Notes from the Journey: Israel

My suitcase sits open in the living room, its contents strewn all about. I think this is supposed to be what is called "upacking". My eyelids are heavy, as I'm still trying to recover from the jet lag. Hundreds of pictures sit on my computer, waiting to be uploaded to Facebook. Rocks, pottery shards, and shekels sit on the table as a tangible reminder of the five week trip to the Holy Land from which I have just returned.

How do I sum it all up? There's so much to talk about, so much to process. What do I write about in my tiny corner on the internet? How can I capture all the emotions and feelings in a few short paragraphs? Do I talk about the amazing ruins? Do I touch on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Do I share about the significance of walking where Jesus walked? I can't even begin to describe the impact this trip has had on me personally.

I'm going to talk about the single most impacting thing, that which will remain in my mind long after I have forgotten every place we visited. It is the people. 

The whole group sailing on the Sea of Galilee

Never before have I seen more clearly what the church should look like than in these past five weeks with these forty-two other people. We did life together everyday. It was a chance to see everyone at their best and at the times when they weren't feeling their best. We shared everything- including a lovely cold which effected all but a few. Overall, there was love. Though we didn't have a church building, it was the truest representation of what the church should be.

• The church is playing ninja in a moving bus.

Turban Party

• The church is playing card games late into the night.
• The church is loud and noisy, laughing at ridiculous things.
• The church is watching Fiddler on the Roof and busting pranks.
• The church is making sure you put bread in your backpack so you don't have matzah for lunch.
• The church is exploring tombs, climbing ruins and running away from rock-throwing shepherds.
• The church is dressing up in ridiculous outfits to put on skits and plays.

• The church is forty-three people worshiping God instantly and passionately, without inhibition.
• The church is washing the feet of another person, pledging to be a servant and allowing yourself to be served as well.
• The church is waking up/ staying up until an obscene hour in order to pray for everyone on the trip.
• The church is taking on God's heart for the broken, the last, the least, and the lost.
• The church is sharing, with honesty and vulnerability, what God has done and is doing in your life.
• The church is celebrating what God is doing in the lives of others.
• The church is cramming into a cistern to reflect on the Savior's love and sacrifice.
• The church is praying for others and their needs individually.

The church is a group of people who do life together, who do life together. They have a common goal of growing closer to Christ and helping others achieve that goal.

Celebrating Baptisms in the Jordan River

Just because something doesn't seem inherently "spiritual" doesn't mean that is doesn't have spiritual value. The church is supposed to look like a group of people who share everything, including the sad, the mundane, the crazy and the fun. I can honestly say that my life has been changed by the time I have spent with this amazing group of people. It was such a blessing to live in true community for five weeks. I value the time I had with everyone. You all made the sites and experiences that much more memorable. I love you guys!