Preparations

An apology is necessary for being silent for over two weeks now. I would like to thank you for your patience.

These past weeks have been very strange. I have gradually gotten busier but some of my classes are now over. If you can explain the logic in that please enlighten me, because I am at a loss. Anyways enough of that pity party.

What has really been on my mind is how in the world I am going to put what I have seen into words for those of you curious enough to ask me about it all. I don't want to overwhelm you to the point where your curiosity becomes regret nor do I want to speak in a way that does not inspire more curiosity. Does that illustrate my plight enough for you? An analogy I was given yesterday by a professor was "Vince, it is like trying to describe colors to a blind man." Ugh why does that have to sound so impossible! There is merit to this analogy though, because I can say from my experience the black ink of the scriptures become more alive when read in their place. This is not to say one cannot understand or meet part of our awesome God where ever you are. I would never say that God is limited to a place. Instead the connections to be made between verses become much more organic in this little region. Stories become relevant to the entire narrative. Stories like Sihon the King of Medaba and his refusal to let Moses and the Israelites pas through his territory begin to connect to other stories like Nahum and his coming to Elisha for healing of his leprosy. My fragmented understanding of the scriptures begins to become more holistic when these connections are made.

So here is my goal; to actually answer your questions in a relevant manner. There are so many questions you could have and I am not going to claim expertise in all things Holy Land, but I want to begin putting color to your understanding of the black and white scriptures. I want you to ask me about the current situation in Israel and the West Bank and in the next moment ask me about the Mount of Olives. I want to put my notes and maps to use so ask me to bust them out and explain myself. I'll even let you read my day to day account of my time here, but I cannot promise that is going to do much for you on its own.

I have another story to tell you. I met a man here at school who has probably built the reputation on campus as an oddball of sorts. He's one to ask the archaeology professor where the Ark of the Covenant is, but I still learned something from him. He has been to the land a handful of times now and comes to study here not simply for personal enrichment. He comes as a pilgrim. Instead of him passing through this place the place passes through him. Does that make sense (if not have me explain that one too). I can say I have learned to be more like a pilgrim and there is something to be said for that.

Some of you may discredit what I say as just an emotional reaction to my knowing I will soon be coming home. To you I say please don't judge what I have written until you have actually met me when I get back. If I have not changed then you can ignore what I have written. If I have changed in your eyes though maybe something really does happen to some one who comes here. It is not for everyone but I know this semester has been good for me. I have made lifelong connections and for that alone I am thankful. I pray your experiences are just as enriching.

Blessings!