“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13: 34-35
We hear this scripture often, and certainly we try daily to live this New Commandment. Meeting our brothers and sisters who live in the Holy Land has given me an even greater appreciation of what it means to love one another.
From the moment the HOPE pilgrims arrived in Jordan, we were warmly welcomed with joyful greetings and abundant, delicious food – hearty hospitality unlike I have ever experienced. Our Jordanian and Palestinian hosts loved us unconditionally simply because we are children of God.
As a foursome (Abby, Christy, Sharon, and me), we traveled to Beit Jala as strangers, aliens from a faraway land. There I was warmly welcomed by my twining partner George Salsa. George drove me to his home in Beit Sahour where I met his wife RoLeen, and their two adorable sons Issa (age 4) and Qais (age 1).
The Salsas generously gave me lodging, food, conversation, and music. They offered kindness and hospitality. They made room for me in their lives, even though RoLeen was due to give birth to their third son at any time!
George, who is very talented, had much to share as a musician, teacher, composer, and producer. Naturally we exchanged our ideas and experiences regarding teaching music to children. George shared with Sharon and me this wonderful classroom where he brings music education to a new dimension. His classroom at the school is a recording studio that he built himself. There he teaches both voice and instruments to three or four students at a time. When not teaching, he composes and produces religious music recordings. The beautiful song he wrote for this year’s graduation provided a tender remembrance for one student who had died a few months before. Also he composed and produced recordings for Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land.
George has a professional group called The Shepherd’s Band. Some of the musicians in this band are current and former students. The band plays for civic events such as the lighting of the Christmas tree in the square of Beit Sahour.
Besides the musical exchange, I cherished my time with George as he drove us through the narrow streets of Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, and Beit Jala running a number of errands. Not only was the ride an exciting, action-packed adventure, it provided us the venue and time to share our struggles, hopes, and our faith in God. Along the way he stopped and introduced me to his parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends. I gained a fuller understanding as George drove us past the places where some of the challenges of Palestinian life take place. In this short amount of time we began building a lasting relationship with each other.
I am grateful to have had this opportunity to see and to know the Holy Land and its people. God’s love was alive and abundant.
By: Tim McManus