelling family that will remain in our hearts forever. Our driver, Hassem, is now equally a part of each of our lives as he not only drove us miraculously for the time we were there, but also shepherded us through each and every situation making the impossible easy for us and the trip a real pleasure. Both left us with the plea to “keep in touch” and return soon so we can spend time together once again.

We arrived at our destination late in a beautiful afternoon and checked into a beautiful hotel where we had another great Middle Eastern meal. Our new guide, Osama, is reputed by Dr. Bob and several of the other guides we’ve run into, as the best in Egypt. So far we’d all agree with them and look forward to having him with us for the next five days. Our bus driver, Magdi, seems equally as talented as he’s maneuvered our luxurious coach into and out of situations we’ve all marveled at, as he’s carefully shepherded us to our destination through endless checkpoints. Security in Egypt, like Israel, is a serious priority, to the extent that we have a policeman traveling with us everywhere we go.

It’s off to bed, as several of us will be getting up at 1:00 in the morning, (Tuesday morning) to collect our sack breakfasts and head off to climb Mt. Sinai to watch the sunrise.

~ Clergy Comments ~

Long bus rides are not usually something I look forward to, but I must admit that this one was rather special today. We drove through the wilderness of Sinai, retracing the steps of our Jewish forbearers many centuries ago. And it is wilderness to be sure! What incredible faith and trust was required by Moses in leading the people of God. It was very easy to imagine how the faith of the people wavered – much as mine does quite regularly. We worship a God of incredible patience with us when we grumble, question and complain.

It was difficult to leave Israel after the wonderful sights, sounds, and especially people we met. I was especially moved by our conversation with Palestinian Christians who are praying for the Christian community in the Holy Land. The conflict that has been going on for so long is a tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians. I urge you to continue in prayer for peace and justice in the wonderful land that is sacred to Moslems, Jews and Christians. - Bruce

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Today began with another great breakfast followed by a wonderful worship service in a garden patio at our hotel in Jerusalem. It was a time when we, during the “Passing of the Peace” thanked and complimented each other for the fellowship and oneness we’d achieved as individuals and as a group during our trip. There was an abundance of heartfelt things to say about each person on our pilgrimage as we experienced firsthand the glory and wonder of tangibly caring for each other as we travelled the Holy Land. When we had finished encouraging and building each other up, we each took some time to express what the pilgrimage had done for us personally as we saw the myriad of Holy Sites and walked where Jesus had walked some 2000 years ago. The beauty of it is that we don’t have to end our experiences here but are better equipped to take the name of Jesus with us and continue to grow as we read His Word with new eyes and apply the lessons we’ve learned during the incredibly special time we’ve spent together and “felt His presence” here. This was the last time we were all together in this great place and sadly bid adieu and safe travels to several of our group and sang the beautiful hymn “Till We Meet Again,” with some heading home and the rest of us either in Lebanon or Egypt. Graig will join us again in Istanbul as we head home in 5 more days so we can fly home together. We will miss Graig’s moving devotions, but feel especially blessed to still have Dr. Bob Anderson and Bruce to lead us spiritually as we continue our pilgrimage.

When we finished worship and said our farewells to Graig, we went our separate ways to explore Jerusalem and savor first hand many of the places we didn’t get to during our time together with Julie our world class guide. The most popular trek was for many, to shop on the Cardo (the main street of all Roman Cities of the time, which divides the Old City of Jerusalem into sections. There are a myriad of shops that for the most part look much like they would have when Jesus walked the same streets. Several of us bought things along the way and enjoyed bargaining for our purchases and interacting with local merchants who relish our being here and were quick to engage us and show their appreciation for our travelling to Jerusalem. When we were finished in the Old City, many of us went off to Ben Yahuda Street where we had magnificent meals in several restaurants and then enjoyed the ambiance while we shopped and people watched our way through the afternoon. Others of us took advantage of the time and rested in our hotel and enjoyed the free day.

All in all it was a wonderful day that we will all remember as we pack up and prepare for our very long bus ride to Eilat, where we will say goodbye to Julie our magnificent guide and Hassem our incredibly talented and gracious Bus Driver and host. Once we’ve crossed into Egypt we will continue to a hotel at St. Katarina, at the foot of Mt. Sinai on the Sinai Peninsula.

The people of the Holy Land, and especially those I have mentioned, have become lifelong friends and folk we will not soon forget as we continue to pray for them and for the “Peace of Jerusalem.” It has borne a determination in many to return and fellowship with these wonderful friends once again. We look forward to seeing the Canauatis in Bethlehem, Julie and Hassem in Jerusalem, the friends we’ve made along the way and the multitude of friends whose names we can’t pronounce but are waiting our return as much as we are anticipating seeing them again one day. It would be fair to say lots of spiritual seeds have been planted and we will continue to pray for them as many will be praying for us as well.

