AtomWanderings with Wade (Israel and Oberammergau)
In January of 1984, my wife Holly and I were in a little olive wood shop in Old Jerusalem. As a part of my last year of seminary we had taken and Israel seminar with my Old Testament professor, Frank Benz. So, here we were on the last day of our trip trying to make a deal for and olive wood manger scene
In January of 1984, my wife Holly and I were in a little olive wood shop in Old Jerusalem. As a part of my last year of seminary we had taken and Israel seminar with my Old Testament professor, Frank Benz. So, here we were on the last day of our trip trying to make a deal for and olive wood manger scene and some other olive wood souvenirs to bring home to family. We had been in the shop several times the last two days comparing quality and prices and “dickering” a little. We made an offer on the olive wood. The shopkeeper turned to a youth in the shop and said something in Hebrew. Moments later he came back with a Turkish coffee pot and three small cups. (You need small cups for Turkish coffee) Holly and I looked at each other. We knew that the deal was done. Some days earlier in orienting us to life in the Middle East and “bartering,” Professor Benz had told us, “You will know you are in a real bartering session if they bring out the coffee. At that point there is no turning back.”
That, of course, was only one small part of the amazing learning experience we had while in the Holy Land, the place I like to say is “the land Christians know best even having never been there.” We have heard so many of the place names in Sunday School and Church. We have a sense of the land and the culture from our reading of the Bible. But there is nothing like actually visiting and feeling your shoes crunch upon ancient potsherds that are literally a part of the soil and seeing the places where Jesus walked! Ever since that visit in 1984 I have been hoping to go back to Israel and to take a group of friends and church members with me. The time has never been quite right…until now. I am making plans to return and to host such a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and I invite you to consider going with me. The tour will be through TransWorld Travel and the dates are February 2nd to 13th, 2009 – next year, just before Lent. For more details, join me at 9:45 on Sunday, April 13th in the Library or 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14th when Pastor Eric Gustavson, veteran tour leader, will join me in sharing more information. I could only wish that every Christian would have an opportunity for a Holy Land Pilgrimage during their lifetime.
And…while you are reading this, let me throw out one more “once-in-a-lifetime” kind of travel opportunity. I have also been invited to host a trip to the historic Oberammergau Passion Play in 2010…the dates are July 29th to August 8th. You may have heard of this world famous production of in Oberammergau, Germany. It happens only once every ten years, so the opportunities to see it in a lifetime are limited. Attendance of the Passion Play performance will be a part of an 11 Day European Tour featuring Lutheran Heritage sites in Germany (Berlin, Wittenberg, Eisleben, Erfurt, etc.) and reflection on Luther and the Reformation. So…I add that to your future considerations as well. Pray about it. Talk to family members. See if it might be on your horizon for learning and travel.
As you can see, “Wanderings with Wade” is taking on a much larger scope in the next few years! I do hope that some of you will be able to join me. If not this time, another time!
Growing and learning with you,
Pastor Wade
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