In January 2026, a group of Trinity Lutheran Seminary students, joined by members of the wider community, traveled to Egypt under the leadership of Dr. Rachel Wrenn, interim dean of the Seminary and associate professor of Biblical Studies.
They were accompanied by 27 travelers from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, led by Dr. Troy Troftgruben, the William A. & John E. Wagner Professor in Biblical Theology. Together, these two communities formed a single learning cohort, bound by faith, curiosity, and a shared desire to walk through the landscapes that have shaped Scripture and the Christian imagination for generations.
The journey, titled “Desert, Despot, Refuge, Rest: Egypt in the Biblical Text and Today,” invited participants to engage deeply with various biblical, historical, and contemporary dimensions of Egypt. The group visited ancient temples, modern churches, desert mountains, and river valleys, all suffused with centuries of faith and memory.
We encountered the hum of Cairo’s streets, the quiet beauty of the Sinai, and the warmth of Egyptian hospitality. In nearly every setting, the sun became a kind of companion. It shaped the rhythm of our days, casting the land in gold at dawn and crimson at dusk. It was easy to see why both the Egyptians and the Israelite psalmists used solar imagery to understand the Divine: “[Lord], let the light of your face shine upon us” (Ps 4:6). The accompanying photographs capture mere glimpses of the phenomenon: the color, texture, and spirit of a place that continues to speak across time.
Throughout the journey, students experienced moments of transformation and renewal. Their reflections reveal the depth of what we witnessed together: awe before the pyramids, tears at sunrise on Mount Sinai, courage rediscovered after illness, peace along the Nile, and a sense of Christ’s presence in acts of hospitality and kindness.
There was joy in the shared experience of discovery and in the connections that formed between the Trinity and Wartburg travelers. We grew together, learning not only about Egypt but also about one another and the ways faith continues to shape our paths. These narratives remind us that faith takes root in encounters with others and with the world, especially when we pause to listen, observe, and respond with humility.
As we returned home, gratitude was the lasting emotion that united us. We are deeply thankful for the donors whose generosity continues to make the biannual Middle East Travel Seminar possible, and for the enduring partnership between Trinity and Wartburg seminaries. The journey through Egypt was more than travel. It was a classroom alive with history and spirit, a time of shared wonder, and a living testament to the truth that God continues to move among us in every place and moment.