My trip to the Holy Land was filled with tears and laughter.  Our group was much inspired by the holy places and greatly amused by our group’s antics. Last month, I shared some of the more inspiring sites and happenings, with the promise of writing about some of the lighter moments this month.

Of course, some bathroom humor has to be part of the fun. This sign says much – (Pic 1). Perhaps my pastor and I needed this printed in the airport. On the trip there, I almost entered the men’s restroom, when he pointed out that was the wrong one.  I just shook it off and enter the ladies’ then. On the return trip, he thought no one was noticing when he almost did the opposite.  I HAD to call it to his attention, although he noticed before actually going in. As pastors are prone to doing, he started his denial.  “I didn’t go in.” I knew, but I couldn’t let it pass. On the return trip, after being up many hours and having made the 12 hour flight from Tel Aviv to JFK, my knees and legs were totally used up.  (After all, according to someone’s Fit Bit, we had walked 77 miles while there.) I knew I had better make use of the facility before boarding the plane for Atlanta.  I did choose the correct room that time, only to find the handicap stall occupied.  I went in a regular one, sat down, did what I was there to do, and started to get up, and started to get up, and again started to get up.  My knees just didn’t seem to have it in them to lift me one more time.  I thought for a moment that I would have to call 911 or a tow truck.  With much prayer, I finally got up. While on our tour, we learned to take a Kleenex or an ice cream wrapper or some other substitute with us because the re-suppliers of toilet paper never could keep up with the many busloads of tourists.

We had great fun on the bus.  We sang happy songs, told tall tales to our bus mates and had amusement with roll call.  We had 4 co-hosts, and each one of us had a list of people to account for when we would start to leave a site.  I checked off the ones sitting near me, but a group of mine sat at the very back where I couldn’t see them well.  One of the back seat ladies would give me a “thumbs- up” when that delegation was on the bus.  I THINK I brought home all for whom I was responsible. One of the co-hosts was Ron.  When my pastor, the main host, would ask him if all his were on board, he would say yes.  A group of young pastors were on his list.  They began answering for him in unison. “Ron’s here” became the chant.  When we returned home, some of his group said they planned to yell, “Ron’s Here” when he got to the pulpit to preach.

Clothing became a source of humor also.  When we visited the Temple Mount, we were aware of the strict code of dress – no revealing clothes, no sleeveless shirts, and so on.  We all passed muster, with the exception of one sweet, humble lady.  Maybe it was because she was so attractive – I don’t know – but she had on leggings with a tunic top, as did many others of us, but they pulled her aside and said she would have to wrap a sarong around her making a long skirt. (Pic 2) We enjoyed some laughs at her expense.  I think one of the security men offered several camels for her. We won’t even discuss what the TSA officers had to plow through while checking some suitcases.  Just use your imagination here.

While visiting Old Jerusalem, some of the group found an Alabama store. I’m positive some of the preachers could have found fodder for a sermon about our group’s “sin of materialism”. Oh, wait; it was those preachers who were trying to buy the store out. (Pic 3)

We laughed at some of the good-natured comments people made about their roommates – snoring, no privacy, “early-to-bedders” rooming with night owls and so on.  One guy announced, “If I ever come back, I’m definitely NOT going to room with my brother.”  His brother was trying to recover from pneumonia and coughed all night. One night while I was face-timing a male friend of mine, my roommate, unaware, came out of the bathroom nude.  I quickly turned the camera in the opposite direction so as to protect her “dignity.” Otherwise, he would have seen more than my face.

Another “Don’t Look, Ethyl” event occurred as we were on our way to the Dead Sea.  We passed a construction site where a man was digging a hole.  His pants had slipped far below the decency line.  When he stood up, he realized he had “mooned” our group.  He just waved and smiled. I think he made eye contact with our pastor’s wife as he did.  Maybe it was because her eyes had made contact with more than his eyes.

A great bond was formed with our group.  That’s what happens when Christians laugh together, cry together and pray together.  We are now friends forever. We are truly one in the bond of love. (Pic 4)