“Jerusalem Wall of Life” mural
Steve Martin
Jerusalem
Log #5
May 4, 2017
Jerusalem, Israel
Greetings
to you from the Promised Land!
It
sure is great when the Holy Spirit guides you. Once you ask Him to of course.
After
driving the short 25 minutes from Jerusalem to King Herod’s Palace and tomb (three
videos I recorded are here),
when I was finished, and tired from the many steps, I asked “Where next, Lord.”
His reply was “Derek Prince’s gravesite.” And so I went back to Jerusalem, to
Germantown.
I
had been to the Alliance Church Cemetery twice before, but wanted to see it
again. It is in the southern part of Jerusalem, in what was/is known as
Germantown. I somewhat knew the way, but again was asking the Lord to direct my
steps (as I drove.)
Traffic
is packed full of buses, taxis, motorcycles, mopeds and cars no matter where
you drive in the capital city of Israel, and with a rental car, parking is even
more of a challenge. But I found a lone spot two blocks from the cemetery
entrance.
Once
inside, I started the circular walk to the right, with Derek’s grave not too
far from the metal door entrance, part of the stone/block wall that surrounds
the Alliance Church Cemetery. To my amazement the mural, which I had first
heard about on the 700 Club on CBN a few years ago, was completed! It began in
the right, southwest corner of the walled-in resting place, and filled the 12
foot tall wall the entire 70 yards (my estimate) of the right side. Then it
turned the corner and ran another 30 yards or more on the eastern wall. What a
glorious site!
From
Genesis to Revelation, with Abraham, Moses, Joseph and to the reign of Jesus
(Yeshua) in Revelation, the complete Bible story is told, painted by Patricia
Solveson from Wisconsin, USA. It took her six and a half years.
And
how do I know that? When the lady sitting on the wooden bench at the end of my
walk around the area, after taking several photos of graves, asked me if I was
a photographer, I replied, “I like to take pictures.” I asked her who she was.
She softly said, “I am Patricia. I painted this mural.” Wow!
Patrica Solveson
Patricia
then went on to say how the Jerusalem
Wall of Life came about, beginning over seven years ago when she was asked
to do the mural. The director of the cemetery had seen her painted artwork she
brought to Jerusalem for several years, giving it away as gifts, and wanted her
to paint the mural. Once started, six and half years later, when coming in the spring
and fall with her husband Carl, Patricia beautifully put the story of salvation
on the Jerusalem wall.
Many
people visit the cemetery to see graves of the believing Gentiles buried there.
As she shared stories with me, she described how a Jewish man would come often,
asking her why this and that was depicted. In time, as she explained the plan
of God to him, he too became a believer and now still comes regularly to visit.
Other Jews who come in off the street, out of curiosity most times, wonder why the
Star of David and Christian symbols are on some sites.
The
last few years have seen several Messianic Jews laid to rest here. May the Holy
Spirit continue to share the message of hope and salvation to all who come.
You
can read more about Patricia and the mural at the website Jerusalem Wall of Life - It is
Finished!
Ahava
(love) and Shalom (peace) from Jerusalem!
Steve
Martin
Founder/President
Love
For His People
Patricia Solveson near Derek Prince's gravesite.
