December 27 (Sun) – Arrive at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Check into Toledo Hotel or Amman Inn. Welcome dinner upon arrival.

December 28 (Mon) – Tour Amman including the Roman Theater, Nymphaeum, Citadel, King Hussein Mosque, and King Abdullah Mosque. Break for lunch. Time to walk through local souk and spice market. Tour of Inter-faith Center by Dr. Nabil Haddad and reception with Ministry of Tourism in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

December 29 (Tues) – Volunteer on a project with Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Partner with local non-profit on community development project. Lunch provided on site. Dinner and conversation with Iraqi refugee families at local restaurant in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

December 30 (Wed) – Visit Petra in the morning. Check into Amra Palace Hotel. Enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World via foot, horseback, or camel for the remainder of the day. Dinner at hotel in the evening.

December 31 (Thurs) – After breakfast, travel to the Wadi Rum and sleep in a Bedouin Tent Camp under the stars. Enjoy a jeep safari through the desert and celebrate New Year’s Eve surrounded by nature. Meals on your own at the camp.

January 1 (Fri) – Travel to Israel via the Wadi Araba Crossing in the morning. Continue onto Beersheba stopping along the way to visit Bedouin Women’s projects in Tel Sheva and Lakiya. See how the Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development is empowering the women of the Negev. Overnight in Arad. Dinner provided at hotel.

January 2 (Sat) – Travel to Bethlehem stopping in Hebron for lunch. Upon arrival, check into the Ibdda Cultural Center at the Dheisheh Refugee Camp. Ibdaa is a grassroots initiative that strives to empower participants with the confidence and knowledge to face their difficult future, while educating the international community about Palestinian refugees. Embark on a city tour of Bethlehem including Rachel’s Tomb, Church of the Nativity, and the Milk Grotto. Spend the afternoon exploring the security barrier that separates Israel and the West Bank. Reflect on what this structure means for those living in its existence on a daily basis. Evening meal with local friends. Overnight at cultural center.

January 3 (Sun) – Volunteer on a project in refugee camp in the West Bank. Learn about the history of the camp and the current situation for refugees. Participate with the local refugee population on a community development project. Lunch provided on site. Group dinner with friends in the evening. Overnight at cultural center.

January 4 (Mon) – Travel to Jerusalem and check into local convent. Enjoy a walking tour of Jerusalem. Highlights include The Western Wall, The Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Lunch and free time in the afternoon and evening to shop the markets, try the restaurants, and continue exploring the city. Overnight at convent.

January 5 (Tues) – Meet with Rabbis for Human Rights and visit local projects. Lunch will be provided on site. Evening meal and conversation planned with local Jewish congregation. Overnight at convent.

January 6 (Wed) – Volunteer with the Youth Village, a 77-acre campus that is which is home to more than 500 immigrant, disadvantaged and at-risk children and youth from 20 countries around the world. In the afternoon, continue onto Nazareth and check into St. Gabriel Hotel for overnight. Lunch and dinner on your own.

January 7 (Thurs) - After breakfast, travel to the small town of Cana. Meet with local Arab Christian and Muslim communities connected and supported by congregations in Indianapolis. Break for lunch at community center. Enjoy an afternoon boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner with one of the local congregations in the evening. Overnight at St. Gabriel Hotel.

January 8 (Fri) – After breakfast, proceed to Jordan via the Sheik Hussein/Jordan River Crossing. Visit Jerash, Mount Nebo, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan throughout the day (time permitting). Group Farewell Dinner at local restaurant in the evening before departing for the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman for flight back to the United States.

When was the last time someone looked over your shoulder and asked, “why are you doing that”? An hour ago? What’s your answer? Mine - usually seems like the answer is “idunno” or “I was told too.” Every once in a while something magical happens, for me one of those moments is right around the corner.

Every since I can remember growing up I read stories of Arabia with awe and wonder, from the Nativity to Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Ancient history thousands of years old, rich in stories, culture, and people more decadent then the very exotic food or animals that grace their streets.

The only thing that could possibly make this moment more enticing would be a purpose. What about going on an international trip with a gathering of people from all walks of life and all three of the Abrahamic faiths? A trip designed not to commercialize the experience to your comfort, rather intended to immerse you into ancient reality.

This is such a trip, coordinated by The Village Experience, International Interfaith Initiative, and participating congregations from around Indiana. The group will engage in meaningful dialogue throughout Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank while meeting and forming lasting relationships with communities in the area. We will also lend a helping hand to community development projects along our journey and explore the ancient and modern sites of The Holy Land.