We will send our next BLOG from Egypt and welcome your continued prayers for our safe travel and the Lord’s Blessing as we continue to experience His grand plan and magnificent creation.

~ Clergy Comments ~

As Doug, our great “blog-master” said, we enjoyed a wonderful worship service this morning in the patio of the Ambassador Hotel, looking out over a beautiful garden – quite a setting to lift our praise to God in song and prayer! I appreciated Graig’s focus in his meditation on the last verses of Luke’s Gospel, reminding us that we, like the first disciples, are “witnesses of these things” (24:48) - the grace of God that has been given to us, and the great privilege of walking where Jesus walked these last days.

We sadly bid farewell and safe journey to 6 of our group – Glen and Johnnie Livingston, Jennifer Mears, Dick and Ashlie Rapp, and Pastor Graig – each of whom has contributed greatly to our experience. It has been very special to share this time together; truly we have become a Christian community. We also deeply appreciate the prayers that you are offering on our behalf – thank you and bless you! - Bruce

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The day began with a drive south along the Dead Sea to Masada. Along the way Julie pointed out an ibex to those who were quick enough to see it. Masada is the site of the final battle/siege of the Jewish Revolt against Rome that started in 66 AD. Here the last 960 Jewish rebels were besieged by 10,000 Roman soldiers for 3 years before finally admitting defeat by committing suicide and thereby denying the Romans the glory of defeating them. We took the cable car to the top of the mountain. The weather, which is often very hot on Masada, was nice and cool with only a slight breeze and made the visit really enjoyable. Herod’s engineering on this, one of 7 fortresses he had throughout his kingdom, was once again impressive. And we were amazed at the incredible determination and courage that characterized the ancient Jewish people in the face of overwhelming odds and pondered anew God’s plan for His Chosen People.

We left Masada and drove back to the northern end of the Dead Sea, to Qumran, generally viewed as home of the devout Essene Community. There we had lunch and learned about this special sect of Jews to which John the Baptist may have belonged. Jesus, too, may have had a connection with the Essenes. Part of their piety was expressed in studying the Old Testament Scriptures, and they developed principles for community life that they carefully wrote down. Their Scripture scrolls and the documents of their community life are what became known as the “Dead Sea Scrolls.” It is thought that when the Romans passed Qumran on their way to Masada, the Essenes heard of their approach and quickly hid the scrolls in a myriad of caves in the cliffs above the community to protect them from the invaders. As they feared, the whole community was wiped out and the scrolls were left safe and undiscovered for almost 1900 years. In 1947 a shepherd boy lost one of his goats into a cave. When he threw a rock into the cave to scare out the goat, he heard the sound of breaking pottery. Upon further exploration, he found clay pots holding scrolls. Eventually this led to the discovery of over 900 documents in many nearby caves. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has been acclaimed as the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th Century.

Upon leaving Qumran, we stopped to swim, (well really float) in the “Dead Sea,” 1300 feet below sea level. Everyone that braved the briny water seemed to have a great time and savored the unusual experience. While our oceans contain 2-3% salt, the Dead Sea has over 30%!
The afternoon found us in Jericho where we climbed over the “Jericho Tell,” viewing a ten thousand year old watch tower and various remnants of the ancient city of Jericho, where “the walls came tumbling down.” Dr. Bob shared the historical context and Bruce offered a devotion based on how God guided Joshua, encouraging him to be “strong and courageous” because God would always be with him (Josh 1:9). We continued our commitment to enrich the local area with our shopping, first at a very nice market at the “Jericho Tell” – just opposite Elisha’s Spring, still flowing sweet after over 2500 years (2 Kings 2:19-22) - and then off to the Hebron Glass Outlet in Jericho where many picked up some unusual and beautiful gifts.

It turned out to be a long day but filled with lots of new information and fun, culminating with a late dinner, after which everone was ready to relax and plan for our day off in Jerusalem tomorrow.

