Eleven days in Israel and Jordan are more than enough to rock your perceptions of the Middle East. Thirty-two of us traveled halfway around the globe to be reminded that it’s a small world after all.
On February 8th our team bid a fond farewell to -30C Canadian weather. Sixteen hours and eleven thousand km’s later we were embraced by the 17C shalom of Tel Aviv, Israel.
(Scroll to the bottom to see updated photos of the trip.)
Milk, Honey and Rocks
The landscape was the first to rock our perceptions.
Literally.
Israel is in a desert. Rocks and sand are everywhere. Even the green pastures surrounding the Sea of Galilee are littered with stones and rocks. Sheep and goats graze among the rocks. Livestock pens, streets, fences, homes and fortress walls are made entirely of stone. The promised land is best described as a land flowing with milk and honey and rocks.
Safe In Israel
The only thing as plenteous as the rocks were soldiers.
Armed policemen and army personnel guarded every major intersection, entrance way and tourist site in Jerusalem. Israelis must serve two years in the military after completing high school. Our tour guide, Moshe Malka and one of his daughters are proud military veterans.
The most common pre-departure question asked of our team by friends was, “Are you sure Israel is safe?” There was never a moment when any of our team felt the least bit uneasy in Israel and all would be happy to make a return trip.
Irresistible Cuisine
On the other hand, those on a diet felt some unease. Middle Eastern hospitality offers an irresistible buffet of scrumptious meats, vegetables, fruits and sweets. Fresh hummus, tabouli, pita bread, yogurt, pomegranate, figs, dates.
lamb, chicken and beef, were rivaled only by the almond cookies, baklava, halwa and ice cream.
Fortunately, our walking tours wore off most of the caloric intake.
The Bible In Color
Everyone on the team read and believe the Bible. However, seeing the Bible through Middle Eastern eyes opens up a depth of meaning that educated all of us.
One team member described it as, “This trip to Israel colored the pages of my Bible.” Sailing on the Sea of Galilee, floating on the Dead Sea or standing in the Garden of Gethsemane was rich with meaning, emotion and spiritual fulfillment.
We couldn’t help but gain a greater love of Jesus and respect for the Scriptures.
Small But Great Among The Nations
Israel is much smaller and greater than people perceive. Traveling by bus takes only a few hours from the Golan Heights in the north to Israel’s southern border at the Red Sea. An East/West journey across Israel is a fraction of the time.
This postage-stamp-size of a nation consists of Jews, Israeli-Arabs, Druze, Palestinians, Israeli-Christians and international immigrants.
Israel, surrounded by its historical adversaries, has found a way to live with avowed enemies outside and inside.
Middle East Peace
That “peace in the Middle East” is possible demands an acceptance of complexities, contradictions and conundrums. The common answer to questions about Arab/Israelis relations was, “Its complicated.” Our Jordanian guide lamented the loss of Sadaam Hussein’s influence in the Middle East and the rise of Iran. Enquiries to our Israeli guide about President Trump’s positive impact on peace were met with incredulous smiles.
We prayed frequently for the peace of Jerusalem, including time spent with pastor Wayne Hilsden at King of Kings Church.
People Have A Lot In Common
It is a small world – people are the same everywhere. Whatever the media may portray about national and religious differences, people share much in common. The souvenir vendors in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem want the same things for their kids as the Jewish vendors in the Jewish quarter want for their kids. We watched parents with children coming out of churches, synagogues and mosques.
Arabs, Druze, Jordanians, Israelis, Palestinians, Jews, Muslims, Christians, the irreligious – each want a roof over their heads, clean water to drink, food to eat and hope for the future.
All need freedom from the curse of sin – salvation, redemption, forgiveness – shalom. Thank you, Jesus.
What I Know For Sure
What I know for sure is: standing on the pavement stones where Jesus walked; praying in the Garden of Gethsemane; singing in the dungeon where Jesus spent his last night on earth; or looking into the empty Garden tomb are spiritual epiphanies that can be experienced no other place than Israel.
A pilgrimage to Israel is not essential to faith but it is for discipleship.
We departed Israel with our perceptions rocked and our memories weightier than our suitcases.
Unforgettable Moments
* Being led in worship by Kayla, Katelyn, Kesara and Tracey Kimo at St. Anne’s Church.
* Dancing with Abe in the Arab quarter of Jerusalem.
* Surviving Israeli border interrogation with Laura Basha.
* Climbing to the top of the world with Stasha, Sheila, Kayla, Delores and Jocelyn at Petra.
* Buying out the souvenir vendors and bakeries with Kelly Kimo.
* Team members celebrating a birthday with Barb in Jerusalem.
* Eating Shawarma, falafel and Israeli pizza with Diane, Daphne, Debbie, Dailan and Val.
* Hearing Fran’s colorful explanations about everything.
* Buying gifts for shared grandsons with Harriett and Rhonda.
* Baptizing Cliff Hastman and fourteen others in the Jordan River.
* Soaking in the culture of Tel Aviv, Galilee, Caesarea Philippi, Petra, Amman, Masada, En Gedi, the Negev and Jerusalem with Wendy, Marian, Bonnie, Trudy, Garry, Rob, Connie, Rene, Raquel and Heather.
Shalom
We hope that our traveling in Israel and Jordan brought some small measure of peace to the Middle East.
We certainly are departing with shalom.
View more pictures here from Kayla Kimo.
APPLICATION: The Team will be sharing pictures, videos and stories on Monday March 27th at 7:00pm. Come on out and learn about the next trip to Israel and Jordan.
I write to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose. If this material is helpful to you, please follow me.
- Subscribe. I’ll put helpful content into your email box early Mondays and Thursdays, as well as upcoming events at North Pointe Community Church, Edmonton, Alberta.
- Follow on Twitter. I daily tweet info I think you’ll be interested in.
- Friend on Facebook. If you “like” my page, let me know you found me here.
- Connect on Linkedin. I like this because it reminds me what people think I’m good at.
Thank you so much for this wonderful description of Israel and the people.
Beautiful pictures and stories of where we know that our Lord Jesus walked. This much have touched your hearts deeply. I think I would have had tears most of the time.
On a lighter but important thought…… Please explain the baptizing cliff. It brings terrible thoughts to my mind.
Thank you again Pastor Bob.
Thank you Pastor Bob for sharing. Yes ,experiencing the spirit of the Lord while sailing in the Sea of Galilee , Garden of Gethsemane and empty tomb and getting re-baptized in River Jordon with fish nibbling on you toes brings a whole new out look to life and reinforces your faith . I fully agree about the safety while in Israel. Trip to Israel added a new dimension to my life and I am sure it did to the people went with the church group.
This is amazing! Thank you for supporting Israel! Some day I would love an opportunity to come and share at your church about some of what God is doing through the living stones in Israel!
Beautiful! Petra is one of my most favorite places in the world. Our trip to the Middle East was unforgettable (as it was our honeymoon!). From the pink sand to scaling Mount Sinai, to floating in the Dead Sea, to dipping our toes in the Jordan River, and so much more. The memories are still so fresh. What an amazing experience that will stick with you your whole life!