Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Sunday, November 4, 2007

The Day's Itinerary: Our day was filled with more once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that included participation in a Fellowship-funded project called Table to Table, viewing an elaborate model of what Jerusalem looked like in the time of Jesus, observing the actual parchment and handwriting on the historic Dead Sea Scrolls, walking down the Mount of Olives, taking communion in the Garden of Gethsemane, and, for some, donating blood to Israel’s version of the Red Cross.

Helping Hands Harvest for The Hungry: Tour participants went to a field to harvest turnips for Table to Table, a non-profit organization that collects food from gardens and unused food from corporate cafeterias and hotel weddings to feed 11,000 people daily. The Fellowship donated a refrigerated truck and its yearly maintenance to allow Table to Table to distribute the collected food to 45 non-profit agencies and homes. Toiling in sandy soil under a blazing sun and 90-degree temperatures, our group gathered 3,200 pounds of turnips in blue plastic baskets. Etta Kemp, on her second Journey Home to Israel Tour with The Fellowship, was thrilled with the opportunity to minister to the poor, saying, "I loved every minute!" Paul Lieba, in charge of resource development for Table to Table, told our harvest workers that his organization is in need of volunteers.

Modern Day Israel: A modern town west of Jerusalem brought us a bit closer to home with its Toys R Us, Ace hardware and Office Depot.

Something New vs. Something Similar: Lunch gave our group a chance to try a falafel, a common Israeli lunch but something new for most Americans, or, instead, choose a lunch more common back home: Domino’s cheese pizza! Those who ate the falafel a soft pita pocket filled with deep-fried chickpeas and salad were impressed, though Hoyt Swann said next time he visits Israel he was going to bring a salt shaker.

Just Like At Home: The morning and evening rush hours in Jerusalem bring the same problem that confronts most large American cities: traffic jams and, of course, accompanying horn honking.

Spiritual Afternoon: The afternoon included the Mount of Olives and solemn communion in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed, subjecting His will to the will of the Father ("My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.") It was also here at Gethsemane where Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and Jesus was arrested and taken to Caiaphas the high priest. The group saw the domed Chapel of Ascension, believed to mark the spot from which Jesus ascended into heaven.

Touring Blood Donors Reach 500: In an effort to give life to others, Journey Home Tour members and IFCJ staff donated blood during a planned bloodmobile visit to our hotel. Still cameras clicked and video cameras rolled as the event produced the 500th tourist to donate blood in Israel in the past six months.

Events for NOV. 5: Journey Home Tour members will visit Mount Zion, the Upper Room, King David’s Tomb, and Yad Vashem.