~ Clergy Comment ~

As our time in Israel draws to a close, I think we are all feeling a little wistful. Some of us will head for home tomorrow night, most will head on to Egypt Monday. I travel to Lebanon tomorrow afternoon. Our time in Israel has been extremely successful in so many ways – we have had a terrific guide (Julie) and a superior driver (Hazem)… logistically most everything has worked well… the group has held together in a supportive and positive way… the program content has been excellent. Israel has worked hard to make it possible for pilgrims like us to have meaningful experiences. The sites are generally well maintained and visitation is organized so that groups like ours can access the biblical sites without waiting too long or being crammed in with crowds of other pilgrims. It has been a great visit in Israel, due in no small way to the commitment to excellence and the longstanding relationships of our host, Masters Tours’ Dr. Bob Anderson, whom we were blessed to have with us for this trip.

The complicated issues related to the “Palestinian question” or to the continuing tension between Arabs and Jews remain frustrating to us as onlookers. The shrinking Christian presence in this area is troubling to us. And yet we have seen and talked with Jews, Arabs and Christians who live next to each other in peace. Our driver Hazem told us that in the villages, these 3 groups know how to live “as brothers – not just friends – brothers.” The Wall – still being constructed – reduces violence, but it is hated or lamented by many. In Bethlehem, business has dropped by 70% since the wall went up, according to one shop owner I talked with.

We have people in our group who represent a “Christian Zionist” point of view, and others who are “pro-Palestinian.” But almost all of us can see the logic of point of view of both sides when we hear it expressed by people who are living here with these tensions every day. I expect we will return home with no better answers to the questions we had when we came… but at least we will understand our questions better, and have greater compassion for those who live in this complicated situation.

And we will return home with new perspectives that will help us in our Bible reading. We will return understanding that our Lord and the heroes of the Bible are rooted in real human history. And with the Spirit’s help, we will continue to draw closer to the Lord after this trip is over. - Graig.

Friday, April 24, 2009

We began the day on the Mount of Olives, where we took a group picture just before we began the trek down the hill toward the Kidron Valley, just as Jesus did on Palm Sunday. Along the way we saw an authentic grave site (cave) from the time of Jesus, with ossuaries (bone boxes) from the same period. We stopped at The Church of Tears, Dominus Flevit (“the Lord wept”), where Jesus wept over Jerusalem as he approached it on the donkey. He cried out, “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Mt 23:37-38). We were able to take some great pictures from there, including one of the Dome of the Rock, framed in the window of the church with the cross superimposed over the dome.

We left that site and continued down the steep hill to the Garden of Gethsemane where we had a wonderful worship time and were able to move about the Garden and meditate and pray on our own. This was across the street from the popular, crowded Gethsemane with the Church of All Nations, but at the time of Jesus it was all one commercial olive grove. This garden is not accessible to the public but our Dr. Bob Anderson was able to get us entrée and the quiet and peacefulness there was an important part of our meaningful worship experience. We did then enter the “official” Garden of Gethsemane and into the Church of All Nations, designed in the first half of the 20th century by the Italian architect Pietro Barluzzi, who is responsible for a number of churches on holy sites in Israel. There is even a rock at the church against which Jesus is believed to have prayed before He was betrayed and arrested.

Upon leaving the Mount of Olives, we drove across town to Yad VaShem (“a memorial and a name” – Is 56:5), the Holocaust Museum and Memorial where all of us were deeply moved and shared Israel’s determination to never let that kind of thing happen again. It was and is incomprehensible to us that human beings were capable of such incredible hatred that would cause the murder of 6000 Jews, to say nothing of the myriad of others that were exterminated as well. It was an experience none of us will forget but will take with us whenever we are faced with the history that allowed it.

Lunch at a local kibbutz was terrific as has been the case from the very beginning, with most of us carrying on about having eaten too much.

The afternoon saw the culmination of all we’ve seen and done while we have been here in the Holy Land. We toured the Garden Tomb, next to the Hill of the Skull (believed to be Golgotha) where many believe Jesus was Crucified and then to a tomb in a beautiful garden where Jesus may have been buried for three days before He arose to seal our eternal life. Our time there ended with a beautiful worship service ending with a celebration of the Lord’s Supper to recommit ourselves to His service and all we have learned and determined to be now that we’ve walked where Jesus walked. What a thrill to celebrate the sacrament so near to where the Lord and his inner circle began the tradition!

Susie Parr writes that yesterday while “in Bethlehem I felt the oneness of Christ as we sang Christmas Carols in the cave where Jesus was born. A French Tour passed by, many smiled and joined in with the singing. Our world is truly connected by God.”

