A few months ago, The Rev. Bill Sachs, Director of the Center for Interfaith Reconciliation here in Richmond, told me he was planning a fact finding/pilgrimage trip to Jordan and Jerusalem.
I was excited and immediately signed up to go, because in 2007 I went on a similar, eye-opening trip that he led.
Today Bill confirmed that arrangements are substantially complete for this new trip.
Besides myself, three other members of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church will be going along with Bill, our fearless trip leader.
We'll be spending five full days in Jordan, and five days in Jerusalem. Broadly speaking, our focus will be to learn more about the significant efforts of the Anglican Church there in both educating young people and coping with the refugee situation that has developed because of the turmoil in the region. We also hope to meet with officials of the Jordanian government to learn about their efforts to deal with the refugee issue, and their approach to the volatile foreign policy issues that confront them.
Of course, we'll be visiting some key sites of enormous importance in the Christian tradition; in Jordan, Mount Nebo (where Moses viewed the Promised Land), and the Baptism site of Jesus. In Israel, we will visit those places in Jerusalem considered holy by three major religions, plus a visit to the Sea of Galilee.
Also on the itinerary while in Jordan, a dip in the Dead Sea, guaranteed to produce some hilarious photo ops.
My intent is to make updates to this blog, daily if possible.
Inshallah (God Willing), we will depart Richmond on October 29 and return November 9.
Stay tuned.
The link to the blog is http://tonyonthemove.blogspot.com
My sister did a similar trip a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm sure you will as well.
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