Visiting Our ELCJHL Partners in the Holy Land

By: Rod Schofield

ELCA Representative to the ELCJHL Schools and Board Member, Opportunity Palestine

I recently led a Holy Land trip this past January, visiting the ELCJHL schools and our partner companions within the ELCJHL. The words, “I didn’t know!” were echoed often by many of the 28 pilgrims who joined us on our educational tour of the Holy Land this past January. Represented among our group were Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Catholics from Colorado, Washington and Arizona. What did our group not know? The following is a list of some of the comments participants in our tour made. 

• The extent and positive influence of the ELCJHL educational institutions in the Holy Land. -The significant contribution of the ELCJHL schools to peacemaking and gender equality.
• The presence of such strong and faithful leadership among ELCJHL school and church staff.
• The contribution of the Environmental Educational Center to environmental justice in the Holy Land.
• The hope provided by the Vocational Training Center in building job skills and opportunities among Palestinian youth.
• The joy and love of learning expressed by the students we met despite the hardships they experience under occupation.
• How important and uplifting it was to meet and share meals with Palestinian families.
• The importance of faith and family in the lives of those we met.
• As our tour ended, the participants surprised us by voluntarily providing contributions to be shared with Opportunity Palestine and other educational entities. And, just as important, many of our tour members have already lined up opportunities to present what they have learned with their own faith and community organizations. The spirit moved among them in amazing ways. Thanks be to God for all those who serve in the land we call holy. 
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