Selah

Creating moments for an INTENTIONAL PAUSE

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    Sometimes hard decisions need to be made

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    I know on New Years Eve 2021 that I was hopeful and expectant of a better 2022. Having had two years of travel pause, I was prayerfully asking the Lord to make a way for Selah to re-open. Our travel partners in Europe, Israel, Greece and beyond were constantly emailing me “Come!”. But when I dug deep and looked at the practical realities of running Selah tours in 2022 it became apparent that the time is still not now.

    Imagine with me if someone on your tour tested positive to Covid-19. They would need to immediately isolate in their hotel room or cruise cabin for 5 days. Meanwhile the tour itinerary stipulates that the tour moves on to the next city or town, leaving these people behind. How do they ever “catch up” with the group? What about the other passengers on the tour? Are they now considered close contacts? Do we stop our scheduled visits for the day & all go and get tested? As you can see, this is not fun and it is not a holiday!

    So it was a sad but easy decision not to proceed with our planned tours for the European summer of 2022, including the much anticipated Oberammergau Passion Play, which will be next performed in 2030.

    I have peace about this decision, even though it has come at great financial cost to both Selah and many of its clients.

    I am grateful that I am a saved by grace Christian who can trust & commit every aspect of my life to the Lord, knowing His plans and purposes are far more amazing and beneficial than anything I could ever imagine.

    So for now, my team are furloughed and working elsewhere, and I am about to join a wonderful mission organisation that is passionate about sharing the Gospel with the unreached.

    There will be a time when Selah will indeed rise from the ashes and facilitate meaningful and wonderful travel opportunities for Christians to enjoy. You can be assured you will hear from us when that time comes!

    Love and blessings

    Lisa Tarzia
    DIRECTOR

    What will travel look like in a post COVID world?

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    The Coronavirus pandemic has changed all of our worlds. Entire nations have been ordered to stay home; airlines and travel agents and tour operators have collapsed or dramatically scaled back.

    When things return to “normal”, a new covid-normal, what will international travel look like? Here are a few of the changes that we anticipate, or are already in place.

    INFLIGHT

    Leaving the middle seat empty has been bandied around by the media, and some US airlines tried it for a while, but the airlines have made it clear that that is not an option for them economically speaking.

    We expect that wearing a face mask inflight will be mandatory for both passengers and crew. Crew will also have some form of PPE such as protective eye wear, gloves and possibly disposable coveralls.

    You know those times when you snag a flight with lots of empty seats and as soon as the door is closed or straight after take off there’s a scramble for a row of spare seats. With the need to track close contacts it is unlikely that moving seats without the permission of the crew will be possible.

    The inflight amenity kit has already changed with the additions of a mask, gloves and hand sanitiser with a special covid announcement in flight of how to safely dispose of your personal PPE.

    Even the good old inflight magazine (now seen as a major source of potential contamination) could have to be reviewed.

    ENTRY & EXIT

    Many airlines and countries are already demanding a COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test certificate with a negative result to be presented at check in. The test must be taken no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Some countries like Iceland are performing a covid test on arrival as well. There is research going on the UK to produce a covid test that will give a result in 20 seconds making a covid test on arrival more likely worldwide.

    If and when a vaccine is found you can expect to have to show proof of vaccination, a bit like Yellow Fever is currently.

    COVID SAFE COUNTRIES

    Travel will normalise more quickly in countries that have coped well with COVID-19. The suggestion of “travel bubbles” between Australia and countries such as New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Japan, Israel, Greece and recently Hawaii (which is not a country?) have fallen flat due to fresh outbreaks and second waves. The new lingo is a “travel corridor” or safe country list (with colour coded status) where depending on the destination, you don’t need to self isolate on arrival or agree to covid testing within 3 days of arrival.
    The many approaches being trialled or adopted are constantly changing and evolving with the conditions.

    WHO WILL TRAVEL AND WHEN?

    What type of return traveller are you? Research indicates different types of travellers and when they will return to international travel after the pandemic.

