My trip to the Holy Land

TOURISM 

My experience was unforgettable; forever fetched in my memories. The trip re-awakened my faith and re-birthed my desire to emulate what Christ stood for.

Standing at the shores of the Sea of Galilee was awesome, but unlike Jesus who walked on the water, I could only experience its magic by boat.

And at the end, I was proud to receive a certificate by the crew that mans the Sea of Galilee.

My ‘treasure' reads in part: "This is an affirmation and a presentation of Galilee where Racheal Mildred Nabisubi walked today at the same place where Jesus walked 2000 years ago."

I also walked through the town of Capernaum, the home of Mount Olives from which Jesus ascended into heaven.  I marvelled at its majesty.

I was left speechless at the mountain from which Jesus gave the famous beatitudes and fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish; at Cana, the city of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity and the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed till beads of sweat rolled.

It was not only knowing that Jesus tread these paths that took my breath away.

The architecture is also a sight to behold. There is the gold coated temple in the City of David that shines forth its glory in the sun.

There is the church at Capernaum built in the form of an octagon.

It is also interesting to know that most of the churches and mosques in Israel are built facing Jerusalem.

I was struck by the fact that though there are Christians, Jews and Muslims living in Jerusalem, there is a unity among them despite their doctrinal differences.

At the Wailing Wall anyone, no matter their religion, can make their prayer requests known to God - confident that He will answer all their prayers.

Avi Levi, a tour guide, says faith is vital to them. They believe in God and that keeps them going: "What is important is we are all descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and we believe in God.

It is believed that it was at the Wailing Wall that Barack Obama, the American President, pleaded to God to make him president," says Levi.

I said a prayer at the Wailing Wall and believe I will testify that my prayer was answered.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre (tomb) stands at Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.

It also contains the tomb where Jesus is thought to have been buried.

Today, it is the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem inside the sepulchre is a slab said to be where Christ's body was laid and wrapped for burial.

In awe and respect, visitors pray and kiss the slab. When it was my turn, I felt a chill run through my veins.

There is also a place set up like the actual scene where the crucifixion took place.

In the Dead Sea, it is believed that if one dips themselves in the water, they will be cleansed.

It is also believed that if you smear the mud from the lake onto your body, you will be healed of every sickness and disease.

If you do not know how to swim or have aqua phobia (fear of water), do not fret - in the Dead Sea you cannot drown because of the salty water.

Truly, this is the land of God's chosen.

What other pilgrims say

Joselyn Namyalo

For the student, it is a practical way to understand what we learn in Christian religious education. Plus, this knowledge can be a guiding pillar in future.

Ann Nankya

Jesus' ministry is brought to life. It is an inspiration that our prayers at the Wailing Wall will be answered.

Esther Namirimu

I was already born again by the time I went to Israel, but I needed that experience to let me know that what is in the scriptures is every bit true.

Fr. Robert Kasita, Masaka parish

Israel is a holy land. I cannot believe that the sycamore tree where Zacchaeus, the tax collector, climbed to see Jesus still looks every-inch fresh and green.

The trip was truly a turning point in my life