Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s curriculum includes a required intercultural learning trip to help students see their own ministry with new eyes by stepping outside their context. These trips are part of the “Intercultural/Experiential Learning” course (MI310) offered by the Seminary every January Term, organized by the World Mission Initiative. The course provides pre- and post-experience orientation and reflection in cultural proficiency and anti-racism, intercultural communication, a theology of short-term mission engagement, area studies for the specific context to be studied, and spiritual practices for mission.
The January 2023 trips were to Lebanon, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Israel/Palestine. Excerpts from student reflection journals will be shared on the blog throughout the month.
Intercultural Trip to Israel/Palestine
Journal Author: Abby George
Jan. 7, 2023
After a long flight from Newark, we finally landed in Tel Aviv. I was excited to meet Mr. O. and the Sabeel organization, who greeted us with a smile and a friendly personality. I am not sure exactly how to respond to my arrival in Israel. I am tired from the flight. I want to reach my hotel room and use the bathroom.
The bus ride from the airport was relaxing, allowing me to meditate while looking outside. I immediately noticed the Westernization of Israel: the roads and buildings looked similar to American architecture. I did not feel that I was in a different country!
However, all of that changed when we reached the gates of Bethlehem. To my surprise, the Israeli soldiers closed the entrance into Bethlehem, preventing anyone from leaving or entering from that particular location. As a result, we had to take the back roads to enter Bethlehem, an additional 30 minutes to our trip.
Why did they close the entrance? How is it possible for someone to “close” the doors to a city? Why do we have to take a longer route when there is a shorter one? I immediately came to understand the unfortunate conditions of the Palestinian people. It deeply distressed my heart that non-Palestinians determine which road Palestinians must take to enter a Palestinian city. It did not make sense!
This entire incident occupied my mind as I entered my hotel room. I tried to generate justifications for why the Israeli soldiers closed the gate to Bethlehem. But every time, my conscience told me that what happened earlier deserved no explanation: it was fundamentally wrong and contrary to justice. Am I able to label something as wrong before even knowing the context of the situation? Am I not negatively labeling without knowing exactly why the Israeli soldiers closed the gate? Still, is it ever correct to force people living in that city to take a different and longer route to reach their homes for no apparent reason? There is something wrong here.
I did not know how to respond to this situation. I wanted to avoid my feelings from dictating my thoughts and judgments; I tried to avoid assuming something without knowing more information. Therefore, I prayed for more clarification on the situation and strength to overcome any feelings of resentment or bitterness.
Jan. 8, 2023
I woke up with excitement and hopefulness, especially after a stressful night. I was excited to visit Shepherd’s Field. It is always a humbling experience to walk in a location written in the Bible. I walked around hoping to meditate and experience the spirit of God through the beauty of nature. I noticed how forceful the vendors were in trying to sell their products. I am not sure how to respond to them. Should I politely refuse their service? Or should I ignore them? The latter seems harsh and rude. However, Mr. O. assured us that it is not rude in Palestinian culture to ignore vendors. It took some time to adapt to that cultural difference.
We attended worship at the Church of the Nativity. I was thrilled to experience a Catholic service in Palestine. How did the Catholic Church in Palestine worship differently than the Catholics in the Western world? To my surprise, the Catholic Church we attended offered the Eucharist to everyone, including Protestants. I did not expect this to happen. I never imagined participating in a Catholic service that granted the Eucharist to Protestants. I felt a sense of unity within the Christian community. Why do Catholic Churches in the West continue to neglect sharing the body and blood of Jesus with other Christian members?
The day concluded with an informative and passionate conversation with Bishop Dr. M.Y. The Bishop reassured my initial distress about the conditions of the Palestinian people. He shared numerous injustices that Palestinians face encounter under Israeli occupation. He also expressed how the African American and Latin-American churches can relate to the Palestinian situation. Therefore, the Bishop pleaded with these two groups to support and struggle for the Palestinian people.
I thought about what the Bishop said about these two groups. The more I thought about it, the more disappointed I was with my people: the Indian community. The Indian people have also experienced grave injustice in South Africa and British India. In South Africa, for instance, Indians were required to carry and show identification cards. But yet, the Indian community stays silent in supporting the African American and Palestinian communities. It is unfortunate that the Indian community fails to commit more to speaking out against injustice and inequality. What is my role in educating my people to understand the severity of what is transpiring in Israel-Palestine? Can Indians come to re-understand the feeling of being oppressed?
Jan. 12, 2023
Jan. 12 is a day I will never forget. The day began with excitement and enthusiasm. I couldn’t wait to see the Old City of Jerusalem and the Church of the Resurrection. My passion generated irresponsibility. On the bus, near the military checkpoint, I realized I had left my passport at the hotel. I initially failed to recognize the severity of the situation until I saw the distress illuminating my leader’s face. I immediately knew I had put everyone in a serious predicament, especially my Palestinian guide. What is going to happen at the checkpoint? Will the Israeli soldier enter the bus and check everyone’s passports? What will happen to us when I tell the soldier about my passport situation?
These questions polluted my mind. My feeling worsened as the Israeli soldier entered the bus and asked to see everyone’s passports. Fortunately, the young Israeli soldier had the grace of God in her heart. She expressed the seriousness of carrying a passport but did not make a scene.
However, I continued to possess pain in my heart for my irresponsibility. I knew I was okay walking around Jerusalem without a passport. But, still, I felt something deep within me. I couldn’t grasp the extent of my feelings; I had difficulties expressing my discomfort. What was bothering me during the first half of the tour at the Old City? Then, suddenly, it came to me: I did not have my passport. Although I passed the military checkpoint, I still felt dispossessed of my identity and individuality. In other words, I left my “personhood” back in the hotel.
I would constantly check, throughout the tour, my jacket pocket for my passport and realize I did not have my certificate to walk around the city. At this point, I recognized the despairing reality of the Palestinian people. Identification requirements and certifications are a part of life for Palestinians; their dignity and belonging consist of provable and accessible paperwork. Immediately, I apologized to our Palestinian host and praised his courage and preservation in the struggle for dignity.
The final discussion with Rabbi G. was insightful. The Rabbi provided the group with valuable information about the Israeli perspective on the conflict. He reminded us that the conflict is more complicated and worthy of further conversation. The Rabbi communicated the victimhood personality of the Jewish community, and that the first step to resolving the conflict is to change the mind of the Jewish community. He proposed a gradual solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Since 2001, the PTS World Mission Initiative has sent 987 individuals to 61 countries. Learn more about the Intercultural Trips.