May 19, 2002

The hills of Lebanon.

As the last conference participants arrived throughout the morning, we headed out to the caves of Jeita. Snuggled in among Lebanon's many rolling hills, these caves sport imposing stalagtites and stalagmites, delicate curtain formations and many other patterns built by the patient work of water over millenia. Unfortunately, photography is forbidden, so what we saw will have to be preserved in our minds (and a handful of postcards). From everything that we've heard about the beauty of Lebanon, this may simply be the beginning of a week of awe.

The heads of the Iraqi churches are here.

An ecumenical, international gathering.

We returned to greet newly-arrived conferees, coming from Iraq and the States and everywhere in between. We began, as we rightly should, with worship - the Maronites, Syrians, Latins, Protestants, Armenians, all were represented and participated. Lebanese TV is covering the entire conference - not unusual coverage for a country that is half-Christian. We shared in fellowship and food (always a necessity) before being formally welcomed by both the Middle East Council of Churches and Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding. The hope for this meeting is to be the people of the incarnation, living a message of solidarity for the Church - not only here in the land of its birth, but throughout the world. There is deep appreciation for us Westerners simply being here, especially at a time when most people think we're nuts for coming to countries our nation considers pariahs.