Arrived in Lusaka, Zambia!

At 5 30am on May 5th 2009 - Allan Kember and I arrived in Lusaka - as we exited the plane, the sun was beginning to rise ; the beauty of the African sunrise.
I speak for the whole "Pilgrim Group" when I say : Incredible trip to Isreal!!!! . Here's a little overview.

Saturday night

There was a bit of trouble leaving Toronto with a severe thunderstorm ripping through the area. The luggage carts outside were being blown around like paper bags. So, I suppose it was good to be on the ground for the time-being. The flight was 8 hrs long - but not too bad with movies, sleep and food provided kindly by Alitalia.

Sunday -In Rome- the airport was much smaller than expected. Half of us had already boarded when they discovered technical difficulties and we had to disembark while the repairs were made. They didnt seem to be in any rush to get us anywhere -lol. An hour later we were in the air. Tel Aviv- Israel greeted us with warm weather and sunshine. Reuven Solomon, our tour guide met us, and on our way to the hotel we visited Joppa, home of Simon the Tanner, and where the ship picked up Jonah.

Monday- Headed up the Mediterranian coast and stopped at Caesarea(Jeswin - Acts 24), Mount Carmel (David Z - 1 Kings 1:18-41), Tel Megiddo, and the Brow of the Hill (Luke 4:22) in Nazareth for overnight. We stayed at a guest house in Nazareth called Fauzi Azar Inn. Derek, the team leader of 8 other Americans who are volunteering at the Inn and around Nazareth took us downtown on a walking tour and we bought the most delicous "canoffee" dessert. Brian treated! Yummmmm! Back at the Inn, we had a sing and it was amazing!!!!

Tuesday- Up bright and early and to the Nazareth Synagogue where we sang and had devotionals. (NBC showed up bright and early and followed us for the 2 day bike tour. We will be airing on the Today Show on May 11th. Also, they provided us with red Jesus Trail shirts) Biking- We followed the Jesus Trail as advertised on the internet as a walking trail. We didn't know, until that morning, that we were the first people to actually bike most of it. Silvie was our guide and she was great! Her assistant, Anna, captured pictures for an advertisement phamplet. We met Silvie, our biking guidein Cana and walked up, up, and up! Lots of commotion getting our bikes, helmets and gear ready. The trail was rough and mostly uphill at first. But it was fantastic !!!! The view along some of the trail was tremendous. Camping- We arrived early at the campground so we helped set up tents, prepare supper, and build a bonfire pit. Before anything was done, Lois Kember lef us in stretches and Silvie organized a massage circle. It was like the Israelites in the wilderness.... every man had a job. Because it was Memorial Day the "facilities" were locked up solid! But not to worry: lots of trees. Around a bonfire we shared testimonies, life's experiences, and had an awesome hymn sing. Troy Thomas actually had the gall enough to let a two-litre bottle of water spray freely in Brian's tent after he had settled for the night. (he did think it was someone else..) Quite the night to remember!

Wednesday- We woke up to NBC news crew.. lol. Independence Day: A celebration of Israel's 61st year of being a recognized state. We took the bus to the top of Mount Arbel and then the bikers started their hike down the mountainside. It was pretty steep in some places: only metal U-shaped hooks to hold on to and step on. Half way down we met some cows and a bull in a cave. No bull chases and we made it down the hill in record time. This time one of NBC crew hopped on a bike and accompanied us as we drove. We biked through Magdala, stopped and swam at a natural spring. While there, a Jewish family invited us to join their holiday celebrations. They shared their food and beverages with us...much appreciated! As we biked through fields, woods, and along roadside paths we had time to meditate about Jesus, his journies, miracles, and teachings. It was quite a moving experience to share with each other and pray along the way. Lunch was picnic style in a citris grove. On our bikes and on the trail again. Lots of dust as we biked and VERY hot! One final hill was the highlight of the afternoon (not!) but then a swift ride down into Taghba. (Where Jesus breaks the five loves and two fishes.) Just a few more kilometers to we visited Jesus' Synagogue in Capernaum. Overnight at Capernaum.

