We have learned, and are still learning, that as in the US, there is a gap between what is perceived and what is real. Just as most Arabs are not extremists, neither are most Israelis. Most everyone desires peace between peoples, the ability to travel freely, the ability to live in at least part of the land, and the ability to worship. Most everyone desires a decent way of life, and the opportunity to raise a family. While there are articulated differences, the yearning for peace is quite strong. The complexity of coming to agreement and the politics of Israel in the midst of Arab nations makes an end to conflict quite difficult
EXPERIENCING
This has been another full week at Tantur, and in and around Jerusalem.
On Monday and Thursday we took trips to the desert, and Tuesday, Wednesday, and today had class sessions. Yesterday we traveled to the Negev, seeing sites that predate Israel but are also significant Biblically: Al Arad, Mamshit, and Beer’sheva. The predominant message is that this region, for eons, has been a significant place in between large empires. Israel, and the sites that we toured, has been and continues to be the crossroad between nations, trade, and travel. It’s no wonder that so many have vied for control of the land.
A secondary but important theme is that for a variety of reasons people have come to the desert. One may be to get away from the center, only to find God in the wilderness (like Elijah, John the Baptist, and monastics, for instance). The other is to discover life in the midst of rocks and dirt (as springs have sustained life, and wells have been dug in the middle of a very arid climate). Our group went down into a canyon away from the excavation at Mamshit, where there was nothing but caves, brush, and hills. For three minutes we sat in silence to have our own limited experience of what it means to be in the desert. Can you imagine spending the night there? Three nights? How about forty days and forty nights? Sooner or later, it may not be a surprise to discover God in such a place of barrenness! To me, this is a demonstration of the need for more silence in our lives and in prayer, and the blessings found at a time of retreat or sabbatical.
Our last two class sessions were on the experience of Judaism, with an excellent teacher, Dr. Deborah Weisman. Among many things, she stressed the importance of land for Jews going back to the covenant given to Abraham. But in that passage from Genesis 12, the gift of land and nation is also meant to be a blessing for others, which means that Israel cannot exist for its own sake.
Also, her appreciation for Christianity was expressed as Jesus and his teachings have helped many break into a more universal experience of God, all the while emerging from Jesus of Nazareth who himself was a Jew. So, Jesus, being Jewish in particular, has enabled much of the world to understand God’s grace universally.
RELATIONSHIPS
While learning, living, and praying with others at Tantur, Kari and I had the opportunity to reunite with my college roommate after twenty-five years. Gary Childs, with his wife Anita (whom I also knew at Valpo), are both in the diplomatic corps at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. We had a delightful Palestinian meal at the Ambassador Hotel, and caught up with news of schooling, career, and family. We plan to see them once or twice more before coming home.
Also, we have continued to see our Palestinian Lutheran friends, including Pastor Azar’s mother Jihan, and his brother Raouf and family. Today we will see Raouf’s work as a physician in community clinics in Beit Sahour.
Wednesday we also toured the largest refugee camp in Bethlehem, numbering 12,000 people displaced beginning in 1948.
Gabriel and Bethany are enjoying their time back in New England, and we are grateful for the love and care of the Converses and many others who are caring for our children.
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3 Lutheran Drive, Nashua, NH 03063 (603) 882-6142
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