~ Clergy Comment ~

Today there were several emotional experiences for me personally. We were able to take some quiet time in the Garden of Gethsemane following Graig’s thoughtful reading of the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in John 17, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (17:20-21). What does it mean to “be one”? As we were celebrating the Lord’s Supper at the Garden Tomb, we heard the singing of other groups from adjoining areas, praising God the Father and Jesus Christ in different languages. What a powerful reminder of what it means to be the very Body of Christ – as we shared at the Table of the Living Lord. Thank you for your prayers! - Bruce

Thursday, April 23, 2009

We started out today at the Temple Mount. We had to leave our Bibles at the control point because “ritualistic items” are not allowed since they might encourage fanatical behavior. (We picked them up later in the day.) Once on the mount we got the history of the area and why it is now only available to non-Israelis. Although neither the Dome of the Rock nor the Al-Aqsa mosque was open to us, the view was great and we learned a fair amount about the history of Jerusalem and the Temple.

Leaving the Temple mount, we passed the Lion Gate and went to St. Anne’s Church and the pools of Bethesda. Inside the Church, the incredible acoustics made us sound like a real choir. We sang several hymns and were all moved by the experience.

The Via Dolorosa was crowded, much like it must have been when Jesus walked the route carrying His cross. The trek ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the traditional sites of the Crucifixion and Burial. Although covered over by church architecture, this site may rate as “Probable” on our P-Scale. Most of the group went into the Church and saw the places that make the Church a center for worship to three different denominations: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox, not to mention several other groups that regularly frequent the site.

Lunch today was in the Arab Section of Jerusalem and similar to several other meals we’ve had – falafel and gyros. Walking the streets of the bazaar was very interesting – the variety of shops provided a feast for the senses. We saw lots of young soldiers in the streets today – relaxed teenagers carrying automatic rifles. There were also lots of young men in town today for their bar-mitzvahs; we were told this is normal on Thursdays.

The afternoon saw us first at the traditional site of the “Upper Room” and the traditional “Tomb of David.” While the Upper room was probably very near here, archaeologists have shown that David’s Tomb is actually the tomb of some warrior from the crusades, buried about 2000 years after David. However, at the site of the upper room we experienced African believers reliving Pentecost in the “room upstairs” of Acts 1:13, praying actively and loudly in glossalalia (look that one up!)

The last site we visited was the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (“rooster crowing”), the traditional site of the home of high priest Caiaphas, where Jesus would have been questioned and imprisoned over night while He awaited His Roman trial. Additionally this would have been the place where Peter denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed; hence the name of this beautiful modern church built on 1st century foundations.

The evening began early today and some went down to Ben Yehuda Street, the Pearl District of Jerusalem, and ate out and enjoyed the ambience of the area.

~ Clergy Comments ~

I loved experiencing “other flavors” of Christianity today. At St. Anne’s we sang with Christians from other nations. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre we observed Orthodox and Roman Catholic believers venerating these traditional sites of the crucifixion, burial preparation and entombment of Christ by kneeling down, touching, kissing, rubbing household objects against the stone surfaces. The Nigerian Christians prayed with an energy that is fascinating to us. The religious commitment and high emotion in these places were obvious. For some of us, emotions were also high, especially when we sang together with other Christians or felt our unity with them at all the sites. Undergirding the joy of Christian unity is the understanding that it is Christ and His redemptive work that make us one. The knowledge of how He loves us is humbling and sometimes overwhelming. We have sensed His presence all along the way. - Graig.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

After morning devotions, during which Pastor Graig had us reflecting on Psalm 147 and its meaning for Jerusalem and those who are drawn to it, we began exploration of the western and southern walls of the Temple Mount. We started the day in the “Rabbi’s Tunnel,” a relatively recent tunnel that follows the northern part of the “Western Wall,” known to many as the “Wailing Wall” and the holiest site in the world for Jews because it is the structure closest to the place the Temple used to be. After a thorough and incredibly informative tour of the tunnel, many of us stopped to pray at the “Western Wall” with the many Jewish people praying as well.

We left the Western Wall Plaza and took a trip through the ruins around the southern wall of the “Temple Mount” including some steps where Jesus actually walked, leading up to and down from the Temple Mount. We have developed a

“P Scale” for the sites we are seeing, leaning on the wisdom of guide Julie and Dr. Bob Anderson:
“Is it Provable… Probable… Possible… or Preposterous?”
Some of these steps are in the first category, “provable”… 2000-year-old steps from the time of Herod the Great… and Jesus.

We climbed out of the ruins and spent about an hour at the “Temple Institute,” where the elements of the temple are being prepared for the construction of the Third Temple, should that opportunity arise. The hope of devout Jews, as well as their devotion to the Temple, was evident in the presentation of the young Israeli woman who shared with us.