    TIP TOE TRAVELLERS will be the first to get onboard. Some will be business travellers but interestingly most are expected to be primarily leisure travellers. These are the people that are considered “cabin fever escapes”. Yes we can relate!

    PIONEERS are the next wave of travellers. This group is largely made up of business travellers and mid to high tier frequent flyers who clearly love to travel.

    FAST FOLLOWERS are exactly that! They can see that things are getting back to normal and start to jump on board for fear of missing out #FOMO

    Of course, many will choose not to travel at all. The elderly or those with existing medical conditions will need to reassess any travel at all.

    WHEN WILL TRAVEL BE BACK TO NORMAL?

    We don’t think the travel will ever return to what it was. It’s a bit like changes that were made after the September 11 terror attacks, life changed forever.

    Some estimates suggest that fully “back to normal pre covid travel numbers will take 24+ months to achieve. These changes are all in place to keep travellers and staff safe.

    The current international travel ban for Australians is in place until 24 October 2020, so we will wait and see what the future looks like beyond that. Selah.

    Selah Moments

    Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
    Yes we are at home for a while, but this season will also pass. And once again we will discover God’s marvellous world and awe inspiring creation.

    Take a moment each day to rest and reflect. That is what Selah moments are all about.

    Here is a personal update from the Selah team.

    Lisa

    Lisa is grateful to have young adult/teenage children that don’t need to be home schooled! She is volunteering with her church to co-ordinate a sewing team to make fabric reusable face masks. So far they have distributed over 700 masks to individuals and organisations that are vulnerable and struggle to access masks.

    Melanie

    Melanie has adopted a #pandemicpuppy named Zende to keep her family company during lockdown.
    Melanie is working with our European partners to plan for the re-scheduled Oberammergau Passion Play in 2022.

    Matt

    Matt is enjoying working from home and the more relaxed pace of life during isolation.
    Matt has been working hard chasing airlines and tour companies for the outstanding refunds that we are still waiting on.

    Selah News and Information

    Refunds from cancelled travel

    Most of our incredibly patient clients have received refunds for cancelled travel arrangements.

    There are sadly a number of outstanding refunds that we are chasing up regularly. This is made up largely of airlines that are still processing thousands of refunds. Making personal contact has been a real challenge, so we continue to follow up by email and whatever means we can.

    Don’t hesitate to contact us to get an update on your refund by emailing sales@myselah.com.au

    Making use of Travel Credits

    A large number of airlines and travel companies have offered credit in lieu of refund.

    Once we have a clearer indication of when the international travel ban will be lifted, we can them assist in making new travel plans.

    We suggest for now to do your research on what your trip might look like, but wait a little longer before you actually book.

     

    Travel Insurance

    As you can imagine travel insurance companies have been swamped.

    Many of them have suspended the sale of travel insurance while the international travel ban is in place.

    Sadly the majority of insurers exclude cover for pandemics and we expect any future policies will include this.

    If you need assistance with a claim (& you purchased your insurance from Selah), please let us know how we can assist.

    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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    The site of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is identified as the place both of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth.

    According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, “the place of the skull” (Matt. 27:33–35; Mark 15:22–25; John 19:17–24). This has been identified as an area of abandoned stone quarries just outside the city wall of the time.

    About 10 years after the crucifixion, a third wall was built that enclosed the area of the execution and burial within the city, and this accounts for the Holy Sepulchre’s location inside the Old City of Jerusalem today.

    Roman emperor Constantine I, a convert to Christianity, had the temple of Venus in Jerusalem demolished to make way for a church. In the course of the demolition a tomb was discovered that was thought to be the tomb of Jesus.

    The first Church of the Holy Sepulchre was approached by a flight of steps from the Cardo, main street of Jerusalem.

    Then pilgrims went through a narthex; a basilica; and an open area, the “holy garden,” which had in it the rock of Golgotha, finally reaching the Holy Sepulchre itself.

    In 614, a Persian army destroyed the church but in 631 the Byzantine emperor Heraclius negotiated its return. The Arab conquest in 638 was initially less disruptive, as Christians were treated with tolerance, but 300 years later the entrance to the basilica was converted into a mosque, and in 966 the dome was destroyed by fire during anti-Christian riots.

