The Word of Faith HolyLand Tour touched down and took off. After a 10-hour transatlantic flight, we landed in Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. My feet felt like sand bags as I plodded off the plane. Not knowing where to go, I followed the crowd. Sheep. Bahhhhhh! After collecting baggage, we moved to the transportation area where the busses waited. Tour guides and assistants instructed for us to leave our bags by one curb and to head to another curb. Our bags would be taken to the hotel, but us, we were off to begin our tour of the HolyLand. So I shook the cobwebs out of my eyes and the molasses off my feet. Our bus driver Romi said, “Welcome home.” First stop: Caesarea by the Sea.
Caesarea
Driving to Caesarea, our tour guide Amnon told our group (called the Yellow group) that the road we were traveling was the Road to Damascus. Tel Aviv presented itself to be a modern city—neon lights, marketing billboards, and high rises. We stopped at an urban mall for lunch. Yes! Authentic Israeli Mediterranean food. I had a turkey shawarma wrapped in warm, pillowy pita with creamy chickpea hummus and crunchy cabbage. Is your mouth watering? Mine is just recalling it. So fresh and delicious. And let me say, eating with your hands is the best. Just use sanitizer.
Back to the Road. We drove along the Mediterranean Sea, which was on the Eastern side of the bus. It reminded of driving the Pacific Highway in California. After about an hour, we arrived to the Roman Theater. Because we couldn’t see the edifice from the road, it was breathtaking to enter the Roman Theater with its exquisitely set marble structures and stone steps and the sparkling Mediterranean as its backdrop.
We all eased cautiously down the steps, which were about 18 inches high, and sat down as Bishop Keith A. Butler, founder of Word of Faith International Christian Center, read a passage from the Bible: Acts 5.
Without a microphone we could clearly hear Bishop from the stage as he read the passage from his smartphone. From time to time I know I am slow to catch on to things, but as he was reading, it hit me: “I’m here. I’m in Israel.” Hearing the scriptures and look around the theater and the surrounding grounds, it happened: The Bible took on a new life.
Mount Tabor and the Sea of Galilee
From Caesarea we continued on the Road to Damascus toward Tiberias. As we drove, Amnon pointed out different cities and landmarks. A landmark that struck me was Mount Tabor. It is believed to be the site of transfiguration. In the Gospels, it states that Jesus took Peter, John and James up the mountain and as Jesus prayed a light shone from Heaven and Moses and Elijah appeared. Jesus was transfigured into glistening light. I gazed at the top of the mountain imagined what the miracle looked like. That had to be such an amazing moment!
We winded through many more roads before approaching Tiberias. When we had reached the city, I could see the Sea of Galilee. It was in around this body of water that Jesus spent a great deal of time. The sun was setting, so the sparkles and twinkles on the waves were serene. Our hotel is positioned right at its shore. I would get three gorgeous days to hear and learn more about this location and others near it. My excitement is high, but so is my fatigue. I need a shower and a bed. Good night!
Beautifully written, LaToya
I’m really looking forward to the next entry.
Thank you! The trip is amazing. It’s a challenge to put the experience into words.
Tiberias. That place sounds familiar. When my sister and her husband were thinking about moving to Israel, I think that’s the town where they were going to live. Hope you’re having a good time. I almost forgot you were going. Keeping track of you on FB as well. Take care and be safe.
I am having a great time. I will be home soon!