The Wilderness

We began our day early, departing our hotel at 6:30 for the Negev Desert. During our travels today we visited:

Ein Avdat an Israel National Park and part of the Desert of Zin. A challenging area to traverse but filled with unexpected beautify and vistas.

We visited a reconstructed Bedouin Camp. Learning as well as receiving a little taste of how the Patriarchs lived, traveled and Bedouin hospitality.

We traveled to the tell of Be’er Sheva an ongoing archeological site and an area frequented by the Patriarchs.

Late in the afternoon we returned to our hotel by the Dead Sea and spent some time floating in the sea, experiencing its therapeutic properties.

Tomorrow we explore the Judean Wilderness and end our day at the Sea of Galilee.

God bless
Kyrie’s Blog
Today, we spent time in the Negev desert (southern part of Israel). We hiked through a canyon in the Wilderness of Zin, where a spring called Ein Avdat is located. I enjoyed seeing tamarisk trees (the kind Elijah napped under) and climbing steps up the side of the canyon. Once we got to the top, we learned our bus had an issue and was not there to pick us to take us the short distance to the next stop. So what did we do? We walked across the desert. Granted, it was not a long walk. But I loved the fact that we were walking in the same area in the same way as the Israelites did thousands of years ago when they were wandering in the desert for 40 years. It was hot and dry, with no shade and seemingly no direction. What a neat little experience we had that was not planned. I’m thankful that the bus was delayed so that we could make that trek. I literally got to walk in the footsteps of the Israelites. How cool is that?! After our trek through the desert, we came to a Bedouin camp, where we got to ride camels. Such a cool experience!! I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience Israeli Bedouin culture firsthand. This trip has been amazing so far! I am learning so much!

Jen’s Blog
Today we were in the Negev desert. We started the day at the Ein Advat. It was a location in the desert where water has burst through the rock. It was a great picture of the story of Moses and how he struck the rock for water for the people. We hiked up the canyon, walked to the Bedouin camp, rode camels, and went to Be’er Sheva. This is the place where God spoke to the Patriarchs and Abraham dug a well to establish his connection to the land. I found it very interesting that the Bible says that Abraham dug a well, which makes it sound so simple. But being there, in the desert, in the heat, seeing how deep a well had to be dug for water, that “simple” act was much more complicated. That has been my favorite part of this trip—the fact that being here and experiencing things gives the stories of the Bible a whole different meaning. It brings the stories to life to remind us that they aren’t just stories, they really happened.

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