The Sunday Mail
THE online encyclopaedia Wikipedia states that “in the early 21st century, the numbers of people of all faiths making pilgrimages has continued to rise, with 39 of the most popular sites alone receiving an estimated 200 million visitors every year.” It also defines pilgrimage as “a journey or search of moral or spiritual significance.” Pilgrimages to the Holy Land (Israel) now constitute a “MUST” among a number of Zimbabwean believers’ travel itineraries. Tendai Manzvanzvike (TM) caught up with Mr Witness Fombe (WF), founder of a Christian organisation, Israel Alive Zimbabwe, that organises tours to the Holy Land, to understand issues regarding these pilgrimages.
TM: Pilgrimages to the Holy Land by individuals and groups are getting more popular not only among Zimbabweans but across the globe. What is the allure of the Holy Land?
WF: This little land, though scarcely 20,770 km², is big in history and tradition. The Ten Commandments were given just to the south at Sinai. Ancient drama was written and played on its plains and valleys.
But to Christians, it is the land where the Lord Jesus was born and reared, and where He performed His miracles. It was in the Holy Land that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and rose again, and the world over today, we are now celebrating that salvation.
The Holy Land was where His feet last touched before He ascended into heaven, and where He promised to return as prince of peace and Lord of Lords.
To visit this land is like a pilgrimage into the past, and walking in the shadow of greatness. But, it is more.
With Bible in hand one can see the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy, and one can sense God’s promise for the future – the shafts of hope, which portend a brighter tomorrow for the world. No one can visit Israel without a deeper appreciation and stronger faith in the Word of God.
The Holy Land is also where “holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21). Both the Bible and the land have been preserved as physical evidence that “He endureth forever.”
The “places” validate the person of the Scriptures, and when we walk where Jesus walked, somehow He seems to walk beside us. Israel is more than sightseeing, however. It is an experience.
TM: So, you are affirming what others have said – that by visiting the Holy Land, pilgrims find a new way of understanding the Lord Jesus’ life? However, the same Lord never commanded people to follow His footsteps physically in Israel. Instead, He ordered that the gospel be spread to all corners of the earth. Isn’t this a contradiction?
WF: The best way of understanding someone or something, is to go to its roots or foundation. You will definitely have a new understanding of Jesus’ life.
Imagine seeing the things the way Jesus saw them, walking where He walked, being baptised right where He was baptised. It makes the difference, as we see from the Bible, “once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet” (2 Kings 13:21 NIV). If it happened for the Israelite man, what can stop such a miracle happening today?
It’s true that Jesus never commanded people to go back and follow His footsteps physically, but neither did He stop them to do so. I mean, if that experience can make you feel closer to Christ, why not?
TM: What type of people go on these pilgrimages – be they individuals and/or groups?
WF: Israel has grown not only in the religious field, but it’s one of the leading countries in various fields: be it technology, health care, humanitarian aid, agriculture, education and many more.
Israel is a land of miracles. One needs to be there to fully understand. But more specifically, the Holy Land acts as a focal point for the pilgrimages of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These pilgrims visit the Holy Land to touch and see physical manifestations of their faith, confirm their beliefs in the holy context with collective excitation, and connect personally to the Holy Land.
TM: Which places do you take them to and why?
WF: It depends on the needs and the reason why the person is visiting Israel. If it’s spiritual, then definitely the place we take them to is Jerusalem, because it is the spiritual centre of the world.
If you want technology, Tel Aviv is a place to be. It is ranked second in technology advancement in the world after Silicon Valley. Could it be agriculture? Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry: Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies despite the fact that the geography of Israel is not naturally conducive to agriculture. More than half of the land area is desert, and the climate and lack of water resources do not favour farming.
However, through technology, they have turned the whole situation around. Now the deserts of Israel are blossoming with beautiful roses and fruits.
TM: The Jewish feasts such as the Passover, feast of First Fruits and feast of Tabernacles are also major draw cards for these pilgrimages. Do travelers participate in the festivals?
WF: I think that to call them Jewish festivals is a bit inappropriate. I love calling them the Lord’s festivals. Jews are just fortunate to observe them, but these are the Lord’s feasts. It’s not the hand of man, the Bible clearly tells us: “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.” (Leviticus 23:2, NIV)
However, they are really a major draw card to people that understand their significance. During the period of these festivals, Israel is flooded by tourists from all over the world as a fulfillment of the scriptures. (Exodus 23:14-17). Yes, travelers do participate in the festivals.
TM: From the statistics it’s quite clear that Israel has succeeded in religious tourism. Why? What lessons can we learn from their experience, and what do you also do to promote Zimbabwe as a tourist destination to Israelis and pilgrims from other nations?
WF:As I have mentioned, Israel is a birth place of our faith, it’s a place where our Lord Jesus was born, crucified and resurrected and it’s a place that He will arrive at, on His second coming. Without Israel there wouldn’t be any Christianity today.
More and more Christians today are realising their connection to the Holy Land.
As a nation, we can learn a lot from the Israeli experience, like investing in local businesses and investing in youths. It gives young people a driving force and inspires them to do more, knowing that local ideas are getting support.
We also promote the in-bound tours from other nations.
TM: And briefly, who is Witness Fombe?
WF: My wife Adeline Fadzai and I fellowship with Ambassadors for Christ Ministries International led by Apostle Dr Abel Sande. My parents Bishop Cephas and Mary Fombe are also with Ambassadors for Christ. I hold a degree in marketing and have in the past worked for Christian Friends of Israel, Zimbabwe. I have organised successful pilgrimages for groups, church organisations and individuals.
