FORWARD

The Holy Land.  How did this come about?  Why are we going?

The "how" is a bit easier than the "why", so let's start there.

Ginger and I have talked of going to the Holy Land for many years.  There was always something that got in the way.  Raising children.  Financial ups and downs.  Finding the time to do it.  Then, an unrelated series of events took place:

• Our kids are out of college.  With just the two of us at home, we talked more about what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives.
• Ginger had another flareup on her back, resulting in a micro discectomy last June.  While the surgery went well and she seems to improve daily, she/we don't know if or when a more debilitating episode might occur.  
• There are an increasing reminders of my own mortality.  
• Our own household economy is much better than a few years ago.
• For my birthday last year, Ginger gave me a gift that touched me to tears.  Since before we met, I have wanted to visit some of the ancient cities and wonders of the world such as Ankor Watt, the Great Pyramids, Petra, and Machu Picchu.  She presented me with a trip to Machu Picchu.  But, the trip was for one....me.  She suggested that I get a buddy to go with me, or perhaps one of the kids (they both spent time in Peru on mission trips).  If no one else would go, she offered to go with me.  Well, no one else wanted to go.  And, she was still knee deep in her back issues.  Machu Picchu would require more stamina than I had, so I would need to spend time getting into shape.  Ginger, however, was in NO shape to do the vigorous hiking required to really experience Machu Picchu.  On top of that, I knew that her offer to go with me was a labor of love as she had never expressed interest in visiting Machu Picchu.

Then, I remembered a trip we both wanted to do together.....The Holy Land with Rick Sides, Pastor of Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem.  He has teamed up with a tour company that specializes in Christian Travel and leads trips to the Holy Land almost every year.   Over the years, we had talked with others who had joined Rick and were intrigued by the articles we had read.  So, I approached Ginger with an alternative proposition.....Can I trade in the Machu Picchu trip for the Holy Land, and we go together?  It made all the sense in the world to me.  Ginger and I, together, get to do something we both have wanted to do.  And, what guy in his right mind would rather travel with buddies rather than a hot blonde who looked fabulous in tight jeans and boots?

Ginger say "yes".  So, we contacted Rick and signed up.

Now for the "why".  

When we announced to friends that we were going to the Holy Land, the reactions were mixed.  Some said they had always wanted to go, too, and were even a bit envious.  Everyone had concerns about safety.  Remember, we were booking the trip while the news was full of reports of military conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces.  We sometimes heard "be careful over there".  More often than not, we heard "why would you go there now?  Why not wait?"

The fact is that conflict has been going on since Moses led the Israelites into the Promised Land.  In the midst of conflict, people have been going to the Holy Land for centuries.  

But, more importantly, I had questions and was seeking answers.  Maybe a trip to the Holy Land would help me find the answers.  

In my mind, the question was not "Why", but "Why not?"  I have to face facts....we are all getting older.   Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.... it could be abundance, or challenges, or even death.  Ginger and I are able (financially, physically, and found the time) to make this trip at this point in our lives.  We have committed to "go while we can and when we can".

So, what will I find in the Holy Land?  Will my soul be lifted?  Could my spiritual journey be enhanced by visiting the places that Jesus Christ ministered, lived, and died?  Would it bring me closer to Him?  

I don't know.  But, I am taking the journey and will find out.