In search of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

 

I knew I was close, but just kept ending up on the wrong street, with each wrong turn around every corner was a beautiful surprise and more culture to absorb.

I did find the entry to a courtyard area that was through this little doorway on either the back or side of the church. Still no entry to the church, but beauty to be seen none the less.

Found it FINALLY!

When I finally entered the courtyard in front of the doors; I took a few pictures then just went up and went in.

There were no lines, no major crowds. Had I wanted to enter certain areas there would have been, but I was there just to observe what this place was to others. (BTW, I think I may have went in where you were probably really suppose to have exited….LOL So typical of me.) I wanted to enjoy the amazing architecture, the holy symbols that are cherished and see why this location is so sacred to the Catholic faith, especially.

It was quite overwhelming to take it all in, but I enjoyed the experience.

Tombs in the church

I watched a guide try to explain how to turn the flashlight on, on a cell phone, to two women. They were European and spoke NO English or Hebrew…. Needless to say I turned mine on and handed it to him. He invited me to take the tour into this small cave like area inside a small room off to the side of the main areas in the church. It was a tomb area. I couldn’t hear all that he was saying, but I think I gathered that he said it was the tomb of the family of Joseph. Not sure if he was referring that it would have been Joseph & family of Jesus or not, but it was an extremely blessed exchange of different people in this same small space. Watching the effect that this was having on these women, who probably did not understand much that was being said; it was affecting their spirits. This was a holy place to them. 

Yes, this church had an affect on me, but not like it did on the believers that were there to have the experience they were searching for.

How can you not be affected?

Just shows you that sometimes it is about us. It’s about what we come looking for, our relationship with the Lord, not where we are. Sometimes you can be in the most amazing historical church in the world, but feel Him move through your body on a stone street that was deep beneath the surface of the city. You just never know where He will find you or who He will send to greet you in Israel or your hometown. You just should be seeking him!

My belly was growling

Not knowing how late it had gotten I decide I should probably grab a bite to eat. The couple I was staying with had a few recommendations they said if you were in this part of the old city – Lina’s was a must for the very best hummus. Finally found it around 4:30 p.m. So…lunch was going to be a little late…. Well, they closed at 4:00, so maybe even a little later than I planned entirely.

I decided that I had basked in the glory & love of the Lord most of the day, so maybe I start my towards the house. He had sent people my way and put them in my path since before I had even left the house that morning. I was probably just about all out of grace for one day ?.

Heading home for the day…

 

My journey back to the area inside/outside the Dung gate was about all my legs and feet were up to at this point. I had already walked about 18,000 steps at this point. I tried to find where the van would pick up. It was not inside the gate where we were dropped off. It was outside the gate and a little ways up the hill ?. I again stood with a group and found out I needed to go a little further up the hill….

Will I make it????

One young man was going to 1st Station and was so very kind and helpful. BUT the van that finally arrived 35 minutes later was a Mercedes and was NOT labeled at all – just plain white. I had to decide do I break my promise to a stranger I met this morning or trust this young man and 6 others that say it’s going to 1st Station???? Yep, you guessed it, I trusted that it could never get better than the day I’d had. If I got to meet Jesus that day I’d be great with it. I would be happy thanking Him face to face for SO MANY things! If it took me to 1st Station I’d praise Him for not making me take any more steps than were necessary.

MADE IT!!!!!

We arrived at 1st Station within 15 minutes. I took a picture with that young Jewish man who had been so kind. He’s in my prayer collage picture. He took the van to and from 1st Station daily to go to and from work. He lived in a settlement in the West Bank and this got him as close as he could to where he walked another 20 minutes home.

I made it back to car, then to my AirBnB house, where I showered heated up leftover pizza and finished my last glass of wine from Safed. Finished the day with almost 8 miles of walking (which was somewhat totally self induced crazy blonde moments). Thank you God for showing up for me and showing out. I’m such a lucky girl to have such an amazing Father that just really wants to spoil me rotten! Aren’t you glad He’s your daddy, too?!?! #kingskid #fearless 

Love ya  & Rhapsodyville wishes!

Trina

If you happened to miss day 1 – 4, day 5 part 1, part 2: Click on whichever that you might have missed out on.