After this morning's class on Palestine Liberation Theology, here at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute, we have just one more class session, then tomorrow evaluations and a closing party.
Throughout these four weeks we have gotten out a lot. Our group has toured the Old City and sites within Jerusalem, taken a five-day excursion into the Galilee, and made two trips to the desert. We have had class sessions on the Orthodox tradition, the geography of the land, Judaism, Islam and more about Christian perspectives.
Small groups and individuals have also toured places on their own. Yesterday, another couple, with Kari and I, spent some time at the Western ("Wailing") Wall, the impressive outer wall remainder of the Second Temple. Fervent prayers were being offered by men on one side of the wall, and women on another side.
Kari and I have been privileged to establish and strengthen relationships with three groups that have already been here: Palestinian Christians, American Lutherans working on our behalf, and friends working for the American Consulate who are graduates of Valparaiso University.
The time has served us well, offering an ecumenical community of students, guides and leaders, time to study, time to tour, and time to reflect.
With the proximity of violence in Gaza and Lebanon, we have heard a variety of views and perspectives that are not as prominent in the news at home.
Kari and I have been grateful to be here in the land of Jesus, and to have begun our sabbatical time in such a life-changing environment.
We will never again be able to hear Jerusalem without our memories of the Old City and its surroundings, its people and its buildings. We will never be able to hear Israel/Palestine without better knowing the deep attachment to a land of promise, and conflict. We will never be able to pray for peace without thinking of the living stones that we have seen, heard, met, and loved during our five weeks here.
Please continue to pray for Jerusalem, for Israel and Palestine, and for peace in our day.
Soon our pilgrimage here will cease, and we will continue our pilgrimage in another trajectory, home, and then to Holden Village.
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