We said goodbye to Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee this morning as we loaded the bus and headed up into the hills of Galilee. The morning brought a very special and personal visit to Eilaboun, the village where Pastor Gabi grew up. Eilaboun is an Arabic-speaking village of around 4,000 residents, most of whom are Christians. We pulled up outside the Melkite (Greek or Byzantine catholic) church of S. George, where we were greeted by the local priest, Father Marun, and the retired Archbishop of Gailee, Bishop Muallim. They gave us an introduction to the architecture and traditions of the Melkite church. The congregation's choir director also treated the group to some beautiful Arabic singing.
Then Pastor Gabi, Said, and another church member led the group on a walking tour of the town that included the older Melkite church from 1887, the cemetary and memorials to some of Eilaboun's dead. We heard stories about the history of the town's residents, and the former archbishop gave us a mission: to pray for peace and forgiveness in the Holy Land and to practice peace and forgiveness in our own country.
The morning culminated in our visit to Gabi's childhood home, where Gabi's parents, siblings, aunt and cousins greeted us with an unforgettable homemade brunch: mana'ish, Middle Eastern pizzas with zaatar or goat cheese, fresh vegetables and yogurt, olives, fruit, tea with fresh mint and more! We were overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth, as well as the amazing food. It was a morning many of us will never forget.
Reluctantly taking leave from our new family in Eilaboun, we returned to the bus and traveled back to Caesaria by the sea, the site of our very first visit the evening of our arrival. Today we visited the ruins of what was Herod the Great's vision: a great port city for culture, recreation, and trade in the 1st century, and the location of Cornelius in the book of Acts, who welcomed Peter for a visit and was among the first Gentile converts to Christianity. We ended our visit by taking in the view of the Mediterranean Sea from the rebuilt open-air theatre. An impromptu choir from our members led the group from the floor in "Dona Nobis Pacem," while another tour group looked on and cheered us in Hebrew. Look for the "Caesaria Singers" appearing soon near you!
We stopped once more on the beach for photos and a snack (leftovers from our brunch!) and then made the ascent into Jerusalem, arriving at our hotel just in time to check in and eat dinner in our hotel dining room, which overlooks the city. We're settling in to sleep now and excited to begin our touring in Jerusalem tomorrow.
Peace to you from our Holy Land group.
It has been great to read about your journey--from sea to sea--here in the Holy Land. The weather, which could be cooler, and the Palestinian/Arab hospitality; which is always warm, delightful, and gracious, does not seem could be any better.
It sounds like a great experience: wishing we were there.
If you are in al-Quds (Jerusalem) this Sunday, Rev. Suzanne Shoffner, my wife serving with the ELCA-GM Jerusalem/West Bank, and the Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM), will be leading worship at 9:00 AM at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
Have a grace filled "rest-of-your-journey" here and please when you go home; tell your stories, share your prayers for salaam--peace--shalom, and work hard for justice in Palestine/Israel.
In Christ love,
martin
Posted by: Martin L Shoffner | 11/13/2009 at 12:13 AM