Some time ago I started combining parts 1 and 2 of my pilgrimage to Jerusalem and I thought by myself: "Why not make it into one beautiful long-distance hiking trail that more people can enjoy?". I've named the entire project and the trail the "Jerusalem Pilgrimage Trail," or simply "JPT" for short.
It's a lot of work, but it's definitely a project that gives me great pleasure and satisfaction.
On my website, dated Tuesday, March 11, 2025, I wrote:
Dear hiking friends,
Last Saturday, March 8, we were able to experience the opening of the Jerusalem🕊️Way in the Netherlands with a group of enthusiasts on Dam Square in Amsterdam. What a great day it was!
We started in the morning with a short welcome at the ECG building in Uithoorn and then left together by public transport to Amsterdam Central Station. There we picked up some more participants and walked to Dam Square. Once there, some more participants joined the group.
After a short word from the founders, the champagne could be uncorked and glasses raised. After the ‘Plop’ and the pleasant relaxation, it was time for the ‘Urban hike’ and the colorful group set off. The route led past various well-known and historical places that have left their mark on the history of the city.
At the RAI metro station, the return journey to the ECG building in Uithoorn was resumed by public transport. Once there, Walter and Johannes gave a presentation about the creation of the Jerusalem Way in the Netherlands, Europe and the Middle East. For the ‘die-hards’, a dinner with the organizers was organized for the participants at the end, after which everyone went their way home.
We look back on a beautiful and blessed day and hope that this new walking route will be a blessing for many.
In my diary, dated Friday, May 5, 2023, I wrote:
"What a wonderful day today! I can begin part 2 of my "Jerusalem Pilgrimage." May 4th and 5th, Remembrance Day and Liberation Day... there's no better time to begin this new pilgrimage together with my sweetheart by my side, too.
Petra is also enjoying being outdoors. From Amsterdam Central Station, we walked to Diemen via Duivendrecht. From there, we returned home by public transport. Wonderful... "The first step is done."
In my diary, dated Friday, July 4, 2018, I wrote:
Today is the first day of my pilgrimage to Jerusalem. I'm so curious what—and if—the Lord Jesus will do anything with it. It's my "Walk for Jesus." I've been looking forward to this so much. I've been preparing for this for years. This morning, around 10:30 a.m., I started walking with Petra. I feel so blessed that my sweetheart is walking with me for the first two days.
We walked all the way to De Kwakel. When we arrived, we first ate at the Eethuis/Cafeteria in De Kwakel (city center). We stayed overnight at a host house run by the Friends on Bikes Foundation. We didn't arrive at our host house until around 7:00 p.m. We were tired from our first day of walking. After a nice shower, we went to bed early.
In my diary, dated Tuesday, May 22, 2018, I wrote:
Today I flew from Schiphol to Mahon. After arriving, I took the bus to Maó, and after doing some errands and such, I set off on the long-distance hiking trail. I walked about 20 km on the first day. I rested in the fields around lunchtime because of the heat. Then I continued walking. After a dip in the (cold) sea, I looked for a place to sleep. This turned out to be a dune valley.
The night was very humid. There's high humidity at night, and it's very hot during the day. In the morning, I had to let all my gear dry in the sun. I have to be careful of dehydration, overheating, and other physical challenges like fatigue and muscle pain. The first day I walked from Maó to Cap de Favàritx.
Last month, November 11th to 13th, a friend and I stayed at Camping Wesertal in Belgium and made a number of beautiful hikes in the Ardennen. Together we decided to start a new Christian ‘Hiking & Outdoors’ initiative for men. We launched the Dutch website ‘Hiker Online’. On our website you will find short details of our trips with pictures from our hikes and links to the routes we walked.
With this initiative for men we wanted to create a possibility to come together and get into ‘the great outdoors’. Once in a while we will plan an event to go out on a trip. Whoever feels like it and wants to come can apply and join us. For details check out our website at ‘Hiker Online‘.
