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