We proceeded past the control area and through the security wall into the West Bank for a visit to Bethlehem. Lunch was enjoyed at a very nice restaurant in Bethlehem, owned by the Canawati family, Palestinian Christians who are influential in Bethlehem. Later Mike Canawati would welcome us into the family souvenir shop “Three Arches,” where we all shopped and bought the myriad of gifts you will likely be receiving when we get home or for Christmas. The Canawatis have owned this beautiful store for three generations and they are making a significant impact for Christ in Bethlehem.

Previous to our shopping, though, came another highlight: visiting the Church of the Nativity, a “Probable” site, even though the multiple churches built above the cave/stable where Jesus was likely born make the site feel more ritualistic than authentic. Portions of this church make this the oldest ongoing church structure, dating to about AD 325. In a grotto under the church, an extension of the cave where Jesus was born, “POD” (Pastor of the Day) Graig led us in a devotion on Bethlehem and Christ, after which we sang some Christmas hymns (“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”). After exiting the church we saw the fields where the shepherds likely tended their flocks, as well as the traditional fields where Ruth and Boaz lived, human forebears of David – who was also born in Bethlehem – and Jesus Himself.

Our shopping concluded the day we enjoyed another terrific meal at the Ambassador and then met with Presbyterian mission representative Douglas Dicks, who described our denomination’s ministry in the Middle East and something of the complicated ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Tomorrow: the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives!

~ Clergy Comments ~

Today was a bit of a challenging day with the heat in Jerusalem, and the walking we did through and around the Old City. I am impressed by the spirit of the group; helping one another up long stairs, sitting and resting as necessary, encouraging and supporting one another. Truly we are becoming a community, “By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” – John 13:34. Thank you for your continued prayers for us. - Bruce

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Today was another spectacular day in Israel, full of great weather, meaningful sites, learning, and spiritual milestones. We began with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and had a great time. In the middle of the lake we stopped the motor and experienced two things – readings from Scripture about our Lord’s activities on the lake, and then an example of fishing like the disciples did it in the 1st century. It is Holocaust Remembrance Day, so at a specified time a loud tone was played and everyone in Israel, including us, stood quietly at attention for two minutes and honored the memory of those lost during the Holocaust, while praying for survivors.

We left the Sea of Galilee to visit many of the spots Jesus frequented while He was here, beginning with the Church of the Beatitudes where it is believed Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. It was not especially busy, so we had a nice time taking pictures and quietly worshipping as we savored the experience above the natural amphitheater that seems to be the most logical site for this most famous of teachings.

The Catholic Church of The Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha was next where we took pictures of a very famous Mosaic of the “Loaves and Fishes”, and observed a number of folk entering into a service as we left. This church was built by the German Church Union and its sign reads Brotvermehrungskirche (“Bread Multiplication Church”).

The third stop for us this morning was the city of Capernaum where Jesus lived and ministered. Among many miracles he performed here was the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30 & 31). There is a beautiful church built over her home, with a glass floor allowing pictures from above. The home, was built into a church and several subsequent churches later on, so there are many more ruins than just her home. The moving thing about the visit was standing on the very spot where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. This church was open for the first time anyone in our group could remember and unlike other trips, we were able to go into the church and see through the glass floor instead of having to take pictures from outside. Access to the lakeside – also unusual – allowed us to scan along the shore, seeing the same shoreline Jesus and His disciples viewed almost 2000 years ago. We then visited the Capernaum Synagogue which is a later version of the Synagogue, built on top of where Jesus actually did worship and teach during His Ministry. The foundation of Jesus’ synagogue is the only part still visible of the 1st century church.

Lunch today was Peter’s Fish for those that had never had it and kabobs or chicken for several others of us. The food was delicious for all and many of us are comparing notes about eating too much and the food being one of the high points of the trip.

Our stop after lunch was at the Jordan River where many reaffirmed their Baptismal Vows and two of our folk were baptized into the Family of God, a very special experience for all of us. We had the good fortune of having the site all to ourselves while we worshipped and expressed our love for the Savior.

We proceeded south along the Jordan river, with the kingdom of Jordan visible all the way. The landscape changed dramatically as we entered the Judean Wilderness, from the lush green farmland of Galilee to desert. Our day ended as we stopped on the Mt. of Olives to see Jerusalem for the 1st time, watching the Sun set over the Temple Mount and light up the city’s skyline. It was an incredibly moving time for all as we were welcomed “home” for this trip and on the future day when we will dwell together with our Savior in the New Jerusalem.

