May 26 & 27
Saturday morning we left the Old City and took a nice walk to visit the Garden Tomb. The Garden Tomb is a beautiful site that commemorates Jesus’ burial and resurrection. While the more recent age of the discovered tomb and the location of that particular site make it a debatable location for Jesus’ original burial site, the Spiritual presence in this place is powerful. 
Alistair, our Scottish tour guide on site, walked us through the garden and shared one of the most compelling testimonies of the gospel I have ever heard. He spoke with humility about the proposed events in this particular location – but he spoke with passion and conviction about his faith in Jesus. He brought tears of joy and gratitude to my eyes as he so beautifully explained Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension and how the Garden tomb commemorates these historical events.
Throughout the garden voices are heard singing songs of praise and worship in many different languages. There is something about being in this place that makes people want to sing! Groups of visitors from many nationalities were gathered under shade trees and near flowering shrubs singing songs of praise and worship in their native tongues. We couldn’t recognize the words, but we knew EXACTLY what they were singing: Praise to Jesus! He’s Alive!
Suddenly it struck me…THIS is a foretaste of heaven! Here people from all nations are gathered together in this majestic place to sings songs of praise and worship to the Lord because He is alive! He resurrected from the dead! The tomb is empty! And we have come together as a people of different colors, different shapes and sizes, different dress, and different languages to give praise to God! There is so much joy in this place it overwhelms your heart!
Sunday we had a similar experience of joy and unity in our visit to Christ’s Church in the Old City. The building is a classic, traditional style church with tall spires, ringing bells, lofty ceilings, rounded arches and wooden seats. As the people streamed in for the 9:30 AM – 2 .5-hour service, I noticed again what a diverse group we were. The congregation represented people from all over the globe who gathered together to worship the Lord. The pastor was a Scottish man who was a passionate and articulate preacher. The songs of worship that we sang were many of the same songs that we sing in our home churches. It was amazing to be standing among a group of people from all over the world and praising the Lord in song with words and melodies that were familiar to all of us! Again! A slice of heaven!
Most significantly was the fact that Sunday was Pentecost! Pentecost is the day when the Holy Spirit first descended upon the disciples while they were in the upper room in JERUSALEM! Then the Holy Spirit came upon the believers who were gathered in the outdoor courtyard in JERUSALEM! So here we are in JERUSALEM! On the day of Pentecost reading Acts 2 and celebrating the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit with people from all nations who have gathered together in this beautiful church to praise and worship Jesus! Both of these experiences heighten my anticipation for that day when we will all be gathered together in peace, joy and unity to worship the savior for all eternity.
Mary Ann Noack 
Wow! You indeed have seen a slice of heaven. Your teaching will never be the same, your sharing of the gospel will never be the same. God is using this trip to give new depth and breadth to your understanding of scripture, the history of Israel, current events, prophecy…past, present and future, you have seen God Himself in new ways.
ginny yankoskie
You must be near the end of your visit in Israel. How appropriate on Pentecost to see the sign on the door “he is not here for he is risen”. The message of unity and joy in Christ. God’s glory and our joy.
Various revelations will continue daily upon your return, especially in further scripture readings. This trip is an enrichment of the gospels history, sites, sounds, cultures, religions and all of God’s peoples. We will be the beneficiary of your wisdom received by the Holy Spirit and teachings. We thank God for His timing and order of your trip.