Caesarea, Megiddo, Ibillin

Some days there are almost too many highlights. Here's the short list: Caesarea and the monuments to self and Rome by Herod the Great; Megiddo, the fortified town guarding the fertile Jezreel Valley and the valuable crossroads to the east and west; and then Ibillin and the school founded by Father Chacour that provides educational opportunity to children of all faiths and citizenship: Palestinian, Druze, Christian, and Jew.

We started the day in Caesarea, seeing the impressive projects undertaken by Herod the Great: the amphitheater for plays, the palace and harbor for over 100 ships, and the hippodrome for chariot races--complete with viewing stand for visiting royalty and row upon row of spectator stands filled with cheering crowds. Herod was intent on giving tribute to Rome, and also to himself, letting everyone know of his own grandeur and power. Paul himself was tried and imprisoned here, so he may well have had the hippodrome in mind when he wrote the words of Hebrews 11-12, speaking of the "great crowd of witnesses" who encourage and cheer us on our way as we run the race marked out for us. I think these verses took on new meaning and a visual impact that will stay with us long after this trip is over.

One of Herod's architectural accomplishments

Aquaduct to Herod's palace complex in Caesarea

Ray Vander Weele at the aquaduct

Then we drove on to Megiddo, a fortified town strategically located at the head of the key pass through the Carmel Mountains and guarding the rich, fertile Valley of Jezreel--land of Ahab, Jezebel, Elijah, and the prophets of Baal. This spot protected one the three crossroads to the east and south and west, and therefore was a coveted location. Bill reminded us of the importance of "location, location, location." Important locations have purpose, provisions, and protection. Megiddo had all three. Another name for Megiddo is Armageddon, where the armies of the kings of earth will meet the angel of the Lord...and a voice will come from the throne, saying, "It is done."  And we are reminded of Jesus' words on the cross, "It is finished."

And then on to Ibillin to visit the school founded by Father Chacour, a Palestinian displaced and driven from his home town and family lands in 1948 when the Jews took over control of Israel.  But he refused to live with bitterness and anger, and after completing his religious training, went to this tiny village high on the mountainside and worked tireless for decades to break down anger and hostility between Jews, Palestinians, and Christians.  Realizing the power of education, he began a school in 1981 with four classes and 80 students.  It now has 2,300 students from grade 1 through high school.  It welcomes students from all cultures and religious faiths, and offers a comprehensive education that prepares students for advanced training in university, medical schools, and technical institutes.

Cal Hoppe with an engineering student

Students at Ibillin 

We were joined at dinner by some of the teachers and high school students, who charmed us with their bright minds, warm laughter, and eager conversation.  They are prepared to work across cultures and gave us a glimpse of the walls that divide their land and cultures. In a place dedicated to living the beatitudes, we left impressed with the dedication and vision of Father Chacour, and the calling God gives all of us to work for peace and reconciliation.