“I was miraculously healed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, more than 20 years ago and just completed my 21st tour to this land where Jesus walked.,” says Commissioner Marilyn Francis, The Salvation Army Territorial President of Women’s Ministries in the Canada and Bermuda territory.
From July 3-19, 2008, Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis guided 32 people, ages 16-90, to Israel and Egypt. “Israel holds a special place in my heart,” says Commissioner Marilyn. “In 1984, my son, Billy, then 16, was brutally injured during an unprovoked attack by a man wielding a hammer, in New Jersey, U.S., where we were serving at the time. The intent was to murder him, then rape the young lady accompanying him.
“Billy was a pianist and was two months from his Julliard, one of the world’s most prestigious performing arts conservatories in New York, audition. The hammer blows to his head and his hand meant his dreams of being a concert pianist were over.
“I wanted to die. I wanted to find the attacker and lead him to Christ! He was never found. I couldn’t fix my son’s pain. And no one knew how hollow I felt. On the outside I kept calm, singing, speaking and working as usual. Then, one year after the beating, I was asked by The General of The Salvation Army to play the piano and lead the Songsters who performed at the International Congress—in Israel. Here, Jesus met me in the garden of Gethsemane. Like no other could do, He healed my damaged emotions and broken heart.
“With every subsequent visit to the Holy Land I learn more about the living word of God. This year I watched again as those on our tour experienced a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee: a visit to the garden tomb, one of two sites where Jesus was buried; witnessing baptisms in the Jordan River, swimming in the Dead Sea; and even white-water rafting down the Jordan River from Tel Dan.
“No place in the world is 100% safe, but Israel is a relatively safe country to travel in. In the past few years the security situation in Israel has been increasingly calm. As a result, tourism to Israel has been growing steadily and last year alone approximately 2 million tourists visited the country.”
The Stones Cry Out
Commissioner William provides brief introductory information on 18 major locations that Jesus frequented during His earthy ministry. He wants to wet the reader’s appetite for further exploration through biblical research, and if possible, have them take a personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
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