Senior Living

Iwas on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land 2 weeks ago.

My wife and I were hosting a tour group of 32 when midway through our eldest pilgrim became ill and had to be hospitalized in Jerusalem.

I stayed with him in a crowded ER for 30 hours.

With no available rooms, we were given a front row seat to a microcosm of the Israeli citizenship. Right before us were Orthodox Jews, nominal Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Palestinians and perhaps Christians and atheists as well.

The one thing they had in common was need. When the need is for health and freedom from suffering, and you have few family members with you, or perhaps no one at all, suddenly all of the prejudices and politics somehow fade and bridges of communication can be built.

I saw a Jewish doctor treating a Muslim woman with professional compassion. I saw a worried Jewish mother keeping vigil by her 19-year-old son Moshe, who had severe deformities and a tracheotomy.

Through her broken English and my lack of Hebrew I was able to pray for this mother and child many would have recommended aborting before birth.

Then there was Abu Frah Ale, a 36-year-old man who was there in the hall all night with his aging father. At first we just smiled at each other, then we both attempted communication.

He and his father are Muslim, my friend and I are Christian, and we were all in a Jewish hospital.

With a downloaded Google Translate app we were able to share and encourage each other.

Another Muslim Arab man and his pregnant wife came in. I gave him my phone charger which he desperately needed.

There was an atmosphere of genuine love and desire from all to value what was happening among us.

And it all started with just a smile.