There is indeed a level of excitement that we will walk where Jesus walked and taught. It is the trip of a lifetime for any student of scripture and anyone who loves Jesus. Ten months from now we will be into the final planning: What to take? What will we see? What will we learn? And the personal question: What does God have in store for me?
Reread the Book of Acts. Take note of the disciples' journey. You are on a journey. Take care!
We are looking forward to traveling this leg of the journey with you and we bless you with peace and joy for what God has in store for you.
Shalom,
Dr. Emily A. Pardue, President
Ashland Alumni Association,
Detroit Chapter
"Achieving Excellence"
1 comment:
I would like to add a few things to Emily's comment.
1) Re-read one or more of the synoptic gospels with a bible atlas at hand. Each time a place is mentioned, look it up on the atlas and mark it. If you have time, do the same with I & II Samuel, I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles.
2) Keep connecting the place to the narrative. The land is an intricate part of biblical story, as much a character in God's great story as the people on stage at any time. Keep asking yourself, "What role does the land play in this part of the story?"
3) Don't be a tourist (seeing the sights)! Do be a 'pilgrim' (inhabit the history)! Take your time where possible. This is a guided tour & you're not driving the bus, BUT, you can control whether your attitude is about rushing around (tourist) or contemplating the experience (pilgrim).
4) ASK QUESTIONS! Your JUC Study Tour guide is an expert, usually with several years experience living in Israel. They can give you a perspective you will NEVER get from watching the evening news.
5) Accept that there is simply too much to do and see in the time you have. Consider that a good reason to go back again should God make that possible. ;-)
However, if you should find yourself with some free time, let me suggest a few "must sees" and options that are not always on the JUC Study Tour:
a) The Israel Museum & the Shrine of the Book (housing the Dead Sea Scrolls) –this is worth using one of your free days if necessary. The DSS are some of the oldest copies of the scriptures in existence. Don’t miss seeing them while you’re there.
b) The "Burnt House" in the Jewish Quarter (limited opening-check the hours). The excavations are from the destruction of the city by the Romans in 70 A.D. You can almost smell the fire....
c) A walking tour of the modern city of Jerusalem. Just start at the Jaffa gate and turn right. Simply walk around and absorb the flavor of modern Israeli life. You can't miss it.
d) Go to the amphitheatre in Caesarea Maritima if you have time. The view is grand!
e) If you're up for a climb. Take off at 4:30 am and climb to the top of Hippos on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. Sunrise over the hills is breathtaking and the sea sparkles in the early light. Besides, you can always nap on the bus heading up to the ruins of Dan!
Just one more thing. There is a restaurant near the Church of the Holy Seplechure that has a rooftop terrace. Armenian pizza in the evening, watching the Dome of the Rock turn to golden fire as the sun sets is a memory that will last your lifetime.
I wish you all “bon voyage.” I pray for peace & safety on your journey. As for me, as Easter approaches this weekend I say, "Next year, in Jerusalem!"
Shalom!
Rev. Mark Hendricks
(Israel Study Tour Leader –Ashland, 2000)
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