This would be my “bumper sticker” thumbnail report of my trip to Israel in February. Here is just a partial list of the BIG pieces of this adventure:
- Accepting this gift – trusting the timing to be away was BIG.
- Making this trip – as a first-time international traveler was BIG.
- Being on my own – traveling with 43 strangers was BIG.
- Going to Israel – a place of mixed angst and unrest was BIG.
- Seeing the Holy Land – a place where so many lay their faith was BIG.
- Engaging my experience – absorbing the sights and sounds of past and present was BIG.
- Managing my return – resetting my body and my focus to life beyond the trip was BIG.
And lastly:
- Taking the next step – finding time to process for myself and for my ministry IS BIG.
THANK YOU, CHURCH, for journeying this with me!
THANK YOU, CHURCH, for sending me off AND welcoming me home!
THANK YOU, CHURCH, for your interest and anticipation in hearing all about it!
There is much to recover from, to process and to share with you in the days ahead. I look forward to all that will continue to be revealed in the days ahead as a gift from this experience.
For now, I can only speak my heartfelt words of thanks first to Leo Cigale, and the Knight’s Templar for giving me this opportunity to participate in their pilgrimage program. Thanks to those, here, who loaned my large and small items to make my trip easy and comfortable. I’m grateful to the Sunday School children for their wonderful cards that I opened each day on the trip and for the sustaining blessing offering by all of you, my church family, while on this adventure. And, I am thankful to God for presence and peace in the midst of each day – no matter where I am!
Peace to each of you,
Pastor Kelly