Illustrations and design © Peter Spaander Art Prints Content and rhyme © Anne Holland bella The Cat Who Lives at the Garden Tomb
ISBN 978-965-598-024-0 © Copyright Anne Holland 2022 [email protected] Original em inglês: Bella, the cat who lives at the Garden Tomb Todos os direitos reservados. Nenhuma parte deste livro pode ser reproduzida ou divulgada de qualquer forma ou por qualquer meio sem a autorização da autora. Primeira edição em inglês: 2020 Primeira edição em português: 2023 Texto: Anne Holland Ilustrações e arte : Peter Spaander Art Prints Transcriação: Elisabete Fonseca, Aleph Tav Traduções Foto da Bella no prefácio: Riki Neeb Canção da Bella (original): Riki Neeb Versão em português da canção da Bella: Projeto Locomotiva Vídeo: Cesar Felitas Impressão:
Foreword The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem is one of the possible sites of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Tomb was discovered in 1867 and with great faith and prayerful fundraising became the property of the ‘The Garden Tomb’ a UK based charity in 1894. During the past 128 years, the site has become a significant place of pilgrimage in the Holy Land, welcoming around 250,000 visitors a year. Bella came to live in the garden seven years ago, one of a litter from a malnourished mother, who appeared hungry and homeless in the Skull Hill area. Pitzi, our black cat, (whose name means little one) was born in the garden, under the chapel roof, abandoned and blind in one eye. Our gardeners, George and Riki gently nursed him to health. Bella joins us by the Tomb for worship each morning, often uttering a little miaow during prayerful moments, she also waves her tail in time to rhythmic songs. She often follows us when we guide groups around the garden, sitting at our feet in a quiet, still manner as we share the story of Jesus. It has been a privilege and adventure to write and paint together, to watch the rhymes blossom into a profusion of colour and activity, as the antics of the friends have unfolded. Through these, we have sought to convey the reverence and joy of the Gospel message that we share at the Garden Tomb. We hope that you will enjoy your visit, guided by Bella and her friends, and our prayer is that you, like many visitors, will encounter the living Lord Jesus. Anne Holland and Peter Spaander 2022
HAIFA TEL AVIV BEER SHEVA EGYPT JORDAN Mediterranean Sea DEAD Sea LAKE OF TIBERIAS Galilee HERMON As Pitzi Cat takes to the sky, wave to him and watch him fly. Now, look below to land and sea, there's Jerusalem and Galilee! Find some children having fun and a pomegranate in the sun. Can you spot some olive trees? Can you imagine a gentle breeze? EILAT JERUSALEM LEBANON
Say Hi to Bella, the garden cat, who wears the coolest yellow hat. “Welcome friends,”she miaows, “Come and meet my garden pals.” GARDEN TOMB Here in Jerusalem, the Holy City, follow the pawprints of a kitty which lead us to the Garden Tomb. Shall we follow? Shall we zoom? Along the markets, past the people, past the churches with their steeples, up the lane, smooth and straight, ‘ Hurry up, we're near the gate!
“There's Pinky Dove who coos all day, and Pitzi Cat, who loves to play. Choose a flower, find a bee, how many colours do you see?”’
Bella's fur (she proudly says), is black and white with bits of red. She often waves her long black tail to greet her friend, Suzie Snail.
“Bella, will you show us around? We'd like to see the garden grounds.” “My pleasure,” she purrs, “Walk this way, I will be your guide today.”’
Bella loves the flowers, adores the rose and the scent of thyme beneath her nose, but jasmine is her favourite flower, she sniffs the blooms for hours and hours!
Something catches Bella's eye; Look! Some pretty butterflies! She reaches high to join their dance, above the leafy garden plants.
Here is Bella's Carob tree, its beans taste rather chocolatey! They were once used (she's been told) to balance scales that weighed pure gold.
She often climbs the tree to spy the birds that nest below the sky. Beyond this scene, we lift our eyes to the place nearby where Jesus died.
The rock we see, we call Skull Hill.’ Bella sits here, very still. “When Jesus died upon the Cross you can be sure it was for us. For the saddest things we ever did, for the words we wish we'd never said that hurt our friends and family; That's why He died for you and me!”
“Here, He took away our sin so now we can belong to Him, thankful all our days because He forgives us by His love. I love the Lord, He cares for me, His amazing love has set me free.”
As Bella softly pads along she gently purrs a joyful song. She takes her time as people chat about the tour led by a cat. They think about what they've just seen, and what for them, the story means.
Bella enjoys her guiding task, “What comes next?” the children ask. “Perhaps there will be a big surprise!” Bella, the garden cat replies.
Look! There's Leroy Lizard on the path, his speedy feet make Bella laugh, she tries to catch him in her paws, but Leroy doesn't like her claws.
Now Pitzi, Pinky and Suzie Snail are joining in the sport as well. Around the olive trees they chase, we wave and cheer as they race.
When they have finished having fun they're hot and tired from the sun, so here's a shady flower bed, where sleepy cats can lay their heads.
We wait while Bella takes a snooze...… When she wakes up she cries, “Good news!”’
“Let's go and see the Garden Tomb, it's really just an empty room where Jesus was buried when He died, come and have a look inside.”
“When Jesus rose up from the dead, an angel appeared to his friends and said, ‘He is not here! He is alive! That makes me feel so warm inside.”
“What a joy to tell your friends that facing death is not the end. Jesus lives and reigns today, so all who follow in His way, will live with Him forevermore, and that's the greatest news of all!”
Bella's Joyful Song Miaow, miaow, I wave my tail such joy is in my heart. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. When Jesus died upon the cross, you can be sure it was for us. Miaow, miaow, we wave as well, such joy is in our hearts. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. I love the Lord, He cares for me and His great love has set me free. Miaow, miaow, we sing, we tell of the joy that's in our hearts. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. We sing our joyful song for you, and hope that you will love Him too. Bella's Joyful Song Miaow, miaow, I wave my tail, such joy is in my heart. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. When Jesus died upon the cross, you can be sure it was for us. Miaow, miaow, we wave as well, such joy is in our hearts. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. I love the Lord, He cares for me and His great love has set me free. Miaow, miaow, we sing, we tell of the joy that's in our hearts. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, we will never be apart. We sing our joyful song for you and hope that you will love Him too. Miaow, miaow, we sing, we tell of the joy that's in our hearts. The tomb is empty - Jesus rose, We will never be apart. Miaow
If you have enjoyed our tour and desire Jesus as your Lord, below you'll find a simple prayer to say as you are sitting there. Lord Jesus, Thank you for the Cross, for your forgiveness of my sin. Thank you for the empty Tomb which shows me that you live. I choose to trust in you today and Jesus I intend to follow you throughout my life, my saviour and my friend. Amen
SCAN THE QR-CODE TO SING ALONG ON YOUTUBE BELLA'S JOYFUL SONG