We visited the Church of all Nations where “the Agony in the Garden” of Getsemane occurred 2,000 years ago. A more than 2000-year old olive tree still exists in the garden.
Then we climbed the Mount of Olives where we were shown many important landmarks of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Nearby was the chapel of the Ascension where the actual spot where Jesus stood before ascending to heaven still existed with His foot print.
We also visit ed the Pater Noster Church where Jesus taught His apostles how to pray and where they discussed the secrets of the universe. We were shown too the Dominus Flevit which marks the spot where the Lord wept for Jerusalem. Then shown to us was the place where Peter denied Jesus three times.
After lunch we where brought to a souvenir shop where suddenly the spirit of the pilgrimage was somehow diminished by business and materialism. This was in Bethlehem.
We proceeded to the Basilica of the Nativity. Nearby was the cave where Jesus Christ was born and not far away was the Shepherds’ Field where the angels appeared to the shepherds to herald the Birth of Jesus.
Before lunch we prayed at the Wailing Wall where Jews, Christians and the Ultra Orthodox Jews meet. I inserted a written wish on the crevice of the ancient wall.
Our guide, Ronnen taught us a lot about Ultra Orthodox Jews. They allow their beard and sideburns to grow. Even children are seen with very long sideburns. They all wear a hat or a cap. Tassels are also seen flowing from both sides of their suits and everything is based on some biblical texts. Come Sabbath Day, they don’t do anything but pray. They are not allowed to manipulate any mechanical device or anything that needs work no matter how little.
They ride only on automatic elevators usually hanged with a caution “Sabbath Elevator “. Even cameras are not allowed to be used or manipulated. Light switches at
home are automatic. Very weird, indeed.
There were so many Ultra Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem and one wonders if they are really weird or are they the ones doing the right thing?
You’ll see them in group or alone or with the family but anywhere and anyway you see t hem they all look very happy as if always going to a formal party, all wearing black and white. They don’t allow themselves to be photographed so I had myself photographed in front of them and t hey were pictures “accidentally”.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
THE HOLYLAND
We woke up at 1:45 a.m. even if the night before we slept late because we packed our thing. We had tea at quarter to three then left for the airport at exactly 3:00 a.m. It was a different experience. Security in Israel was very tight that airplane passengers were thoroughly interviewed about every little details in relation to their travels.
There were many other pilgrims from different countries. We left the airport at 6:05 a .m., arrived at Tel Aviv Airport a little past seven in the morning. We were met by our guide and immediately brought to the Nancy S & Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, the highest point in Jerusalem were we were shown the bird’s eye view of the old walled Jerusalem.
Then we were shown the Children’s Memorial of the Holocaust during World War II. From there we proceeded to the Museum of the Holocaust.
For lunch we were brought to a little busy restaurant at the place where St. John the Baptist lived during his time. After lunch we were billeted at the Renaissance Hotel at # 6 Wolfron St., Jerusalem. Jerusalem was a very different kind of vibration. Even up in the sky while still inside the airplane, when I saw Jerusalem down I already felt as if Jesus was just walking a round.
A mass was said by two priests accompanying us during the tour. I also met some Nigerians at the elevator and my wife saw and experience by herself that by just singing a Nigerian song I was able to enjoin them to sing with me.
There were many other pilgrims from different countries. We left the airport at 6:05 a .m., arrived at Tel Aviv Airport a little past seven in the morning. We were met by our guide and immediately brought to the Nancy S & Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, the highest point in Jerusalem were we were shown the bird’s eye view of the old walled Jerusalem.
Then we were shown the Children’s Memorial of the Holocaust during World War II. From there we proceeded to the Museum of the Holocaust.
For lunch we were brought to a little busy restaurant at the place where St. John the Baptist lived during his time. After lunch we were billeted at the Renaissance Hotel at # 6 Wolfron St., Jerusalem. Jerusalem was a very different kind of vibration. Even up in the sky while still inside the airplane, when I saw Jerusalem down I already felt as if Jesus was just walking a round.
A mass was said by two priests accompanying us during the tour. I also met some Nigerians at the elevator and my wife saw and experience by herself that by just singing a Nigerian song I was able to enjoin them to sing with me.
A DREAM COME TRUE
I was just a high school boy when I first thought of having a “Trip to Jerusalem”. I couldn’t imagine how I would feel to be personally experiencing the places that are directly connected to Jesus Christ in one way or another. But all I experienced was the chance to join a musical chair game popularly called “Trip to Jerusalem”.
I d stop dreaming. Someday, I said to myself, my wish would be granted in the same manner that my wish to see Paris and Rome were grant ed in 1978 when I went to Nigeria as Cont r act Worker.
I got an abnormal route on my way to Nigeria that necessitated two-day stay in Paris. Then on my way home after six months I was stranded for two days in Rome due to air craft problem.
So I kept on wishing that Id’ also have a chance to visit the Holy Land.
Finally in October, 1995 I got the extreme excitement in my life when my wife and I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We visited four countries, namely, Greece, Israel, Turkey and Italy. The itinerary was just as I wished it. At long last, I had the chance of a lifetime to follow the footsteps of Jesus where it actually happened two thousand years ago.
I d stop dreaming. Someday, I said to myself, my wish would be granted in the same manner that my wish to see Paris and Rome were grant ed in 1978 when I went to Nigeria as Cont r act Worker.
I got an abnormal route on my way to Nigeria that necessitated two-day stay in Paris. Then on my way home after six months I was stranded for two days in Rome due to air craft problem.
So I kept on wishing that Id’ also have a chance to visit the Holy Land.
Finally in October, 1995 I got the extreme excitement in my life when my wife and I joined a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We visited four countries, namely, Greece, Israel, Turkey and Italy. The itinerary was just as I wished it. At long last, I had the chance of a lifetime to follow the footsteps of Jesus where it actually happened two thousand years ago.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Happy New Year
I know this is pretty late for a New Year's greeting but I just want to share this:
In twenty oh poor (2004) - poverty was widespread.
In twenty oh fight (2005) - Many wars erupted even in the countryside.
In twenty oh sick (2006) - Many diseases were discovered and many got sick.
In twenty oh saving (2007) - We all tried to save
Now twenty oh eat (2008) - We shall all eat. No one gets hungry, let us hope
In twenty oh poor (2004) - poverty was widespread.
In twenty oh fight (2005) - Many wars erupted even in the countryside.
In twenty oh sick (2006) - Many diseases were discovered and many got sick.
In twenty oh saving (2007) - We all tried to save
Now twenty oh eat (2008) - We shall all eat. No one gets hungry, let us hope
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