Ambrose University College Travel Blog - Down Ancient Paths

One of the things I loved while we were in Jerusalem was simply talking to the people.  You know, you can learn all the facts of the Israeli-Arab-Palestinian conflict, but it doesn’t mean a thing unless you know what the people are saying on the ground.

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A couple of days after we arrived in Jerusalem we went to the Western Wall… or the Wailing Wall, as it is often called in North American circles. 

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The day I went to Petra is a day I will never forget.  I have often found that it is not the days that go according to plan that make the best memories; rather, it is the unexpected things – the surprises – that bring spice to life and, in the end, supply us with the memories that we wouldn’t change for the world.

Tags: travel studies, student, student stories, down ancient paths, israel, travel study, Ambrose, travel, university, jerusalem, holy land, ambrose university

I cannot believe how fast this trip is going.  With more than a week of our travels already behind us, I find myself marveling at the swiftness of the passing days.  But I have enjoyed my time around the city of Amman and have learned and seen so much!

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 Israel: The land where Jesus walked, the Promised Land, the Holy Land… or, as I have also heard it more recently called, the “not-so-holy” Land.  Regardless of its name, that is where I am headed in less than a week’s time.  Me, Kathryn: the student, traveler, sister, daughter, friend, and child of the living God.

Israel (and Jordan) are lands that have always held a deep fascination for me; no doubt because of their deep connection with my faith: both with the great tales of the Old Testament saints and, of course, with the person of Jesus Christ.

I am beyond excited to get started!  I have always been a visual person; I find things much easier to understand and am better able to keep them organized in my mind when I have actually seen them.  …Perhaps that is why I decided to follow the footsteps of Paul the apostle to Turkey and Greece (the “other” holy lands) last summer.  Through visiting biblical sites such as Ephesus, Athens and Philippi, I was able to gain a better understanding of the geographical context of both the book of Acts and the letters of Paul in the New Testament.

The opportunity to travel the lands of Paul and the apostles was amazing; but I simply can’t wait to continue expanding my biblical literacy, exploring the history of my beliefs and stretching my faith as I follow the footsteps of Jesus (and others) in these two countries.

But, as we traverse Jordan and Israel, we will not only be exploring the ancient biblical landscapes, we will also be tapping into the modern political landscape.  The various points-of-view concerning the current Israeli-Arab-Palestinian conflict are numerous and, as we travel through these lands, we will be exploring these different perspectives in all their diversity.

[Side note: if you would like to read a very good (while very short), diplomatic overview outlining the history of the current political situation in Israel, I recommend reading Herzl’s Nightmare by Peter Rodgers.  It is but a mere 129 pages long]

Israel… Jordan… 34 days… 32 travelling companions…

So many places to see, people to talk to and things to do!  Indeed, many of the places I will be visiting are sites that I have heard and read about my entire life (and even watched in a movie or two!).  Very likely you’ll recognize a few of the names yourself!

To give you a brief snapshot of the month ahead, here are a few highlights:

Arriving in Jordan, we will wander the streets of Amman (known to the Romans as Philadelphia), follow the footsteps of Jesus, John the Baptist and Elijah as we descend to ‘Bethany Beyond the Jordan,’ enter into the world of Indiana Jones while exploring the ancient city of Petra, and discover Jordan’s desert landscapes as we journey the paths of Lawrence of Arabia into the Wadi Rum.  We will conclude our time in Jordan in the south by the Red Sea.

In Israel we will travel north to the holy city of Jerusalem – the City of David.  We will visit the Cave of John the Baptist, walk the streets of Bethlehem, swim in the salty waters of the Dead Sea, visit St. George Monastery and the Mt. of Olives, and go tenting in the middle of the Negev desert.  As we continue to head north, we will hike along the “Jesus Trail,” explore the Mediterranean coast and visit sites such as Caesarea Maritima and the Mt. of Beatitudes.  We will even be going boating on the Sea of Galilee (Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll get caught in a storm!!!).

As I sit here typing this in Tim Hortons (I can’t help it, I’m a Canadian!), I’m actually getting shivers! (And not simply because of the air conditioning)  Who am I to have this opportunity to experience all of this!?!  Feeling overwhelmed and humbled, there is only one thing I can say for sure… this upcoming month promises to be life changing.  

…I hope you will join me on the journey!

Shalom!
Kathryn

Kathryn Bennallack is a full time student at Ambrose, heading into her 5^th and final year of the Christian Studies program with a focus on Spirituality and a double minor in English Literature and Business Administration.  Kathryn has enjoyed her studies at Ambrose over the last few years and has been inspired by her professors to dig deeper into her faith and to continually seek out learning opportunities.  Kathryn loves reading, photography, spending time with her family and friends and exploring new places wherever and whenever she can!  Having grown up on the west coast of Canada in Victoria BC, Kathryn has a deep love for the ocean and legitimately does enjoy long walks on the beach!  Kathryn is passionate about travel and one of her life goals is to travel to every country in the world.  Another goal?  to grow in relationship with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at every opportunity.

Tags: travel studies, student stories, down ancient paths, israel, Ambrose, travel, jerusalem, holy land, ambrose university