The most impressive aspect of the MEPI Pilgrimage was the standard of the Ambassadors of Peace. The brothers and sisters in the IIFWP and IIPC, all of whom doing high level witnessing with VIPs, have done an amazing job, educating these prepared members of society. The schedule was really well prepared so that everybody could have deep experiences. When revisiting sites of religious significance, I was being educated by the ambassadors:

They demonstrated the attitude we all should have, respecting the sacrifices made in history, searching to understand the hearts of the central figures of history, seeking to repent and resolve the resentments of thousands of years of conflict in the Holy Land.

I really enjoyed doing the service projects. It was an opportunity for the younger members, especially the Second Generation, to do what we're good at, investing a lot of youthful energy, being inspiring. We could heal the hearts of both Israelis and Palestinians with our love: We could clean parks, sing songs, paint walls. A lot of effort was made to prepare the site for a rally by the Security Wall at Bethany. We all got filthy, especially those cleaning the area covered in ash from burnt tires. We inspired the local shop owners, who gave us gloves and plastic bin liners when we ran out. Their generosity extended to giving us drinks when we had finished, which was typical of the hospitality of the people in Palestine.

The Second Generation spirit reached beyond the service projects, touching too the hearts of the First Generation, including the Ambassadors for Peace.

The hardest job was preparing the interfaith drama. This was a substantial opportunity to make a condition for Peace in the Middle East. I was the director of the music which would accompany the drama. In a short space of time, with limited resources, we prepared the music. Racing against time, we practiced hours before we were meant to perform. I think I expected difficulties. Nevertheless, it was challenging to find unity in a tense situation. Everybody had their fallen nature coming out beautifully, each person aggravating the other, so a lot of control and heart was needed. I remember Simon Cooper reminding us that in order to bring peace to the Middle East, first we should bring peace to our own hearts. We overcame the challenges, and the result was a beautiful production, which won a standing ovation from much of the audience, consisting of about a thousand of Family Church Members and Ambassadors for Peace.

One of the actresses of the drama, who is a Catholic from London, was quite inspired by the whole pilgrimage and reported that the experience for her was life-changing. I cannot say that my life changed a great deal, however I took many opportunities to grow. I could extend my heart to great people like Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, all those guys. I could overcome my fallen nature in situations where it was difficult to cooperate with people. Also I could develop my creativity in finding ways to express love vertically and horizontally with different people. In conclusion, the family spirit that we created produced deep heartistic experiences, allowing every participant to share beautiful testimonies.

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