Tomorrow will be another busy day as we learn about the geography of the Holy Land and the people who are our spiritual heritage in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

~ Clergy Comment ~

As a pastor, it was a privilege to stand in the River Jordan today, a few miles upriver from where Jesus Himself was baptized, remembering the meaning of the promises of baptism. Bruce led a short service before we invited people to join us in the river. Most of the group got wet, and those who didn’t were active in prayer, affirming each person as s/he came out of the water. Two people in our group “sealed the deal” of their commitment to Christ for the first time, and both requested full immersion for their baptism. Others

re-celebrated their baptism using either immersion or the traditional Presbyterian “sprinkle” method, but standing in the river up to their ankles. It was a thrill just to be here, but a real joy to help lead the celebration, calling each person by name and reminding them all of God’s eternal love for them. Hallelujah! - Graig.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Following devotions in the bus that included an affirmation through Psalm 139 of our 21 year old birthday girl, Shiloah Gustafson, we began the day’s program at the Kibbutz Ginossar where we were able to see the Galilee Boat, a boat from the time of Jesus that was discovered in the mud of the Sea of Galilee during a time in the 1980s when the water was exceptionally low. It has been painstakingly preserved and now sits in the large Yigal Allon cultural museum, which also has many items in its gift shop not found anywhere else in Israel.

After the Galilee Boat, we travelled to Tel Dan, a magnificently beautiful nature park that encompasses many of the springs that feed the Jordan River and the ancient ruins of the City of Dan, Jeroboam’s pagan worship headquarters for the northern Ten Tribes after Solomon’s united kingdom split into Israel to the north and Judah to the south. The ruins are spectacular and include a recently discovered ancient gate with three arches that are believed to be gates that Abram passed through when he visited Dan as mentioned in Genesis 14:14.

We then went a short way, passing by the Lebanese border, and arrived at Banias, or Caesarea Philippi, the site of Jesus’ declaration through Peter that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. This is familiar to Lake Grove folk as they recall our recent sermons from Matthew 16:18. We were blessed by a great devotion by Dr. Bob Anderson, who has joined us from Master’s Tours.

Lunch today was falafels again and “lebanis,” a Syrian version of our Subway sandwiches that were tasty. This occurred at a Druze restaurant on the Golan Heights, where we spent part of the afternoon gazing across the UN-monitored buffer zone between Israel and Syria, learning about the 6 day war, the Yom Kippur war and the current state of affairs between Israel and Syria. Ginny Peterson was the victim of what she called a “Syrian bomb attack” as a bird – undoubtedly a Syrian bird – accurately targeted her with unwanted waste.

The last thing we did before we retired to our Hotel was to visit the diamond factory “Caprice,” where we learned that a majority of the diamonds that are imported to the United States come from Israel where they are cut and polished first.

It has been a terrific day and we are all looking forward to a boat ride on the lake, Jesus’ adult home town of Capernaum, the Church of the Beatitudes and an opportunity to celebrate our baptismal promises on the Jordan River before ending our day in anxiously anticipated Jerusalem.

~ Clergy Comments ~

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” - Psalm 19:1. We have experienced the glory of God in beautiful sunrises and sunsets here in the Holy Land. Today we witnessed the beauty of God’s creation at Tel Dan. I was struck with the contrast between the God who is revealed to us in creation and most fully in Jesus Christ, and the gods of the idols we observed at several sites. We worship the living God, who not only walked the earth, but walks with us by faith every day.

Thanks be to God!
Bruce

Sunday, April 19, 2009

We had a great day filled first with a moving worship service in a beautiful setting on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. Our Scripture, John 21:1-19, where Jesus restored Peter, after his repeated denials, was especially meaningful while we sat on the very shore of the lake where Peter had fished and our Lord ministered. It may have spoiled us a bit for worshipping at home. The music seemed sweeter, the message more profound and the experience of being where Jesus and His disciples walked very special.

After church, we all went our separate ways to relax, shop and explore Tiberias. Most of us ate in one of a lot of great restaurants, with Falafel, Gelato, Israeli Pizza, Gelato, a variety of salads, Peter’s Fish, Beef Kabobs, Gelato and other stuff. Ann tried to feed pizza to a cat and broke a glass in the process. It scared the cat who likely came back later and finished off the pizza.

Early afternoon we all went to a very special presentation titled the “Galilee Experience,” and relearned or affirmed what we’d spent the last couple of days hearing from our world class guide Julie. Many of us bought DVDs of the presentation and will happily share them with you when we get home.
Now we’re done with dinner and all gathered around trying to create our message to you, hoping we can share a small bit of the great time we are having and the blessings of being in the very community where our Bible Stories occurred and the Savior ministered.