    The Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus (1042–1055) funded its rebuilding, but on a different plan, with the entrance on the south side.

    The liberation of the holy places, the foremost of which was the Holy Sepulchre, was an important motivation for the First Crusade between 1096 and 1099.

    pompi / Pixabay

    After the capture of the city by the crusaders in 1099, eyewitnesses tell how the survivors of the expedition prayed in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which struck them as unusual because it was open to the sky.

    The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was reconsecrated on July 15, 1149, 50 years to the day after the capture of Jerusalem by the First Crusade, but in fact work continued on the building for some years afterward. Nevertheless, the church of the crusaders is essentially the church that is to be seen today.

    A visit to the church is a standard inclusion in all of Selah’s Holy Land tours to Israel.

     

     

    From black and white to colour: Touring the Holy Lands

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    Rebecca and Vanessa - Wadi Qelt

    Sisters Rebecca and Vanessa never imagined walking in Jesus’ footsteps. But that is exactly what they did. They left seven kids and two husbands (yes, we’re impressed at the logistics of this too) to travel to Israel and Palestine on a tour led by Bible historian John Dickson. 

    “The trip exceeded my expectations,” Vanessa said, an Associate Pastor at Roseville Anglican Church in Sydney. Vanessa had just started working alongside John Dickson when the trip was announced. “For me it was seizing an opportunity.” 

    The first person Vanessa called was her sister Rebecca. 

    “Spaces were filling fast so within hours we committed and booked,” Rebecca explained. “Our parents desperately wanted to go to the Holy Lands but had to put it off. Instead they offered to fund us. I had a sense of great privilege, going with their shared dream in mind.”

    “From the moment we landed there was a beautiful feeling of ease and personal safety. I was struck by how authentic it is, it didn’t feel touristy.”

    The sisters experienced firsthand the sights and smells from the Dead Sea to Lake Galilee, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. Geographical ideas in the Bible became a real, lived experience.

    “I could understand why Jesus walked where he did. How he travelled place to place and what he saw,” Rebecca said. “We walked through the ruins of a 1st century synagogue. I loved seeing the stillness of being on the Sea of Galilee and seeing surrounding hill country where Jesus spent so much time.”

    Tour leader John Dickson's passion for history and his experience sharing first century Christianity amplified the experience of each destination.

    A year on, Vanessa remembers all her senses being impacted. “It was an overwhelming experience in a great way – real, encouraging, unexpected.” Local guides took the group through well-known places like the Mount of Olives that overlooked the temple. “They reported Jesus’ life as historical fact – whether they were believers or not.”

    “Although I didn’t go in with doubts, or think of myself as a doubter,” Vanessa noted. “What I left with was a certainty I didn’t have before. Now, when it comes to talking about Jesus historically, it’s more real, more certain.

    What an incredible man Jesus is, what an incredible thing he did, what an incredible impact he made on the world.”

    Rebecca explains the richness of her experience now she is home: “I was doing a bible study about the Sermon on the Mount. I could recall to the group what it felt and looked like, walking from town to town as Jesus did. It took the Bible from black and white to colour!”

    “I recommend this tour to anyone,” Rebecca added, “but particularly to people of faith.”

    Feeling inspired and encouraged? Book your trip to the Holy Lands now!

    Learn more about our tour leader and biblical historian John Dickson.

    Deeper together: Following St Ignatius

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    For Xavier College staff, St Ignatius holds a special place in forming the mission and values of the school. In September this year, 15 Xavier College staff, along with a chaplain from the Jesuit order (founded by St Ignatius Loyola), ventured together to visit the places St Ignatius lived and went to. It took them to some of Spain, France and Italy’s most spectacular destinations. 

    Ignatius was a Spanish officer until he was struck by a cannonball that shattered his leg during a battle between Spain and France. A long convalescence led to his radical conversion and conviction to follow Jesus.

    The pilgrims came face to face with the realities of St Ignatius’ spiritual experiences: the Chapel of Conversion in the bedroom where Ignatius spent over nine months to recover, to the cave in Manresa where Ignatius experienced his deepest desolation and fervent prayer.

