From the Dead Sea to the desert, Monica Lee and Mackenzie Divine are ready for the camel caravan to move. Photo Credit: Mackenzie Drinan.
For 12 days, 33 Concordians from Wisconsin and Ann Arbor explored Israel, eyes wide, saying to one another, “Pinch me … I can’t believe we are actually here!”
From singing in an amphitheater in Caesarea to riding on a boat on the Sea of Galilee to exploring Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found to praying at the Western Wall, we have been astounded by the history, the beauty, and the mystery of Israel. We are students and teachers; we are aged 19 to 62; we are from two campuses in different states; we are followers of Christ. We will never be the same.
One of the greatest blessings of this trip was the strong bond that was formed among the sojourners. Strangers when we met, we became a family—laughing and crying together, looking out for one another, and being transformed by walking the very places where many biblical figures walked. Although we departed from one another to return to our respective campuses, we Concordians will remain “hearts together.”
Students interested in studying in The Holy Land (REL476) over Winterim 2018 should contact Rev. Dan Flynn.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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