Following Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.  Micah 5:2

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

This morning we set off, on foot, for Bethlehem, the birth place of the Lord, he who is called Prince of Peace. But first we had to pass through “the Wall” as Bethlehem and much of the West Bank is divided now this part of the world is divided by not only the wall, but religion, and mistrust. Once through the wall our next hassle were the taxi drivers! They didn’t think we were capable of walking or was it they just wanted our money?!

And while this was sad our thoughts turned to Bethlehem and the journey of Mary and Joseph to the town of David. And finally, after an hour, we arrived passing through another wall, the ancient gate of the town.

The Church of the Nativity was packed with people and noisy but we still found a space to sit and reflect and read the gospel accounts. We visited the church a couple of times, getting to the grotto just as the church was closing.

Crossing Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity

The site of the manger... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us

After visiting the church we looked up Bassem, a Catholic Palestinian whose family left Bethlehem in 1988. He returned to Bethlehem 8 months ago to run the family business. Leona had visited his parents in Auckland and as it happened he was just hanging up from speaking to his father. He was delighted to have visitors from home and he was just so hospitable. He gave us a great tour of the factory explaining how the olive wood is carved into the various religious items they make.

Bassem explaining about the age of the wood, and what can be used and what can't

Leona and Bassem

We then had a look over Bethlehem from the roof of the factory and a visit to the local Catholic cemetery. It was truly a fascinating and informative time. Bassem was truly an inspiring young man with a generous heart and spirit. AND, if you are coming this way, let us know, and we’ll send instructions how to get to his place!

And we will live for evermore because of Christmas day... and it happened here at Bethlehem

Next door to Bassem’s factory is the Church of the Milk Grotto… which remembers Mary nursing the child Jesus as mother before they fled to Egypt. Unlike the Church of the Nativity this church was very peaceful and quiet.

The bronze door of the Milk Grotto church

After having a late lunch with Bassem we traced our steps back to Tantur and through the wall and the various checkpoints… it is all so sad.

One of the newest Israeli settlements on the West Bank...

Safely Arrived in the Promised Land

We had a good flight from Seoul... another 12 hour flight! We had an easy entry through Israeli immigration and eventually got to Tantur safely... though the ride on the bumpy roads, with lots of  twists and turns and the speed we travelled made us wonder if we were destined for the heavenly Promised Land.

We are just about to walk through the Fence into Bethlehem and we will post something tonight. 

Soles pacing Seoul

This morning we did a hop on-hop off bus tour of Seoul. As we walked to the bus stop we came across a photo display of the Korean War. It was a poignant reminder of the suffering of war and that this is the only still-divided country in the world.

The first stop we took was Myeongdong where we visited the Catholic cathedral. There was a statue there of St Andrew Kim, one of the many martyrs of this land but the best known.

Carrying on a bit further we went to the Namsangol traditional Korean village. This is made up of seven traditional houses that have been moved there and restored. It is wonderful to see the old craftsmanship restored in this modern and sprawling city of some 11 million people.

Next stop was the Changgyeong Palace. Again the craftsmanship of this palace was incredible.

We had a brief wander around Insadong which was an area of traditional teahouses, craft and art shops. We opted for a coffee at Starbucks instead. Today was a public holiday – Buddha’s birthday.

Tonight we went wandering around the Namdaemun Market and had a wonderful meal in one of the many street stall restaurants.

Tomorrow we fly to Tel Aviv – it maybe a day or two until the next post goes up.   

We have arrived safely in Seoul

Sunday morning saw Leona and Steve out at Auckland International for the first stage of our Sabbatical. Thanks Stuart for giving us a lift and to you and Tina for joining us for a coffee before we set out on Korean Air to Seoul. Had a good flight... one think we both noted was how quiet the cabin crew and the airport at Incheon was. 

We easily found our bus for the city but got a bit of a shock when there was no money on our metro pass as we had been told there was. However, cash still works! 10,000 WON to get to the city... about $ 15 NZD. We found our "hotel" easily enough despite the cryptic instructions...

Take the #6015 bus from the airport to Namdaeum Market, cross to the underpass T-World comes in narrow alleyways we arrive Guest House (Not the whole point of a little Daiso).

The "hotel" wasn't quite what we were expecting... I will never complain about the size of the Holy Cross Seminary bathrooms again! However, at least my room had water... Leona had a quick room change. We then tried to find an ATM machine to get some cash... that was a bit of a mission. Today we are going to explore Seoul

Tourists or Pilgrims?

Author unknown


By Their Cameras You Shall Know Them!

Blessed those who find their strength in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5)

The most exasperating stranger I've had to walk with is myself. I go through life juggling my tourist pilgrim heart. There is a part of me that longs to be a pilgrim. I was born a seeker. I want to travel to all the holy places of the universe, including my own poor heart. I long to stand barefoot on holy ground. I long to stack up stones in memory of God's visitations and pour oil over them as Jacob did of old (Genesis 28:18-19).  