Thursday- All a bit stiff and slow moving this morning as we visited the site of a 2000 year old ship. It has been restored using parafin wax and it was easy to see how Jesus would have lain in the ship's hinderpart. Down to the seaside for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41)Water was smoothe and spirits were high. Hymns, "Life Lesson" devotional, and a nice quiet time gathering our own reflections rounded out this experience. A modern day 'Peter' demonstrated how to throw a round net to catch fish - but nothing was caught :( Next was the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-20, 43-46) and a visit to the Jordan River. We waded into the waters and watched other individuals in white robes dip seven times into the muddy waters. You were to rent the white gown if you wished to do the dipping, so we didn't - although Russell got quite close. Next stop was Bet She'an where we had lunch and then travelled down the Jordan Valley to Jericho. Although we were not allowed into their territory, they have a nice stopping place for facilities and giftshops on the highway, so those needs got met. Some quick thinking pilgrims took advantage of a camel ride. Tara Jo and I bought a drum for future jam sessions=) The camel owner offered Brian 26 goats for Tracy Walker, Manitoba. He seemed very impressed with her riding! hee hee.. Arriving in Jerusalem in early evening, while Reuvan blared "The Holy City" hymn on the bus's P.A. system, we toasted (non-alcoholic juice) to the peace and blessing of Jerusalem on top of Mount Scopus.

(Pictures : Rive Jordan, Bet Shen and the Sea of Galilee)

Friday- The day started with a ride into Bethlehem (we had to switch bus and tour guide since Jews are not allowed in) where we visited the House of Hope. This is a school for the blind and children with special needs. Rhonda Davis is the director and is looking for volunteers to help out - http://www.houseofhopemd.org/ We went back into Jerusalem where we picked up Reuven and headed to the Mount of Olives ( Matthew 21, Zechariah 14). It was incredible to stand on the Mount where the Lord has promised to return. Gethsemane (John 18, Luke 22) meaning corruption of "olive press" was our next stop. Olive trees do not die, but rather old bark crumbles away and new shoots spring through - there was a 2000 yr old tree in the garden. Here we got a group photo in front of the Eastern Gates. Next was the Temple Mount and the House of Caiphas. We sang in the Sacred Pit (#324) and on the steps leading to his house - it is here that it is guaranteed the Jesus walked. It was very moving to look and see Gethsemane and the path that Jesus would have walked to Caiphas' house, the pit where he stayed, the steps he walked and then finally Golgotha and the Garden tomb (John 19). At the tomb, we sand "Lord I lift your name on high" and when we came to "From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky - Lord I lift your name on high" we were actually able to point to those places.. It was incredible. At the base of skull hill, there is actually a bus station (like are you serious?!) but we gathered there and sang hymns and shared devotionals. After supper than night, a few of us walked to the Western Wall (aka Wailing Wall) - walking through the streets of Jerusalem at night was awesome even though it was streudeled with garbage. We met a Jewish man who sang to us some songs in Hebrew - It was the Sabbath.

Saturday- First stop was Messada where we had to take a Gondola to the top. We also visited David's Waterfall(1Samual 23:28-24:12, 16-18), where some of the boys went swimming - absolutely beautiful! Next was the Dead Sea - here we covered ourselves in mud, dried in the sun and soaked in the sea. Lots of pictures taken here!!! It is 33% solid material and so when you submerge your body, you float like crazy! After, your skin felt super smooth. That night we went to the mall.

Sunday- The day began wonderfully with morning meeting in Jerusalem. It was the most incredible and spiritually enjoyable meeting as 17 brothers took part. Mary, who owned the house that this little room was attached to, privided us with refreshments after. Her and her husband were commended from Britain many years ago - and he has of late gone to be with His Lord. After fellowship, we went to a Holcaust Memorial - Yad Vashem , the Western Wall and the hall of the Last Supper. To end our last day in Isreal, we went to the Valley of Elah and filmed a re-inactment of David and Goliath. Absolutely hilarious!

We were to leave at 2am the next day to go to the airport and so many of us didnt sleep - instead signed our "yearbooks" and shared the sites and devotions we've enjoyed over the past week.

What a trip!!! I would suggest anyone reading this to take your time and money and travel to Isreal! You will NOT regret it - to walk where Jesus walked is just incredible.

Monday- May 4th We got our flight at 530 am ( I had some trouble getting through, apparently I dont look like my passport photo.. ) and arrived in Roma at 8am. My flight flew to London at 2:15 pm and so I had time to go with the group to the Colosseum. Arriving in the huge London airport, I met up with Allan and a crew of nurses from a school in BC that were also going to Zambia. The flight was 10 hrs long.. but with sleep, movies and books it was fine. I was sitting next to a girl - Mhlabangobo , who is coming home toLusaka for the summer. She gave me her number and said if I ever needed anything to give her a call and she'd take me around to see some of the sights =)

So now it's Tuesday and just waiting in the Lusaka airport for the plane to pick Allan and I up from Sakeji.

Not sure how much access I'll have at Sakeji - so I'll try an update as soon as I can.

God Bless!

Laura

(It's taking forever to upload pics, so I'll add some more later)