Maritza Martínez Mejía, AWA: The Fifth Gospel Experience

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The Fifth Gospel Experience - Day 1-2

LuzDelMes Experience in Israel

Despite the current crisis, pandemic effects, and uncertain times, the journey to the Holy Land began.

✞Monday, April 25, Day 1: DEPART TO TEL AVIV

We embarked on a twenty-hour journey from Miami-New York-Tel Aviv and arrived at Ben Guríon Airport on April 26th.

After going through passport control, a COVID-19 test to enter Israel, and customs, we were greeted by an English-speaking Arab Christian guide to head on a luxurious Motor Coach bound for Jerusalem.

The first thing I learned is that Israeli week is different from the one in the rest of the world. The work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, and the weekend from Friday to Saturday because of the Shabbat, which begins at sunset on Friday and lasts until a little after sunset on Saturday.

Also, our magnificent official guide, Bader Rabadi, taught us our first word in Arab "Marhaban ." It comes from the word “rahhaba,” which means “to welcome”. The common reply is “Marhaban bik”, “Marhaban biki”, to a male, and “Marhaban bikum” to a female, and more than one person respectively.

✞Tuesday, April 26, Day 2: ARRIVAL TO JERUSALEM

We traveled less than an hour to the Pontifical Notre Dame Center in Old Jerusalem to gather together with the whole group of pilgrims. It was interesting to meet in person one of the theology professors (Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio) and two online classmates with whom I have exchanged knowledge for the past two years.

We shared our first dinner together and visited the rooftop with my adorable roommate, Teresa Glindmeier, to sightsee the days ahead to the old Jerusalem.

With this great team of professionals, we began a pilgrimage to the "Fifth Gospel" in Israel after a well-deserved rest.

MARHABAN TEL AVIV!