The day I wish wouldn't come has arrived. The 8th day is our last day in Israel. Sigh! What had transpired the last 7 days was just surreal. This is a dream come true.
I've patiently waited for this moment or pilgrimage to come to pass for 3 years now and the 8th day is the last day of the fulfillment of that dream.
Do check out my post: Israel Travel Itinerary for more Israel travel tips and inspirations.
The last 7 days have been an amazing and eye-opening journey for all of us in the tour group. We have created bonds, lasting memories, and amazing revelations along the way for a short period of time that no one could take away from us.
I'm glad my husband and I went last year of December before heading off to our promise land, the United States of America. Without further ado, let's begin our 8th-day photo tour at Israel.
Mount Scopus / Kidron Valley
Lying just within the official borders of the city of Jerusalem, this place is famous for its panoramic view of the holy city.
The Garden Tomb
The tomb is located outside the walls of Jerusalem, this garden is also believed to be the tomb and site of Christ's resurrection. The large cistern located underneath the garden indicates that this could be the garden of Joseph of Arimathea. The Garden Tomb was discovered by General Charles Gordon in 1884 when he identified a prominent rocky crag, which looked like a skull, as Golgotha, or literally "place of a skull".
Can you see the skull outlined from the rock? Unfortunately for us, modern visitors, only the eyes are still visible as the mouth has been buried underground.
In the midst of the garden lies a tomb whose interior meets all the requirements for the seating of the two angels who spoke with Mary of Magdala (John 20:10-18).
Visiting the garden tomb for me is the pinnacle of our visit to Israel. I'm finally here! I'm finally standing where Jesus was raised from the dead, conquered the grave and ascended to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. Woohoo!! It's truly an awesome experience!
We had a Passover lunch experience at Yad Hashmona. We also did a reenactment of what happened during the Last Supper: the manner of how they were seated, who's seated next to Whom and what they probably did having their last meals together.
From the garden, we also get a view of the road to Emmaus.
At the Valley of Elah, the group also did a reenactment of the story of David and Goliath. Indeed we found the dried-up brook mentioned in the Biblical account where David choose 5 smooth stones used to slay the giant Goliath.
This was the pivotal moment for the gospel to go to the Gentiles as the very next moment, the men from Cornelius the Centurion came looking for Peter.
Can you see the skull outlined from the rock? Unfortunately for us, modern visitors, only the eyes are still visible as the mouth has been buried underground.
In the midst of the garden lies a tomb whose interior meets all the requirements for the seating of the two angels who spoke with Mary of Magdala (John 20:10-18).
Visiting the garden tomb for me is the pinnacle of our visit to Israel. I'm finally here! I'm finally standing where Jesus was raised from the dead, conquered the grave and ascended to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. Woohoo!! It's truly an awesome experience!
Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden
This place is found in a rural village in the Judean hills run by messianic Israeli Jews and Finnish Christians. The Biblical Garden displays plants and agricultural tools from biblical times. It provides visitors with hands-on experience of the manners and customs of the ancient Israelites.We had a Passover lunch experience at Yad Hashmona. We also did a reenactment of what happened during the Last Supper: the manner of how they were seated, who's seated next to Whom and what they probably did having their last meals together.
The garden contains olive trees and olive presses, grapevines and several winepresses, a wheat field and threshing floor, a watchtower, Bedouin tents, and ancient Galilean synagogue and a burial cave.
From the garden, we also get a view of the road to Emmaus.
The Road to Emmaus (Drive-By)
This is where the resurrected Jesus appeared to two of His disciples and opened the scriptures to them concerning Himself (Luke 24:13-35). The disciples did not realize who was talking with them until they invited Jesus to dinner and He took bread, gave thanks, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30).The Valley of Elah ("oak")
This was where the Philistines came against the army of Israel and where the legendary battle of David against Goliath took place (1 Samuel 17). In the dried-up riverbed of the Brook of Elah, you can still find smooth stones similar to those which David had used to slay Goliath.At the Valley of Elah, the group also did a reenactment of the story of David and Goliath. Indeed we found the dried-up brook mentioned in the Biblical account where David choose 5 smooth stones used to slay the giant Goliath.
Joppa
This place is now known as Jaffa, where Peter raised Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). Due to that wonderful testimony and miracle, may people came to believe in the Lord. As Peter stayed on in the house of Simon the Tanner and was praying on the roof, he had the vision of a large sheet filled with animals being lowered from heaven (Acts 9:43-10:23).This was the pivotal moment for the gospel to go to the Gentiles as the very next moment, the men from Cornelius the Centurion came looking for Peter.
After our tour at the city, we then went to have our final meals at Authentic Jaffa Restaurant. The kebab and the pita at the restaurant is a must-try. They served a lot of side dishes together with the main dish. Huhuhu! I will definitely miss the Mediterranean diet.
At the airport, it finally dawned on me that we're going home. We'll at least for my fellow group mates. It's going to be a long haul for me and hubby because we will be flying directly to the US, our promise land, the next day after we've arrived in Singapore. It's like circling the globe in 3 days. Hehehe!
But honestly, my heart was aching to be leaving this beautiful country. I never felt this way to the other countries I've been to. The love and the connection I have to Israel and its people can't be explained.
Both the husband and I wish to be back someday and bless the land even more. But for now, a new chapter in our lives is unfolding. The journey to our promised land, the United States of America begins.