As the countdown gets closer to our departure date, Andy and I are barely able to contain our excitement! Andy has been gearing up on his Ancient Near Eastern History with the lecture series (that he bought Allison for Christmas): "The Holy Land Revealed," with Jody Magnus, Professor of Archaeology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...and Allison is vicariously learning from him because she hasn't made the time to watch the DVD series yet! (16 HOURS OF HALF HOUR LECTURES!!--it's like seminary all over again!)
In the meantime, as we try to tie up loose ends at our prospective churches, we are first leading a joint youth camping trip to Camp Sky Meadows near Big Bear this President's Day Weekend. Praying for decent driving weather--they're expecting 2 feet of snowfall in the mountains by the weeks end! Eek, the Hawai'i girl doesn't exactly know how to navigate that one.
But apparently the weather in the Middle East looks GREAT! About 68-75 degrees this week--50s and 60s while we're there.
The political climate in the Middle East however seems to be unpredictable and changing every day. The news about Tunisia, then Egypt, and now Yemen, Jordan, and Iran keep us on our toes. The interesting thing is that while Andy and I are starting our first blog (ever) and are using relatively new forms of modern technology to communicate with friends, family, and church members at home, this means of electronic communication is what is empowering people in the Middle East to have their voices be heard; through Facebook, Twitter, texting, and blogs.
We will continue to keep you posted and informed on our pilgrimage to the Holy Lands...
Shalom,
Allison :)
Hi Allison and Andy, We'll be journeying along with you guys, praying for a peaceful, inspiring trip :)
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Kathy and Bill Summers
So awesome! Thanks, Kathy and Bill! Hopefully we'll be inspired enough to lead a group tour for our churches after this! I hear Mel will be in the Middle East (Turkey) in a few weeks herself! :)
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