Safe Travels in Israel?

Because of the increased activity in Israel over this past weekend I thought I would write and give everyone a heads up on my situation for travels in that region.  I received and email from my professor in charge of the trip yesterday informing us more about the current conflict occurring right now.

Just for anyone that may be concerned we have all been assured that we are completely safe to be traveling in Israel right now.  Here is what Professor Notley said in regards to this recent incident:  

The main question for us as travelers to Israel is, "Is it dangerous to travel to Israel at this time?"  With complete honesty we have to answer "No, it is not too dangerous to travel to Israel at this time."

He also commented that:

With firsthand knowledge of the land, scores of contacts to keep us well informed, an understanding of the political conflicts, and with a history of teaching, traveling and living in the midst of the present Israeli-Palestinian conflict we are confident that our January 2009 program to Israel will be a success and a blessing to all.

I do ask that in light of this that you still be praying that God would have his hand on our group over there and that we would be kept safe in the midst of troubles and that it would indeed but a successful and blessed time for everyone participating.

Stay classy,

-AM

Two Weeks and Counting!!!

Israel:  So close I can almost taste it!  In two weeks right about this time my Nyack friends and I will be headed over to the land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  I will be leaving the snow bound Northeast, (Visiting family in New Hampshire right now and there are three storms hitting this weekend...about 2-4 feet when it's all said and done.)  and exchanging it for the slight less snowy weather of the middle-east.  Packing list is underway, (I have a lot of laundry to do...wow.)  and I have to figure out how to manage my fantasy football (soccer) team while I'm over there!  You know, its the simple things in life that bring pleasure.  Anyway, just thought the three and a half people that read this blog would like to know how things are coming along!  (I kid of course.)

In all seriousness, I'm really hoping to gain some fresh perspective on the Holy Land and to be where Jesus and other biblical notables walked in faith.  I really am looking forward to knowing what exactly it meant for the Hebrew people to "go up to Jerusalem." It literally meant to walk up a hill to the city.  But there is a significance of the "highness" and holiness of the city that just intrigues me and hopefully I will have some more light shed on that.

Until I have all this information and fun for you, have a Merry Christmas.

Stay Classy,

-AM

Just around the corner...

I found the Thanksgiving break restful, but at the same time I didn't feel like I got a single thing done!  That wasn't true but I had my hopes set on massive amounts of work being done so I could cruise through the last two weeks of school.  Sadly this was not the case, but I digress.  I was able to finish all of the maps that I need to have marked for Israel which was one of my goals I was happy to accomplish!  

Today my final pre-trip project was due which was reading the book:  The Sage from Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus' Genius and writing a response to it.  I was told that I might be upset by some of the conclusions reached in this book.  Some of the conclusions that were reached did surprise me, but on the whole, I am enjoying the book and its attempt to put the reader in the Jewish context of the first century AD.  The point that the author really wanted to get across was that Jesus wasn't trying to put the focus on himself so much as he was trying to put the focus on God constantly.  So while what Jesus did was important, from the Jewish perspective what he said of the relationship we have to God is so much more crucial.

Anyway, thats my spiel for now...Israel is right around the corner!  If I can be so bold as to ask for prayer, please pray for this trip.  That not only will be kept safe in an often volatile part of the world, but more so that we will have our eyes, ears, and hearts open to what God would want to show us and teach us about that land and how it applies to the Bible and our lives.  Also, pray for the unity of the team.  In an area like the middle east we will need to stay together and be protecting and compassionate of one another.

Ya'll stay classy now,

-AM