It’s been a while since I last posted. It often is. I either have nothing to share or to much to do. What can I say? This time, my excuse is too much to do. Why? The most exciting thing has happened:
The Israel Ministry of Tourism has invited me and my production team to the Holy Land this May to film a new program about the Holy Father’s upcoming trip to the Holy Land!
I can’t say that with more excitement. Imagine me jumping up and down. On the inside. Because I simply have so much to do to make this happen, it isn’t even funny. Maybe I’ll rejoice when I’m there, but no, I think. It’ll be time to get to work! Maybe I’ll rejoice after? No… the super-speedy editing will have to begin ASAP. Maybe I’ll rejoice when the program broadcasts on EWTN, and on the other networks to whom we offer the program?
No, you know what’s going to happen? I’ll rejoice when it’s finished. When I’ve edited the last bit, and it’s perfect and I love it and… I’ll be all alone in my office. David will be at work. Nemo will be asleep by my chair. And I’ll just give a little yippee in my seat and thank God and my Guardian Angel and our Spiritual Board of Directors for all of their help. That’s how it will happen. That’s how it always happens. The work gets done. The excitement is buried below the joy that is getting things done.
How did this happen, you might ask? Just a couple of posts ago, I was talking about The Future of The Faithful Traveler, as if, perhaps, there might not be one. Oh, this television producing thing… you know. It’s never certain, people. Everyone wants good content, but the struggle comes in finding people to help you create it, to help you fund it.
Let me tell you how this came about.
Back in February, when The Faithful Traveler in the Holy Land broadcast on EWTN, I received an email from the Israel Ministry of Tourism. They had seen our show and loved it. They wanted to know what EWTN would think of our show on the Pope’s visit to the Holy Land in May.
“Huh?” I thought. Maybe I was misunderstanding them… maybe they misunderstood me…
“I won’t be in the Holy Land in May,” I responded. Because, well, why make assumptions, right?
No… no, they knew that. What they wanted to know was, would EWTN be interested in a program we produced if the IMOT sent us back to the Holy Land in May!
!!!!!!!!!
We said yes, and the work began.
I should say that we have no guarantee that we’ll have any access to the Papal events in the Holy Land. The IMOT isn’t running that show, so we are left to our own devices to try to get that access. And I have been trying like a madwoman. I’ve emailed just about everyone I can think of, and begged everyone for contacts (know anyone?). I still am unsure. I think we’ll be able to film some events. Others, I’m not sure. We’ll see as time passes. I’ve filled out all the forms there are to fill out. Now, I’m praying about it. It’s all I can do at this point.
In the meantime, I’m making all sorts of plans, doing my best to create the most interesting and fun production I can imagine. Want to know some highlights from our itinerary? Twist my arm!
- We’ll be given a tour of Nazareth from my new friend, Habib, a native of Nazareth.
- We’ll spend some time in Jordan, as guests of the Jordan Tourism Board, exploring that amazing country
- We’ll chase after pope Francis from country to country
- We’ll have dinner with a Palestinian family in Bethlehem and maybe even get to interview the Mayor of Bethlehem!
- We’ll get to interview Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Custos of the Holy Land, and Patriarch Fouad Twal, the Latin Patriarch!
- We’ll explore the Old City vendors and walk Jerusalem’s ramparts with the fabulous Elisa Moed, CEO of Travelujah, one of my favorite places to go for info on the Holy Land
- We’ll get to film at Yad Vashem, the Holocuast Memorial visited by Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, AND Pope Francis (on this trip)
- I’m going to try and see if we can spend the night inside of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- And so much more!
I have a few other interviews I’ve requested, and am still waiting for permission on a few things, but I think this looks pretty exciting! I’m praying a LOT and just reading as much as I can before we go.
Please pray for us, will you? I have a lot of work ahead of me for the next few months. I will be praying for all of you, as well.