A few years ago, I made a last-minute trip to Jerusalem for Easter. I was amazed and awed the entire four days I was there. That year, I was reading through the daily office for my quiet time each day. I savored reading about events that took place thousands of years ago in the very place where I stood. What a sweet time that was to experience the location where Jesus taught and subsequently died for me. I particularly liked visiting the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. The fact that some of the olive trees were over 2500 years old was not lost on me.

It was a short trip. I learned and saw a lot during those few days. I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I was happy for what I got to see knowing that it was only just scratching the surface. Little did I know that God had much more in store.

Last February, my sending church gifted me and other overseas workers that they support a two-week trip to Israel and Jordan. I was touched by the generosity of this gift.

I was looking forward to this trip for a long time. Then I had a stroke and I wondered if I should plan on canceling even though I longed to go. I told every doctor I saw the plan, that I had been blessed with an amazing trip to Israel and Jordan. No one batted an eye. Every single person I spoke to thought it was a great idea. Walking would do me good. Seeing the Holy Land could be healing. Go.

So, I walked daily hoping to be strong enough to see everything. I increased my step count gradually. I bought walking shoes. I used a hiking pole to support and steady myself. I hoped the hearing loss on my right side wouldn’t make me so dependent on others, especially since I only knew a few people. I tried to prepare myself for how hard it would be physically. I’d been to Jerusalem before, so I figured I’d just see a little more than I had last time. I got this. I had no idea that this trip would be so transformative.

One of the first things that Nadar, our tour guide, said to us is that we now read the gospels in black and white, but we would read them in color after this trip was over. These words have stuck with me. And it’s true, I will never read the Bible the same way again. The vibrancy of seeing where Jesus walked firsthand will stick with me. I will never be the same.

I have three solid takeaways. They immediately stand out when asked to summarize my time in Israel. I know there are things that will continue to pop up as I process, but these three things made a lasting impression on me: the Sea of Galilee, rocks, and God’s infinite love for me.

We spent a few days on and around the Sea of Galilee at the beginning of our time in Israel. To be where Jesus spent his formative years, where a lot of his miracles were performed, was a deeply moving time. It brought to life places that before were only glimmers of my imagination. We had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. At one point, the driver cut the engine and we had a bit of silence to contemplate. It was so quiet and peaceful that day. But I could imagine choppy water and how scary that would be - and then Jesus speaking calm. It was a good reminder that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that he can calm all the storms in my life. Very timely, indeed. I loved that we had space to quietly reflect. That we could be in the same place but also process individually.

There was so much said to God in that silence, in being still.

There were several places we visited in that area. The Mountain of the Beatitudes and the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter were two that stand out to me, not because of the buildings that were there but because the teachings that Jesus gave in those places. “If not here, then how far are we,” was said to us time and again by Nadar. His point is well taken. It doesn’t matter if we see the exact place but that we remember it happened. That we are blessed, that we feed His sheep and in turn are fed. That we remember that Jesus fed his disciples breakfast on the shore and called them (and us) to something greater. To follow Him. (John 21)

Rocks are everywhere in Israel! So many rocks. Mountainsides and fields were full of them. I don’t know how anything grows with so many rocks everywhere. Each time I saw these places, different parables or scriptures would come to mind. No wonder we see so many references to rocks. They were so plentiful and part of everyday life. The one scripture that I kept thinking of was Luke 19:40. It is Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem and the Pharisees want him to rebuke the people for calling him a king. Jesus said, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would cry out!” Wouldn’t that be a sight?!

The third thing that really stands out is how I could see God’s love and care for me. I won’t pretend for a second that this was an easy trip. We woke up early. I laid down completely exhausted every night. It was physically hard. I was emotionally spent. There was so much to process. On top of all of that, I was dealing with recovering from a stroke that affected my balance and coordination.

And God met me there.

When things were tough or there was a steep incline, someone was there to lean on. On one occasion, someone literally moved people so I could have the room I needed to navigate. People asked if they could walk with me even though it meant staying a little behind. I never had to ask for help, it was just there. And that was so meaningful and such a great example of how God takes care of us. At times, it moved me to tears. I was able to depend on others in a way I hadn’t before because I knew God wanted to show me He was there.

What a great reminder as we continue to celebrate during this Easter season. God is with us. He cares about all of our needs. I am forever grateful.