The Holy Land is close to home

Michele M. Marr

Nothing brings the stories of the Old and New Testaments to life more

than a visit to the Holy Land. Few, though, have made the pilgrimage

quite like the congregation of the Costa Mesa Church of Christ.

This year, they will arrive early on a Saturday morning.

“It begins in our auditorium,” said Pastor Andy Wall, “with the children

sitting with their families.”

Abruptly, the clock stops then runs backward. Visibility dims as time

speeds past the sojourners. Lights flash. Music rises.

For the youngest among the travelers, this is their first journey, or the

first they can remember. For many, this is their second or even third

trip. They travel not by Airbus or 747, but through time.

Impossible? Don’t bother to tell any of the dozens of church members who

have sewn costumes, painted sets, hauled straw, pounded nails or begged

and borrowed props and livestock to make it possible.

“We try to create an atmosphere that is as real as possible,” said Scott

Rasmussen, a professional sound and light technician and time machine

engineer. “My job is to take this environment, the 20th century, and to

move it over 2000 years earlier.”

Within seconds, the group steps out into the weekend bustle of a

first-century, Bible-era marketplace.

The travelers are dressed for the day: sandals on their feet, heads

covered against the rising desert sun. Lydia, the famous seller of purple

cloth, unfolds her fine fabrics under a bit of shade. A dealer of

antiquities hawks his precious commodities to anyone passing by. Herdsmen

prod their cattle through the crowd.

“We all know that experiencing moments is very different than simply

being read to or talked to about an idea,” said Dara Stringer, a graduate

student in stage management at UC Irvine and coach for the marketplace

drama. Part theater, part performance art, it is meant to teach history

and faith like no Sunday school lesson ever can.

“It is a huge amount of work,” said veteran brickmaker Mike Shellman.

“You don’t look forward to it. But when it is done, you are so glad you

did it.”

Ardith Maurel, wife of a marketplace fisherman, agrees.

“The workers have a lot of joy and happiness afterward, especially for

the impression it all makes on the children.”

There are plenty of children on hand to impress.

“The first year we did this, 30 children came,” said Wilma Seela, who

manages the event with Susan Gamble. “The second year, there were 80.”

In the marketplace, the grocer readies fruit, nuts and bread before the

crowd gets hungry. A scribe, a musical instrument maker and a potter

ready their stalls for a busy day. A carpenter prepares his tools.

Throughout the day they will invite the children to try their hands at

their trades.

Jesus walks among the crowd with his disciples. He mingles with shoppers

and passers-by. Many know him or have heard of him.

A lame boy leans against a wall and begs.

“Later in the day Jesus will heal him, and he will walk,” Stringer said.

It is one of several Bible stories, such as the Prodigal Son and the Good

Samaritan, enacted throughout the day.

Not far from the market, mothers sweep the floors of their simple homes.

Children play nearby. Later they will visit the market together to buy

food for lunch. They will eat at home and talk about all the things they

saw in the marketplace.

“Everyone is part of a family for the day,” explained Seela.

A tax collector goes door to door, collecting for Caesar what is

Caesar’s. Perhaps he takes a bit for himself and a bit more for the Roman

soldiers who stand at each shop door just behind him.

The chief priest is in the marketplace, too. He has a thing or two to say

about the man called Jesus. Mark Wimbish is a veteran in the role.

Sometime during the day, he will find a place in the shade or a balcony

to enter and speak.

“We are all well-prepared for our parts,” said Gamble. “Everyone has had

four weeks of enabling classes, given by our pastor.” The classes cover

the history, the culture and the religion of the times.

“It gives us all an idea of what it was like 2000 years ago,” said Ernie

Smith, a herdsman at this year’s event.

“There is so much involvement for one event. People come out of the word

work to help,” Gamble said. “It’s absolutely amazing for us.”

WHAT: The Bible Times Marketplace

WHERE: Costa Mesa Church of Christ, 287 W. Wilson St.

WHEN: 9 a.m to 2 p.m. May 20

PHONE: (949) 645-3191

NOTE: Visitors are welcome. Costumes are required but will be provided.

Visitors may attend all or part of the experience but are they are

encouraged to start at the beginning.