But alas my tourist mentality begins to take over and the lens of my eye is not enough. The memory of my heart is insufficient. My albums fill up with pictures just in case my heart forgets. My backpack turns into several suitcases as I begin to accumulate treasures from all these holy places. I begin to plan for new trips and regret all of the things I've missed.

A friend tells me a story of his visit to Niagara Falls. He was standing there in awe of that wonderful baptismal bath when a man hurriedly walked up with his wife. The man snapped a few pictures and then rather impatiently turned to his wife and said, "OK Mabel, we've seen it. Let's go." Do you think that man was a pilgrim or a tourist?

Since I am somewhat of a photographer I don't want to belabour this point, but in sifting out the tourists from the pilgrims I like to say, "By their cameras you shall know them." I always remember that as I shamefacedly pass by the pilgrims with my camera. The true pilgrim is the one who has no need to capture every piece of beauty. I'm always a bit envious as I see them sitting quietly receiving the beauty instead of trying to capture it. They pray with the lens of their eyes and their hearts. They are able to gaze upon, to reverence and adore. They serve as wondrous models for those of us who find it easier to clutch, to possess, to collect.

I believe there is a hidden pilgrim in every tourist. I constantly juggle these two seekers in my life. On some days the tourist wins out. But there are many times when the pilgrim in me feels at home. Maybe I have to settle for being a tourist pilgrim.

I stand on the edge of myself and wonder,
Where is home?
Oh, where is the place where beauty will last?
When will I be safe?
And where?
My tourist heart is wearing me out
I am so tired of seeking for treasures that tarnish.
How much longer, Lord?
Oh, which way is home?
My luggage is heavy
It is weighing me down.
I am hungry for the holy ground of home.

Then suddenly, overpowering me

with the truth, a voice within me
gentles me, and says:

There is a power in you, a truth in you
that has not yet been tapped.
You are blinded
with a blindness that is deep'
for you've not loved the pilgrim in you yet .

There is a road

that runs straight through your heart.
Walk on it.

To be a pilgrim means
to be on the move, slowly
to notice your luggage becoming lighter
to be seeking for treasures that do not rust
to be comfortable with your heart's questions
to be moving toward the holy ground of home
with empty hands and bare feet.

And yet, you cannot reach that home

until you've loved the pilgrim in you
One must be comfortable
with pilgrimhood
before one's feet can touch the homeland.

Do you want to go home?

There's a road that runs
straight through your heart.
Walk on it.

Leona and Steve's Itinerary

Sun 27 May  8.45 am                     

Depart for Seoul, Korean Air Flight 130

Mon 28 May

Seoul 

Tue 29 May  3.35 pm

Depart for Tel Aviv and arrive at Tantur, Ecumenical Centre, between Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Fri 1 Jun       

Course starts - Orientation

Biblical Geography                         

Sat 2 June

Trip: Mount. of Olives, Old City     

Sun 3 June

Worship with local Christians

           

Mon 4 June

Trip: Herodian, Shepherds field, Bethlehem.

Tues 5 June

Jewish reading of the Old Testament

Muslim Faith and Practice

Wed 6 June

Trip: City of David

Thurs 7 June                      

Fri 8 June      

Palestinian Liberation Theology

Churches of Jerusalem

Sat. 9 June

Icons and Eastern Worship

Sun 10 June

Worship with local Christians

Preparation for Galilee

Mon 11 - Fri 15 June

GALILEE TRIP

Sat 16 June                                     

Free day

Sun 17 June

Worship with local Christians

Mon 18 June

Trip: Dead Sea, Masada, Qumran

Tues 19 June

Judaism (1)              

Palestinian Christians        

  

Wed 20 June

Trip : Negev

           

Thurs 21 June

Judaism (2)  

Fri 22 June

Trip: Wadi Qelt/Jericho                   

Sat 23 June

Trip: Mosques, Haram Al Sharif  

Sun 24 June

Worship with local Christians

Mon 25 June

Trip:  Tent of Nations and Hebron                        

                                                                                               

Tues 26 June

Kingship in the Old Testament 

Wed 27 June

           

Thurs 28 June

Matthew and the Death of the Messiah    

Fri 29 June

7.00pm - Depart for Athens – Aegean Airlines Flight 929

Tour of Athens

Sat 30 June

Greek Island cruise

Sun 1 July   

Athens

6.00pm - Depart for Rome – Aegean Airlines 654

Mon 2 July                                       

Rome  

Tue 3 July                                       

Day visit to Pompeii

Wed 4 July

Scarvi Visit

Thu 5 July

Day visit to Monte Cassino

Fri 6 July

Rome

Sat 7 July

Rome-Ravenna

Sun 8 July

Ravenna-Venice

Mon 9 July

Venice 

Tues 10 July

Venice to Rome

Wed 11 July

Depart Rome 10.50 pm for Seoul on Korean Air Flight 928

Thu 12 July

Arrive in Seoul at 4.40 pm

Fri 13 July

Depart Seoul 4.50 pm for Auckland on Korean Air Flight 129

Sat 14            July

Arrive Auckland 7.10 am