thoughts

here are my (kristi) thoughts from our last field study, enjoy if you are up for a longer read.

Today completes our Jerusalem focused field study trips. Circling the city by bus we stopped a number of times to look at Jerusalem from different directions, with the intention to solidify our understanding of its geography. Three moments stand out as I reflect on the full day.
The first moment, well series of moments, occurred on the Mount of Olives looking down on Jerusalem from the east as Dr. Wright reviewed the days prior and following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Thoughtfully and with focus on geography he painted a picture of the route of Christ. Remembering the story in the general location, with the backdrop of David and Absolom, my imagination was able to envision those days with new found clarity; an unforgettable experience. Some stories never get old, this being one of them, and yet some stories in new perspective hold even deeper and more powerful meaning.
Visiting the Herodian, experiencing the magnificence and ingenuity, was another memorable part of the day. In 2001 we were unable to visit the site because of safety concerns. (Mark down another reason for return visits to Israel). Driving up to the manmade mountain I wondered what the neighbors must have thought 2000 years ago, as they witnessed hundreds of workers moving dirt from one hill to the next. Hundreds of thousands of buckets later the hill stands out among its surroundings. Even more impressive, however, was the palace itself and the huge pool snug to the hill on the northwest side. Sitting in the dining area of the palace, looking left to the garden/courtyard I could almost hear the laughter and boisterous conversation of Herod and his guests. Listening to the horrific stories surrounding Herod reminded me of the description of a person with narcissistic and histrionic personality disorder (with an anger management problem and severe paranoia), a toxic mix– deprived humanity to the fullest extent. And yet the grace of God extends even to him, as he too was a brilliant man – providing jobs and creating some of the greatest structures of all time, and his name will forever be linked to the birth of Christ.
Traveling to Bethlehem, the birth place of Christ, marked the third memorable moment of the day. Well, not so much the trip in, nor the visit to the Church of the Nativity (which was a first for me and something to remember), but leaving the city. As the bus weaved its way through the streets we passed, often at close proximity, the wall which separates Bethlehem (and soon the entire West Bank) from Israel. Graffiti, artistic and political, covers much of the concrete wall. The consequences of the wall on a political level I do not understand. On a personal level, however my heart ached as I wondered about the sense of oppression, separation, and discrimination individuals inside of the wall may feel. I also continue to wonder about the high potential for poverty, and the extent to which it will affect identity – both personal identities of individuals and the identity of the community. Do they feel unwanted? Do they feel mistrusted? Do they feel protected? My cultural background is of no help at this point, as white privilege marks my experience. And yet having worked with economically poor individuals and abused women prior to coming here, I can imagine the pain, hurt and anger residents may feel. May the Lord who came to redeem the whole earth pour redemption on the community of His birth.