Good morning…
After exploring the varied history and terrain of the countryside of Israel, Steve emailed our group a summary of our time together. Reliving our moments through the Hebrew words chosen for each day brings on a collective smile, helping us to hear, to remember, to live out our own personal love affair with God.
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Israel 2022,
What a blessing (Barak) it was to be with you all in Israel. In 9 short days we formed a tight knit community (Havurah) that studied together, laughed together, ate and drank together and cared for one another. We walked through the desert (Midbar) together. We experienced the hospitality of our bedouin hosts. We floated in the Dead Sea. We went to the top of the rock fortress Masada, felt the cool water of the Ein Gedi oasis, sailed on the Sea of Galilee and had happy hour on its shores, experienced Jesus’s blessings (Makarios) on the Mount of Beatitudes, dipped our toes (and some our entire bodies) in the Jordan River. We stood on the precipice in Nazareth and saw the ancient ruins at Caesarea Maritima. We stood in holy (Qadosh) spaces in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. We were called to remember (Zakar) at the Western Wall and Yad Va Shem. Perhaps at some point along the way you heard (Shema) God’s voice and rededicated yourself to the same kind of sacrificial love (Agape) that Jesus not only taught, but lived. As you have returned home it’s my hope (Tiqvah) that you have been refreshed and renewed to continue the journey that God has called you to and that you will continue to participate in the holy task of remaking the world in his image.
Thank you for being a part of this amazing experience together. Stay tuned for details about a reunion gathering in the near future.
Your friend,
Steve (or just plain Allen as Boaz, our Jewish tour guide, seemed to always want to call me)
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With Steve taking groups to Israel twice annually, Lovett kids in the summer and interested adults in the spring, I never really understood the draw for him to return again and again to the Holy Land since his first eight week trip to Jerusalem during his junior year in college. Having experienced the mysterious magic myself, I am starting to gain a deeper understanding a my husband’s palpable passion for the place.
Then the Lord said to him, “Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Acts 7:33, ESV).
…Sue…
P.S. If you are interested in exploring the mysterious magic of the Holy Land with Steve in the future, please email me personally and we will put you on the list of others expressing interest. For 2023, the adult trip will take place from Thursday, March 2nd through Sunday, March 12th.
