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Saturday, November 18, 2017

A Return to the United States

We arrived back in the United States on Friday night after a smooth journey. Some pilgrims caught connecting flights; others were back in the city they call home. All agreed that many aspects of the trip worked out very well and that it was not a typical pilgrimage.

On Thursday night, we shared conversation and wine as we debriefed and spoke words of friendship to one another. We spoke words of gratitude and we appreciation for the ways we were enriched and enlightened. We wished we could have listened longer to each other, but we had to pack and rise early for the final leg of the journey home.

Our guide, Joseph, was being collected by his son. As we pulled up to Tel Aviv airport, his son arrived in the family car to pick him up. We saw that he was pulled over by Israeli security to pass through to the airport, Our driver, Edward, was heading back to Jerusalem to begin driving for another tour group. We had top notch Palestinian Christian drivers and guides and we appreciate their care for us.

We know this trip will take time to process. We hope others will want to hear our stories. We hope others will chose to come on this pilgrimage in the future. We wish to share of love of Christ with others.

Now, it is time to settle and to grow where we are planted. May each pilgrim have a blessed return home.

2 comments:

  1. Leaving the Holy Land.

    I am leaving the Holy Land
    Leaving behind sneakers dusted with white earth.
    And waffled footprints on the hill of Salome's spite.
    Whose fiery sunset is framed
    In centurion olive trees.


    I am leaving the Holy Land
    Leaving zaatar’s bite and rose water’s kiss.
    And the clamor of Sepulchure's pilgrims
    Beneath smoked stained ceilings.
    Cacophonous chants in tongues
    And ardent cries of hope for children’s children

    I am leaving the Holy Land
    Leaving time set aside to to know that place of Jesus,
    And walk on arid soil made sacred by His footsteps
    Confirming life amidst in ruins and walls -
    Silent witnesses to revolution.

    I am leaving the Holy Land
    Leaving the well where a Samaritan drew kind water.
    And Lazarus inner tomb - empty and still.
    And the Bethlehem’s hill of shepherds' awakening -
    Palestine's walled off places - that lack intrinsic peace.

    I am leaving holy land
    Sunglasses sunk in the Sea of Galilee,
    No respect, no mourning follows me
    Only my exhale remains, mingled with prayers
    And a tear.

    I go to holy land,
    Expecting the promises made on black rock hills -
    Blessings to poor and peacemakers
    The place of prayers and ancestors
    Still alone, less afraid.

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