The Return, and Thanks

Friday, June 24, 2011
by Luke Hippler

All our new friends, after the final concert

Our final concert was a rousing success. Easily our best turnout, and the cross-section of clergy and nuns in attendance (Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Anglican, Scottish Presbyterian, and possibly Armenian or Russian Orthodox) was a powerful symbol of peace and harmony through Christianity. This is the example of unity and tolerance we pray for throughout the region. Everyone seemed to enjoy the music, even a couple of stoic nuns, who visibly warmed when Linda began her "Pie Jesu" solo.

You can see a video from the concert at this link:
Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, Raineh

Rebekah, Missy, and Anne (FPC's "Sisters"),
in the Guesthouse Convent Courtyard

All Aboard - for the Sea of Galilee

Today, we prepare for our return trip. We're not quite done touring, but I can't share too many details because we head straight to the airport at the end of the day. So I'm writing this in advance, as I sit in the courtyard of the Guesthouse Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth, right next door to the beautiful Basilica of the Annunciation (where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary), and right on top of excavated ruins of another Nazarene village and cemetery that dates back to the first century. We were able to explore these caves thanks to our nervous Sister guide ("No more than 20! And don't touch the walls! Very Fragile!"). I'm not sure how everyone felt knowing we were in a large and heavy building directly above huge caves with fragile walls, but I suspect travel fatigue allowed most to sleep just fine. Plans for today include a trip to (and over) the Sea of Galilee (where Jesus gathered his disciples and calmed the waters), a tour of Caesarea on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and a final dinner in Jaffa before returning to Tel Aviv and our long trek back to Marietta. I'll try to add some pictures before I post this.

Sunset over the Mediterranean Sea,
at our final dinner

It has been wonderful working on the blog; a true collaborative effort. It was a blast to coordinate it and get to work with all of the talented contributors. I want to thank the many writers that gave their time to organize their thoughts and give the blog its voice. Tom Steele, in addition to penning some posts, did all of the filming for the videos seen here (plus Liz for the Western Wall, and Ed also for the Western Wall as well as posting all the videos). I especially want to thank Bennett Frye, who gave up most of his free time and hauled many kilos of equipment all over the Middle East in order to photograph the entire trip (most of the photos on the blog are his).

The entire tour group echoes me when I say thanks to Ed, Cal, and Cindy, for all their work in planning and executing this trip for us. Even our tour guides were impressed at the caliber of the itinerary, and as you saw in the various posts, we experienced perspectives and emotions missed by most tourists and pilgrims. That a group of this size can travel this far and for this long, and have no major problems nor be at each others' throats, is strong evidence of their leadership, patience, and skill. At the dinner following our final concert, the group gave these fearless three a souvenir of the trip - mosaics of the Tree of Life, made in Jordan near Mt. Nebo.

Souvenirs for our leaders

I believe we have been successful here and have taken full advantage of the opportunity given to us. We've been successful both as pilgrims walking in awe in the steps of our Lord, and as messengers, sharing our ministry of God's Peace. Our pace was brisk and full, and the entire group rose to both the physical demands of the trip as well as the musical challenge. Cal and Yvonne deserve special mention for their talented performances, as well as their amazing ability to adapt to the available resources and the acoustic demands of the different venues. We were all eager to receive the inspiration waiting for us here - and believe me - we found it. Now we're ready to return and share this in Marietta!

Hello, I have been Luke, your blog guide, assistant to Captain Ed! Prepare for landing, and Welcome to America!

FPC Chancel Choir - Holy Land Mission Tour