After a 12 hour direct flight (Chicago to Amman) on Royal Jordanian Airlines, we are in Amman and were greeted at the Jerusalem Hotel by Bishop Munib Younan. He and his wife and daughter were all here with their love and hospitality. And we began hearing first hand accounts of the human disaster taking place in Gaza, of a world completely shut off and without food and medicine supply.
Somehow I got the front seat in the taxi van that transported seven of us to the hotel, but that also gave me a taste of why we are in Jordan. The taxi driver said he is Jordanian, but both his parents were Palestinian refugees in 1947. He said he can travel most anywhere in the world but is not allowed to visit Palestine or Israel. His heart aches for the people of Gaza, as do the hearts of many here in Jordan. More than half of Jordan's 6.2 million people are of Palestinian descent, including 2 million refugees.
There are other refugees causing issues here in Jordan--a half million Iraqis are presenting challenges for the government. I thought of our own immigration issues in the United States and realize that whenever people move because of war or unemployment or a desire to put food on the table of their children, their presence upsets the equilibrium of the status quo.
Lutherans and Jordan have a history that goes far back in time. In 1949 Jordan was granted control of the Palestinian populated area west of the Jordan river known as the West Bank. In the war of 1967 Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel. In 1988 Jordan relinquished any claim to that land. Because of our Lutheran congregations and ministries of the Lutheran World Federation in the West Bank as well as in Amman, Lutherans have a connection with Jordan going back over 60 years.
We're also in Jordan because His Majesty King Abudllah bin al-Hussein has stressed the urgency of solving the Palestinian/Israeli issues, saying the time for a two-states solution is running out.
We've arrived tired from travel, and several people are coming on other flights. There are about 12 of us here thus far and Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson is expected later. We closed with Evening Prayer, in small room off the hotel lobby, praying for peace, for an end to warfare, praying for those in Gaza who have no food or medicine or water, praying for leaders in the world to come to the aid of this people.
As I am here in Jordan, and in prayer, I give thanks for the worldwide partnership of the Church, and of God's love in Jesus Christ that binds us all together in one vast communion.
God's peace,
Bp Jerry
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Mom is glad to hear you and Anita have arrived safely and sends love and blessings. We pray for all of God's people and for peace and an end to suffering. Barbara
ReplyDeletePeace to you Jerry, and to the troubled region in which you are traveling.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I was a student at LSTC while Bp Younan was studying there, and remember him fondly -- though I have no reason to think he would remember me. Still, let him know that he and his family have been in my prayers since he was elected bishop.
Thank you in advance for this blog, and for the thoughts you are posting. It would also be interesting to get Anita's perspective on events as well. (hint, hint) You might also encourage Bp Younan to update the ELCJHL website more frequently, as a way to get his firsthand perspective on events out to the wider world.
When so many voices are busy justifying the need for violence, the voices crying in anguish and voices calling for peace seem to get drowned out. I am grateful that you and the rest of the ELCA participants in this trip are in the Holy Land at this difficult time, to be able to add your voices to the calls for peace in a firsthand way.
Thank you for this blog and for your thoughts as you begin your journey. I ditto Peter's comments regarding the ELCJHL website and also the invitation to Anita to share her experience with us as well.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering, with the start of the ground invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces, how your travel plans will be impacted?
May God be gracious to you and to all who live there!
The New Anti-Semitism: A Guide to the ELCA Campaign Against Israel and Her Christian Supporters
ReplyDeletehttp://revcjconner.com/?p=293
Know that prayers for peace are being offered today, as well as prayers for strength in your witness. Reading your reflections gives a helpful perspective. Thanks for the gift to the rest of us.
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