    More than a cultural tour, it was a catalyst for deep reflection upon the life of St Ignatius and how his love for Jesus manifested in a love for the poor and marginalised.

    “After reading about something for a long time, actually going to the places St Ignatius lived made it become very real,” explains Michael Jones who is Head of Ignatian Formation at Xavier College, Kew. He has worked at Xavier College for 25 years. 

    A pilgrimage remains an important aspect of Catholic life. “There is an outward journey to visit places you have heard of and read about, but there is also an inner journey,” Michael says. “This pilgrimage allowed people to discover what St Ignatius’ life was like by connecting to how he lived, where he went and to learn more intimately about his deepest desires.”

    The group celebrated mass together in the bedroom where Ignatius profoundly changed his life. In Manresa they visited the cave where Ignatius spent much time in prayer – a period of struggle and desolation as he wrestled with self-doubt and scruples. It was also the place of his illumination – where he realised God can be found in all things. In Paris, they learnt about his studies in theology and reflected in the place where Ignatius and his six companions would take their first vow in 1534 to form the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

    This was Michael’s fourth pilgrimage, and third in a leading capacity. “This year, the sense of accompaniment, walking beside one another, was most powerful for me.”

    “People knew it would be a personal journey, yet many were still surprised by emotion. There was new growth and understanding of ourselves and the ability to be there for each other.”

    Conversation became the lynchpin of the tour. Each stop and experience in the itinerary offered a moment to deeply reflect and as Michael explains, “Allow people the time to listen to their hearts.”

    With a deeper understanding, knowledge and experience, we’re looking forward to doing it all again! Travel in the Footsteps of St Ignatius of Loyola in 2020.

    Is this your Selah moment? Call one of our travel consultants today. They’re here to help.

    Reading Acts is never the same after the Steps of Paul

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    As the sun rose behind the Acropolis during the dawn service, Kay and Chris Woodward had goose bumps. 

    “It was a spectacular sight,” Chris reflected. He recalled standing on Mars Hill, listening the multi-lingual Easter service alongside Christians from all backgrounds. It was both the beginning and Chris’s most memorable moment during the Steps of Paul tour led by Tim and Merridie Costello in 2019. 

    Paul the Apostle had delivered his Acts 17:19 sermon in this exact spot. 

    The tour took Sydney-siders Kay and Chris from Athens to Corinth, the Meteora Monastries, Thessalonica, Philippi and then across to Istanbul in Turkey. They visited the churches of Pergamum, Smyrna and travelled to Patmos Island where John wrote Revelation.

    Forty two people joined the tour. Many were from Tim Costello’s original church in Melbourne. “Tim and Merridie are very gracious people. Plus Tim is such a great storyteller and raconteur. We really felt very connected to the entire group,” Kay said.

    The main drawcard was the opportunity to visit places from the Bible.

    “Paul the Apostle was such a giant of the Christian Faith. We both felt travelling to the places Paul went to would really bring the Bible to life for us,” said Kay. 

    Both Kay and Chris were raised Christian. Fourteen years ago Kay went to an Alpha course where she describes having “quite a profound conversion”. She is now a lay Bible teacher with Bible Study Fellowship and worships at Vineyard Church in Sydney together with her husband.

    Patmos Island was Kay’s trip highlight. “It was where John wrote Revelation. Tim conducted a devotion. It brought the whole trip to this beautiful ending. We have a hope in God written very clearly in the Bible and Revelation brings it back to how it should be. It was very special.”

    Chris explained, “I’m still very much more of a head than a heart Christian. Although it is something I’m moving toward. For me reading and seeing things connected to my faith gives me more building blocks to the way I am developing as a Christian. Seeing the places written about in the Bible gives me greater conviction that it clearly has to be fact.”

    Over and over again we hear from people like Kay and Chris that reading the Bible is never the same again after a tour with Selah. If you want to bring your Bible study to life, join our next tour. We’d love to have you along!

    Join a fun and inclusive group of curious Christians who will follow in the Footsteps of the Apostles. Tour departs 2 May 2020. Don’t wait, book now!

