Not everyone understands our missionary journeys or our calling to serve in Israel.  This trip was challenging; when we  first started the planning, the airfare was only $740 round trip. This seemed feasible, but by the time everyone was on board, the price had risen up to $1,250.  I cleared out my savings and was still a little short of funds. I prayed at Adoration  (prayer before the Blessed Sacrament) and received a simple message from God: “Trust me.” Mike is always watching my bank account and he is my angel when it comes to all of my needs.

Our entire team struggled with finances this time around. We questioned whether this was really God’s will for us and continued to seek guidance. God always answers prayers and we were in agreement to press on with the journey.

The Holy Land’s inflation was evident: the food and taxi fares were exorbitant, much higher than the last time we were there. We were there for two reasons: to carry the Cross in drama down the Via Dolorosa, and to intercede for others.

My daughter Sonja made a lifetime friend while attending college. Aaron (this is how she spells her name) is part of our family, spending many holidays with us; she was always in charge of making the ham on special occasions. Aaron moved back to her hometown in Montana and in January she was blessed with a baby boy.

Aaron and  Zak’s beautiful baby boy Soren was born on New Year’s Day. Soren came into the world with a condition that would need a lot of medical attention; a hole in his heart. This condition was preventing him from gaining the normal amount of weight. Soren was scheduled for surgery in May to correct the problem. When Sonja informed me about Soren I started pray. Soren was added to my daily prayers at Adoration and I promised Aaron that this petition would go before God in the Holy Land.

At the Wailing Wall when I prayed for this little angel, I asked God to shrink the hole in his heart. Yesterday I received this text message from Aaron:

I called Aaron and we cried tears of joy. This miracle is truly a gift from God and it is inclusive of every prayer that went forth for Soren. We give glory to God for His divine intervention on Soren.

In many ways I am Aaron’s second mother, she has always had mine and Mike’s heart. My heart is filled with joy to celebrate this victory with her and Zak. To God be the glory!

“I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.” Psalms 138:2

This verse is speaking of the Wailing Wall.

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.