HILLSBORO, Kan. – A 27-member group of Tabor College students, Bethel College students and others will be visiting the land of Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, the disciples, and early Christians, on an educational tour of the Holy Land, Jan. 5 to 25, 2009.
“I am extremely excited about visiting these wonderful places again,” said Tabor Bible professor Douglas Miller, who helped lead a similar trip in January 2007.
Miller will co-lead the tour with Bethel College professor Patricia Shelly, a licensed guide with over 25 years of experience leading tours and living in the Holy Land.
Based in Jerusalem for most of the trip, the group will travel to Mt. Nebo, where Moses gazed into the Promised Land, and other sites in Jordan, including ancient and dramatic Petra. Also on the travel itinerary are Bethlehem, Hebron, Joppa, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and Dan.
According to Miller, the purpose of the three-week trip is to give participants an opportunity to understand the Bible in its context; learn about the three major religions of the area (Judaism, Islam, Eastern Christianity); gain a better understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and spend special time in worship, reflection, and prayer.
“We will have personal contact and conversation with a variety of local people,” added Miller who particularly noted Palestinian Christians as a neglected minority.
In addition to 15 persons going from Bethel, the following 12 from Tabor are scheduled to make the trip:
Ben Faul (sophomore, Martin, N.D.); Ben Heyen (freshman, Hillsboro, Kan.); Janae Rempel (junior, Meade, Kan.); Kayla Vix (junior, Maize, Kan.); Judy Harder, Associate Professor of Communications and Drama, and her husband, Keith; Myron and LaVon Vetter (Onida, S.D.); Richard and LuWanda Schroeder (Moundridge, Kan.); and Professor Miller and his wife, Holly Swartzendruber, Assistant Professor of Vocal Music.
Tour members will be journaling their thoughts on the journey on this blog. Click on links at right to subscribe via email or through RSS.