    Antarctica Expedition Video

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    “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.”

    – Romans 1:20

    This small ship expedition to Antarctica is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy God’s unspoilt creation is all of its magnificence! We will literally travel to the ends of the earth. A world of ice and water awaits you; an untouched world that only a blessed few have had the thrill of discovering. Huge tabletop icebergs, majestic glaciers, beaches of volcanic sand, windswept moors scattered with moss and lichen: the diversity of landscapes forms a natural haven for fascinating wildlife.

    “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.”

    – Psalm 104:24-25


    Learn More

    Video | Send Me, Refresh me, Grow me

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    In our high-paced lives, Selah offers experiences for Christians to go deeper in their faith by offering travel, retreat and workshop opportunities. We have local retreats designed to refresh and replenish, as well as travel opportunities including Holy Land and Bible Tours, or simply travel to a beautiful destination with like-minded people.

    Take a moment to watch this 60 second video.

    Selah & Mission Travel

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    Let’s unpack the relationship between Selah and Mission Travel

    For 13 years, Mission Travel has been servicing mission and humanitarian work around the globe by providing specialised and quality travel services.  Whether it be an NGO, mission organisation or an individual going on a mission trip, Mission Travel has operated a highly specialised service over the years with full accreditation in the travel industry, access to exclusive airfares and highly experienced travel consultants.  Combined with offering mission specialised services, Mission Travel also operated Holy Land and Bible Tours as well as some Christian leisure tours.

    Over the years, it became evident that we need to separate out the two areas of Mission and Holy Land tours.

    Therefore, as of January 2019, Mission Travel will be all things missions and continue to run the Giving Back program, where 50% of profits are donated to missions.  While Selah will be travel and tours to Holy Land and Bible Tours along with other special destinations where like-minded Christians can travel together.

    Selah will also offer other experiences including workshops and retreats.  The focus primarily on creating ‘selah-moments’ for Christians to go deeper in their faith.

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    Creating ‘Selah-Moments’

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    bg-women-sunset

    With the exciting launch of Selah in 2019, we unpack ‘selah moments’ and why Selah.

    ‘Selah’ is a Hebrew word referring to a voluntary and intentional pause for reflection.  Often in times of pausing, God gives us a revelation that transforms our perspective, bringing us closer to Him. Selah positions us to hear His voice and be in His presence.

    As Christians, Lisa Tarzia, Managing Director of Mission Travel, felt we should be creating selah opportunities for people to engage in experiences that deepen our faith.

    “I’ve had a few ‘selah-moments’ in my life”says Lisa, “but two are very much in the forefront of my mind.  The first was at the beach not long after my mum had died. I was 21 and grieving deeply.  In the moment of being still in God’s creation, the vastness of the ocean and the rhythm of the waves crashing on the shore, I felt the tangible presence of God comforting me and letting me know that she was okay. It is something I have not forgotten,” says Lisa.

    “Another impactful ‘selah-moment’ was my first time visiting the Garden of Gethsemane in 2009.  Physically being there was so powerful.  I pictured Jesus fully human and divine, asking his father “Do you really want me to do this?”  The enormity of His sacrifice hit me so deeply that I felt the overwhelming power of His love,” reveals Lisa.

    Selah is about creating spaces for Christians to have ‘selah moments’. Moments where people stop, pause and ponder.   “When I presented this concept to my staff at Mission Travel, someone suggested the brand name ‘Selah’.  Straight away my spirit leaped, and I felt this was God’s title for this new adventure. Little did the person know that years earlier I was drawn to the word ‘selah’ in the Psalms and kept on writing it in my prayer journal in a reflective and creative way, not fully understanding the meaning of the word”.

    “Everything we offer at Selah is sprinkled with opportunities to pause and reflect. I believe that people will be transformed, rejuvenated and grow deeper in their faith through Selah.  Whether it be pausing on a Christian retreat, or travelling abroad, I know that if we unplug ourselves from this busy cluttered life, we will have moments with God that are transformative and life-changing”, says Lisa.