Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Israel

Now that I am settled and back in routine, I’m able to assimilate my thoughts and experiences of Israel. Perhaps I am now better prepared than I was when I went and will appreciate the trip so much more now. Yes, I will go again as soon as I can.

Quite frankly, my initial overall opinion was the age old one of “read the book, see the movie”, type of disappointment. For me this was not just a tour or visit but rather intended as a pilgrimage and spiritual journey.

Now for some unsolicited travel advice, if it is your intention to go on a pilgrimage - spiritual journey, a tour group is not the way to go!

Being someone who loves God and enjoys reading the Bible, I found that my visualization of most of the sites was diametrically opposed to what the reality is. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that almost every site would be contained within a church building. On the other hand, what would the scenario be today if this had not been the case?

Being one person within one of too many plenty tour groups, out of the window went my nicely prepared ‘anticipate, approach, acknowledge’ plans. It was difficult enough to find the inspiration to say a blessing at a site and planned sacred moments were suddenly reduced to seconds of silent lightning prayers. Oh, what craziness!

Now in thankful acknowledgement, my afterthoughts occur at my own pace and I am able to mentally revisit each site, fill in the sounds and more fully realize the meaning and significance of each.

My most treasured memories at this time, are of the Sea of Galilee, visit to the Golan Heights, Kibbutz Kfar Blum, Yad Vashem; the Kotel and Kotel tunnel.

My most lasting impression of the new Israeli Jew, the Sabra, is having witnessed their care and respect towards the sites of both the other two mainstream religions. For this I honour them. Thanks, Dror, Gili and Hanan.

Despite any disappointment, again I humbly thank Hashem, our God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe for the wonderful privilege of having been enabled to visit the Land of His chosen people in whom we are rooted through Christ. How marvelous to have seen the Land of the Bible and I pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and forever hold the Land and its people in my thoughts.