Our day stared with a brisk walk from our hotel to the Pater Noster. This site is where Jesus taught his disciples the  “Our Father.” The Our Father prayer is displayed in many different languages throughout the complex.

We had our hearts set on going to the Wailing Wall. We started at the Damascus Gate only to be turned away. Something is not right in Jerusalem, because the presence of police and military is everywhere and there is a lot of tension, more than I have ever experienced. The New Gate was completely  barricaded and we had to climb over one of the barriers, I am not a hurdler, and for a second I thought I could crawl through one of the openings,  I got a good laugh out of my friends. After witnessing two nuns climb over, I did the same, but with a little more drama. The Jaffa Gate was ridiculous, and when we asked the police what was going on, no answer, no explanation, “just go!”

The Zion Gate gives access to the Wailing Wall, but again the fully armed police and army personnel were guarding the entrance. We waited there for a half an hour when suddenly we were allowed in, but only to be turned away. In our last effort we walked to the Dung Gate, where finally we made it in. The Dung Gate is the only gate with airport-type security, and it has been like this for as long as I can remember.

To our surprise, the Wailing Wall/Western Wall was empty and for the first time in years, we were able to pray without disturbance. For an one and a half hours, Jane and I interceded for many. I stuffed the rest of the prayers into the  crevices of the wall. A cool breeze and birds singing were a sign of God’s presence. There are no trees here; the birds nest in foliage like weeds high above the cracks of the wall. The songs of the feathered creatures sounded like they were praising God.

The Western Wall is the only part of the Second Temple that was not destroyed, and is sacred to both Jews and Christians alike. The Western Wall was closest to the Holy of Holies and the Divine presence of God has never departed.

We made our way back to the Via Dolorosa  and had the best shawarma. From there we walked to the Garden of  Gethsemane, and it too was empty. We had it all to ourselves and took our time praying.

It was a day of uphill struggles, and three hours to get to the Wailing Wall, but we persevered. With all the commotion on the outside of the walls, the Holy sites were unscathed and perfect for spending time with God. The Upper Room, where Jesus had the Last Supper, and washed  the disciples’s feet, and where the power of the Holy Spirit came down on Pentecost, had few visitors; again we had it to ourselves and prayed.

Indeed He has risen! Have a Blessed Easter!

This trip to the Holy Land has proven to be the most unusual and difficult journey. With the convergence of three major holidays, Greek Orthodox Easter, our Easter, and Passover, the Israeli army and police were out in full force.

We arrived at the Lion’s Gate only to discover that it was blocked by a group of young military personnel. We were poorly treated and got caught up in a battle of words. We were held up an hour before they allowed us passage. As we made our way in, another barricade, and an added another half hour delay. We spent this time praying the Rosary out loud with a group of foreigners joining the chant.

The Old City was decorated with a festoon of blue barricades, and the crowds that normally follow us were detained behind the barriers. The great thing about this was that we could stay together as a team. It turned out to be one of the best reenactments.

Delays the entire time gave us more time to pray and that is what we did. I know we made a difference because I have never put out this type of virtue. I had no strength left when we decided to visit  the newly restored Church of the Holy Sepulcher; how we made it there was another miracle. Again the blue barricades to control the pilgrims. We made it inside to a sea of people attempting to do the same. We found several areas to pray in and we took our time to meditate on the prayers.

All the taxi drivers understand they are in high demand and because of so many street closures they jack up the price. We had to pay $70 to get back to the hotel. This was more offensive than highway robbery; it was a hostage situation too. So today after we were done in the Old City, we decided to walk back. I did  this about 15 years ago, so to save money we made a truce to walk. One problem, was that the walk was about a seven miles, mostly up steep hills. We walked part of the way and hailed a cab, but not before negotiating a price of $20.

The money has not changed, and  just like in the times of Jesus the Israelis still use the  Shekel. We have never exchanged our American dollar because it is considered common currency. I always bring a $50 of one dollars bill for quick small purchases. The exchange rate is 3.75 Shekels to our dollar.

The day we arrived a met a young man from Mexico named Victor. We were both attempting to get on the hotel’s wifi when I shared with him what our ministry did. I asked him if he would be interested in being part of our carrying of the Cross, Victor wholeheartedly agreed to join us. Victor is a law instructor as well as an attorney. He was gracious and made one of the best Roman soldiers. He was an answer to prayer and thank God for Facebook, we will always be connected.

Our journey starts at the birthplace of our Lord in Bethlehem.

There is border separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem. This 20′ wall was erected in 2005  to impede bombing from the West Bank into Jerusalem. Depending on who you ask, the wall is either a great asset, or is referred to as an “Apartheid Wall.” This adversely affects the citizens of Bethlehem, because of the red tape to cross the border many pilgrims no longer visit the birthplace of our Lord. We cannot come to the Holy Land without this divine encounter.

It’s Holy Week and the Church of the Nativity was crowded with many foreigners. There was a Russian Mass being held on the upper level as we made our way down stairs to the actual birth site of Jesus. I placed all the prayer requests and asked God’s Holy intervention. We were quickly shuffled out to make room for the other pilgrims. Jane and I found an empty bench inches from the site, and had an intimate time with God. Even with the unruly crowd I still felt the powerful presence of The Holy Spirit.

This church also houses the cave of St. Jerome, who translated the Bible from Hebrew to Latin; this Bible is referred to the as “Vulgate.” St. Jerome died in Bethlehem but his remains are housed at St. Mary Major in Rome.

Our ministry team member have been guests of the 7 Arches Hotel for over 30 years. The 7 Arches recently experienced  a major facelift. The Hotel is located on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City. This is the site on Jesus’ second coming into the  Kidron Valley of Jerusalem (Zec. 14:4).

We currently share our meals with mostly Muslims from Burma,  Malaysia and many Chinese Christians. Few American dare venture into this mostly Arab section. We are different  because we know most of the staff and their benevolent gentle care for our group is most welcoming. The only complaint is the wifi, the hotel need to accommodate their guest with better service because only 60 people can use it at a time. I wake up early or stay up late to do my posting and Blogging.

Today is Holy Thursday and we will have a foot washing in the Upper Room, the same place where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. From there we will practice the Passion for Good Friday’s reenactment of the carrying of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa. Please pray for us as we pray for you.