Beverly had the experience yesterday of feeling at home in Texas, with lots of Prickly Pear Cactus, Cattle, shrubs and dry ground. The mountains and fertile valley of Jezreel conjure up visions of the very people and stories that we’ve all learned from God’s Word. The mountains like snow capped Mount Herman are real mountains as we Northwesterners know them, to frame the hills of Judea and Galilee.

~ Clergy Comment ~

To walk where Jesus and His disciples walked to pray where they prayed and sing where they sang…, allowed us to worship our Creator from the same geographic location as Jesus did. It could not help but being memorable and the warm sunshine with the clear view of snow-capped Mt. Hermon behind Bruce as he opened John 21 for us, heightened the experience even more. “Follow me” is the last thing Jesus says in John. We have followed Him here and our inspiration will help us continue to follow Him with renewed vigor.

Graig.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

We began the day today in Nazareth, at the small replica village of Nazareth as it was in the time of Jesus. There we saw first hand the culture, buildings, farm and synagogue of Jesus’ neighbors and family. It was very authentic historically and gave us a good perspective of what Jesus’ childhood home and early years must have looked like. Then on our way to the “Hill of Precipice” (Lk 4:28-30) we saw all the accommodations Nazareth is making for the Pope’s visit in May and the work Israel is doing to assure he has a successful visit. From the jagged and steep Precipice we were able to see the whole Valley Jezreel and relive all the history and Biblical events that have occurred there.

Lunch was another delight today when we ate at the only kibbutz in Israel that raises hogs! Many of us had Pork Chops along with lots of other great food. We then travelled to Sepphoris, a large Roman city just 4 miles from Nazareth, where many believe that Joseph plied his trade as a builder – along with son Jesus when he was old enough - and where he may even have met Mary. Sepphoris was a beautiful city that still has many of the magnificent mosaics created during the Byzantine Era.

The group went to one of the traditional sites of the Annunciation, the Greek Orthodox church at Mary’s Well, where the Holy Spirit is believed to have visited Mary and told her she would be the Mother of Jesus. Unfortunately this is the weekend for Greek Orthodox Easter, so the church was closed and we had to content ourselves with guide Julie’s teaching outside the building without actually seeing the spring that flows through the church, where Mary must have drawn the family water 2000 years ago.

Mount Tabor, the traditional site of Jesus’ transfiguration, has a beautiful monastery and church commemorating the event where we worshipped and got lots of pictures. It’s been an unusual blessing to have Graig and Bruce along teaching us and opening the Word at each of the sites we’ve visited and helping us understand anew the rich heritage we have in Israel and the Jewish people.

Tomorrow is a day off, so we will all worship together by the Sea of Galilee at 9:00 and then have the rest of the day to relax, shop at the public market, or do whatever else we can think of. Monday morning will see us off again to historical and holy sites and more inspirational learning.

~ Clergy Comments ~

It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of this group of pilgrims. They are cooperative, open minded and seeking not only to see the Holy Land sites that are so special to us, but to support one another in this journey – and they are a lot of fun! I was struck today by the experience of being on top of Mount Tabor, the mountain that is probably the place of Jesus’ Transfiguration to Peter, James, and John. Pastor Graig (who was raised on Mount Tabor, Portland!) helped us to remember that the greatest gift that God has for us is not a place – even though the places we have seen are wonderful – but a relationship with his son (“This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” – Matthew 17:5). In the Holy Land, in Portland/Vancouver, or anywhere God has placed us, let’s “listen to him”.

Thank you for your prayers, blessings - Bruce

Friday, April 17

This morning began bright and beautiful with a trip to Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast. Pastor Bruce started us off with devotions and prayer and then a Bible teaching at the restored open air theater that faces the sea. After our terrific guide, Julie, oriented us with both historical and biblical information, we walked the streets, strolled through the amphitheater where games and hunts were held and later Christians were persecuted, and saw other remnants of the city Herod intended to be an architectural jewel in Palestine. This is the city from which Paul left from on his final missionary journey to Rome where we believed he died.

Next we travelled to Mt. Carmel where Elijah defeated the priests of Baal in a contest to establish whose God was the true God, then off to lunch where we had delicious falafels and schnitzels. After what had been a new culinary experience for many, we travelled to Tel Megiddo and viewed the remains of several centuries of diverse civilization – 29 layers on top of each other created by each succeeding power as it conquered and destroyed its predecessors and then rebuilt on top of the ruins. The water system represents incredible engineering that still boggles the minds of modern visitors.

