VISIT TO ISRAEL 2011

Visit to Israel 2011 by Grace Obaigbona from Grace Amara on Vimeo.

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Shalom from the city of the Great King!
I bring you greetings from Jerusalem - the city of David and the meeting string for God's people!
I was so excited to be in the Holy Land last week and to have walked in the footsteps of our Lord in the very places where Jesus our Lord grew, worked, healed, preached, taught and ministered. We travelled through the land of the Bible. It was such a blessing and privilege to see the practical side of all that we have read theoretically from Scriptures. I have enclosed a summary of what the tour was like.
My appreciation goes to my Mum (Deaconess Comfort Obaigbona) and to the Prince Joel Ero Obaigbona tribe and to all those who made this journey possible in one way or the other. May God bless you richly and remember you for good in Jesus Name, Amen.
Sincerely,
Grace A. Obaigbona (JP).

Quote: In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. --Albert Einstein--
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I wish to appreciate Pastor Adebanjo T. Oluwadare of Mountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministries, UK under the leadership of Dr D.K.Olukoya (General overseer, MFM worldwide) who organized the tour and kindly extended the invitation to me. May God bless and keep MFM and the whole body of Christ, Amen.
//www.mfm.org.uk/
http://www.mountainoffire.org/home/index.htm
http://mfmbiligualbooks4evangelism.blogspot.com/ (French)

Summary of tour:
Day 1. Arrival Jaffa-Tel Aviv-Caesarea (D)
Our first visit was to the old city of Jaffa (Joppa appears in the Bible as the name of the now Israeli city of Yafo, otherwise known as Jaffa.). We continued to Caesarea, once a proud Roman port city dating back to the time of Pontius Pilate. We had a pleasant view of the monumental Roman amphitheater built in the days of Christ.
Day 2. Megiddo – Mt. Carmel –Haifa -Galilee (B,D)
Visit to Megiddo overlooking the plains of Armageddon and visit to the site of the 21 superimposed cities. We travelled to Mount Carmel where the Prophet, Elijah fought the Ba'al prophets and on to Haifa – to have a view of the Harbor and the Mountains of Galilee.
Day 3. Around the Sea of Galilee (B,D)
Visit to Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Beatitudes and taught on many occasions. Here he also performed many of the miracles in the Bible. We travelled to Tabga, where 5000 were fed by Jesus who performed the miracle of the multiplication of the fish and loaves. We continued to Capernaum where much of the Galilean Ministry took place. Afterwards, we enjoyed a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and heard how Jesus calmed the stormy sea and walked upon these waters. A traditional St. Peter’s fish lunch (optional) was proposed to the group. We visited Kursi, the site where the swine ran into the Sea of Galilee and drowned. Then we ended the tour for the day at the Jordan River in the Yardenit Baptismal Site. Jesus was baptised at river Jordan by John the Baptist.
The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes is a church in Tabgha (ancient Heptapegon) on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. The miraculous feeding of five thousand people is described in Mark 6:30-44, just before Jesus walks on water.
Day 4. Nazareth-Cana-Mt. Tabor (B,D)
After Breakfast, we travelled to Nazareth where Jesus spent the silent years of his life and visited Mary’s well. Afterwards, we visited Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus turned water to wine. We continued to Mt. Tabor, the Mount of the Transfiguration, and we visited the beautiful Basilica and the rock under the altar where the Transfiguration took place. From the top of the mountain we enjoyed an overview of the western Galilee.
Day 5. Qumran-Dead Sea-Jerusalem (B,D)
We left Tiberias and drove through the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea area. We visited the Mount of Temptation and saw the Sycamore tree that Zacharias climbed in order to see Jesus. We proceeded to Qumran, where were found the ancient Dead Sea scrolls. I personally enjoyed the clay bath and the floating on the Dead Sea, and finally we arrived the holy city - Jerusalem for dinner and overnight at Crowne Plaza Jerusalem
Day 6. Jerusalem day(B,D)
We visited the Mt. of Olives to view Jerusalem as Jesus would have seen it. We visited the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees. We entered the Old City of Jerusalem through the Lions' Gate and we paid a visit to the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man. We continued to Pontius Pilate's Hall of Judgment the place of the trial of Jesus. We followed through the Via Dolorosa to Calvary then to the Church of Holy Sepulchre. We visited Mt. Zion including the Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. We visited the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of the House of Caiaphas the High Priest.
And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You, too, were with Jesus the Nazarene." (Mark 14:66-67). The word translated "courtyard" is the Greek noun aule, it means: "an area open to the sky, frequently surrounded by buildings, and in some cases partially by walls." See photo below.
The road of the Via Dolorosa begins near the Lions' Gate in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, covering 500 meters and incorporating 14 Stations of the Cross. Regrettably, the Via Dolorosa was a difficult place for prayer and contemplation, as it travels from beginning to end of a very busy street (street market).
Day 7. Bethlehem
We started the day at the Garden Tomb where we took the Holy Communion. Next, we visited the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) in the Old City and had a view of the Temple Mount, where Solomon's Temple once stood.
The Western Wall (Ha-Kotel Ha-Ma'aravi) in Jerusalem is the holiest of Jewish sites, sacred because it is a remnant of the Herodian retaining wall that once enclosed and supported the Second Temple. It has also been called the "Wailing Wall" by European observers because for centuries Jews have gathered here to lament the loss of their temple.
Also, regarding the Western Wall and strangers, we read in 2 Chronicles 6, King Solomon’s prayers to the Lord:
32Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;33Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
Visit to the Church of the Nativity (Bethlehem, a Palestinian city in the central West Bank).
The Church of the Nativity (Arabic: كنيسة المهد‎) in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, and thus it is considered sacred by Christians. The Silver Star, beneath the altar in the Grotto of the Nativity, marks the spot believed to be the Birthplace of Jesus.
Day 8. West Jerusalem (B,)
Just before departure, we paid a visit to Yad Vashem, Memorial Museum to the six million Jews that lost their lives in the Holocaust. I think it was a good idea to have made this place our last point of call as we were all very sober. I indulge you to pray daily for the peace of Israel. To know more about the holocaust + pictures, visit http://www1.yadvashem.org/yv/en/holocaust/about/01/persecution.asp
Afterwards we transferred to Tel-Aviv Air Port for departure.
I WANT TO HUMBLY STATE HERE THAT THIS WAS NOT A TOUR BUT AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!!
This is not a pub but an invitation. I encourage you to take advantage of any opportunity before you to visit Israel. It’s indeed a blessed and Holy Land! Do something for yourself...invest in your life......you deserve it!
Enjoy the few pictures enclosed.

2011 visit to Isreal pack 2 by Grace Obaigbona from Grace Amara on Vimeo.

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2 Chronicles 6 (KJV)
1Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
2But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
3And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
4And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,
5Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
7Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
8But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
9Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
10The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
11And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
12And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
13For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.
14And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
15Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
16Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
18But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
19Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
20That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
21Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
22If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
23Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
24And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
25Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
26When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
27Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
28If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
29Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
30Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
31That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
32Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;
33Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
34If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
35Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
36If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
37Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
38If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
39Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
40Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
41Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
42O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
Praying with the scarf: Numbers 15
37And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
38Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them ; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
40That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
41I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

2011 visit to Isreal pack 2 by Grace Obaigbona from Grace Amara on Vimeo.

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