SIGNS OF SPRING AND HOPE

Spring arrives early on the southern coast of Israel. After weeks of fierce winds, smashing seas, and a swell in the marina that made standing in the boat's cabin without holding on to something impossible, suddenly we can eat breakfast once more in the warm morning sunshine. Our yachting neighbors are emerging from below decks, “messing about” on their boats, getting ready for the sailing season.

It is difficult these days to stay at the chart table, writing, writing, writing. “Hey, do you want to go along sailing today?” Henry, the South African/Israeli calls out as he unties Mistral, his boat next to SailingActs. It is a beautiful crisp, breezy day. Henry is a retired dairy farmer from a nearby moshav (cooperative farm) and sails almost every Friday when the weather is good. He has several other friends along and they are on the deck smiling, relaxed, happy. I know from previous sails with Henry that he will have wonderful snacks along. I hesitate, almost persuaded to abandon Paul and join Henry for an afternoon of bliss.

I struggle, Henry or Paul? I'm troubled by a fleeting mental image of Paul writing in Caesarea, listening through his prison cell to the call of the sailors as they row out of the harbor and hoist the sails, heading for distant seaports, heading for Rome. For two springs Paul writes in prison while others sail away to a place he longs to go – Rome.

I think about the words Paul wrote once to the Christians at Corinth: “Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work . . . “

“Maybe another time,” I yell to Henry. “You know you're no match for Paul.” Henry laughs and waves. He knows.

But the sun is shining, the writing goals will be achieved in only a few more days' time, and I can hardly wait to join my neighbors, and get SailingActs ready for the voyage to Rome.

Dave Landis and Eric Kennel, two EMU graduates who were on the Fall 2003 cross-cultural in the Middle East, arrived in Israel recently from Jordan. They are on a one-year, round the world, backpacking adventure and will be helping to crew SailingActs from Israel, to Cyprus, Lebanon, and Turkey. They are currently hiking the 900 kilometer long Israel National Trail, then will be doing some volunteer work before joining us just before we leave sometime during the first part of April. (They also maintain a fantastic website: www.vivaelviaje.com)

There are other signs of change besides the seasons in the Middle East. There is a glimmer of hope that progress toward reducing the evil of injustice and violence that has wounded the people of Israel and Palestine so deeply, especially during the past 4 years, may be possible. But unlike spring in Ashkelon, the storms are not over yet. There are walls to be torn down, settlements that need removing, explosives that need defusing, prisons that need emptying, wounds and memories that need healing.

Paul's words to the Christians in Corinth are words of encouragement and hope for those who pray and work for peace in this region and around the world: “Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. For you know that your work is not in vain.”

See photos from February 05 Posted on February 23, 2005 07:27 AM