Our evening is being spent in Tiberias where our hotel overlooks the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Shabbat has begun, so shopping isn’t an option tonight or tomorrow as we continue to experience the geography of the Bible and see the places our Savior lived and began His ministry. We will have Tiberias as our base for the next 3 days.

~ Clergy Comment ~

Herod is no more. Even his impressive architecture is barely recognizable. The priests of Baal had their god proven false and were executed. The twenty-nine communities that lived at Megiddo came and went and exist no longer. But the God who promised to bless His chosen people with rain and plenty to eat in this land (Deuteronomy 11:8-15) still reigns supreme and blesses those who turn to Him in repentant, trusting, obedient faith. We praise Him today and forever!

Graig.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

We had a restful night in New York and got up early to take a very nice tour of New York, including a boat ride up both rivers and around the bay, ending up at the airport ready to make our final trek to Israel.

The group left JFK at 4:20, on a flight scheduled to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey, 10 hours later and then on to Tel Aviv. We had just passed the point of no return, where it was closer to go to Turkey than to return to New York, when our aircraft lost its compressor, making it impossible to maintain cabin pressure and air conditioning. The pilot quickly descended from 35,000’ to 10,000’ where everyone could breathe without cabin pressure. The change in altitude increased fuel consumption and lengthened our flight time, so we were diverted initially to Shannon, Ireland, then to Manchester, England, but finally actually landed at Heathrow Airport in England. Heathrow was also the place that had the necessary maintenance personnel to fix our problem and send us on our way. The flight to Istanbul, instead of the 10 hours it was scheduled, took about 13 hours, well beyond our connecting flight, so we were rebooked onto a 4:30 flight which worked out well and finally got to Tel Aviv at 8:00 instead of the 2:40 arrival we had originally planned.

Everyone endured the experience well, with the old aviators in the group, of which there are several, quietly kibitzing as they watched the pilot handle the various challenges. Some in our group anxiously chewed off their finger nails; a vacationing doctor was called into action and busily treated three passengers, not in our group, who got pretty ill as a consequence of the increased cabin temperature, about 80+ degrees, and the anxiety.

Turkish Airlines handled the incident with incredible professionalism, all the way from the flight crew who calmly dealt with what could have been a disastrous situation, to the cabin crew who served us as if there were nothing to worry about and the administrative folk who got us all rebooked and shepherded us onto our subsequent flights making sure we and our luggage arrived safely. The Presbypilgrims all arrived safely in Tel Aviv and happily relived the little adventure while we enjoyed a late dinner and headed to bed for a welcome night’s sleep.

~ Clergy Comment ~

The irregularities of our flight from New York to Istanbul draw two observations from me. First, as I saw the anxiety of some passengers and the repeated involvement of the doctor who sat across the aisle from me, I wondered what might be expected of pastors. Bruce was great at circulating and engaging our group, which helped them relax. But one of the ill passengers seemed to have serious enough problems that I wondered what would happen if Bruce or I were called in to do the equivalent of “administering last rights” – would a Catholic believer accept our pastoral care? What would be appropriate for a Jewish or Moslem passenger? Fortunately, the need did not require any more attention than the doctor offered, followed by the EMTs who came on board when we finally landed.

Secondly, I was impressed with our group and how they rolled with the punches as we faced multiple changes in our schedule. Fatigue certainly set in, but no one failed to maintain a positive and encouraging attitude. That bodes well for the rest of the trip. God is good.

Graig.

Well,

We all had a fine flights to New York, uneventful and seriously sleepy. The weather here is rainy and cold, just like home. All did not arrive on the same flight, so each had the evening to themselves. Doug and Pastor Graig went into Manhattan, visited the site of the 9/11 tragedy and then had dinner with the Foggs' daughter Clara after seeing the inside of the courthouse she works in.

We're all looking forward to a morning tour of New York tomorrow before we get onto Turkish Airlines and fly off to Istanbul and on to Tel Aviv, Israel.

- Clergy Comment -
Bruce and I will chime in here with pastoral insights from time to time. Not a lot to mention today, except that the group seems to be in good spirits and anxious to get to Bible territory.
Will try to add a scenic shot of New York tomorrow, but the blog should find its true identity once we arrive in Israel Thursday. Shalom. Graig.

Hello Y'all,

Here is the beginning of our BLOG that will keep you up to date with us as we travel the Holy Land "Walk Today Where Jesus Walked". We leave on April 14th, to spend one night in New York and then off to Israel and Egypt.

It would be an understatement to say that we're excited about the trip and can't wait to get going.

Stay tuned to follow our daily excursions and samples of the myriad of pictures we'll inundate you with when we get back.